For additional information on outdoor activities in Saratoga Springs, consult the website www.saratoga.org/play/saratoga-play-outdoor-fun.asp?category=outdoor-fun.
Biking, In-Line Skating & Jogging -- The 2,200-acre Saratoga Spa State Park is by far the best place in town, with tons of trails in a gorgeous park just minutes from downtown -- in fact, within walking or jogging distance.
Boating & Fishing -- Saratoga Lake, on the outskirts of town, is the place for boating and fishing enthusiasts. Lake Lonely Boat Livery, 378 Crescent Ave., Saratoga Springs (tel. 518/587-1721), has a tackle shop and rowboat and canoe rentals; there are largemouth bass, northern pike, and panfish in the lake. Point Breeze Marina, 1459 Rte. 9P, Saratoga Lake (tel. 518/587-3397), is the largest marina in town and rents boats, canoes, and pontoons. Saratoga Boatworks, 549 Union Ave., Route 9P, Saratoga Lake (tel. 518/584-2628), rents ski boats, pontoons, and fishing boats. Saratoga Rowing Center, 251 County Rte. 67, Saratoga Springs (tel. 518/584-7844), is a sports shop dedicated solely to rowing, with rentals and instruction.
Gardens -- Garden and horticultural enthusiasts should visit The Gardens at Yaddo, handsome turn-of-the-20th-century gardens and a working artists' community created by a philanthropist couple. A Rose Garden with a fountain, terraces, and a pergola was inspired by Italian Renaissance gardens, while the Rock Garden features ponds and fountains. The Yaddo Gardens, on Union Avenue (near exit 14 of I-87), are open to the public free of charge, with guided tours on weekends at 11am, from mid-June to Labor Day and also Tuesday during racing season. Congress Park, off Broadway, was developed beginning in 1826; it has nature walks and ponds, and a wealth of tree species; the visitor center even publishes a free guide for easy identification. Saratoga Spa State Park comprises 2,200 acres of woodlands and trails featuring naturally carbonated mineral springs.
Golf -- Saratoga Lake Golf Club, 35 Grace Moore Rd. (off Lake Rd.), Saratoga Springs (tel. 518/581-6616; www.saratogalakegolf.com), is a public 18-hole course, opened in 2001 on 200 acres near the lake. Greens fees are $18 to $32. Saratoga Spa Championship & Executive Golf, 60 Roosevelt Dr. (tel. 518/584-2006; www.saratogaspagolf.com), is an 18-hole course in the pine forests of Saratoga Spa State Park. Greens fees are $17 to $29. Saratoga National Golf Club, 458 Union Ave., Saratoga Springs (tel. 518/583-4653; www.golfsaratoga.com), sits on 400 acres of rolling hills in wetlands within pitching range of the Race Course and gets all kinds of accolades. It was named Golf Course of the Year (2005) by the National Golf Course Owners Association, named the no. 2 ranked Best Public Access Course in New York by Golfweek, and ranked no. 5 among "Best New Upscale Public Courses in the U.S." in 2001 by Golf Digest. You'll pay for the privilege of playing at a noteworthy course, of course: Greens fees are $85 to $175.
Tennis -- Use of the eight hard-court and clay tennis courts in Saratoga Spa State Park is free to park visitors.
Winter Sports -- Saratoga Spa State Park (tel. 518/584-2535; www.saratogaspastatepark.org) is the place for ice-skating, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing, with several miles of groomed and ungroomed trails for the latter two sports. Winter-use trail maps are available at the Park Office.
