“Dear Mother and Dad:
Had an exceptional night in Saratoga Springs, a true Victorian delight. On to Montreal at noon
Love, Ellen (PS, please keep postcard)”
Ever wish to go on an international trip without having to drive or line up for a TSA pat-down? Ever dreamed of taking that extra suitcase just for your shoes without having to pay extra?
Traveler’s Tip - Leave the car at home and —--
Take the train to Canada! Amtrak’s Adirondack #69 whisks you along the rails from New York City to Montreal, Canada in style.
Once in Montreal, you have plenty of rail options to continue your journey using Canada’s VIA rail system.
In the summer of 2014, I chose a rail-only Canadian city combo getaway to two cities— Montreal and Quebec City. Using only trains as our mode of transportation, Pete's and my trip was astonishingly easy to plan.
Amtrak’s website has undergone a well needed upgrade in recent years. But even in 2014, navigating the train schedule was simple to do, and it’s only gotten easier. It made sense to catch the Adirondack going out of New York by beginning our trip out of Philadelphia’s 30th Street station. Continuing out of NYC, it seemed to make sense to break up the long train ride by stopping along the way at one of the many towns on #69’s route. Looking at the map, Saratoga Springs, New York appeared to be a good place to hop off and look around for a 20 hour layover.
Upon disembarking at Saratoga Springs, we were immediately transported to another time. The carefully restored station is the perfect introduction to immersing yourself into another era. Think Victorian with a capital “V”.
Traveler’s Tip: Go All the Way — Victorian Style
Using the web, I discovered the Batcheller Mansion Inn, located at the top of spectacular Congress Park in the middle of town. You can’t find another inn more Victorian in spirit while still offering plenty of comfort for us 21st century visitors.
I booked a room named “The George”. Originally the first owner’s bedroom, “George” is a huge bedroom on the second floor featuring a lovely bath, complete with over-sized Jacuzzi and separate shower. When we first entered our room, Pete and I knew we had made a great choice. Within minutes, we felt like we hadn’t a care in the world, other than wondering where to go for dinner.
On foot, we headed in the direction of town, cutting through the beautifully restored Congress Park. “Magical” comes to mind when describing what it’s like to walk the grounds. I wouldn’t have been one bit surprised if parasol-bearing ladies wearing printed silk striped dresses complete with a “bum pad” walked past us during our quest for an afternoon cocktail before dinner.
Traveler’s Tip: Be sure to find your inner child by taking a ride on the lovingly restored carousel located in Congress Park (open seasonally).
Taking a spin on the Carousel
It was during this visit that we toured the Saratoga Springs History Museum (located inside what was once the famous Canfield Casino). During our tour, we learned about the enchanting history of Saratoga Springs, the casino, famous past visitors, as well as learning about a ghost or two. Please note: the museum is closed for the winter season and will reopen in March 2023.
Our overnight stay was lovely. In fact, we found ourselves dragging our heels upon leaving. As it was July 4,2014, Pete and I were serenaded outside the inn by a kilted bagpiper, musically greeting runners participating in the local race that day. It would have been fun to stay and watch longer, but we had a train to catch. And everyone knows, trains wait for no one.
In the new travel diary I purchased in town during this short visit, I wrote, “could stay again, great place to meet friends”. We eagerly proved this true a few years later.
Saratoga Springs - a Perfect Friends Getaway
Pete and I returned to Saratoga Springs, taking the same #69, with friends in the fall of 2015. Everyone, nearly enough in number to fill the Batcheller, became instantly enchanted with the inn and the area.
Getting into the Victorian Spirit at the Batcheller Mansion Inn
But it was Pete’s and my guest room where all the action happened at the inn for this particular visit.
Our room,”The Grant”, features a regulation size pool table smack dab in the middle of the guest room (the bedroom is so large, it also comfortably contains a settee with matching chairs and a king sized bed). The spacious third floor bedroom is called “The Grant” due to the fact that Pres. Ulysses S. Grant came to the newly completed Batcheller Mansion to be honored with a reception in 1874.
While relaxing in the inn’s large first floor living room, it’s easy to visualize how exciting it must have been for Mr. and Mrs. Batchellers’ first guests to meet the past president while experiencing true Victorian opulence. The mansion’s architectural design is so unique, Batcheller is the first private home to be patented in the United States.
As a group, we made the time to walk to the Saratoga Spa State Park. Our docent led tour included sampling the mineral rich waters from bubbling fountains located all over the grounds. I highly recommend exploring and tasting, if you dare.
Taste for yourself the water that made Saratoga Springs famous
But getting back to 2014, it was time to leave our time travel “capsule” and push on to modern Montreal…..
Does one say “Bonjour” or “Hi”? That was the question.
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