While camping in Lake George early this fall, my husband and I decided to explore the nearby town of Saratoga, NY. I am so excited to tell you more about this town that effortlessly blends history, culture, and a dash of small-town magic. Saratoga is a place of history and a whole lot of artistic flair, making it an incredibly charming place to visit.
This gem is nestled in upstate New York and a quick 15 minute drive from Lake George RV Park. The town is famous for their race track but there are plenty of other amazing things to do in Saratoga. While there are endless things to do in Saratoga I will tell you about our favorite spots!
Saratoga Olive Oil
Tucked away in the heart of Saratoga’s charming downtown, Saratoga Olive Oil is a taste haven for food enthusiasts. This boutique store beckons you into a world of flavor exploration. Their shelves are lined with an impressive array of small-batch, artisanal olive oils and balsamic vinegars. Each variety is unique, with many seasonal flavors.
And the best part? You get to taste them all! The lovely people working here will help you find your new favorites. They will even show you how to combine the oils and balsamic vinegars into delectable combinations. A few personal favorites were the Sicilian Lemon White Balsamic Vinegar and Rosemary Olive Oil. You will also find adorable gift sets, spice collections, and specialty oils like high quality Sesame Seed Oil.
Whether you’re a culinary connoisseur or a novice in the kitchen, Saratoga Olive Oil promises an exquisite journey for your taste buds. If you can’t wait until you physically visit Saratoga you can order right from their website. You will immediately taste the difference between this and grocery store Olive Oil!
Whitman Brewing Co.
Whitman Brewing Co. is a vibrant hub for craft beer enthusiasts. This local gem offers a laid-back yet spirited atmosphere, where the clinking of glasses and the hum of lively conversations create a soundtrack for an unforgettable evening.
With their ever-changing lineup of handcrafted brews, Whitman Brewing Co. prides itself on it’s award winning flavors. From wheat & farmhouse beers, to dark beers, and even some surprising sours, there is a beer for every palette here.
The decor is industrial chic and welcoming. There are large communal tables and plenty of games to play with friends! While we did not get to experience this they often plan live music and events. And did I mention they have pizza?
That’s right, Detroit Style pizza! Now if you’re from New England like me, this may not be your favorite style of pizza. (New Haven I’m lookin’ at you). But I can promise it’s worth the trip! The pizza had a nice, crispy crust and the perfect topping ratio! Think focaccia texture with a flavor bomb of toppings.
With flavors like their “CBR” (Hickory Smoked Chicken / Crispy Bacon / Banana Peppers / House Made Buttermilk Ranch) and “My Italian Grandpa” (House Made D.O.P. San Marzano Sauce / Mozzarella / Hot + Sweet Italian Sausage / Calabrian Chiles / Gremolata / Parmesan) you can’t go wrong.
Whitman Brewing also offers a cafe style menu with breakfast sandwiches. These are accompanied by smoothies, a full coffee menu and other delicious breakfast items. It is definitely on our list to come back for breakfast next time we are in town!
Druthers Brewing Co.
Not surprising that there’s another brewery on our list of favorites. Winner of multiple World Beer Cup Awards, Druthers prides themselves in making high quality craft beers. Their philosophy is to never cut corners and always use the highest quality ingredients!
When you come across Druthers in downtown Saratoga you will immediately be drawn in. The iron gates welcome you in to a beautifully decorated alley that leads to an open air dining space, then the brewery. I was obsessed with the hanging plants that created a canopy across the exterior space.
Druthers has a handful of beers they brew all year long. These include a scottish ale, an indian pale ale, a blonde and a DDH neipa. They also brew a ton of rotating seasonal beers that offer a little bit of everything. If you are a fan of sour beers like I am you are in luck because Druthers has some excellent gose beers! You can view their full current tap list on their website. They do also have a full restaurant menu that we didn’t get to try, but looked excellent.
One of our favorite parts of this brewery was their beer flights. Since there are so many amazing beers to try here the flight makes it easy to sample a lot. The size of the flight beers were larger than a typical brewery where you only get a few sips of each beer. This let us really enjoy each beer!
Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Also known as the SPAC, the Saratoga Performing Arts Center is a charitable organization that also happens to put on amazing entertainment. Nestled within the serene setting of Saratoga Spa State Park, SPAC is a unique open-air amphitheater that seamlessly marries nature with the arts.
Renowned for its impeccable acoustics and picture perfect setting, the venue presents a diverse array of performances. Hosting year round performances, you can catch everything from classical ballet to rock concerts.
Picture taken from the SPAC website
Weather permitting, concert goers can set up blankets and chairs on the expansive lawn to enjoy the show. Throughout the year SPAC also puts together educational opportunities for young folks interested in getting involved with performing arts. They also offer culinary experiences, literary readings and so much more. You can view their full list of events on their website.
This beautiful venue is a quintessential cultural destination in the heart of Saratoga. If you’re planning to be in the area I would absolutely recommend checking their schedule of events. Find time to work a performance or concert into your itinerary!
Saratoga’s blend of small-town warmth and artistic vibrancy creates a captivating allure that lingers long after you’ve left its tree-lined streets. Whether you’ve indulged in the flavors of local breweries, wandered through boutiques, or simply just taken in the ambiance of this upstate treasure, Saratoga leaves an undeniable mark on the soul.
If you’re looking for more breweries near Lake George you can check out our other post here! Remembering our time spent here this fall and ordering Saratoga Olive Oil online will have to hold us over until our next visit! I hope you have just as much fun on your trip here as we did. Happy traveling!
