Ballston Spa

Milton Ave, Ballston Spa

Ballston Spa is a town of 5,300 people (2018) in New York. The town is well-known for its walkable village with hometown restaurants, shops and museums.

Understand

European settlement of Ballston Spa began in 1771. It was incorporated as a village in 1807. It was served for four major railroads and was at that time the 11th most populated region located in the modern United States. The town is well-known for the natural mineral water used for healing, hence the name.

In 1803, the Sans Souchi Hotel located in downtown Ballston Spa was the largest hotel of its time in the modern United States. All kinds of people from presidents, governors, wealthy citizens and senators stayed there.

It is the county seat of Saratoga County.

Get in

By car

• Take Interstate 87 (I-87) to exit 12 and follow Route 67 West. Ballston Spa would be preferable to drive through, because the public transportation system is limited and many attractions are a far distance from each other.

By bus

MegaBus offers an affordable trip from several destinations in New York City for usually around $5. The pickup destination in New York City is usually at a random street corner, though. You will be dropped off at Rensselaer Station in Albany, the capital of New York. To get to Ballston Spa from there, go to the East St. & Herrick St. bus station. Take the 114 West bus for about 10 minutes to the Broadway & Hudson Ave. stop. Walk for about a minute to the SUNY Plaza Broadway station and get on the 905 West bus for an hour to the State St. & Washington Ave. station. Wait there for the 450 North bus. It will take about 30 minutes on the 450 to get to downtown Ballston Spa. The heart of the village can be accessed from the Rt. 50 & Malta Ave. station.

By plane

Albany International Airport (ALB ^IATA) is the closest airport, and connections on CDTA can be found to get to the village by bus. Most US northeast airlines have service there.

Get around

By bus

The CDTA (Capital District Transport Authority) has multiple buses running through Ballston Spa. Bus number 451 runs down the main road, Route 50, at frequent stops, so for tourists without a car, it is an ideal service. A 3-day visitor pass ticket can be purchased from CDTA for a low cost of $10, which includes unlimited travel on all CDTA branded buses.

See

• Birthplace of Abner Doubleday – The supposed founder of baseball, Abner Doubleday, was born in Ballston Spa. The house he was born in is now an antique shop, called Doubleday House Antiques Gallery, 28 Washington St, ☏ +1 518 309-3745, info@doubledayhouse.com. 10am-5pm, except Tuesday and Wednesday. (updated Sep 2016)

Drink

• Dozer's Bar & Grill, 411 Geyser Road, ☏ +1 518 587-9478. (updated Aug 2016)

Coffee

• 1 Coffee Planet, 100 Milton Avenue, ☏ +1 518 884-9913. M-Sa 7AM-7PM, Su 8AM-3PM. Coffee, baked goods, ice cream, and free wi-fi. (updated Aug 2016)

Sleep

• Medbery Inn & Spa, 48 Front Street, ☏ +1 518 885-7727. 

Go next

• Nearby Saratoga Springs is a logical place to go next. It's about a 15-minute drive up New York State Route 50 (Milton Ave., Doubleday Ave., and Ballston Ave.).
• Schenectady is also close, about 30 minutes' drive.
• Troy and Albany are just a bit farther away.