Ballston Spa

Beautiful, quaint, Victorian-style Ballston Spa is the place to go if you wish to shop and dine in the Hudson Valley! After a glorious bath in the healing natural spas of nearby Saratoga Springs, you won't want to miss shopping at the many boutiques, jewelry stores, or wellness shops that pop up one after the other along Ballston Spa's downtown, hosting its visitors the view of many beautiful tree-lined streets. There's a wonderful creative atmosphere here, with many art galleries---especially the aptly named Strolling Village Artisans, where you can view work of 20 artists from around the local areas who showcase, as well as sell, their art. The Saratoga Performing Art Center is also located in Saratoga Springs and is a great venue to stretch your creativity to the limit (and beyond). The village library offers book discussion groups for adults and has annual book sales, as well as fun activities like Family Film Night, which everyone can enjoy.

If you're visiting Ballston Spa, I highly recommend staying at one of the many Victorian-style bed & breakfasts that the town has to offer: such as the Lewis House Bed & Breakfast, which offers charming accommodations like back porch swings, gardens, and even an adorable little duck pond (which the kiddies will absolutely love).

Residents of Ballston Spa enjoy affordable living expenses (housing prices starts around $181,000-$200,000). It's named after a Congregationalist Clergyman named Eliphalet Ball. It's home to famous museums like the National Bottle Museum and the Brookside Museum (where you can learn about the more general history of the area). There's tons of great galleries, antique shops and boutiques of all kinds here. There's several fine restaurants like the Great Bay Clam Company and the Whistling Tea Kettle (a fantastic tea house hailed as the area's “#1 Lunch Spot” and “Best of the Capitol Region”. Come to Ballston Spa for an unforgettable shopping and dining experience---you might just not want to leave!