MJfromChicagoBurbs1

Thank you all!

What would be your 2nd choice of "a cute-sy town to stop at en route from ALB Albany airport to Lake George, to do some fun 50+ yr old women shopping, & have a "nice" lunch. Would like more than tee shirt shops and a Subway. "

I did not originally mention that our "gang" is arriving in 2 shifts, a day apart.
We already have plans to hit Saratoga Springs once the whole group is together.
The few of us in the early group want to do something en route to Lake G.

Thank you again....
I am always so happily amazed at the kindness of Fodor-ites sharing their knowledge.
-MJ

ellenem

At Saratoga Spings, you could veer off the main highway onto 9N and stop in Corinth or Lake Luzerne-Hadley. Lake Luzerne-Hadley is probably cuter than Corinth. All are on the Hudson River, but the intersection of rivers at Hadley makes it very scenic. None of these is particularly large, but they might make a nice lunch stop.

J62

I guess I would put Ballston Spa next on the list for a quick lunch stopover after Saratoga. There's a tea room and another small restaurant or two, plus a few antique shops. I'll look up the names of the places I've been and post back.

To get there you will take exit 12 off of the Northway (aka I87).

I would never put Corinth in the category you are looking for, and not Hadley either.

You would pass through Saratoga on your way from Ballston Spa up to Lake George.

MJfromChicagoBurbs1

THank you...I'd love to know the names of the spots you'd recommend.
-MJ

J62

Here you go.

Iron Roost (waffles) www.ironroost.com. I've been there for breakfast but never lunch. Who doesn't like waffles?

Whistling Kettle www.thewhistlingkettle.com. Cute little lunch place with lots of teas, sandwiches, soups, quiche, etc.

Both places are small & will be busy on a weekend, especially the Iron Roost for breakfast/brunch hours, but you should have no problem just walking in to either on a week day.

Both have specials on Living Social or Groupon from time to time.

Shopping - Stone Soup antiques - very large antique shop stonesoupantiquesgallery.com. There are a few other shops in town, but not worth lingering around.

Post back here when you want info about Saratoga Springs for the group of 50+ women & I can give you options for any kind of activity you may have in mind... well, almost any activity. There's always something going on. When will you be here?

Before I forget, there's a restaurant on the SE side of Lake George I've been meaning to try, Farmhouse at top of the world, http://www.topoftheworldgolfresort.com/dining.asp. I hear it's good.

MJfromChicagoBurbs1

Thank you! The Tea spot sounds promising.
We will be there this Wed., so hopefully crowds won't be an issue.

I'd welcome your suggestions for Saratoga Springs. We will be a group of 8, 55 year old women. That day (this Fri or Sat) we'll be interested in shopping/strolling/"cute" shops/"nice" lunch/local must-see sights. Again, more upscale then tee shirt shops/Subway.

-THANK YOU! MJ & Co.

Your input is appreciated.

J62

Strolling and shopping is easy. There's the main drag, Broadway, that runs for about 1/2 mile through town (from Congress park up to the City Center) with a shops on either side, plus a few small side streets - Caroline, Phila, and Spring which may have a shop or two to pop into. Town has a mix of craft stores, clothing stores, kitch stores, food stores (spices, sauces, olive oil), a cigar shop or two, and some fru fru pet stuff stores.

Recommend you also stroll through Congress park & sample some of our fine, fine mineral waters.

If you are here on Saturday there's a farmers market from 9-1.

Restaurants - for lunch I guess I'd recommend some place on Broadway as well.

Nice places:
Maestros - nice patio if the weather is nice - not sure they can fit 8 on the patio so be sure to call.

Forno - also a nice patio. It's on the north side of town.

Boca Bistro. Never ate there for lunch, but dinner last week was good.

Nice, but not as fancy
Druthers - (it's a brew pub) - nice outdoor seating area. More pub fare, but some nice sandwiches or wraps, or several different kinds of mac-n-cheese. It's a beer not wine place.

Let's see, where else to eat?
There are quite a few other good restaurants right on or near Broadway. You'd do well at Wheatfields, Max London's, Cantina, One Caroline. Sperry's is the best food in town for dinner. Nice outdoor patio. Never been there for lunch. Scallions seems to be popular with the 50+ ladies crowd. It's on Lake, 2 blocks from Broadway. Muzon house is near the farmers market. Not sure if they are open for lunch or not. All those places I list are good & easy to find.

Stop in Mrs London's for a pastry or dessert.

That should cover lunch and shopping. I'll have to look at what is going on in town this weekend & get back to you if there are any special events & sights to check out.

ellenem

Sounds like Ballston Spa will appeal more to your group than my suggestions.

J62

I don’t see any special events for Fri or Sat in Saratoga that jump out as must do.

Regarding things to do:
Shopping & dining & strolling we’ve covered.

Normally I’d suggest taking a stroll around Spa state park. It’s a great place to take an easy 3-5mi walk, hang out by the creek or reflecting pool, visit the historical auto museum or historic Gideon Putnam hotel, but I’m not sure that fits your bill. If you do decide to visit Spa park, be aware there are two HS graduations there this Friday, so traffic/parking might be busy. This will not impact downtown – just the Spa park & performing arts center (SPAC). There’s a Tom Petty concert Sun night, but that won’t impact traffic until a few hrs before the show.

The thoroughbred horses are starting to arrive for training – racing season starts at the end of July. It’s fun to watch the horses practice in the morning – you can see them at the practice track near the corner of East Ave and Union. If you want to see the thoroughbred track you will pass it if you come into town via Exit 14. Normally coming from LG you’d use exit 15. There’s a horse racing museum by the track. Never been. Lots of horse farms around the area. Saturday is farmers market day. Mostly farm goods, not really a craft show.

Fri and Saturday evenings there’s live music at 10-15 different venues in town, ranging from cover bands to jazz duos to solo guitarists to 4pc ensembles. If live music interests you let me know. The later in the evening it gets the louder / harder the music, well into the wee hours if you want. The younger crowd will come out of the woodwork about 10:30 or so.

If all 8 of you are big time revolutionary war buffs then a visit to Saratoga Battlefield Historic park would be informative. In only 7 of you are, then I’d say skip it.

MJfromChicagoBurbs1

Thanks ellenem and J62...I appreciate your replies!
-MJ