A Perfect Vacation Destination
Have you planned your summer vacation yet? There are so many destinations to choose from and so many travel options. According to the U.S. Travel Association, over a billion Americans set out to travel for leisure every year to some of the top tourist destinations. Travel and Leisure lists some of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, including New York City, Las Vegas, and several Disney theme parks across the globe. See the complete list here. How do you choose the best vacation spot? Is a theme park and a big mouse a prerequisite for a perfect vacation? As for accommodation options, do you prefer renting a house, camping, glamping, a hotel, motel, resort, or bed and breakfast?
If you are looking for the perfect destination for your next vacation, look no further. Saratoga Springs and its surrounding area are ideal for your summer getaway! Saratoga is bustling in the summer. With the Saratoga racetrack, Saratoga Polo, Saratoga Performing Arts Center , and downtown Saratoga shopping and dining you will never run out of exciting things to do! (For more Saratoga activities, see Megan Alexander’s Saratoga Bucket List.) Saratoga Springs is so great, in fact, that it has even been recognized as an exciting attraction by none other than the home of Mickey himself; Walt Disney World!
Did you know that there is a resort and spa at Disney World based on Saratoga Springs, NY? It is called Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa and is located in the Disney Springs resort area of Walt Disney World in Florida! Guests stay in Victorian style villa buildings, which are split into sections called Congress Park, The Springs, The Paddock, The Carousel, and The Grandstand. Streets throughout the resort include Broadway, Union Ave, and Avenue of the Pines. Dining options include Saratoga potato chips and equestrian themed settings. The pools also offer features indigenous to Saratoga. The aptly named High Rock Spring Pool pays homage to Saratoga’s natural water springs and other pools at the resort boast equestrian themed water features. Saratogians visiting this resort might just feel at home with such surroundings even if, at some of the water springs features, they might see Donald Duck! It is incredible that one of the most visited tourist destinations in the world has replicated the city of Saratoga Springs! This year for your vacation, why not travel to and experience the real Saratoga Springs in upstate New York? Insider tip: Book your stay to visit Saratoga Springs, NY as soon as possible, as guest rooms and house rentals fill quickly, especially in late July through August when racetrack season is at its peak. Search for your perfect Saratoga track rental or other accommodations to visit Saratoga Springs, NY now!
North of Saratoga, you will find the Adirondacks and beautiful Lake George. Lake George is just four hours north of New York City and is a great escape from city life. The scenery is breathtaking with the sparkling water surrounded by the Adirondack Mountains and there is everything to do in this storybook village. Take a boat ride, play mini golf, go to the beach, picnic, barbeque, hike, bike, swim, camp, or even catch a drive-in movie. Lake George is an old-fashioned favorite in the summertime. You may even spot Lake George High School alum, Rachael Ray, after whom, a pizza has been named after at the Queensbury, NY restaurant, The Harvest, a local favorite, located between Saratoga and Lake George, where she is known to visit when she is in the area.
Directly east of Saratoga and Lake George is Vermont. A day trip to Vermont includes country rides, farm animals, country stores, quaint towns, and fresh produce like apples, wine, cheese, maple syrup and candy. Amidst the splendid scenery is also fantastic shopping, theater, and sights. Depending on how adventurous you feel, you can travel to Manchester Center for shopping at the Manchester Designer Outlets, enjoy a Dorset Theater Festival production at Dorset Playhouse, or even venture further north to take a tour of the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream factory. A day of driving in the countryside can lead to great adventures and magical memories!
Whether you decide to reserve a house rental, guest room, camper or tent, Saratoga and its surrounding area is a perfect vacation destination. I hope you plan on visiting this summer. Your adventure in upstate New York (and Vermont!) awaits and is sure to be a thrill, even without the mouse!
An edited version of this blog is also posted here.
