
Canfield Casino, Saratoga Springs
The Canfield Casino is an architectural and historical landmark dating back to 1870. Originally built as a gambling venue, the three-story brick building is a striking example of High Victorian design, featuring an ornate bracketed cornice, sandstone window trim, and intricate pediment detailing on each floor. The grand entrance hall, adorned with original mirrors and statuettes, leads to what was once the bustling gambling room, with private rooms for high-stakes games on the upper floors.
Over the years, additional wings were added, including a spacious dining hall in 1902-1903, designed by architect Clarence Luce, with stained-glass windows depicting horses, barrel-vaulted ceilings, and an early air-conditioning system. Today, the building remains one of the most well-preserved historic sites in Saratoga Springs.
Since 1911, the Canfield Casino has housed the Saratoga Springs History Museum. The museum’s permanent collection includes historical documents, photographs, artworks, and artifacts that provide insight into the cultural and social evolution of Saratoga Springs. Among its treasures are the Bolster Collection, which holds 375,000 photographic negatives spanning from 1855 to 1980, and the Walworth Memorial Museum, which preserves records and belongings from the influential Walworth family.
The Beatrice Sweeney Archive offers a deep dive into local business history, including records from Caffè Lena, the nation’s longest-running folk music venue. The museum also houses artifacts from George S. Batcheller, a distinguished lawyer, diplomat, and politician, whose mansion remains a historic highlight of the city.
Beyond its museum function, Canfield Casino has remained a prestigious event venue. For decades, the Whitney family, known for their deep ties to horse racing, hosted extravagant gala events at the casino to celebrate the start of the racing season. Today, the casino is a popular location for weddings, social events, and historical tours, drawing visitors who are fascinated by its opulent interiors, its legacy as a Gilded Age gambling parlor, and its significance in Saratoga’s thriving cultural scene.
Over the years, additional wings were added, including a spacious dining hall in 1902-1903, designed by architect Clarence Luce, with stained-glass windows depicting horses, barrel-vaulted ceilings, and an early air-conditioning system. Today, the building remains one of the most well-preserved historic sites in Saratoga Springs.
Since 1911, the Canfield Casino has housed the Saratoga Springs History Museum. The museum’s permanent collection includes historical documents, photographs, artworks, and artifacts that provide insight into the cultural and social evolution of Saratoga Springs. Among its treasures are the Bolster Collection, which holds 375,000 photographic negatives spanning from 1855 to 1980, and the Walworth Memorial Museum, which preserves records and belongings from the influential Walworth family.
The Beatrice Sweeney Archive offers a deep dive into local business history, including records from Caffè Lena, the nation’s longest-running folk music venue. The museum also houses artifacts from George S. Batcheller, a distinguished lawyer, diplomat, and politician, whose mansion remains a historic highlight of the city.
Beyond its museum function, Canfield Casino has remained a prestigious event venue. For decades, the Whitney family, known for their deep ties to horse racing, hosted extravagant gala events at the casino to celebrate the start of the racing season. Today, the casino is a popular location for weddings, social events, and historical tours, drawing visitors who are fascinated by its opulent interiors, its legacy as a Gilded Age gambling parlor, and its significance in Saratoga’s thriving cultural scene.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Saratoga Springs. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Canfield Casino on Map
Sight Name: Canfield Casino
Sight Location: Saratoga Springs, USA (See walking tours in Saratoga Springs)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Saratoga Springs, USA (See walking tours in Saratoga Springs)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Saratoga Springs, New York
Create Your Own Walk in Saratoga Springs
Creating your own self-guided walk in Saratoga Springs is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Saratoga Springs Introduction Walking Tour
Saratoga Springs, New York, is a city that wears its history well. The name Saratoga comes from the Mohawk word Sarachtogue, meaning “place of swift water,” and reflects the presence of mineral springs in the area. The Mohawk Indigenous peoples had long valued these springs before the arrival of Europeans.
The British built Fort Saratoga in 1691. The area’s first permanent settlement... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
The British built Fort Saratoga in 1691. The area’s first permanent settlement... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Saratoga Springs Historical Buildings Walk
Saratoga Springs, New York, has a rich architectural heritage that reflects its past as a hub for tourism, horse racing, and health retreats. The Broadway Historic District is the heart of the city, featuring 19th- and early 20th-century buildings that house shops, restaurants, and grand hotels. One of these landmarks is the Adelphi Hotel, a luxurious 1877 structure that still exudes Gilded Age... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles