Every summer, hundreds of thousands of people make the pilgrimage to Saratoga Springs, N.Y., for one of the most celebrated meets in the world of horse racing. If you’re one of the lucky fans who’s about to make the trip to “The Spa” – and especially if you’re a first-timer – you’re probably wondering what else there is to see and do around Saratoga aside from the racetrack. While I’ve visited more than dozen times over the years, I knew if I was going to write this article I needed to find a true local, someone who knows Saratoga inside and out.
Tag: Events / Travel
Beginner’s Guide to the 2026 Saratoga Summer Meet
Saratoga Springs, N.Y., has long been a summer playground for sports fans: the upstate New York town is home to Saratoga Race Course, one of the most storied racetracks in the world, and it’s been mecca for horse racing fans for hundreds of years.
Where to Watch/Listen: Horse Racing Coverage for America’s 250th Birthday Weekend
The upcoming holiday weekend in horse racing is highlighted by the official opening of Saratoga Race Course’s elite summer meet, which this year includes the July 4th Racing Festival usually held at Belmont Park (which will return to the new Belmont in 2027).
Saying Goodbye to Aqueduct
Saying goodbye to a building is one thing. Bidding farewell to people is another. When I think about the closure of Aqueduct Racetrack this Sunday, what first comes to mind isn’t the image of that retro-looking grandstand or the intensity of those howling winter winds on the apron. It’s the faces. The people who filled one of America’s great racetracks (certainly one of its grittiest), those who made Aqueduct what it ultimately became.
