Spa Newbie seeks NYC day trip advice
 

Will be in NYC from 7/27 to 8/5 and have never been to Saratoga. I would like to get thoughts from experienced derby trailers on how to do a day trip.

I will not have access to a car but could rent one if that is the best way to get there. Are there easy rail/public transport options?

Aside from Carolina BBQ, what are the must-sees/must-dos for a one-day visit in Saratoga?

What day of the week is the best to go to?

Any other thoughts?

Thanks!

I perfer driving. From Central Jersey it takes about 3 hours (depending on traffic). It's a fairly easy drive. Obviously you are not on a schedule and can hang around town after the races.

Amtrak does provide service out of Penn Station.

This is what your schedule would look like if you left on Sat the 30th.
Saturday, July 30, 2011 69 Adirondack (NYP - SAR) Depart: 8:15 am, Sat, Jul 30, 2011
Arrive: 11:57 am, Sat, Jul 30, 2011
Duration: 3 hr, 42 min
Amenities 1 Adult $52.00
1 Reserved Coach Seat
Subtotal $52.00
Saturday, July 30, 2011 296 Ethan Allen Express (SAR - NYP) Depart: 6:57 pm, Sat, Jul 30, 2011
Arrive: 10:35 pm, Sat, Jul 30, 2011
Duration: 3 hr, 38 min
Amenities 1 Adult $52.00
1 Reserved Coach Seat
Subtotal $52.00

Every day up there is great, just remember that they are dark on Tuesdays.

Personally, I would rent a car and drive up early. Go to the track for the breakfast and watch the workouts. My family had an awesome time doing this, maybe take in the backstretch tour too.

stay for more than 1 day

IF you go the first day, you won't go back to the city. it's that good.

Second this. I went up for the first time last year, driving up from Queens (outer borough of NYC). I left before dawn, maybe 5:00/5:30 or so and got up there around 8:00/8:30. Went out for a lovely breakfast at Beverly's, found a parking spot on the street close to the track and went to the Horse Racing Museum. Made my way to the track around 11:30 and hung out there for the entire card. Walked around town and went for dinner afterwards but by that time I have to tell you I was exhausted.

I had a room booked at the MicroTel Inn in Latham, about 24 miles/30 minutes South of Saratoga (the room prices in Saratoga were out of my budget) and I barely made it there before I collapsed from exhaustion. It was a long day, but an awesome day. My only regret was not having more time up in Saratoga itself.

Stay for more than one day, if you can.

I've taken the train to Saratoga and I've rented a car from NYC- I'd recommend renting a car. It's a nice train trip except that we were an hour late because there was rocks or something like that on the track (I don't remember why the delay). There is a bus that takes you from the station to the track and back again, and I think general admission is included in the cost (it was when I went). But the car gives you more freedom in departure time and I think is a shorter trip.

The train is a lot cheaper, because car rentals are ridonkulously expensive in the city- if you have a AAA membership, rent a car via their website; it's a bit cheaper that way (unless you've got a great corporate rate through your job or something).

Get engaged after taking down a monster Pick-4 in the middle of a (standard) afternoon thunderstorm. It will lead to a happy marriage.

Second on breakfast and the backstretch, that too was fun.

I'd go get donuts and coffee, go to and park at the Oklahoma track, for w/o's, in lieu of eating at the track's buffet.