Saratoga Springs, Clifton Park

Saratoga Springs and the surrounding towns in northern Saratoga County are uniquely diverse in their mix of culture and history, from the centuries-old history of the Iroquois Indians to the grand and glorious days of the Victorian era. The population of Saratoga Springs is about 26,000.

Downtown Saratoga Springs is wonderfully quaint with its many shops and restaurants, and historic Congress Park. You can walk downtown from much of the city's residential area. Just a few minutes drive to Greenfield, Wilton or the Town of Saratoga takes you to breathtaking areas with streams, hills and views of the Adirondack Mountains and the Green Mountains of nearby Vermont.

Skidmore College, located in the city, is an independent coeducational liberal arts college providing superior education to its 2,200 students. It offers programs in the humanities, sciences, and social sciences, as well as career preparation in fields such as business, education, social work, and the fine and performing arts.

Empire State College, a non-traditional SUNY (State University of New York) school is also located in the city.

Saratoga Spa State Park, located within the city limits of Saratoga Springs, is home to the famous Gideon Putnam hotel, mineral springs, a championship golf course, the National Museum of Dance and the Saratoga Performing Arts Center - summer home of the New York City ballet and the Philadelphia Orchestra as well as numerous special event concerts.

The Saratoga National Golf Course opened in the summer of 2001 and draws many professional and celebrity golfers to the area.

The new YMCA, opened in 2007, offers a wide range of activities for children, teens and adults including pre-school programs, a teen center, swim lessons, swim team, gymnastics, fitness center racquetball, handball and squash.

The Saratoga Springs Recreation Commission sponsors a youth soccer program for ages 5 - 16 and provides a springboard for children interested in participating in school soccer or joining travel soccer clubs.

The Rec Commission also operates the city-owned indoor ice skating rinks where children and adults can participate in family skate, hockey, figure skating and speedskating. The Saratoga Winter Club (speedskating club) has sent several of its skaters to world-level and Olympic competition.

Northern Saratoga County is less than an hour's drive to extensive hiking trails and beautiful lakes of the Adirondack Mountains, outstanding skiing and just two hours to the High Peaks of the Lake Placid area and Whiteface Mountain. A three-hour drive will take you to the beautiful city of Montreal, Canada.

The Saratoga Springs City School District serves the residents of Saratoga Springs and much of the towns of Greenfield, Milton, Wilton and Northumberland. The Junior/Senior High School complex is located in the city; Maple Avenue Middle School is just a few minutes north where Greenfield and Wilton come together. There are six elementary schools - four in the city, one in Wilton and one in Greenfield.

The population of the entire district is just under 7,000 with the average class size approximately 25 students. The district has exceptional music and art programs which have won several awards and distinctions. The district also supports a sports program which includes football, soccer, field hockey, cross country, track, ice hockey, basketball, tennis, lacrosse, volleyball, softball, baseball and golf.

Saratoga Springs also offers several parochial and independent schools as well as a Waldorf school.

Saratoga offers wonderful shopping experiences from the unique shops and stores along Broadway to nearby Wilton Mall and newly developed shopping areas at Northway Exit 15 (less than 10 minutes from downtown).

Stroll along downtown and enjoy the stately Victorian architecture and visit the many boutiques, antique shops and art galleries and dine at one of Saratoga's fine restaurants.

Tourism is the #1 industry in Saratoga County - supported by the many recreational and cultural events in the area. Saratoga Racetrack, world-famous for its thoroughbred horse racing, transforms the city into the "August place to be" from late July through Labor Day each year. Performances at Saratoga Performing Arts Center, conventions at the City Center, cultural events and leaf-peeping tours are just a few of the attractions that bring people to our city.

Saratoga Springs is also home to light industry such as QuadGraphics, Ball Metal Containers, American Tissue and Espey Manufacturing. Many of Saratoga's residents commute to the Albany/Capital District area to work.