Shopping

Until recently, Saratoga Springs had no national chain stores in its historic downtown. Today, inevitably, local independent shops mingle with a small number of chains, such as Gap, Eddie Bauer, and Banana Republic. In the heart of downtown, there are also about a half-dozen antiques dealers, mostly on Broadway and Regent Street, including Forty Caroline Antiques, 454 Broadway, in the Downstreet Marketplace (tel. 518/424-4201); and Regent Street Antique Center, 153 Regent St. (tel. 518/584-0107), with 30 dealers under its historic roof. A good antiquarian bookseller is Lyrical Ballad Bookstore, 7-9 Phila St. (tel. 518/584-8779), and a popular antiques shop is Saratoga Collectible Closet, 474 Maple Ave. (5 min. north of Saratoga on Rte. 9; tel. 518/682-2002). Jewelry, clothing, home furnishings and accessories, and gift shops line Broadway and dot other streets in historic downtown Saratoga Springs. A particularly interesting shop, specializing in contemporary American glass, is Symmetry Gallery, 348 Broadway (tel. 518/584-5090). Check out deJonghe Original Jewelry, 470 Broadway (tel. 518/587-6422), for, well, it's all in the name.

Saratoga's Farms -- The Saratoga area is blessed with a surfeit of farms, including dairy and horse farms, orchards, and farm stands. Saratoga Farmers' Market, 110 Spring St. (tel. 518/638-8530), is located in High Rock Park and open May to October, Wednesday 3 to 6pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm. Saratoga Apple, 1174 Rte. 29, Schuylerville (tel. 518/695-3131), is a year-round farmers' market and pick-your-own apple orchard with wagon rides in autumn. Weber's Farm, 115 King Rd., Saratoga Springs, has a pick-your-own vegetable operation from May to December. Hanehan's Pumpkins, 223 County Rte. 67, Saratoga Springs, is a farm stand that sells pumpkins, squash, and corn in season. Clark Dahlia Garden & Greenhouses, 139 Hop City Rd., Ballston Spa (tel. 518/885-7356), has homemade jams, seasonal produce, and fruit and flowers. Bliss Glad Farm, 129 Hop City Rd., Ballston Spa (tel. 518/885-9314), specializes in gladiolus bulbs and has cut flowers and perennials. There are many others in easy reach of Saratoga Springs; pick up a brochure of Saratoga farms at the visitor center.