Until recently, Saratoga Springs had no national chain stores in its historic downtown. Today, inevitably, local independent shops mingle with a small number of chains, such as Gap, Eddie Bauer, and Banana Republic. In the heart of downtown, there are also about a half-dozen antiques dealers, mostly on Broadway and Regent Street, including Forty Caroline Antiques, 454 Broadway, in the Downstreet Marketplace (tel. 518/424-4201); and Regent Street Antique Center, 153 Regent St. (tel. 518/584-0107), with 30 dealers under its historic roof. A good antiquarian bookseller is Lyrical Ballad Bookstore, 7-9 Phila St. (tel. 518/584-8779), and a popular antiques shop is Saratoga Collectible Closet, 474 Maple Ave. (5 min. north of Saratoga on Rte. 9; tel. 518/682-2002). Jewelry, clothing, home furnishings and accessories, and gift shops line Broadway and dot other streets in historic downtown Saratoga Springs. A particularly interesting shop, specializing in contemporary American glass, is Symmetry Gallery, 348 Broadway (tel. 518/584-5090). Check out deJonghe Original Jewelry, 470 Broadway (tel. 518/587-6422), for, well, it's all in the name.

Saratoga's Farms -- The Saratoga area is blessed with a surfeit of farms, including dairy and horse farms, orchards, and farm stands. Saratoga Farmers' Market, 110 Spring St. (tel. 518/638-8530), is located in High Rock Park and open May to October, Wednesday 3 to 6pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm. Saratoga Apple, 1174 Rte. 29, Schuylerville (tel. 518/695-3131), is a year-round farmers' market and pick-your-own apple orchard with wagon rides in autumn. Weber's Farm, 115 King Rd., Saratoga Springs, has a pick-your-own vegetable operation from May to December. Hanehan's Pumpkins, 223 County Rte. 67, Saratoga Springs, is a farm stand that sells pumpkins, squash, and corn in season. Clark Dahlia Garden & Greenhouses, 139 Hop City Rd., Ballston Spa (tel. 518/885-7356), has homemade jams, seasonal produce, and fruit and flowers. Bliss Glad Farm, 129 Hop City Rd., Ballston Spa (tel. 518/885-9314), specializes in gladiolus bulbs and has cut flowers and perennials. There are many others in easy reach of Saratoga Springs; pick up a brochure of Saratoga farms at the visitor center.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.