Overview
Ballston Spa is a town of 5,300 people (2018) in New York. The town is well-known for its walkable village with hometown restaurants, shops and museums.
2 sights · 2 bars & cafés · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Ballston Spa
The Real McCoy Beer Co.
Brookside Museum
Regional history museum with gift shop and garden and also a mineral spring (Old Iron Springs) if you want to sample some.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 84°F; winter lows dip to about 16°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jul and Jun. (climate data from nearby Albany)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- ALB Albany International Airport, Albany — 18 mi away (major hub). Directions
- RUT Rutland - Southern Vermont Regional Airport, Rutland — 58 mi away. Directions
MegaBus offers an affordable trip from several destinations in New York City for usually around $5. The pickup destination in New York City is usually at a random street corner, though. You will be dropped off at Rensselaer Station in Albany, the capital of New York. To get to Ballston Spa from there, go to the East St. & Herrick St. bus station. Take the 114 West bus for about 10 minutes to the Broadway & Hudson Ave. stop. Walk for about a minute to the SUNY Plaza Broadway station and get on the 905 West bus for an hour to the State St. & Washington Ave. station. Wait there for the 450 North bus. It will take about 30 minutes on the 450 to get to downtown Ballston Spa. The heart of the village can be accessed from the Rt. 50 & Malta Ave. station.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning The Real McCoy Beer Co.
- Afternoon Brookside Museum
- Evening Dozer's Bar & Grill
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
European settlement of Ballston Spa began in 1771. It was incorporated as a village in 1807. It was served for four major railroads and was at that time the 11th most populated region located in the modern United States. The town is well-known for the natural mineral water used for healing, hence the name.
In 1803, the Sans Souchi Hotel located in downtown Ballston Spa was the largest hotel of its time in the modern United States. All kinds of people from presidents, governors, wealthy citizens and senators stayed there.
It is the county seat of Saratoga County.
Get in
By car
- Take Interstate 87 (I-87) to exit 12 and follow Route 67 West. Ballston Spa would be preferable to drive through, because the public transportation system is limited and many attractions are a far distance from each other.
By bus
MegaBus offers an affordable trip from several destinations in New York City for usually around $5. The pickup destination in New York City is usually at a random street corner, though. You will be dropped off at Rensselaer Station in Albany, the capital of New York. To get to Ballston Spa from there, go to the East St. & Herrick St. bus station. Take the 114 West bus for about 10 minutes to the Broadway & Hudson Ave. stop. Walk for about a minute to the SUNY Plaza Broadway station and get on the 905 West bus for an hour to the State St. & Washington Ave. station. Wait there for the 450 North bus. It will take about 30 minutes on the 450 to get to downtown Ballston Spa. The heart of the village can be accessed from the Rt. 50 & Malta Ave. station.
By plane
Albany International Airport (ALB) is the closest airport, and connections on CDTA can be found to get to the village by bus. Most US northeast airlines have service there.
Get around
By bus
The CDTA (Capital District Transport Authority) has multiple buses running through Ballston Spa. Bus number 451 runs down the main road, Route 50, at frequent stops, so for tourists without a car, it is an ideal service. A 3-day visitor pass ticket can be purchased from CDTA for a low cost of $10, which includes unlimited travel on all CDTA branded buses.
See
- Birthplace of Abner Doubleday – The supposed founder of baseball, Abner Doubleday, was born in Ballston Spa. The house he was born in is now a brewery, called
- National Bottle Museum, 76 Milton Ave. This might appeal for someone with a thing for bottles. Admission: $5 (Sep 2025)
Drink
Coffee
Drink Coffee Planet
Coffee, baked goods, ice cream, and free wi-fi.
Sleep
Stay Medbery Inn & Spa
Go next
- Nearby Saratoga Springs is a logical place to go next. It's about a 15-minute drive up New York State Route 50 (Milton Ave., Doubleday Ave., and Ballston Ave.).
- Schenectady is also close, about 30 minutes' drive.
- Troy and Albany are just a bit farther away.
Nearby
Saratoga Springs
City / town · 79 listings · 6 mi away
Clifton Park
City / town · 20 listings · 10 mi away
Schenectady
City / town · 11 listings · 15 mi away
Cohoes
City / town · 8 listings · 18 mi away
Cambridge
City / town · 4 listings · 20 mi away
Troy
City / town · 37 listings · 21 mi away
Watervliet
City / town · 4 listings · 21 mi away
Albany
City / town · 103 listings · 25 mi away
My experience
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