Lori Goodale, Corporate Relations Director, Palio

In September, Money Magazine listed Saratoga as one of the Top 100 towns to live in, across all of the United States. That same month, the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce hosted the debut of the first ever lip dub. Made me think of all the incredible reasons I love Saratoga, especially now during this holiday season. Obviously, I can’t be the only one to appreciate when the wreaths go up around the lights on Broadway, so I asked everyone at Palio what they love about Saratoga and the surrounding areas. Here’s what they said:

• I’m sure you’ll get a lot of similar responses for this category, but my favorite thing about living here has got to be the food!
• In the summer, sitting outdoors while dining on Broadway
• Summer Track season
• Because we can so easily explore the Big outdoors!
• Restaurant Week!
• Short drive to the Adirondack and Catskill mountains, home to some fantastic hiking and climbing.
• Top-notch Northeast skiing within 1 – 2 hours
• The Tang 
• The lakes in the summer: Saratoga Lake, Sacandaga Lake, Lake George
• Comfort food for the soul. Are there more restaurants, bars, and clubs here per capita than anywhere in the country?!
• Saratoga Lip Dub
• Saratoga Performing Arts Center
• A 6 1/2 mile commute to work, with virtually no traffic
• Because it’s widely considered the turning point in the war against Britain!
• The town character
• Saratoga Polo
• Some of my favorite movies were filmed here: The Way We Were, Horse Whisperer, Seabiscuit, Ghost Story
• The gorgeous architecture throughout the city
• It’s a tie between the freshly-made kettle corn and the cotton-candy dessert at Circus Café
• The ducks crossing Broadway and how patient all the cars and people are while waiting for them to cross
• How cool that the potato chip  and the Peppermint Pig were invented here!
• The New York City Ballet and Philadelphia Orchestra
• Walking the sidewalks of Saratoga
• The Carousel in Congress Park
• We can’t forget to mention the spas, mineral baths and mineral springs!
• Top-notch restaurants, catering to the robust influx of patrons during track season, are open to us locals all year-round
• The Victorian Stroll
• There are at least 6 playgrounds with awesome activities within a 10 minute drive from my house. What more could you ask for with two preschoolers?
• We are surrounded by beautiful farmland with quiet country roads that provide some of the best road cycling in the country
• The other races: The Saratoga Palio  and Saratoga Turkey Trot
• The dog parks
• The horse drawn carriage rides on Broadway
• Saratoga Film Forum
• The great people
• The Empty Stocking Program
• The picture postcard main street
• Chowder Fest
• Shopping
• The gardens at Yaddo
• Great schools
• Saratoga Beads!
• Fireworks at Saratoga Casino and Raceway
• Opera Saratoga
• How this town really rally’s around and supports not for profit organizations and charities
• The Saratoga Springs Public Library
• The horse farms and apple orchards
• The Farmers Market
• The Saratoga Spa State Park
• We are lucky to have some of the finest doctors and hospitals around
• Ben & Jerry’s Schweddy Balls (yes, someone went there, but you know what, it’s really good!)
• Enjoying Shakespeare in Congress Park in the summers, thanks to Saratoga Shakespeare Company!
• The small town feel, with big city dining and night life
• One of the hidden gems is the Adelphi Hotel’s outdoor garden where they serve wonderful drinks and appetizers
• The Candy Company of Saratoga Spring’s chocolate and fudge!