The third leg of the Triple Crown will be held at Saratoga this year, as the Belmont Stakes is run in June. It will be a new home for the test of champions, with Belmont Park currently being renovated.
Saratoga will host the next two editions of the race, before the TwinSpires Belmont Stakes moves back to its original home in 2026.
Saratoga is high on the list of bucket list locations for horse racing fans in the world, as it is one of the most beautiful in the United States. But, if you’re travelling to the Spa this year, what should you do when you aren’t at the race track?
Saratoga Spa State Park
Aside from racing, Saratoga is also extremely famous for the Spa State Park, which is open daily between 8 am and 5 pm. This National Historic Landmark offers a diverse experience for all visitors, and it is home to the legendary Lincoln mineral baths. As well as this, the location is also home to the Performing Arts Center, and National Museum of Dance.
The site is located at Saratoga Springs, and it has welcomed guests since the 19th century. It was named as a State Park in 1962, before becoming a National Historic Landmark in the 80s for its natural features and role of early conservation measures. It is among the most popular tourist attractions in the region, and a must-visit for all racing fans before attending the Belmont Stakes.
Congress Park
Congress Park is also an unmissable attraction located in Saratoga Springs. It is one of the most scenic locations in the region and is a beautifully landscaped park which also features as the backdrop for the Canfield Casino. Congress Park was previously a large resort hotel, which was also previously used in unison to connect the gambling and health sites within Saratoga Springs.
It was at its height of popularity during the 80s, with wealthy visitors staying at the location and it was revered for being a playground for the rich and famous. It was listed among the National Register of Historic Places in 1972, and was declared a landmark in 1987. Congress Park is also an excellent location to learn more about the history of the local region, with the Saratoga Springs History Museum being among the popular locations for tourists.
National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
A must-visit attraction for all horse racing fans is the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, which is located in Saratoga Springs. It is a location that celebrates and honours the achievements of horse, jockeys and trainers within the sport. It has been found in Saratoga since moving from Union Avenue in 1955, and inductions for the Hall of Fame began at this time.
Every spring the nominations are made for the next wave of inductees, with the voting taking place during the week of the Kentucky Derby. As well as celebrating the achievements of those inducted into the Hall of Fame, it is also a hugely popular location to find large collections of arts and memorabilia that can’t be found anywhere else.
Some of the oldest pieces of merchandise date back from the 18th century, with some of the most famous stories told at the museum. Aristides was the latest horse to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2024 after winning on nine from his 21 career starts. Meanwhile, Abe Hawkins was the latest jockey to be inducted into the Hall of Fame after training legendary horses such as Lecomte, Arrow, and Minnehaha.
Saratoga Automobile Museum
If you’re a visitor that shares a love for all things cars as well as horses, then the Saratoga Automobile Museum is a must-visit location when travelling to the Spa. This museum is located on the Avenue of the Pines, and was previously used as a water bottle plant throughout the 1930s and 40s.
However, it was repurposed to become the Automobile Museum in 1999, before being formally opened in June 2002. It is an excellent location to learn more about some of the most famous cars, with over 30 vehicles being able to be housed at the museum across the three galleries spread across two floors. As well as this, it is also home to a number of cars that have been inducted into the NYSSCA Hall of Fame.
The art gallery is also used to recognise the achievements of some of the most celebrated drivers in U.S. history that have also been inducted into the Hall of Fame. Inductions are made one a year, and there have been some very famous figures rewarded since 2010. The most recent class of Hall of Famers was revealed last year, with Joa Plazek, Dale Planck, and Mitch Gibbs achieving the honour.
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