Ten Reasons to Include a Trip from NYC to Saratoga in Your Summer Plans

Put a morning in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. watching workouts on your bucket list. (Photo by Eclipse Sportswire)
It is summertime and everyone is looking for his or her next great vacation spot. 
Many New Yorkers choose the Hamptons or the Jersey Shore, or maybe even a trip down to Florida to visit grandma and grandpa. However, there is only one vacation spot that I will advocate for all you NYC residents, and that place is Saratoga Springs, N.Y. 
Below are 10 reasons why I think a trip from New York City to Saratoga should be part of your summer 2014 plans:
1. Getting from New York City to Saratoga Springs is both easy and affordable. Personally, I am a fan of rail travel and believe that Amtrak service is your best bet. If you choose Amtrak, where a round-trip ticket to Saratoga will run you about $120, you will depart Midtown’s Penn Station and arrive in beautiful Saratoga Springs after only a short, 4-hour train ride up the Hudson River. If you are not keen on a train trip, there are a variety of bus lines, including Greyhound, that offer service between NYC and Saratoga.
2. Being that Saratoga is definitely a tourist destination, there are a variety of options regarding potential places to stay. Many Saratoga regulars choose to rent a house for a week, a few weeks, or even for the entire 40-day race meet. Other visitors choose to stay in one of a number of hotels and motels located in Saratoga Springs. Click here for some great Saratoga hotel options.
3. One great reason to leave New York City for a getaway to the Spa (“The Spa” is a longtime nickname for Saratoga Springs) is the weather. NYC in the summer is truly a concrete Jungle where it can be so devastatingly hot that even the iciest of Italian Ices won’t help alleviate your discomfort. Head upstate! Saratoga is known for its cool mornings, and by the end of the racing meet you will be able to see early hints of autumn with leaves beginning to change colors overhead. 
4. Are you a golfer? Having trouble finding a good golf game in one of the five boroughs? Saratoga Springs might be the perfect place for your summertime trip. Saratoga is home to some great golf courses, and one of the most popular is located on the grounds of Saratoga Spa State Park. Other options include the pricier Saratoga National and my personal favorite, Saratoga Lake Golf Club.
SARATOGA SPA GOLF

5. Do you like being outside in the fresh air and feel stifled in New York City? Saratoga is the place for you! Enjoy a stroll in Congress Park or Saratoga Spa State Park, or take a trip out to Saratoga Lake for a little time on the water. Check out this complete list of “non-racing” things to do in Saratoga Springs.
6. It often is tough to enjoy your morning in New York City. The popular breakfast choice of a bagel with cream cheese quickly loses its luster, and with the daily hassle of traveling via taxi, subway, or some other form of public transportation, many commuters are already sour on their day before they’ve even arrived to their final destination. However, a short trip to Saratoga will change your outlook on mornings altogether. In Saratoga, mornings are viewed with anticipation, and in a way, they are cherished. A visit to Saratoga Race Course for breakfast during morning training hours is an absolute must for anyone visiting Saratoga during the summertime.
7. As track announcer Tom Durkin proclaims, Saratoga is the home of “enchanting mornings and exciting afternoons.” The excitement of the afternoons cannot be understated. The best racehorses, trainers, and jockeys in the world all gear up for the Saratoga racing season, which means fans get to enjoy top-notch, competitive, thrilling horse racing six days per week (no racing on Tuesdays). The New York Mets are on their way to their 8th consecutive season without reaching the playoffs, while the Yankees are fighting every day to stay within reach of the postseason. For the summer of 2014, NYC sports fans looking for excitement might want to book a trip to Saratoga.
8. Tired of your same, old Happy Hour haunts down in the Big Apple? Sick of seeing the same old faces at your neighborhood watering hole? Come up to Saratoga! After the races are over, you will be able to enjoy a cocktail or two with racing fans — both old and new — from all around the country, where you can go over winners and near-misses from that afternoon’s racing action while also discussing “horses to watch” for the next day’s races. Popular post-race establishments include Siro’s and the Horseshoe Inn, which both are located only a stone’s throw away from the Saratoga Race Course clubhouse.
HORSESHOE INN

9. New York City is known for its great restaurants, and there’s no denying that the cuisine in Gotham City is top notch. However, Saratoga Springs is home to its fair share of phenomenal dining possibilities, so a trip from NYC to Saratoga will not leave you lacking in potential options for a feast. In downtown Saratoga Springs, my personal favorites are Lillian’s and the Olde Bryan Inn. These two establishments are in great locations for you to continue your night on the town in Saratoga. Find more recommendations for great places to eat in Saratoga here.
OLDE BRYAN INN

10. Speaking of nights on the town, Saratoga is well known for the liveliness of its downtown scene during the racing season. On any given night, you will find live music, parties, and drinks being poured until the early morning hours along Broadway (the main street through downtown Saratoga) and its accompanying side streets. New York City may be the “city that never sleeps,” but I can promise you that the action never stops in Saratoga Springs as well.
As you can see, there are a variety of reasons as to why a trip from New York City to Saratoga Springs is the right choice for you. The town revolves around Saratoga Race Course and the horse racing action that takes place there. However, Saratoga is more than a racetrack … it’s a lifestyle and it’s one that I highly encourage you the check out.
Tune in to Fox Sports 1 on Aug. 10 for the Saratoga Special Stakes and on Aug. 17 for the Sword Dancer Invitational Stakes.