Union Avenue in Saratoga Springs, is the "August Place to Be." Home to the oldest thoroughbred race course in America, the Saratoga Racetrack is one of the most historic in the world. Saratoga is the summer home of the racing set. What more can be said? Racing season is late July through the first week in September. For information call (718) 641-4700.

Relax in the Saratoga State Park and listen to the rushing water in the gorge far below while you watch world class entertainment. The Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) is the summer home to:

• The Philadelphia Orchestra
• The New York City Ballet
• The Lake George Opera Festival
• The Freihofers Jazz Festival

For a schedule and ticket information check the web site: www.spac.org

The National Museum of Dance is located just outside the main entrance to Saratoga State Park in the former Washington Bath Pavilion and is the only museum in the nation dedicated to American professional dance. It's open Daily, 10 AM-5 PM. Closed Mon., Group and School tours by appointment. Dance on a real stage, see costumes and watch real dancers. www.dancemuseum.org

The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame is located in Saratoga Springs, New York, across from the historic Saratoga Racetrack, the oldest operating track in the country.

Man o' War, Secretariat, Arcaro, and the Jones Boys are all heroes of the turf and names that evoke the clang of the starting gate and the thunder of pounding hooves. A visit to the Museum is filled with the sights and sounds of racing.

Monday-Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Sunday 12.00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

During the Race Meet, the Museum is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Museum is closed New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

$7.00 adults, $5.00 students and senior citizens; members and children under 5 are free. www.racingmuseum.org.

Lake George Opera has moved from it's high school auditorium facility to the "Little Theatre" in the famous Saratoga Performing Arts complex. In 2002, the Lake George Opera will celebrate its 40th anniversary season. From its beginning at Diamond Point to today's main stage performances in Saratoga Springs, the Opera Festival has been an important part of the operatic landscape in this country. For current schedule information visit their web site at www.lakegeorgeopera.org

PGA-rated golf courses can be found throughout the Saratoga Region. The Saratoga National Golf Course opened in 2001 just 9 miles from the Mansion. The ever-popular Saratoga Spa Golf Course is in the Spa State Park. At The Mansion, our friendly staff will work with you to plan your golfing holiday.

For over twenty years the "Saratoga Jazz Festival", now sponsored by Freihofers, has presented a two-day celebration of Jazz at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center located in Saratoga Springs, NY. In one of the most beautiful park settings in all of New York State, jazz can be heard from noon 'till midnight on the last Saturday and Sunday of the month of June. The range of jazz is wide enough so that there is something for everyone's taste and the music is spread out over two stages. The laid back approach taken by the facility allows for great family gatherings with barbecues, picnics that will astound you in their scope, plus the chance to see and buy some great crafts displayed in the large craft tent.

The place is right, the Jazz swings, the ambience can not get much better it's the "Ultimate Jazz Weekend."

During the summer of 1885 Ulysses S. Grant fought his final campaign, a battle against time and disease, at this small cottage a few miles north of Saratoga Springs. This historic site has remained virtually unchanged since it first opened to visitors in 1890. Open Memorial Day - Labor Day, and weekends, September to mid October. nysparks.state.ny.us/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/nysparks/historic.cgi?p+8

From the dust of over 2,000 years of history, polo, the game of kings, gallops toward the next millennium. For the past 100 years, polo ponies have thundered up and down the fields of the Saratoga Polo Club, leaving an impact as exciting as in the times of warriors and princes. World Class Polo has a home in Saratoga. From June through September thrill to the matches held at the Equine Sports Center. Matches are usually held Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. For information: www.saratogapolo.com

Saratoga has long been famous for the therapeutic powers of it's mineral springs. The city is home to two bath facilities. The historic Lincoln Baths was originally built in 1911 in a remodeled gas company building, which burned to the ground in 1928. You may now visit the current building which opened in 1930 as the largest bath building in the world The Lincoln Baths is able to give up to 4,500 baths a day. Located on South Broadway at the entrance to the Saratoga Spa State Park, the Lincoln Baths offer mineral baths, massages and other spa treatments. Mineral baths are given without appointments. However, reservations are necessary for other spa treatments. To schedule an appointment or for further information, please call 518-583-2880.

Crystal Spa is the second and newer of the two operational bath facilities in Saratoga. It's located on South Broadway and is a full service spa. Crystal Spa offers mineral baths, massages, wraps, facials and manicures, reservations are a essential. 518-584-2556 www.thecrystalspa.com

An artist retreat, the Yaddo mansion sits in acres of lush formal gardens. While the mansion itself does not allow tourists the gardens are open for viewing. Many famous artists and writers have been in residence in this facility. For information: http://www.yaddo.org/

Skidmore is a four year liberal arts college located in Downtown Saratoga Springs. Don't miss the new art museum recently opened at the College. For information: www.skidmore.edu

This beautiful park is the home of a 500 million year old ocean reef. Walk the trails that were once the shore of a warm tropical Stromatolite ocean reef. You'll pass fossil, rock displays, glacial "standing stones" and might even find a Herkimer diamond. Information: www.petrifiedseagardens.org

This cemetery was opened up in July 1999, and performs new burials each day. The National Cemetery is located near the Saratoga National Park just outside of Schuylerville, New York. Information: http://www.cem.va.gov/saratoga.htm

The Canfield Casino was built in 1870 as a gambling establishment by John Morrissey, one-time champion prize-fighter, congressman, and state senator. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it stands today as an outstanding reminder of Saratoga Springs' position as "Queen of Spas."

This 3,000 acre battlefield commemorates the victory of the American Army over the British during the two engagements of September 19 and October 7, 1777. This is often referred to as "the turning point of the American Revolution." Explore the visitors center and the 9.5 mile road tour with 10 historic stops. The 4.2 mile Wilkinson Trail is used for hiking and cross country skiing. For information: http://battle1777.saratoga.org/

Every Saturday morning, from early May well into November, dozens of area farmers load up their vans, pickups and trucks with freshly picked flowers, fruits and vegetables. Home bakers, who have been toiling in their kitchens most of the night, load baked goods, still warm from the oven. They are heading for the Saratoga Farmers’ Market. For information: http://www.saratogafarms.com/agriculture5a.htm