Saratoga Springs Sightseeing: Top Tour Reviews

Looking to see Saratoga Springs? You might be in the right place. Saratoga Springs is almost like this gem tucked away in upstate New York, very well known for its mineral springs, horse racing, and amazing cultural scene. So, instead of just wandering around with a map (which, by the way, can be kind of fun too!), how about someone shows you around who really knows what’s what? A tour, that, is one of the ways you get to learn about the history and local hotspots without having to do all the digging. It’s also kind of relaxing. There are quite a few choices out there, though, and they definitely aren’t created equal. We’ve scoped out some of the best Saratoga Springs sightseeing options (the absolute best way to see all that is there) to make planning your adventure a little easier. Let’s get going!

1. Saratoga Springs City Walking Tour

First off, a walking tour could be perfect if you prefer taking your time, breathing in the local air, and spotting the little things others just skip by. So, this tour covers the historical downtown area, letting you take in architecture and hear some great stories along the way. That history, it’s very amazing. Your local guide probably points out some landmarks, while providing tidbits of information that your guidebook is quite unlikely to contain, honestly. Now, a detail to remember, the pace is pretty gentle, but you do still need comfortable shoes because you’ll be doing quite a bit of walking, of course. (Seeing the most of historic Saratoga) After all, it’s a walking tour!

The guides actually put a lot of emphasis on local stories and historical happenings, so you can gain a much richer feeling about Saratoga Springs. Like your guide would tell you, perhaps the story of how the mineral springs turned it all into such a destination, or stories about the racetrack in the older days, things like that. Still, it’s kind of a charming experience if you appreciate feeling the heartbeat of a place up close.

2. Saratoga Race Course Tour

Of course, what is Saratoga without a little horse racing, am I right? The Saratoga Race Course is like one of those places where history feels truly alive; it’s nearly as much a symbol of the town as the mineral springs. That location is truly beautiful. The tour actually gives you this closer view. (Discovering the beauty of Saratoga Race Course) You get to walk through the stables (smelling all of the smells that go with it), hear about the most celebrated horses, and perhaps get a sense for what a race day is truly all about. Now, what the racing enthusiasts appreciate, I find, is that the guides definitely know what they’re talking about.

So, it can give you behind-the-scenes info you will most likely not find somewhere else. The catch? Tour times will often coincide with the racing season, so you ought to check the availability if you’re thinking about going during the off-season. Yet, if you have ever wondered about the world of horse racing, this could be for you.

3. Mineral Springs Tour

What turned Saratoga Springs into a spot talked about, is basically its mineral springs, which were believed by a lot of people to possess curing properties. These springs, they’re one of a kind. A dedicated Mineral Springs Tour allows you to taste waters of the different springs (be prepared, some of them can have quite a zing!). You will get an explanation, as well, of why each one has this unusual composition and what made each spring significant during different phases of the area’s history. Now, the mineral waters, I won’t lie, their taste is something of an acquired liking, as a matter of fact. (Tasting the beauty of mineral waters) So, it’s just a fun thing if you appreciate both learning the natural history of a place and want to give the local water a go.

If you are lucky, that might include geysers; others are small fountains; still others might need you to bend low to the ground. Still, Saratoga’s springs are unique and interesting, plus that the guide should tell you just why!

4. Haunted Saratoga Ghost Tour

For those who enjoy hearing creepy tales after dark, then the Haunted Saratoga Ghost Tour may be precisely the ticket. Seemingly, such a tour promises that guides bring you all around Saratoga Springs at night to recount true accounts and chilling stories tied to various locales around the town. That, you could tell, is all storytelling. Saratoga’s long history gives us a few good ghost stories, I have to say. You ought to enjoy all of the historical tales alongside some genuinely spooky elements. However, bear in mind this may not be well suited to young kids! Very scary for little ones! So, maybe wait until the children are old enough. It’s just something to think about.

Guides might use things like EMF readers or dowsing rods in order to “detect” ghostly happenings as you go. I find this so much fun! So, prepare yourself to suspend your disbelief for a couple of hours and allow a local ghost story to do its work, letting you imagine every shadowy corner differently.

5. Private, Customized Tour with a Local Guide

Now, maybe you would want anything particular to Saratoga Springs tailored only to you? A few local companies will help set up a tour for a small group based around what everyone’s interests might be. You basically inform your guide, probably beforehand, regarding your passions, exactly what type of activity you like, so they might customize a tour for this or that type of interest. So, one day might include some art galleries if that’s your passion, whereas a different one could check into the parks around Saratoga. That is up to you. Such trips, that give you a lot of control. Now, the tours may tend to cost more per head versus larger group experiences. (Creating perfect experiences) Still, having a truly intimate look, as well as individual time together with someone extremely informed, could be priceless, seriously. In short, with customized tour products like these, satisfaction with the tour is usually very high.

Perhaps your private guide has ties to somewhere that usually the rest of those tours don’t get access to. Perhaps you would wish that you had much more time to photograph those famed canopies which sit alongside Broadway without the feeling you have to rush off elsewhere. You can find everything you may require through just this choice.