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Saratoga Race Course: Our Tips for the Best Ticket Options for Your Perfect Race Day Experience
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items We've been regulars at Saratoga for decades, so we're sharing our best tips for planning a winning day at the beautiful Saratoga Race Course. There are many options to choose from and it can be confusing. Our guide will help you choose the best exper... Step back in time and experience the history, pageantry, and thrills.
This list contains affiliate links. If you click on one and make a purchase, we may receive a commission, without any extra charge to you.
This list contains affiliate links. If you click on one and make a purchase, we may receive a commission, without any extra charge to you.
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Saratoga Race Course Tickets and Seating Options
Reserve a Table for Dining at Saratoga Race Course with Views of the Races
More Saratoga Dining Options with Reserved Seats
Plan a Picnic at the Saratoga Track
Other Helpful Tips for Saratoga Racecourse
Sample Menus from the Saratoga Track Restaurants
Saratoga Race Course Tickets and Seating Options
The most basic ticket to Saratoga Racetrack is General Admission. Once inside, you can explore the entire track. Visit the paddock, where jockeys and horses meet before the races and go right to the rail to view the races live. There is some free sea...
General Admission to the Saratoga Racetrack gives you access to the grounds. You can bring your chairs and your own picnic (no glass!) and grab an area or table in the backyard if you get there early. If you want a picnic table, bring your own tablecloth to mark your spot.
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Saratoga Race Course General Admission Tickets
Kids 12 and under do not need a ticket for General Admission but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. There's even a free Kids Club
Do kids get in to Saratoga for free?
Select a seat in the Saratoga Race Course Clubhouse for the best views of the excitement of the finish line. Grandstand tickets offer affordable reserved seating and great views of the track. We recommend covered seats in case of rain, but maybe you ...
Tickets include admission.
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Tickets include admission.
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Reserve a Clubhouse or Grandstand Seat at Saratoga Race Course
Reserve a Table for Dining at Saratoga Race Course with Views of the Races
A typical race day at Saratoga begins with the first race at 1 p.m. Book a table for your group to enjoy a reserved seat for the day with food and beverage service. Tickets to the dining venues include admission to the track. Be sure to check dress c...
The Turf Terrace is our favorite spot for a fancy day at Saratoga Race Course. The views from the the 3rd and 4th floor of the Clubhouse are incredible and it exudes history and elegance.
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The Turf Terrace at Saratoga Race Course Dining Tickets
Located on the apron next to the horse path, where horses enter the track, The Porch is the closest dining option to the action of the races. Enjoy your table and be just a few short steps from the rail.
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The Porch at Saratoga Race Course Dining Tickets
If Air Conditioning is a must, the 1863 Club is for you. The newest premium option at Saratoga Race Course, The Rail is on the ground floor of the 1863 Club with private trackside and horse path access. You can purchase individual seats or entire tables and enjoy a buffet meal and soft drinks included in the ticket price. The Sunday buffet is brunch. Note: be sure to pick an indoor table if you want Air Conditioning.
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The Rail at the 1863 Club Saratoga Race Course Buffet Tickets
The Stretch is a a newer premium but casual venue in the Saratoga Grandstand with a lively atmosphere that mixes traditional seats, box seats, as well as bar seats and high-top tables. Tip look for “Section BS” for Bar Seats and “Section HT” for High...
Tickets included admission.
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Tickets included admission.
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Spend a Day at The Stretch at Saratoga Race Course
More Saratoga Dining Options with Reserved Seats
These Saratoga Race Track reserved dining options facing the backyard offer TVs for watching the races from your table or you can take a quick stroll to watch the races from the apron.
The Club Terrace offers casual is on the second floor of the Clubhouse and faces the backyard.
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The Club Terrace at Saratoga Race Course Dining Tickets
Fourstardave is a sportsbar in the Grandstand that faces the Backyard. A casual and affordable place to reserve a table. Get drinks from the bar and food from multiple concessions. We recommend Hatties for delicious fried chicken!
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Fourstardave Tables at Saratoga Race Course Tickets
On the 2nd floor of the Grandstand facing the backyard, the Easy Goer offers reserved tables with a buffet meal.
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Easy Goer at Saratoga Race Course Buffet Tickets
Plan a Picnic at the Saratoga Track
Enjoy a beautiful summer day at Saratoga Racecourse with your own picnic cooler or grab drinks and food from one of the great options at the track, like Shake Shack or Hatties. TVs are located throughout the grounds for viewing the races or head trackside to watch the race from the rail.
Get to the track early with your distinctive tablecloth and something to fasten it to your table for the day. Gates open at 7:00am for early access to hundred of free picnic tables in the Saratoga backyard. You will need to leave the track and return...
Free Picnic Tables at Saratoga Race Course
The easiest choice for a picnic in the backyard next to the paddock, where you can see all the horses before each race and watch the race on TV or walk over to the apron to watch up close. Bring your own cooler. No glass! Each table seats 6 and inclu...
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Reserve a Paddock Picnic Table for Six at Saratoga Race Course
A unique picnic option for up to 6 people. Pull your car right into a reserved spot with a picnic table overlooking the track.
Saratoga Tailgate at the Turn
Other Helpful Tips for Saratoga Racecourse
The Saratoga Race Course calendar, maps, and FAQs and some tips on terminology.
The Saratoga meet is generally mid July through Labor Day with racing Wednesday-Sunday plus Labor Day Monday. In 2025 there is also a special July 4th Racing Festival from July 4-6.
Check out the Saratoga Race Course Calendar
Get familiar with the track layout and grounds before you go
Saratoga Race Course Grounds Map and Parking Map
Learn more about cooler polcies and other common questions
Saratoga FAQs
Popcorn, Lemonade, Ice Cold Beer, and so many other great options like Shake Shack and local Saratoga favorites: Hattie's for legendary fried chicken, and Eddie F's for lobster rolls and seafood.
Saratoga Race Course Concessions Map
The Apron is the area between the Clubhouse/Grandstand and the track itself. Almost all areas are open to anyone with a General Admission ticket. There are also park benches to sit on.
The Apron and Rail at Saratoga
The Backyard refers to the area behind the building where the Paddock, picnic areas, and many concessions are located.
The Backyard at Saratoga Race Course
The Paddock is where the jockeys and horses meet before the race. It is really fun to see the “riders up.”
The Saratoga Paddock and Picnic Paddock
Take a quick tour of the Saratoga Race Track with Discover Saratoga
The Inside Track: Saratoga Race Course
Sample Menus from the Saratoga Track Restaurants
Sample menus provided by the NYRA Saratoga website. Click the links for more details. Offerings and prices may change but these samples will give you an idea of the different dining options.
The Turf Terrace features the best of the summer season along with hot entreess. To start, a basket of Saratoga Chips and Dip are a must!
Turf Terrace at Saratoga Sample Menu
Charcuterie and mezze plates are great to share.
The Porch Sample Menu - Saratoga
Salads, sandwiches, burgers, and tacos.
Club Terrace at Saratoga Sample Menu
A sample of menu options from concessions near the Fourstardave at Saratoga. We highly recommend Hatties and Eddie F's is known for the most delicious lobster roll.
Fourstardave Sports Bar at Saratoga Sample Menu