When it comes to catching a show by a top-tier musician in the Hudson Valley, Saratoga Performing Arts Center is the place to go. The entertainment hub welcomes a never-ending stream of big name bands and performers to its main stage; we’re talking everyone from Chris Stapleton and Luke Bryan to Janet Jackson, Wiz Khalifa, and Imagine Dragons.
The venue is a boon for locals, since it means one less trek to New York City and a heap of money saved. Before you take a look at the lineup and find a show (which you will), browse through the dining destinations and overnight accommodations in the area. If you’re going to make a trip up north, after all, why not turn it into a Hudson Valley staycation while you’re at it?
Where to Eat
Salt & Char
353 Broadway, Saratoga Springs
518.450.7500
Riding high on its 2018 Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator, Salt & Char is the place to go if you’re heading to Saratoga for a special occasion. Call ahead or reserve online to experience what happens when a steakhouse gets a farm-to-table spin. Savor a beautiful 8 oz filet mignon on its own or customize it with any of homemade sauces, toppings, and sides on the menu. To drink, the expertly curated wine list is a must. Not sure what to sip? Just ask your server for an expert recommendation.
Hamlet & Ghost
24 Caroline St, Saratoga Springs
518.450.7287
If you were to choose a restaurant on the name alone, Hamlet & Ghost would be the clear winner. The site of a feed and grain store in the 1870s, the speakeasy bar and eatery uses its fusion menu to showcase everything from southern and Asian to Greek and Spanish influences. Go before a concert for tapas style platters like grilled peaches with local yogurt, basil, Marcona almond, and grilled bread or duck fat French fries with fresh herbs, Parmesan, and garlic aioli. As far as drinks go, cocktails are a no-brainer. Try the Purple Toupee, made with vodka, lavender, basil, rhubarb, and citrus, for a fresh companion to a savory meal. If you want to heat things up, look no further than the Cable Car, an intoxicating medley of spiced rum, lemon, cane sugar, and curacao.
Osteria Danny
26 Henry St, Saratoga Springs
518.423.7022
Helmed by Chef Danny Petrosino, who was the only American chef invited to the 2018 Academic Tables of the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Italy, Osteria Danny emphasizes local produce with an Italian flair. Because of this, the menu changes seasonally, or according to the chef’s whims. Reserve your spot for dinner before a show at SPAC, then look forward to sampling decadent dishes like spaghetti with spicy crab or short rib ravioli. Wine is the way to go here, so keep it Italian with a glass of Zenato Amarone, flavored with notes of marasca cherry, or Ceretto Barolo Bricco Rocche, a lavish full-bodied red.
The Country Corner Café
25 Church St, Saratoga Springs
518.583.7889
If you plan to spend a whole day in Saratoga before the concert kicks off, you’ll need a hearty plate of comfort food from The Country Corner Café. Breakfast is served all day, and for good reason. Try the signature Fried Oatmeal, which comes in different flavors, or treat yourself to the signature CCC Signature PBJ Cristo, which layers Saratoga organic peanut butter and the café’s own strawberry jam with sliced bananas on egg battered Texas toast. Wash it down with a cup of coffee or, if your inner child is calling, an old-fashioned milkshake topped with whipped cream and a cherry.
Where to Stay
Airbnb: Bright Downtown Carriage House Apartment
Saratoga Springs
Fortunately for visitors to SPAC, Saratoga has an abundance of Airbnbs that are so chic they’ll make you think you stepped foot into a country inn. This carriage house, which accommodates two guests, is a quick half block from Broadway on a quiet street. The venue itself is only a 25-minute walk away, which means that guests don’t need a car to get around the area. After the concert wraps, stroll back to the newly renovated apartment to lounge on the porch and soak in the last moments of the night.
Hotel: Saratoga Arms
497 Broadway, Saratoga Springs
518.584.1775
A recipient of a 2018 Travelers’ Choice Award from TripAdvisor, Saratoga Arms is technically a hotel, although its cozy atmosphere, complimentary breakfast, and origins as an 1870 Second Empire brick hotel make it feel just like a bed and breakfast. The only AAA Four Diamond hotel in Saratoga pampers guests with Beekman 1802 toiletries, a designated guest pantry stocked with snacks and soft drinks, and access to board games galore. If you really want to indulge during a weekend upstate, book one of the rooms with a fireplace. The Superior Garden King room comes with heated floors and a personal terrace too.
Inn: Inn at Saratoga
231 Broadway, Saratoga Springs
518.583.1890
History buffs will swoon over the Victorian era space, which is the oldest operating hotel in Saratoga. Before heading over to SPAC for a concert, check in early to take advantage of the free-to-use vintage Roadmaster bicycles or the insider access to Victoria Swimming Pool at Saratoga Spa State Park. The following morning, linger over a complimentary breakfast buffet before reluctantly waving goodbye to your luxurious suite.
Camping: Lee’s Park
1466 Rte 9P, Saratoga Lake
518.584.1951
With so many natural parks and outdoor spaces in the Saratoga area, Lee’s Park is ideal for an outdoor overnight after a concert. Situated only a few miles away from the historic downtown, the campgrounds are right next to picturesque Saratoga Lake. Plan a weekend trip to ensure you have time to boat, fish, or picnic at the lake. Camping season runs until mid-October, so make sure you book a site before the fall chill hits. Don’t forget to ask about concert tent camping rates, which include options for transportation to and from SPAC.
Did we miss a spot? Let us know where to go to find the best of Saratoga Springs in the comments or by email at edit@hvmag.com.
