Saratoga Race Course

Saratoga Race Course opened in 1863 and is widely described as the oldest organized sporting venue in the United States. Thoroughbred racing runs here each summer in a meet of roughly six weeks, from late July through Labor Day, and the track is one of the most beautiful in the sport, with a Victorian grandstand, tree-shaded paddock, a picnic area and the famous red-and-white canopies. The racing is top-level, with major stakes such as the Travers in August drawing large crowds, and the atmosphere is relaxed, social and unmistakably Saratoga. Even visitors who know nothing about betting find it enjoyable to watch the horses in the paddock, picnic on the grounds and soak up the atmosphere. Morning workouts, offered at no cost, give an inside look at horses training before the afternoon races.

Races typically start in the afternoon, with some days dark, and the program lists nine or ten races a day. Dress ranges from casual to fashionably dressy, with hats on stakes days, and a hat and sunscreen are useful for sun. Betting is optional, and staff at the windows are happy to explain the basics to beginners.

Morning workouts are the best-kept secret. In the early hours, trainers send horses out on the main track and training track, and visitors can watch from the rail, enjoy breakfast at the Annex and sometimes join a tram tour of the backstretch. It is a quiet and photogenic experience, popular with early risers and families, and it takes only an hour or two. The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, a short walk from the track, tells the history of the sport and is a good rainy-day or off-season stop, open year-round.

Outside the meet, the track is closed to racing, though the grounds and museum remain interesting. Accommodations in summer are in high demand and expensive, with rates rising sharply for the Travers weekend, so book early. Saratoga Springs is about two hours from Lake Placid, so a race day is normally a day trip combined with a night in Saratoga or Lake George.

Check the racing calendar and ticket details on the track's site before you plan, since dates and schedules can change. A day at the races is among the most distinctive things you can do in upstate New York in summer, and it rewards a little planning.

If this is your first race day, arrive early, walk the paddock to see the horses before they run, and read the program to learn the basic bets. Many visitors set a small budget for wagers and enjoy it as entertainment. Bring sunscreen, a hat and a folding chair or blanket if you picnic, and check what you can carry in at the gate. For a calmer day, choose a weekday, when crowds are smaller and tickets cost less, or come in the morning for the workouts and breakfast and skip the afternoon races altogether.