There Is No Better Small Town Cultural Scene Than New York's Very Own Saratoga Springs
By Lisa Sammons|Published December 17, 2021
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Lisa Sammons
Author
Lisa loves animals and has dogs, rats, cats, guinea pigs, and snakes. She is passionate about animal rescue and live music - traveling across the country to see a favorite band is a pretty regular occurrence! Being out hiking in the woods enjoying the scenery with her beloved dogs is another favorite hobby, and also checking out the Pokemon Go scene in whatever city she happens to be in at any given time (coffee and dog leash in hand). You can reach Lisa at lsammons@onlyinyourstate.com
When it comes to top cultural centers of New York, people’s minds often go straight to the big cities. Obviously, the melting pot that is the Big Apple has a ton of culture. And there’s plenty to be seen in places like Buffalo, Rochester, and Albany. But some of our small towns have a surprising array of culture on offer. USA Today’s recent reader’s poll had Saratoga Springs ranked 8th on the list of Best Small Town Cultural Scenes in the United States. The population is only around 27,000, but this small town in New York has plenty of cultural hot spots to rival much larger cities!
The Saratoga Performing Arts Center features nationally-known musical acts throughout the summer. It is the official summer home of the New York City Ballet and Philadelphia Orchestra.
Saratoga Performing Arts Center, 108 Avenue of the Pines, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA
Caffe Lena regularly hosts shows by folk musicians and singer-songwriters. Bob Dylan even played two nights there before the release of his first album. Check out a schedule of upcoming events on the coffee house's website.
Address: 47 Phila St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
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Of course, there's more to culture than just music. You won't want to miss Lyrical Ballad Bookstore: it's one of our favorite bookstores in New York. This used shop has been around for 42 years.
Lyrical Ballad Bookstore, 7 Phila St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA
And, of course, don't forget the visual arts! Saratoga Paint and Sip Studio will allow you to sip wine and take a stab at painting, as guided by a professional artist.
Saratoga Paint and Sip Studio, 80 Henry St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA
The museum features all kinds of fascinating information about the history of this town, all the way back to its days as a small village. It's got three floors of exhibits and you can get more information on the museum's website.
Address: 1 E Congress St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
For younger enthusiasts of culture in New York, there's the Children's Museum at Saratoga, designed for kids 7 and under.
Children's Museum at Saratoga, 69 Caroline St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA
They have so many educational exhibits and activities! Check out the calendar of events on the website.
Address: 69 Caroline St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Gearheads will find themselves delighted at the Saratoga Automobile Museum. It's got some great information about the history of the automobile in New York.
Saratoga Automobile Museum, 110 Avenue of the Pines, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA
There are lots of beautiful and historic models here: you can see some on the museum's website.
Address: 110 Avenue of the Pines, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Skidmore College's Tang Teaching Museum is an art museum that also functions as a performance space and working lab for the arts. This is a fun, educational space for all ages.
The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore College, 815 N Broadway #1632, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA