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A Feminist City Guide to Saratoga Springs

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Congress Park in Saratoga Springs | TravelAddict.net
Congress Park in Saratoga Springs | TravelAddict.net

A mere four-hour drive from the bustling streets of Manhattan rests an idyllic city known as Saratoga Springs. Too often, the gems of upstate New York can fall in the shadows of New York City, but to miss out on Saratoga Springs would be a mistake.

Known as a hub for horse racing, parks, art, nightlife, and cuisine, Saratoga Springs is as lively as it is beautiful. From horse racing to philanthropy, tourism to food, women have made (and continue to make) a huge impact on this upstate New York getaway. Whether it’s the executive chefs behind some of the city’s more notable eateries or the female management of the historic Adelphi Hotel, this feminist city guide seeks to celebrate the women of Saratoga Springs.

Get to Know the Female Jockeys and Horses of Saratoga

National Museum of Racing & Hall of Fame

Courtesy of the National Museum of Racing & Hall of Fame

Courtesy of the National Museum of Racing & Hall of Fame

Saratoga has a rich horse racing history, which is spotlighted at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. Although widely seen as a male sport, the museum showcases some of the women who have played significant roles in the sport from horse breeders, owners, trainers and jockeys such as Julie Krone, Robyn Smith, and Diane Crump. The museum currently has a special exhibition titled ‘Fabulous and Fast: The Female Horses of the Hall of Fame’

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Celebrate Women's Contribution to Dance

The National Museum of Dance

Courtesy of National Museum of Dance in Saratoga

Courtesy of National Museum of Dance

The National Museum of Dance was founded by philanthropist Marylou Whitney (who is also behind the Saratoga Performing Arts Center and is credited for launching the tourism slogan ‘Saratoga: The Place To Be.' Women who have made contributions to dance are featured in the museum's hall of fame such as Lucinda Childs, Hanya Holm, Judith Jamison and more.

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Stop and Smell the Roses

Yaddo Gardens

Courtesy of the Yaddo Corporation

Courtesy of the Yaddo Corporation

Some of America’s most notable writers such as Langston Hughes, James Baldwin, and Patricia Highsmith have been inspired by Yaddo Gardens, an over 100-year-old, 400-acre country estate that financier Spencer Trask gifted his wife Katrina Trask. After Katrina’s death, per her stipulations, Yaddo became an artist retreat. The gardens at Yaddo are free to explore and open to the public year-round from dawn to dusk except on the last Saturday in August.

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Indulge at this Woman-Owned Tea Spot

Saratoga Tea and Honey

Courtesy of Saratoga Tea and Honey

Courtesy of Saratoga Tea and Honey

Saratoga Tea and Honey is a tea bar and honey tasting room located in the heart of downtown Saratoga. Herbal tea guru, Allie, shares her vast knowledge of the health and physical benefits of tea with customers, while Karen is responsible for the tea-themed window displays in the store. Hayley Stevens is the owner of Saratoga Tea and Honey.

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Visit this Woman-Owned Boutique

Caroline and Main

Courtesy of Caroline & Main's Facebook Page

Courtesy of Caroline & Main's Facebook Page

For women’s clothing, accessories and decor, head to Caroline and Main on Broadway. Owner Heidi West is committed to giving back to the community and in addition to Caroline and Main, also runs Lifestyles of Saratoga, a women's boutique. During horse racing season (July to August), West converts a 1954 Shatsa trailer into a mobile boutique with proceeds going to causes such as the Backstretch Employee Service Team.

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Celebrate the work of this Female Artist

Eden Compton Studio

Courtesy of Eden Compton Studio

Saratoga has a thriving arts district, which is mostly concentrated along Beekman’s Street. The Eden Compton Studio serves as the studio and gallery of artist Eden Compton and features her portraits, cityscapes, and landscapes. Work of other artists are featured and there are several exhibitions throughout the year.

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Try this Open Concept Restaurant

Hamlet and Ghost

Courtesy of Hamlet and Ghost in Saratoga

Courtesy of Hamlet and Ghost in Saratoga

A year ago, after running the pastry department at Salt and Char—the restaurant at Adelphi Hotel—Chef Michelle Hunter moved on to Hamlet and Ghost, an open concept restaurant with a seasonally changing menu. Enjoy items such as grass-fed lamb, duck breast with foraged mushrooms and wash it down with creatively named cocktails such as ‘Change The Beet’, ‘Ego Tripping’ and more.

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Sip on these Handcrafted Cocktails

Fish @ 30 Lake

Courtesy of Fish @ 30 Lake

Courtesy of Fish @ 30 Lake

Fish @ 30 Lake is a gourmet seafood restaurant in Saratoga Springs headed by executive chef Tracey Kwiecien. The restaurant is known for its handcrafted cocktails, a la carte raw bar, and Sunday Brunch.

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Support this women-led restaurant

Boca Bistro

Courtesy of Boca Bistro

Courtesy of Boca Bistro

Over 50 percent of Boca Bistro's leadership team is comprised of women, including its Vice President, Restaurant Manager, Operations Manager, Sales Coordinator, and Executive Chef, Roslyn Zecchini. Boca Bistro uses locally sourced ingredients in its menu that includes a wide variety of cheeses, tapas, paellas and more.

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A Historic Hotel Run by a Woman

Adelphi Hotel

Courtesy of the Adelphi Hotel

Courtesy of the Adelphi Hotel

The 32 room Adelphi Hotel was built in 1877 and is considered one of the last hotels of Saratoga’s ‘golden age,’ which refers to its status as a playground for the rich and famous who were attracted to the town for its horse races and casinos. In 2012, the hotel closed for a renovation until 2017. The latter part of the renovation was spearheaded by General Manager Helen Watson and her team, which included Kate Sullivan the guest experience manager. Other women took on positions as Chief Financial Officer, Director of Events and Assistant Director of Rooms.

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Stay at the Alice Bode Rooming House

Saratoga Arms Bed and Breakfast

Courtesy of Saratoga Arms Hotel

Courtesy of Saratoga Arms Hotel

From the 1950s to 1995, Saratoga Arms Bed and Breakfast was known as the Alice Bode rooming house after its owner, Alice Bode, who ran the property as a boarding house until her death at 93-years-old. The Smith’s purchased the property in 1997 and currently run Saratoga Arms Bed and Breakfast as a family with mother Kathleen and daughters Amy and Sheila.

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About Mazuba Kapambwe

Mazuba Kapambwe is a freelance writer whose work has appeared in CNN Travel, The Culture Trip and in-flight magazines for Proflight and Arik Air. She also hosts a travel themed podcast called Mwende Bwino (Go Well) that inspires people to explore their city, country, continent and beyond.

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