A Shining Main Street on Broadway in Saratoga Springs

Although I spend most of my time right here in New England, I love to explore other areas when I have the chance. My daughter participates in crew, and her team competes in the Head of the Fish Regatta in Saratoga Springs, New York annually.

This year we went up a day early and were able to spend a few hours exploring downtown Saratoga.

Having promised my daughter some shopping and a bite to eat, we spent most of the afternoon in the commercial area of the Broadway Historic District. The district represents a successful revitalization of a series of decaying historic buildings along the main street through town.

When originally built, the commercial area on Broadway was the hub of city life, with government buildings, banks, shops, restaurants and a variety of other businesses. But times changed and similar to other main street areas in downtowns across the country, Broadway fell into disrepair with many vacancies and very little foot traffic.

In the 1960s the citizens of Saratoga Springs took advantage of federal funds available for urban renewal to re-energize their city. Unfortunately, at that time many felt that older buildings were to blame for the deterioration, and so many were lost to make way for new construction and development.

The silver lining to the redevelopment that occurred was a concerted effort by town residents to restore and rehabilitate the remaining historic buildings on Broadway, ultimately leading to today’s blend of architectural styles.

As my daughter and I strolled down Broadway my eyes jumped from one beautiful facade to the next, each with unique materials, style and details. It was a Saturday afternoon, and the sidewalks were full of people taking advantage of a crisp fall day.

Residents and visitors alike (including a number of obvious regatta participants!) were clearly enjoying the shops, art galleries and restaurants that now occupy renovated buildings.

Although many of the buildings date back to the 19th century, the businesses that occupy them are anything but old. Chic boutiques, world-class eateries and trendy bars are the norm in downtown Saratoga Springs.

Downtown areas all over the country are being revitalized today with the help of Main Street America, a program sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Over its 35 year history, the program has helped over 2,000 commercial districts with the renewal process.

With their Four Point Approach, which is a combination of organization, promotion, design and economic restructuring, Main Street America has come up with a winning formula for revitalizing commercial districts in both small towns and larger cities.

Local communities can partner with them to institute their own Main Street revitalization program obtaining valuable technical advice and developing a working plan to make it happen.

The Broadway Historic District is but one piece of the vibrant Saratoga Springs area. Having only a few hours there on a Saturday afternoon felt almost cruel knowing all that the city has to offer, but the little taste that I had guarantees I will be back.

Saratoga is well-known for much more than its historic architecture, which includes not only the Broadway Historic District but also city streets lined with incredible Victorian homes and mansions. One of its most famous institutions is the Saratoga Race Course.

Opened in 1864, by some counts the Saratoga racetrack is the oldest sports venue in the country and among its most beautiful. Visitors flock by the thousands to Saratoga in the summer months for a day at the races at a track run by such greats as Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Man O’War and Affirmed.

Spectators can sit in the beautiful grandstand, the oldest continuously used structure of its kind in the country. Built in the Queen Anne style, with a slate roof and turrets, the building has become the icon of the course.

Rounding out Saratoga’s welcoming slogan of “Health, History and Horses” are its famous mineral springs. Among only a few carbonated mineral springs in the country, the famous waters of Saratoga contributed to the creation of an entire industry.

By the middle of the 19th century, Saratoga Springs was known as the “Queen of Spas” and visitors from all over would come to bathe in its waters to benefit from the health claims made by doctors at the time.

Although the majority of its health benefits have been debunked, you can still bathe in its waters at two remaining historic spas, such as the Roosevelt Baths & Spa at the Gideon Putnam in Saratoga Spa State Park, and enjoy its fizziness by drinking from the springs directly or from bottles.

I plan to return to Saratoga with friends on a summer weekend when we can enjoy all of what Saratoga has to offer: a day at the races, an afternoon at the spa and hours spent walking, dining and shopping along the historic streets of downtown.

Has there been a successful Main Street revitalization near you? Or is there a Main Street area close by that has seen better days? Please comment below!

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Enjoy this post? You might enjoy reading about my visits to Charleston, South Carolina and Naples, Florida.