Welcome to the vibrant and picturesque city of Saratoga Springs! I have no doubt that after you visit, you will love this charming city as much as I do. While you are exploring Saratoga Springs, you will definitely want to take some photos that capture the essence of this magical spot to show your friends and to remember your wonderful experience. While there are beautiful things to snap pictures of around every corner, there are a few quintessential Saratoga locations that you won't want to miss. So, get ready to explore my picks for the top 10 Insta-worthy Saratoga spots that will elevate your vacation (and your Instagram account!) and showcase the beauty of your new favorite destination.
1. Saratoga Springs Welcome Statue
Start your Saratoga Springs visit with a selfie at the Welcome statue near the Saratoga Race Course. The statue features a jockey on a race horse, set against the backdrop of Congress Park. Visit day or night for a memorable photo op! You can find the Welcome statue at the end of Union Avenue (the street that the Saratoga Race Course is on).
2. Historic Congress Park
Just past the Welcome statue, you will find the Historic Congress Park. You can also enter the Park through a pictureque entrance gate off of Broadway (the main street through Downtown Saratoga). You will want to spend some time wandering around the Historic Congress Park because there are lots of great photo ops throughout the Park. A few of the sights you will definitely want to capture are:
Can't leave the park without a photo or video of the infamous Spit and Spat!
3. Saratoga Race Course
If you are visiting in the summer, you will probably go to the Saratoga Race Course to experience the excitement live horseracing. There are so many opportunities for amazing photos at the track. Whether you are capturing the elegant architecture of the historic track buildings or the thrill of horse racing action, you will have an abundance of Insta-worthy photos.
4. Saratoga Spa State Park
The Saratoga Spa State Park is an amazing place where lush green hiking trails and serene streams combine with beautiful historic architecture. You will definitely want to make time in your vacation schedule to visit. The whole Park is a perfect background for unforgettable photos.
5. The Adelphi Hotel
The Adelphi Hotel is a quintessential Saratoga landmark. It is located in downtown Saratoga right on Broadway (if you are on the main drag it is pretty hard to miss!). With its timeless architecture and sophisticated interiors, this historical hotel is a perfect setting for a photo to capture the classic elegance of Saratoga. The Adelphi is beautiful all year long, but as you can see from the photo above, there is a special magic during the holidays.
6. Downtown Saratoga Springs
The vibrant streets of downtown Saratoga Springs are filled with colorful storefronts and bustling cafes creating a lively backdrop for your vacation photos. If you are here during the summer, you will feel the bustling energy of horse racing fans as you stroll past storefronts decorated to celebrate the current racing season. If you are here during the holidays, you will feel like you stepped into a Hallmark Christmas movie with all of the Christmas decorations and small town holiday celebrations. Either way, you will capture some of your favorite photos in the downtown area.
7. Lucy's Bar on Caroline Street
Lucy's Bar is one of my favorite places on Caroline Street. Not only do they serve up unique and delicious cocktails (and the cocktail menu changes seasonally), but they have the most amazing decorations (that also change with the seasons). I love the spring/summer decor shown in the above photo, but my favorite has to be the holiday decor. It is the perfect place for that great Instagram photo highlighting the creative cocktails and the festive surroundings.
8. The Saratoga Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
Outside of the Saratoga Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame (which is across the street from the Race Course), you will find a colorful row of painted jockeys that symbolizes the importance of horse racing to the city of Saratoga and also recognizes the accomplishments of special horses, jockeys and trainers who have reached the pinnacle of their sport. In addition to taking a selfie with the jockeys, you can also snap of picture with a statue of Seabiscuit or a lifesize statue of a horse and jockey racing to the finish line. I suggest you take photos with all three!
9. Adirondack Trust Zodiac Globe
Located behind the Adirondack Trust Building on Broadway, the Zodiac Globe is a hidden gem for photographers searching for that unique focal point. During the spring and summer, this spot is adorned with numerous bright red flowers.
10. High Rock Park
High Rock Park is home to two of the many active springs still dispensing water today. Taste at your own risk as the various mineral content can make the water taste a little funky. Make sure to capture the taste test on film to catch your natural reaction! In addition to the springs, there is also a 9/11 Memorial crafted with steel beams actually taken from the World Trade Center. They were gifted to Saratoga Springs after the city generously provided much needed respite to NYC firefighters and others who were impacted by the terrorist attacks. It is a moving monument tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the main downtown area. This is a true insider tip as most visitors are probably not aware of the location or the significance of the statue.
Conclusion
As you can see, Saratoga Springs is a treasure trove of Instagrammable spots just waiting to be explored. Whether you're drawn to the beauty of nature, the allure of history, or the vibrancy of the bustling downtown area, this city has something for every photography enthusiast. So grab your camera or phone, head out to these top 10 photo spots, and start snapping away to create an Insta feed that truly shines!
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