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Travel Diary: Experience The Magic of Saratoga Springs [Sponsored]

NY Auto Giant
Escape to the races with the top down. Visit NY Auto Giant today and drive home the car of your dreams. Now that’s a win-win.

Continue the excitement and momentum of the Kentucky Derby with a trip up to Saratoga Springs. A few hours in the car puts you right in the heart of the Northeast’s racing country, just in time for opening day at famed Saratoga Race Course on July 18.

And there’s no better way to cruise there than behind the wheel of a sleek, stylish 2014 Infiniti Q60 coupe or convertible from NY Auto Giant. The summer is the perfect time to put the top down and take in the sights, sounds, and ambiance of one of the United States’ most authentically quaint towns. This car is as gorgeous, comfortable and powerful as the experience you’re in for on this amazing trip.

There’s plenty to see and do when you get there.

The world-famous racetrack, which has been featured in such films as The Horse Whisperer and Seabiscuit, boasts daily live races through Sept. 1 (except Tuesdays) including several invitational and special challenges.

On Mondays the course is home to weekly family festivals. Admission is free for children 12 and under when accompanied by an adult and these day-long events include free arts and crafts, face painting, bouncy inflatables and mascot appearances, along with additional activities ranging from puppet building workshops to reptile exhibits.

Click here to learn more about NY Auto Giant

Besides the horses, there’s so much to do in this historic and picturesque town it really becomes just a matter of what you and the family feel like on any particular day.

Saratoga is home to a bevy of mineral springs renowned for their legendary healing powers and health benefits. Locals swear by the springs’ magical effects, attributing soaking in the “egg water” (as it’s called due to its unique aroma) with helping alleviate stress and even melting away skintags, among so many other benefits.

Approximately 17 mineral springs create a network of spas and bath houses perfect for rejuvenating your family’s spirits following the roughly four-hour trek here from Long Island.

What’s that? It’s relaxation, fine dining and great accommodations you seek!? Check into a room at the Gideon Putnam Resort & Spa and thank us later! Beautiful grounds, great food and several mineral spas and baths make this a must-go for any visit to ‘Toga.

Then of course, there are the myriad shops, restaurants and bars lining Saratoga’s vibrant downtown main drag Broadway and popular Caroline Street.

Delve into a loaded SF Mission Burrito and steaming Fajitas platter at Cantina—the strip’s choice go-to for fresh, quality authentic Mexican. These things are monsters, replete with lime-zested rice, Tecate simmered black beans, fresh chicken or steak, peppers, onions, guac and oh-so-soft and scrumptiously satisfying tortillas. Wow.

Stop in at your pick of watering holes, ranging from the Tin ’N’ Lint—where Don McLean is alleged to have written his classic “American Pie” over a few pints—to the sports-themed Caroline Street Pub and always-fun Desperate Annie’s. Be sure and play a quick game of foosball at the latter.

9 Maple Avenue is known for its world-class jazz and wide selection of local beers, and for the best hole in the wall down-home barbecue this side of the Mason Dixon, don’t miss Hattie’s Chicken Shack. Order up the award-winning chicken and waffles that sent Bobby Flay home with his tail between his legs when he dared to challenge them with a “Throw Down.” Slather them with both hot sauce and maple syrup. Dunk a few tidbits in your steaming cup of fresh-brewed coffee on their way down. Trust us. Yum.

Change it up and stay at the historic charming Union Gables B&B, voted Best three years in a row. This elegant mansion has been at the heart of Saratoga Springs since 1901 and was renovated in 2005 to include all of the updated luxuries you’d expect: flat screen televisions, high speed Wi-Fi, in-room refrigerators and robes for each guest. In the mornings, enjoy a cooked-to-order full breakfast.

Nearby, you’ll find the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. Perfect for picnics, concerts, Frisbee-tossing and people watching.

Cruise to Saratoga Springs behind the wheel of a 2014 Infiniti Q60 from NY Auto Giant. We promise you, you'll love it. Game on.
Cruise to Saratoga Springs behind the wheel of a 2014 Infiniti Q60 from NY Auto Giant. We promise you, you’ll love it. Game on.

For authentic Irish beer hall seating, check out the Parting Glass. And you can’t leave the area during horse season without a cocktail and a bite from Gaffney’s, billed as “Saratoga’s Place to Be Since 1978.”

Saratoga is also home to the famed Yaddo artist colony, which has hosted the likes of 68 Pulitzer Prize-winning authors including Truman Capote, Sylvia Plath, Saul Bellow and Leonard Bernstein.

Recite some poetry, celebrate life or embark on a day-long adventure through Saratoga’s gorgeous nature trails—you’ll never want to leave this place, but as you get back in your Infiniti Q60, the summer breeze blowing through your hair, know this and be comforted: Once you’ve immersed yourself in the wonder that is Saratoga, it never really leaves you.

For more information on how you can get a 2014 convertible Infiniti Q60, call Troy Calabrese at Lynbrook Infiniti.