New York State - Leaf Peeper Series - Saratoga Springs, Lake George And Cooperstown

With Autumn knocking on the door, it is a good time to plan for leaf peeping trips.  A splendid place to engage in such activities is New York state.  The first in a series presented here will include Saratoga Springs, Lake George and Cooperstown together with other activities between those bright yellows, vivid oranges and brilliant reds. 

Get started by researching on these sites:

The Ultimate Upstate New York Leaf Peeping Guide

Fall in New York 

Leaf Peepers Report

Before exploring the town, have a bite to eat at Uncommon Grounds, the bagels and coffee will give you a good start.

As the leaves are turning and falling, quench your thirst at Saratoga Springs.  The springs are a big draw in this town.  Touring all the springs will keep you busy for many hours, taking you through lovely parks and into the wilder preserves.   Besides the springs, there is a racecourse, an award winning downtown, many museums, just look here.

The list of springs:

• Big Red Spring
• Charlie Spring
• Columbian Springs
• Crystal Spring
• Empire Spring         
• Geyser Spring
• Governor Spring
• Hathorn #1

                                                Congress Spring

                "Congress Spring was discovered in 1792 by Nicholas Gilman, a member of Congress. It was tubed by Gideon Putnam, an early developer of Saratoga Springs. Dr. John Clark purchased the spring in 1826, bottled the water, and shipped it throughout the world."
  

                                           Hayes Well Spring

"The Hayes Well Spring is located in the beautiful Saratoga State Park, right next to the Geyser Island Spouter in the Geyser Park area."

 Deer Park Spring

"In Congress Park near Broadway, at the green and white cast iron monument.

Deer Park Spring is located in Congress Park in Saratoga Springs, New York, USA. The spring is covered by a green and white cast iron shelter. The spring water emerges from a fountain where visitors are encouraged to bring a cup and take a sip."

Polaris Spring

 "Located in the middle of Saratoga Spa State Park, right off of Geyser Loop Road."


                                             Geyser Island Spouter

 

"Geyser Island Spouter is located right off of Geyser Loop Road at the Geyser Park in Saratoga Spa State Park, surrounded by an island of hardened minerals."

The locals are always busy collecting drinking water at the State Seal spring.

 

"State Seal Spring is located on the Avenue of the Pines, under the Joseph Bruno Pavilion.

By the 20th century, Saratoga's waters and spa were celebrated throughout the nation. Tourists to Saratoga and the public at large were pursuing a healthy lifestyle that included a proper diet and exercise. Even Theodore Roosevelt was an ardent promoter of exercise. In 1900, when he was Vice President, he wrote a book entitled The Strenuous Life. It was in this environment that health enthusiasts began to seek wasters that would promote health both internally and externally. The search for a drinking water that was pure and ideal for salt-free diets, and healthy diets in general , led to the discovery of State Seal Water in the State Reservation at Saratoga Springs.
In 1915, chemist Herbert (Doc) Ant of the State Reservation at Saratoga Springs sampled 15 different springs of still water to find a nutritional, good-tasting drinking water to quench public demand. After careful research, Ant discovered a water that had a strong taste appeal and was ideal for low-salt diets. Doctor Ant's waster was bottled and commercially sold as "Saratoga State Seal Water."
in 2002, the popular State Seal Spring was moved across the street from its earlier location. This provided easier access, parking and protection in all types of weather for the countless numbers of people who collect the water."

Not to be forgotten there is also:

• Hathorn #3
• High Rock Spring
• Old Iron Spring
• Old Red Spring
• Orenda Spring and Tufa Deposits
• Patterson Springs
• Peerless Spring
• Rosemary Spring 

Check out this guide to catch them all!



If you aren't water-logged by now, what goes best with leaf peeping but, Apples!  Warm yourself with some mulled cider and an apple cider donut.

Here is the place outside Saratoga Springs:

                                                     Saratoga Apple

 Apple Cider Donut recipe

So you don't have to fight to get there, Plan Your Visit....About 15 miles from Saratoga Springs is Saratoga Battlefield at Saratoga National Historical Park.

Ok, enough trash talk - Ha! 

The whole tour with stops could take a whole day, You could easily take several days to slowly see everything, or nearly everything here.  The driving tour is touted to take 1 1/2 - 2 hours with short stops. One of the days, why not take a push bike tour?  There are guided tours, self-guided tours and many sorts of media available.

This is the John Neilson farmhouse.  This farm with good views of the surrounding area was to play host to several high ranking American officers, including Benedict Arnold.  It was a mid-level headquarters and played an important role in the whole row.



In the park you will find blue topped poles denoting American strongholds.  You will also see red topped poles showing British lines.

You can see and feel all the apparatus for lobbing things at the enemy.

Everything has a signpost with plenty to take in, there is a visitors centre with even more info.    

This is the "Boot Monument" to Benedict Arnold.  The monument does not carry his name, wonder why?  It is dedicated to Arnold's service in the American military and his hurt foot. Well, he does deserve the sarky display!

I bet that cannon would leave more than a flesh wound....

I'm glad we are all getting along now....

30 minute drive to Lake George.


Speaking of leaf peeping....The colours are brilliant here in October.  The town is quiet and quite a few attractions are shut during this time, you can tell it is busy in the summer.  The village has a beachy vibe, even in the autumn.  Here is info about a summer visit.

There are many choices for a cruising tour of the lake.  They were operating in October, the leaf peeping with wide watery reflectioned views must be spectacular!  Steamboat Cruises

Oh, bugger!

Lake George, a lovely place to take a short walk on a long pier. 

A bit further afield at 75 miles away from Saratoga Springs why not take a day trip to Cooperstown?

This is another place with leaf peeping views and a lake to mirror them.  You also get many choices of museums, including The National Baseball Hall Of Fame And Museum.

Oh my, how did I miss this place with cider?  Let me know how it is! Ok, a great beer will do for now:

Ommegang

 

Rolling out the barrels and still leaf peeping.

 

If barrels weren't enough, how about by the tankful?

There are tours available, as well as the tastings.  There is also a cafe' and many events.

Reviews:

Adoration

Hennepin

Abbey

Three-Eyed Raven

 

There you have it, the Belgian style beer here is terrific!

**********************************************************************************