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couplefestivalhistoryweekend

Saratoga Springs & Balloon Festival

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Hoptale traveler profile
brklyner

An upstate NY weekend escape to see the Adirondack Hot Air Balloon Festival as well as visit the famous Rockefeller Estate, Kykuit. #upstateny #weekend #festival #historic

couple
1st visit

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itinerary

itinerary

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trip-journal-location
Saratoga Springs, Saugerties

Day 1 Itinerary

Places visited: Miss Lucy's Kitchen - Springwater Bed and Breakfast

Dinner at Miss Lucy's Kitchen

Dinner at Miss Lucy's Kitchen

soft-shell crab appetizer

Stay at Springwater Bed and Breakfast
Stay at Springwater Bed and Breakfast
Stay at Springwater Bed and Breakfast
Stay at Springwater Bed and Breakfast
Stay at Springwater Bed and Breakfast
Stay at Springwater Bed and Breakfast
Stay at Springwater Bed and Breakfast
Stay at Springwater Bed and Breakfast
Stay at Springwater Bed and Breakfast

Stay at Springwater Bed and Breakfast

spacious and tastefully decorated room

nice spacious bathroom

nice spacious bathroom

trip-journal-location
Saratoga Springs, Glens Falls, Queensbury

Day 2 Itinerary

Places visited: Springwater Bed and Breakfast - Saratoga Race Course - Saratoga Springs City Center - The Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport (GFL) - Morgan & Co

Stay at Springwater Bed and Breakfast
Stay at Springwater Bed and Breakfast
Stay at Springwater Bed and Breakfast
Stay at Springwater Bed and Breakfast
Stay at Springwater Bed and Breakfast
Stay at Springwater Bed and Breakfast
Stay at Springwater Bed and Breakfast
Stay at Springwater Bed and Breakfast
Stay at Springwater Bed and Breakfast

Stay at Springwater Bed and Breakfast

hearty breakfast at B&B

the host dog at B&B

Visit Saratoga Race Course
Visit Saratoga Race Course
Visit Saratoga Race Course
Visit Saratoga Race Course
Visit Saratoga Race Course
Visit Saratoga Race Course
Visit Saratoga Race Course
Visit Saratoga Race Course
Visit Saratoga Race Course
Visit Saratoga Race Course
Visit Saratoga Race Course
Visit Saratoga Race Course
Visit Saratoga Race Course

Visit Saratoga Race Course

empty course in the off season

the oldest race course in the country

weekend animal fair

giant rabbit

weekend animal fair

weekend animal fair

Walk around Saratoga Springs
Walk around Saratoga Springs
Walk around Saratoga Springs
Walk around Saratoga Springs
Walk around Saratoga Springs
Walk around Saratoga Springs
Walk around Saratoga Springs
Walk around Saratoga Springs
Walk around Saratoga Springs
Walk around Saratoga Springs
Walk around Saratoga Springs
Walk around Saratoga Springs
Walk around Saratoga Springs

Walk around Saratoga Springs

Adirondack Balloon Festival
Adirondack Balloon Festival
Adirondack Balloon Festival
Adirondack Balloon Festival
Adirondack Balloon Festival
Adirondack Balloon Festival
Adirondack Balloon Festival
Adirondack Balloon Festival
Adirondack Balloon Festival
Adirondack Balloon Festival
Adirondack Balloon Festival
Adirondack Balloon Festival
Adirondack Balloon Festival

Adirondack Balloon Festival

a crafts fair at the hot balloon festival

a crafts fair at the hot balloon festival

perfect spot for flying kites too

octopus kite

Adirondacks Balloon Festival

Adirondacks Balloon Festival

Dinner at Morgan & Co
Dinner at Morgan & Co
Dinner at Morgan & Co
Dinner at Morgan & Co
Dinner at Morgan & Co

Dinner at Morgan & Co

our best meal on the trip

trip-journal-location
Sleepy Hollow, Queensbury

Day 3 Itinerary

Places visited: The Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport (GFL) - Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate - Philipsburg Manor

Adirondack Balloon Festival
Adirondack Balloon Festival
Adirondack Balloon Festival
Adirondack Balloon Festival
Adirondack Balloon Festival
Adirondack Balloon Festival
Adirondack Balloon Festival
Adirondack Balloon Festival
Adirondack Balloon Festival
Adirondack Balloon Festival
Adirondack Balloon Festival
Adirondack Balloon Festival
Adirondack Balloon Festival

Adirondack Balloon Festival

Adirondacks Balloon Festival

Adirondacks Balloon Festival

Adirondacks Balloon Festival

Adirondacks Balloon Festival

Adirondacks Balloon Festival

Adirondacks Balloon Festival

Adirondacks Balloon Festival

Adirondacks Balloon Festival

Visit Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate
Visit Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate
Visit Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate
Visit Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate
Visit Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate
Visit Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate
Visit Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate
Visit Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate
Visit Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate
Visit Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate
Visit Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate
Visit Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate
Visit Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate

Visit Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate

Kykuit is the Rockefeller Estate located in the quiet town of Sleepy Hollow, NY. Only an hour-drive from New York City (also accessible by train), this is a great weekend destination for anyone who wants to get out of the big city for a change. The landmarkestate offers various tours of its 40-room home, gardens & art collections, plus panoramic views over the Hudson river. We took the one-hour Kykuit classic tour (tip: book online a couple of days in advance to reserve your spots).  

We were stunned by Kykuit's beautiful grounds and gardens, but also quite surprised by the modest main house. It was a big contrast to the other famous rich man's estate on the west coast, Hearst Castle, which was built for glamorous Hollywood parties. Interestingly the original Rockefeller senior, despite being the 2nd richest man in history (only after some middle eastern emperor), lived a low key life and didn't indulge in many expensive lifestyle hobbies. He spent the last 40 years of his life on giving away his money to various causes and charities. 

We were lucky with the weather - a cloudless sunny day was the perfect weather to appreciate the beauty of this estate. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and shared quite a few family anecdotes and stories behind the estate. The tour felt intimate since there is no public access otherwise and they limit the number of tours each day. 

Visit Philipsburg Manor

Visit Philipsburg Manor

a nice view from the back of Kykuit visitor center

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