Nestled in upstate New York, about a three hour drive from NYC, is the charming little city of Saratoga Springs. At any time of year, Saratoga Spring's charm will sweep you off your feet. But at Christmas time, it legimately feels like you are walking around a Hallmark Christmas movie set. In fact, Saratoga Springs was recently named "The Most Festive Christmas Town in the USA" by the popular magazine House Beautiful.
While I can't promise that you will have your own meet cute that leads to a true Christmas love story, I can promise Saratoga will provide all the remaining ingredients for a magical Christmas holiday. You can come create your own personal Hallmark Christmas celebration even if you are single! Read on for a description of each spot you should visit in Saratoga Springs to create the perfect magical holiday experience.
The Setting:
A lot of Hallmark Christmas movies center around an old historic Inn where the main characters meet and gather. Saratoga Springs has a lot of charming Inns and Bed and Breakfasts that would fill the bill, but the Adelphi Hotel is a grand historic hotel located right on Broadway in the center of downtown. The Adelphi has been recently been renovated and has been beautifully restored to bring back the 19th century hospitality it was known for, making it the perfect backdrop for your holiday story. Read more about the Adelphi Hotel and make reservations here.
The Place for that Perfect Holiday Stroll:
The next thing on the agenda of a magical Hallmark holiday experience, is a nice wintertime stroll bundled up with cute matching gloves and hat. Historic Congress Park, located a few steps away from The Adelphi Hotel, is the perfect place to walk, talk and take adorable holiday photos. Wander through the Park past statues, spring water fountains (where you can take a sip of the healing spa waters Saratoga Springs is known for), a large ponds, an old-fashioned carousel and the historic Canfield Casino that is now the Saratoga Springs History Museum. Read my blog about all there is to see and do at Congress Park.
The Local Breakfast Spot:
After an enjoyable morning stroll in Congress Park, the next scene in your own personal Hallmark holiday movie is enjoying breakfast at a favorite local diner. The Country Corner Cafe is cozy and vintage, the perfect Hallmark movie spot. It opened in 1991 and is located just a block off of Broadway on the corner of Woodlawn and Church Street. The Cafe has a reputation for serving some of the best breakfasts in town. I live close to the Country Corner Cafe and can personally attest that there is always a line of people waiting to get in. I always like to go where you see a crowd because you know that means it is good! Grab something yummy off the menu to energize you for a full day of holiday activities!
Holiday Shopping:
What is more Hallmark movie-like than shopping for the perfect holiday gifts for loved ones. Broadway and the surrounding streets are lined with boutiques, specialty stores and gift shops which are mostly locally owned. You can purchase locally made products at Saratoga Olive Oil Company, Saratoga Tea and Honey, and Saratoga Chocolate Co. There is also a wide selection of other local stores selling unique holiday gifts to delight your family and friends. Some of my personal favorites are Silverado Jewelry Gallery, Lifestyles, Caroline and Main and Northshire Bookstore.
Hot Chocolate and Sweet Treat Stop:
After an afternoon of shopping, it is time for a festive hot cocoa and pastry stop. Of course Saratoga Springs has the picture perfect spot for that holiday treat. Mrs. London's Bakery is right on Broadway so it is easy to pop in to give your feet a break from all that strolling. The only difficulty you will have is choosing which decadent dessert you want to try. Insider tip: the Chocolate, Almond and Chocolate-Almond Croissants are all amazing! If you are hungry for lunch by this time, you can also choose a sandwich, quiche, panini or salad. They also have delicious soups, especially their Creamy Tomato with Cheddar Cheese. Yum! Check out all your options here.
Holiday Cocktails:
You can't have a Hallmark holiday experience without the quintessential holiday bar and festive cocktail! Once again, Saratoga Springs can provide the perfect spot for amazing holiday decor and delicious specialty cocktails. Lucy's Bar is just steps from Broadway and is one of my favorite spots to grab a drink with friends. They go above and beyond with their seasonal decor all throughout the year, but Christmas has got to be the best. Lucy's also has an ever-changing drink menu with specialty cocktails crafted by their talented bartenders. The drinks are not only tasty, but they are definitely Insta-worthy concoctions.
Festive Finale:
Any good Hallmark holiday movie ends with the final scene at the small town's holiday festival. If you time your visit right, Saratoga can provide this ultimate finale for your own Hallmark holiday story. Every year, Saratoga Springs hosts the Victorian Street Walk to kick off the holiday season. The evening includes the Christmas tree lighting, Santa's arrival, strolling Victorian choralers, other live entertainment and a general festive vibe that puts you in a holiday mood. The stores along Broadway generally stay open later that night and often offer yummy treats or even a glass of sparkling wine! All the windows are decorated to the max...some with real people posed in holiday scenes.
Come to Saratoga Springs to Create Your Own Hallmark Movie Holiday!
Whether you bring your own love interest with you or you are looking to create single lady holiday memories with your girl gang, Saratoga has all of the ingredients you need for a wonderful holiday celebration. The 2023 Victorian Street Walk has already happened, but there is still plenty of time to fit in a Saratoga Springs holiday getaway this year! If you come, you just might see me at Lucy's sampling the 2023 Christmas cocktails. Raise your glass and give me a wink! ;)
Happy Holidays!