Skidmore College - Local Atmosphere

College Prowler Take

Saratoga is an ideal college town—a cozy area with many attractions. It is quite the tourist spot in the summer months when the race track is open (July–September). There are tons of trinket and clothing shops, restaurants, and coffee nooks. Union College and Rensslaer Polytechnical Institute (RPI) are the two colleges most likely to cross paths with Skidmore students. University at Albany and Sienna College are close to Skidmore, but they keep more to their own territory. Other than the bar scene, Saratoga is full of entertainment. There are concerts, live music, and parks. There are also several historical sites spread about, such as the Veterans Memorial in Congress Park. The music scene tends to focus on local artists who play at venues such as Café Lena, but Albany supplies larger venues: Northern Lights, Valentines, and the Egg are all approximately a half hour away. If nature or sporty activities interest you, there are plenty of lakes, trails, and mountains for swimmers, boaters, hikers, and skiiers.

It has been said that Skidmore students don’t really notice the other inhabitants of the town, but they do exist. There are local folks and high school students that Skiddies will run into downtown, and there is even a Naval base in Saratoga. The sailors are known for their killer charm (fueled by Jack and Coke), so girls, and perhaps even boys, watch out! Many of the non-college students tend to stick to certain spots that aren’t considered Skidmore dominated. Noise complaints from off-campus partying have created a great deal of tension between students and locals. The Skidmore campus is considered to be liberal and mainly Democratic, while the town is more conservative and mainly Republican. Despite political tensions, most Saratogians are friendly colleagues and neighbors.

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Students Speak Out

Anonymous says:

Saratoga Springs rocks, and you... Saratoga Springs rocks, and you may not realize it at first, but it’s awesome. There are lots of restaurants from all price ranges, fun bars for those of age, and cute shops. There are great coffee shops, like Uncommon Grounds and good local music and art. NYC and Boston, as well as Montreal, are all within three hours and a definite plus for a weekend getaway. Saratoga has a lot to offer. Stay for a summer to really experience the town. The locals are nice but tend not to care for Skidmore students. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

I think Saratoga is the ideal... I think Saratoga is the ideal college town. It’s quaint and unique, but far from boring. The nightlife, restaurants, and shopping attract people from all over. It’d been said that you haven’t quite had the complete Skidmore experience until you stay in Saratoga for a summer and see it transform during racetrack season. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

I would definitely recommend... I would definitely recommend trying the eateries in town—the food is great and not that expensive. There are Scallions, Hatties, Little India, Thai Gardens, and so much more. At Christmas time, you don’t want to miss the holiday lights, carolers, hot cocoa, and the carriage ride. In the fall, I definitely recommend going to the apple orchard and picking your own apples. It is fun for the weekends, and you fill up on really good apples. The atmosphere in town is great to get a break off of campus. Yeah it looks like a rich little town, but it [is] really nice to walk in, hang out in, and do shopping. Plus, on the other side of Skidmore, there are all the chain restaurants, such as Applebee’s, and the places like Target, Home Depot, stuff like that. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

Saratoga rests peacefully at the... Saratoga rests peacefully at the base of the Adirondack Mountains and is an extremely popular spot for summer gamblers. The races that take place at Saratoga’s horse track attract people from around the Northeast, making Saratoga a bustling summer town. However, as the seasons change and the track shuts down for the fall, all of the college students return to town and things quiet down a bit. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

There is a pretty noticeable... There is a pretty noticeable contrast between the Skidmore population and the locals. At times there seems to be a bit of resentment towards the college students from the locals, but it doesn’t seem too bad. The town itself is charming, although it becomes much more entertaining once you turn 21. For those that are under age, pretty much the only entertainment available comes in the form of restaurants and the local mall. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Facts

Did You Know?

5 Fun Facts about Saratoga Springs:

• During the summer, Saratoga is packed with tourists in town for racing season.
• Saratoga Natural Springs dot the city—all are open for taste tests.
• The Saratoga Performing Arts Center is the summer home of the New York City Ballet, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Saratoga Jazz Festival, and many popular concerts.
• Saratoga has a sister-city partnership with Chekhov, Russia.
• Saratoga’s original name was Sarachtogue, or “hillside of a great river.”

Local Slang:
Doughboy – The Doughboy was created by Skidmore’s very own Sheldon Solomon, who also happens to be a founder of Esperanto’s restaurant. The Doughboy is a delicious mix of cheese, chives, and chicken wrapped in pizza dough.
SPAC – Saratoga Performing Arts Center, where there are a host of concerts, festivals, and other performances throughout the year.

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