When it comes to top cultural centers of New York, people’s minds often go straight to the big cities. Obviously, the melting pot that is the Big Apple has a ton of culture. And there’s plenty to be seen in places like Buffalo, Rochester, and Albany. But some of our small towns have a surprising array of culture on offer. USA Today’s recent reader’s poll had Saratoga Springs ranked 8th on the list of Best Small Town Cultural Scenes in the United States. The population is only around 27,000, but this small town in New York has plenty of cultural hot spots to rival much larger cities!

The Saratoga Performing Arts Center features nationally-known musical acts throughout the summer. It is the official summer home of the New York City Ballet and Philadelphia Orchestra.

Saratoga Performing Arts Center/Google Maps You can get more info from the center’s website. SPAC is on the grounds of Saratoga Spa State Park. Address: 108 Avenue of Pines, Saratoga Springs, New York Saratoga Performing Arts Center, 108 Avenue of the Pines, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA

Looking for something a little more intimate? Caffe Lena is the oldest continuously-run coffee house in the country.

Caffe Lena/Google Maps Caffe Lena regularly hosts shows by folk musicians and singer-songwriters. Bob Dylan even played two nights there before the release of his first album. Check out a schedule of upcoming events on the coffee house’s website. Address: 47 Phila St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 Caffe Lena, 47 Phila St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA

Of course, there’s more to culture than just music. You won’t want to miss Lyrical Ballad Bookstore: it’s one of our favorite bookstores in New York. This used shop has been around for 42 years.

Hassan Elminyawi/Google Maps With ten rooms and more than 100,000 volumes, there’s a lot to see here! Address: 7 Phila St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 Lyrical Ballad Bookstore, 7 Phila St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA

And, of course, don’t forget the visual arts! Saratoga Paint and Sip Studio will allow you to sip wine and take a stab at painting, as guided by a professional artist.

Saratoga Paint and Sip Studios You can check out all the information and a sign-up calendar on the studio’s website. Address: 80 Henry St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 Saratoga Paint and Sip Studio, 80 Henry St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA

In a town with as much history as Saratoga Springs, there are some great museums here. One of the best is the Saratoga Springs History Museum.

Connie D/Google Maps The museum features all kinds of fascinating information about the history of this town, all the way back to its days as a small village. It’s got three floors of exhibits and you can get more information on the museum’s website. Address: 1 E Congress St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 The Saratoga Springs History Museum, 1 E Congress St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA

For younger enthusiasts of culture in New York, there’s the Children’s Museum at Saratoga, designed for kids 7 and under.

Joel Williams/Google Maps They have so many educational exhibits and activities! Check out the calendar of events on the website. Address: 69 Caroline St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 Children’s Museum at Saratoga, 69 Caroline St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA

Gearheads will find themselves delighted at the Saratoga Automobile Museum. It’s got some great information about the history of the automobile in New York.

David Vaudreuil/Google Maps There are lots of beautiful and historic models here: you can see some on the museum’s website. Address: 110 Avenue of the Pines, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 Saratoga Automobile Museum, 110 Avenue of the Pines, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA

Skidmore College’s Tang Teaching Museum is an art museum that also functions as a performance space and working lab for the arts. This is a fun, educational space for all ages.

The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum at Skidmore College/Google Maps You can get more information via the website. Address: 815 N Broadway #1632, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore College, 815 N Broadway #1632, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA

Have you visited Saratoga Springs? Share your favorite attraction in the comments!

When it comes to top cultural centers of New York, people’s minds often go straight to the big cities. Obviously, the melting pot that is the Big Apple has a ton of culture. And there’s plenty to be seen in places like Buffalo, Rochester, and Albany. But some of our small towns have a surprising array of culture on offer. USA Today’s recent reader’s poll had Saratoga Springs ranked 8th on the list of Best Small Town Cultural Scenes in the United States. The population is only around 27,000, but this small town in New York has plenty of cultural hot spots to rival much larger cities!

When it comes to top cultural centers of New York, people’s minds often go straight to the big cities. Obviously, the melting pot that is the Big Apple has a ton of culture. And there’s plenty to be seen in places like Buffalo, Rochester, and Albany. But some of our small towns have a surprising array of culture on offer. USA Today’s recent reader’s poll had Saratoga Springs ranked 8th on the list of Best Small Town Cultural Scenes in the United States. The population is only around 27,000, but this small town in New York has plenty of cultural hot spots to rival much larger cities!

Saratoga Performing Arts Center/Google Maps

You can get more info from the center’s website. SPAC is on the grounds of Saratoga Spa State Park. Address: 108 Avenue of Pines, Saratoga Springs, New York

Saratoga Performing Arts Center, 108 Avenue of the Pines, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA

Caffe Lena/Google Maps

Caffe Lena regularly hosts shows by folk musicians and singer-songwriters. Bob Dylan even played two nights there before the release of his first album. Check out a schedule of upcoming events on the coffee house’s website. Address: 47 Phila St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Caffe Lena, 47 Phila St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA

Hassan Elminyawi/Google Maps

With ten rooms and more than 100,000 volumes, there’s a lot to see here! Address: 7 Phila St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Lyrical Ballad Bookstore, 7 Phila St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA

Saratoga Paint and Sip Studios

You can check out all the information and a sign-up calendar on the studio’s website. Address: 80 Henry St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Saratoga Paint and Sip Studio, 80 Henry St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA

Connie D/Google Maps

The museum features all kinds of fascinating information about the history of this town, all the way back to its days as a small village. It’s got three floors of exhibits and you can get more information on the museum’s website. Address: 1 E Congress St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

The Saratoga Springs History Museum, 1 E Congress St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA

Joel Williams/Google Maps

They have so many educational exhibits and activities! Check out the calendar of events on the website. Address: 69 Caroline St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Children’s Museum at Saratoga, 69 Caroline St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA

David Vaudreuil/Google Maps

There are lots of beautiful and historic models here: you can see some on the museum’s website. Address: 110 Avenue of the Pines, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Saratoga Automobile Museum, 110 Avenue of the Pines, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA

The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum at Skidmore College/Google Maps

You can get more information via the website. Address: 815 N Broadway #1632, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

The Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery at Skidmore College, 815 N Broadway #1632, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA

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Address: Saratoga Springs, NY, USA