Saratoga Virgin - Rec's Needed

[ManU918]

Hard to believe I haven't posted in 5 years. I'm sure Pace and CJ have missed me (sarcasm). Anyways... I'm heading to Saratoga for the first time in a few weeks and know many of you have been multiple times so I'm looking for some help. This was a spur-of-the-moment decision made over the weekend so no planning has gone into this which hasn't left me with many hotel options but any help with the following would be greatly appreciated.

1) What is the best location at the track? I've looked into the 1863 Club, Grandstand and Clubhouse but honestly open to anything.

2) Is the Adelphi worth the $1000 per night Fri/Sat cost? Any hotel recs would be helpful. Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn and Hilton are booked the week I am going. Also looking into Airbnb's but nothing has really caught my eye.

3) What are the best bars/restaurants in Saratoga? Any good cigar bars?

4) Is it easy to get an Uber?

5) How is the casino? Not the biggest harness fan but considering a Saturday night visit.


I apologize to the mods if this isn't in the right location.

[Zman179]

Originally Posted by ManU918

Hard to believe I haven't posted in 5 years. I'm sure Pace and CJ have missed me (sarcasm). Anyways... I'm heading to Saratoga for the first time in a few weeks and know many of you have been multiple times so I'm looking for some help. This was a spur-of-the-moment decision made over the weekend so no planning has gone into this which hasn't left me with many hotel options but any help with the following would be greatly appreciated.

1) What is the best location at the track? I've looked into the 1863 Club, Grandstand and Clubhouse but honestly open to anything.

2) Is the Adelphi worth the $1000 per night Fri/Sat cost? Any hotel recs would be helpful. Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn and Hilton are booked the week I am going. Also looking into Airbnb's but nothing has really caught my eye.

3) What are the best bars/restaurants in Saratoga? Any good cigar bars?

4) Is it easy to get an Uber?

5) How is the casino? Not the biggest harness fan but considering a Saturday night visit.


I apologize to the mods if this isn't in the right location.

1) Literally any location at the track can be the right location based on your likes. For me the best area is the reserved seating areas, but I’m sure you’ll get ten different answers from ten different people.

2) I don’t know your lifestyle, but $2000 for two nights stay seems very upper crust. Me, I’d drive 20 minutes to Clifton Park and spend $150 on a Holiday Inn. There’s a lot of affordable hotels within a 20 minute highway drive of Saratoga.

3) My favorite is Carson’s Woodside Tavern in neighboring Malta. Lots of racetrackers go there after the races, the food is really good and it has breathtaking views of Saratoga Lake.

4) Cannot answer as I drive everywhere. Honestly I would recommend renting a car. Nonetheless the following is a link to the CDTA which operates buses in the Saratoga Springs area:

https://www.cdta.org/routes-and-schedules/saratoga

5) Casino is fine and the track is clean. I’ve been there many times for the trotters and it’s nice.

[alhattab]

Originally Posted by ManU918

Hard to believe I haven't posted in 5 years. I'm sure Pace and CJ have missed me (sarcasm). Anyways... I'm heading to Saratoga for the first time in a few weeks and know many of you have been multiple times so I'm looking for some help. This was a spur-of-the-moment decision made over the weekend so no planning has gone into this which hasn't left me with many hotel options but any help with the following would be greatly appreciated.

1) What is the best location at the track? I've looked into the 1863 Club, Grandstand and Clubhouse but honestly open to anything.

2) Is the Adelphi worth the $1000 per night Fri/Sat cost? Any hotel recs would be helpful. Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn and Hilton are booked the week I am going. Also looking into Airbnb's but nothing has really caught my eye.

3) What are the best bars/restaurants in Saratoga? Any good cigar bars?

4) Is it easy to get an Uber?

5) How is the casino? Not the biggest harness fan but considering a Saturday night visit.


I apologize to the mods if this isn't in the right location.

You may find some ideas here http://www.paceadvantage.com/forum/s...d.php?t=165702

Agree w/Zman there is something for everyone there. If you're going on a weekend and don't have something reserved you need to be prepared with a camp chair. Unless you line up very early a.m. (gates open at 7am for breakfast) you won't get a picnic table out back. I usually pay for Clubhouse admission, set up shop in the picnic area and walk back and forth to bet/watch races (easier to bet in the Clubhouse).

Not sure about cigars bars. I'm sure they are around. Also not sure about the rules if you are in an outdoor seating area. I like Druthers on Broadway. Often has music and has outdoor patio. There is a place out by the lake called 550 Waterfront that is sort of unique (I was there when it was Lake Local and enjoyed it). The Saratoga bar/restaurant scene is like the track itself- ton of variety and something for everyone- everything from the lowbrow places like Trotters and the Tin n Lint on Caroline to the upscale places in the Adelphi, and everyone has "their spot".

I saw the Brooklyn Cowboy (he lives in Saratoga) say on Twitter that cabs (try Saratoga Taxi) are easier to get than Ubers, but that you need to agree on the charge upfront because they have been scamming people.

Agree w/Zman harness track is nice and casino is fine. Also Zman's hotel ideas are fine if you don't mind driving. I've stayed on Wolf Rd in Latham also but if you're asking about Ubers and bars maybe not the best option for you. I think I'd only opt for those locals if I had my own car and wasn't drinking.

[Robert Fischer]

[thespaah]

Originally Posted by ManU918

Hard to believe I haven't posted in 5 years. I'm sure Pace and CJ have missed me (sarcasm). Anyways... I'm heading to Saratoga for the first time in a few weeks and know many of you have been multiple times so I'm looking for some help. This was a spur-of-the-moment decision made over the weekend so no planning has gone into this which hasn't left me with many hotel options but any help with the following would be greatly appreciated.

1) What is the best location at the track? I've looked into the 1863 Club, Grandstand and Clubhouse but honestly open to anything.

2) Is the Adelphi worth the $1000 per night Fri/Sat cost? Any hotel recs would be helpful. Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn and Hilton are booked the week I am going. Also looking into Airbnb's but nothing has really caught my eye.

3) What are the best bars/restaurants in Saratoga? Any good cigar bars?

4) Is it easy to get an Uber?

5) How is the casino? Not the biggest harness fan but considering a Saturday night visit.


I apologize to the mods if this isn't in the right location.

I have friends I've known since high school that live in Glens Falls, 30 mins north of The Spa.
If you have the budget to stay in Saratoga Springs city proper, go for it. Just about all of the hotels are top notch.
If you don't mind a bit of drive up to Glens Falls and want something a bit more than the typical chain, try the Queensbury Hotel.
Now, just off I-87 Exit 18 is a Holiday Inn Express , we stayed at in 2019. Its very nice. If its not Travers week, you'll be looking at around $200 per night.
I just checked the IHG app on my phone....
I chose the weekend of Aug 20/21. One night at the Holiday Inn Express( described above is $243 per night. This is for a king room

For ride share around the city, I think both Uber and Lyft are available. Plese check that.

As to the racino at the Harness track, its typical electronic gaming. This time of year, it stays pretty crowded.
Oh, FYI, the Rivers Casino in Schenectady , about 30 mins south of Saratoga offers both electronic and live table games
A note, after 5pm Rivers table minimums get a little steep. $15 on Black Jack , Roulette and Craps....The gaming floor is rather small.

[Zman179]

The place I go for dinner in Saratoga is closed on Wednesdays due to a worker shortage. Anyone have any restaurant recommendations for dinner?