Saratoga: America's Turning Point
Loading
Back
|
Guides / Ghosts, Gardens, & Grand Hotels
Ghosts, Gardens, & Grand Hotels
A Revolutionary Getaway With a Side of Haunted History and Glamour
<p>🕯️Looking to plan a Revolutionary getaway with a side of haunted history and Gilded Age glamour? We’ve got you covered. Begin where Revolutionary soldiers fought and fell in 1777, follow the spirits into Saratoga’s Victorian parks and gilded landmarks, and end your evening with dinner in a Revolutionary tavern rumored to host ghostly guests.</p>
Morning – Spirits of the Battlefield
Saratoga National Historical Park
In Stillwater, on pastoral banks above the Hudson River, two hotly contested Revolutionary War battles fought here, ended in an American victory recognized as one of the most important in world history. Visit the year-round battlefield visitor center with film, light map, museum exhibits, and gift shop; tour the scenic 10-mile auto and bike road, hike historic paths. The park also boasts 4 sites located about 9 miles to the north of the battlefield around the villages of Victory and Schuylerville: Victory Woods where Gen. Burgoyne's forces made their last stand, the 155' Saratoga Monument with panoramic views of the Hudson Valley, General Philip Schuyler's 1777 home and estate, and the Saratoga Surrender Site.

Begin your morning on the Wilkinson and Barber Wheatfield trails. These paths cut across the very ground where the Battles of Saratoga raged in 1777. Soldiers were buried where they fell, and for generations, visitors have reported an uncanny stillness — a sense of unseen company on their walks.

Boot Monument
The monument does not mention Arnold by name, but there are a few intricate details which often go unnoticed by passersby. A boot and a two-star epaulet are draped over a howitzer barrel to symbolize an individual with the rank of Major General who suffered a wound during a battle in this location. A Laurel leaf wreath sits atop the howitzer, an emblem which often resonates victory, power, and glory. The reverse of the monument is inscribed with the following quote: > “In memory of the most brilliant soldier of the Continental Army who was > desperately wounded on this spot, the sally port of Burgoyne’s great [western] > redoubt 7th October 1777 winning for his countrymen the decisive battle of the > American Revolution and for himself the rank of Major General.”

A short stop brings you to one of the battlefield’s most unusual memorials. This boot-shaped monument honors the brilliance of a hero wounded here — Benedict Arnold — without ever naming him. Locals say the secrecy itself has given the spot an eerie aura.

Late Morning – Haunted Homesteads
General Philip Schuyler House
This historic home was built in 1777 and was the residence of General Philip Schuyler and his family. The property is now part of the Saratoga National Historical Park. Philip Schuyler, father-in-law to Alexander Hamilton, had the house built in just 29 days. During the American Revolution, the British army occupied the house and burned it to the ground after their final defeat and surrender at Yorktown. General Schuyler rebuilt the home immediately after, reusing many of its original parts. Uniquely among historic homes, this house was given to the U.S. government in its original condition, with no running water or electricity, and remains this way today. Today, it is used for historic tours and living history and can be visited from May to Labor Day.

Rebuilt in just 29 days after the British torched the original, the Schuyler House still feels haunted by its fiery past. Visitors sometimes describe strange footsteps or murmurs in the quiet, sparsely furnished rooms.

The Marshall House
Marshall House is a testament to the era of the Battles of Saratoga. It was in this house that Baroness Frederika Riedesel nursed the wounded of the war as cannon balls besieged those that sought sanctuary within its walls. Famed for the fact that it has witnessed important event in American history, Marshall House also gained renown for its architectural distinctions.

A private residence with a dramatic story: Baroness Frederika Riedesel sheltered the wounded here as cannon fire struck the walls. It’s one of the most authentic Revolutionary-era haunted sites in Saratoga, with a reputation for restless spirits.

Lunch Break
Olde Bryan Inn
There’s a special energy here: A tradition of celebration that began in 1773 and continues today. You can feel it in the warmth of our historic dining rooms and see it in the friendly smiles of our staff. You can taste it in our thoughtfully prepared menus and cheerfully prepared special orders. You can hear it in the contented murmur of good conversation and the hustle and bustle of our tavern. Visit the Olde Bryan Inn for an authentic Saratoga restaurant experience.

Established in 1773 by Alexander Bryan, a Revolutionary scout who helped American forces track Burgoyne’s advance. Today it’s a lively tavern and restaurant, but the upstairs rooms are said to host more than just diners. Locals whisper of ghostly figures lingering above while schoolchildren still visit to learn its Revolutionary story.

Afternoon – Gilded Age Ghosts & Gardens
The Saratoga Springs History Museum
The Historic Canfield Casino is located in Congress Park, off Broadway in Saratoga Springs. Home to the Saratoga Springs History Museum which presents changing exhibitions, public programs, and serves hundreds of researchers annually. The museum's 6 exhibits of Saratoga History are located on 3 floors of a historic 1870s gambling casino, designated a National Historic Landmark.

Located inside the Canfield Casino, this gem tells the story of Saratoga—from colonial times to high-stakes gambling. Bonus: it's haunted. 👻

Congress Park
Health, history, and horses come together at Congress Park in Saratoga Springs. Located along Broadway, Circular, and Spring Streets, this beautiful public park offers fun, relaxation, and a fountain or two.

Wander through fountains and shaded paths, but pause at the Spencer Trask Memorial. The Trask family endured profound tragedy — losing all four children young — before dedicating their estate to create Yaddo, the world-renowned artists’ retreat. The monument carries both grandeur and sorrow, echoing the spirits of the Gilded Age.

Evening – Grand Hotels with Ghostly Guests
The Adelphi Hotel
The Adelphi Hotel, a cherished landmark in Saratoga Springs, has been synonymous with luxury and prestige since its grand opening in 1877. Originally established to cater to the wealthy visitors drawn to the city’s famed natural mineral springs, horse racing, and opulent resorts, the hotel quickly became a focal point of high society.

The Adelphi Hotel and Saratoga Arms bring 19th-century elegance with modern comfort. Rumor has it George Washington would’ve approved of the pillows. A Saratoga landmark since 1877, The Adelphi mixes 19th-century elegance with whispers of the past. John Morrissey — bare-knuckle boxing champion, congressman, and founder of the Saratoga Racetrack — died here at the hotel bar. Some say he still lingers on the patio, raising a ghostly toast.

Saratoga Arms Hotel
Discover an award winning luxury hotel located in the heart of beautiful downtown Saratoga Springs, NY steps to the Thoroughbred Races, shopping, restaurants, and museums. Our luxury hotel features 31 individually appointed rooms with fireplaces and whirlpool tubs, combining historic elegance and modern amenities. A delicious full breakfast, Wi-Fi and concierge service is included daily. Experience why the Saratoga Arms stand apart from all other hotels in Saratoga Springs!

Just down the street, this family-run historic hotel blends boutique charm with echoes of Saratoga’s late-19th-century heyday. Some visitors claim the creaks and whispers in the night feel like more than just an old building settling.

By nightfall, you’ll have traced a line from Revolutionary battlefields to Gilded Age grandeur, with haunted houses, tragic monuments, and ghostly inns in between. Whether you leave with chills or just a deeper appreciation for Saratoga’s layered history, you’ll carry the spirits of the past with you.