Union Avenue Historic District, Saratoga Springs

The Union Avenue Historic District is a striking corridor of Victorian-era architecture that stretches 1.5 miles from Congress Park to the Adirondack Northway (Interstate 87). Lined with towering Queen Anne mansions, lush lawns, and ornate stonework, Union Avenue is one of the city's most picturesque historic areas. The Victorian mansions, set back from the street, boast elaborate facades, rusticated masonry, and intricate carvings, making them a defining feature of this historic corridor.

The Saratoga Race Track, an integral part of Union Avenue's heritage, dates back to 1864 and features an iconic turreted grandstand and historic horse barns. The district's easternmost landmark, Yaddo, is a late Victorian castellated mansion perched atop a hill, offering a commanding view of its 245-acre estate. The estate, owned by the Corporation of Yaddo, includes formal rose gardens, five lakes, and thirteen historic buildings showcasing cobblestone, shingle, and stucco exteriors.

Union Avenue serves as a showcase of the Queen Anne architectural style, with fourteen classic examples featuring towers, turrets, bay windows, decorative stonework, and half-timbered facades. While colonial and Italianate elements can be found throughout the district, the grandest and most ornate buildings are concentrated at the western end, while smaller, yet equally historic residences are situated closer to the race track.

The district remains remarkably intact, with only a handful of modern intrusions, such as a Skidmore dormitory and a gas station, disrupting the historic landscape. Despite these few non-historic structures, the Union Avenue Historic District remains an architectural gem, preserving the Gilded Age splendor of Saratoga Springs.

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Sight Name: Union Avenue Historic District
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 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

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 鈥減lace of swift water,鈥� 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鈥檚 first permanent settlement... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles

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