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.
You can get more info from the center's website. SPAC is on the grounds of Saratoga Spa State Park.
Address: 108 Avenue of Pines, Saratoga Springs, New York
Looking for something a little more intimate? Caffe Lena is the oldest continuously-run coffee house in the country.
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
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.
With ten rooms and more than 100,000 volumes, there's a lot to see here!
Address: 7 Phila St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
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.
You can check out all the information and a sign-up calendar on the studio's website.
Address: 80 Henry St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
In a town with as much history as Saratoga Springs, there are some great museums here. One of the best is the Saratoga Springs History Museum.
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.
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.
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.
You can get more information via the website.
Address: 815 N Broadway #1632, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Have you visited Saratoga Springs? Share your favorite attraction in the comments!
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