Saratoga Springs is the "The August Place to Be." From July 20 to Sept. 3, Saratoga is the place to be seen. Saratoga features horse racing at one of the world's most beautiful tracks, an enviable offering of cultural activities, historical attractions, museums, mineral springs and a unique mix of restaurants, shops and places to stay. Saratoga residents proudly call their town a city in the country. It is place where time stands still for six weeks each summer.

This Friday I will be making my annual trip to Saratoga Race Course to enjoy a day at the races. It is a time for re-connecting with old friends, enjoying family, people watching, enjoying food and beverages and, of course, watching the horses.

Getting there

Saratoga Springs is located 35 miles north of Albany, 290 miles east of Buffalo, 220 miles east of Rochester and 141 miles east of Syracuse. You can create and print your own TripTik here.

What to do

Saratoga Race Course is the crown jewel, one of the most charming racetracks in the country. It was named as one of the "Top 10 Sporting Venues" by Sports Illustrated Magazine and is one of horse racing's most beloved tracks. It's the place to find top thoroughbred horse racing. The 40-day meet draws the top horses, trainers, jockeys and owners in the world to try their luck at "the Spa."

Known as the "Graveyard of Champions," Saratoga Race Course has earned a reputation for being a challenging track for favorites. In fact Man O’ War and Secretariat were both upset in Saratoga.

The Saratoga Performing Arts Center, or SPAC, is the summer host of The New York City Ballet and The Philadelphia Orchestra. Each summer, SPAC features the Freihofer Jazz Festival and the Saratoga Chamber Music Festival. SPAC is also a venue for popular music concerts.

Saratoga is also home to more top attractions including:

• Saratoga National Historical Park: Known as the Turning Point of the Revolutionary War, this was the site of the Battle of Saratoga . Learn more about this park.
• Saratoga Spa State Park: The park features mineral springs, reflecting pools, an automobile museum, a hotel, a spa and a golf course
• Saratoga museums: With over 10 museums, history is alive here. Highlights include the National Museum of Racing and the National Museum of Dance.

Want to know more about Saratoga? Check out this article we published last year in Member Connection magazine.

What is your favorite attraction in Saratoga Springs? Tell us about it in the comments below.