We’ll be in Saratoga for the first time for the Travers. Looking for advice from those of you who have been there on what to do and where to eat while we’re there. Appreciate your thoughts - thanks!
The night of the Travers, you eat where you have a reservation or at home. Lots of great restaurants in Saratoga. Are you looking for casual or fine dining?
You can’t go wrong with Prime at Saratoga National or The Lodge. I’ve heard good things about Morton’s, A Steakhouse (at the Racino/harness track.) I also like Jacob and Anthony’s for steaks/seafood. They also have a great casual bar menu.
Less fancy there is the Merry Monk, specializing in mussels and Belgian beer, though the last time I went I was not thrilled. One Caroline has a great jazzy vibe in an old building and Sperry’s is another great spot.
I have never been to Saratoga so I can’t offer up any information. Just recently Bill Shanklin wrote this, which wetted my appetite for a visit.
hope it’s ok to tack another question on this thread, as it’s in the same vein.
I read - I think on the track website? - that you can go have breakfast at the track and watch horses train. I’m sure you know if this is a thing, and if it’s worth doing, Linny! My favorite part of grooming for a friend at Dressage at Saratoga back in the day was getting breakfast to go and eating it watching horses train at the training track (Oklahoma?). My eye is so slow for racing!!
As for things to do, haven’t been there for years but LOVED the racing museum. https://www.racingmuseum.org/
I avoid Saratoga in the summer but this place is great: http://www.bocabistro.com/menu
I agree with Linny about reservations on Travers’ weekend. Without them, you’re in trouble. Where are you staying?
I went to Skidmore and have been back a few times since graduation.
Stop at Putnam Market for great sandwiches and Mrs. London’s for pastries and coffee.
I liked Max London’s for dinner when I lived there, but it has been (more than) a few years since I’ve been. And Wheatfields was always a hit with my family.
If you’re up for some (serious) partying, Caroline Street is the hub for bars/carousing/people watching.
And what the others said - reservations. Must have reservations for dinner on Travers Weekend.
You could go see the springs and beautiful old carousel in Congress Park. There’s some shopping up and down Broadway. Skidmore has a small art museum, the Tang, which is open to the public.
Thanks! We’re staying at the Gideon Putnam. Doesn’t have to be fine dining but definitely looking for a great culinary experience while we’re there. We (unfortunately) really like to eat! 
Ravenous is my very favorite place in Saratoga. The fries, crepes, and mint tea are AMAZING. We go every time we’re in the area!
Thanks for all your input! Reservations made. I couldn’t get into all of our first choices but here’s what we have:
Thursday: Mouzon House (cajan creole)
Friday: Boca Bistro (tapas)
Sat: The Wishingwell (steak and seafood)
Great choices. Wishing Well is an old school place where many racetrackers congregate. I only went to Boca Bistro once or twice but liked the food and the vibe.
If you can, check out the Racing Museum. It’s lovely and offers up the history of the sport in a concise manner. Breakfast at the track is fun. (I don’t think it’s offered on Travers Saturday) and a great way to watch the horses work while you eat. I believe that they still have an announcer telling patrons who the “big names” are as they come on to the track or begin their exercise. Take the backstretch tour.
There are great shopping spots all along Broadway and plenty of places for an after dinner drink.
If you are a bookworm, be sure to check out Lyrical Ballad Bookstore on Phila St. It is the greatest bookstore, EVER.
[QUOTE=Linny;8812443]
If you are a bookworm, be sure to check out Lyrical Ballad Bookstore on Phila St. It is the greatest bookstore, EVER.[/QUOTE]
I haven’t been to Saratoga in a few years, but loved this bookstore!
It might be closed now for renovations, but Cafe Lena is a great place to hear music. Oldest folk club in America I believe.
Oh you’ll have fun! Boca Bistro is great. I’ve only been to the Wishing Well once but I’ve been dreaming of the lobster bisque ever since then. If you like lobster bisque - order it!
Lots of fun places to window shop on Broadway…have fun!
I’m in Saratoga every week but try to avoid Broadway in the summer because I can go any time. But for a weekend trip to the track, it will be a great time! Be prepared for crowds, and hopefully the weather will cooperate!
Sperry’s has been my go to for years. Haven’t been able to get up to Saratoga for a couple of years now. Hope it is still active and tasty. Their country pate is one of my favs.
Not all places take reservations. So, some “grease” goes a long way moving one’s name up the seating list at the door. Depending on things, restaurant, 10-20 discretely given with a hand shake while given your name.
Some more suggestions:
Pennell’s - great old school Italian
Wheatfield’s - we always have at least one meal here when we are in town - so good!
Tin & Lint Co. - my favorite Saratoga dive bar
PJ’s BAR-B-QSA - if you like BBQ, go here - not right in town, but amazing food!
5 Points Market & Deli - great spot for sandwiches
Bread Basket Bakery - spot for excellent pastries and coffee in the morning
Have a wonderful time!!
Wishing Well is terrific and a favorite of track insiders. I highly recommend Chez Pierre but I’m guessing its booked. If you want a lovely drive from the Gideon Putnam check out the Cock and Bull. Nice drive out in the country and I bet you can still get a reservation. Fantastic food.
Wishing I was at the Wishing Well. The lamb chops are to die for. The fresh sliced tomatoes presented shortly after being seated. The chatter…
Alas, right now working in Florida. Missed The Alabama. Missing The Travers.
Have fun!!!
[QUOTE=Saskatoonian;8811066]
hope it’s ok to tack another question on this thread, as it’s in the same vein.
I read - I think on the track website? - that you can go have breakfast at the track and watch horses train. I’m sure you know if this is a thing, and if it’s worth doing, Linny! My favorite part of grooming for a friend at Dressage at Saratoga back in the day was getting breakfast to go and eating it watching horses train at the training track (Oklahoma?). My eye is so slow for racing!!
As for things to do, haven’t been there for years but LOVED the racing museum. https://www.racingmuseum.org/[/QUOTE]
Absolutely go for training. I used to do a great horsey birthday party for pre-teen girls. Breakfast at the track (we brought our own from McD’s, as then you can sit in the boxes and see and hear the woman doing the commentary). There’s a backstretch tour (free) at the break. Watch horses school out of the gate. Run away from the tour and cross to the harness track. Watch STB’s train. Polo ponies exercise. Horses swimming. A tack shop. Hike down to the racing museum. Find some lunch, watch races until the girls went to sleep(we had left home at 5). Get ice cream outside Schuylerville.
Great day.
Saratoga Harness is a wonderful track, too.
The springs, themselves, are fascinating. There should be a map of where they are located on Google. Some of them are in the park, which is nice a nice place. There was a nice restaurant overlooking Saratoga Lake, too.
Came across this article that is full of information as it relates to Travers week.
https://www.americasbestracing.net/lifestyle/2016-week-saratoga-travers-week
