Spooky Holiday in Saratoga Springs, NY

Adelphi Hotel during the Holiday Season

Hello Spook-Seekers!

This is the last edition of Spook Seeking for the year, just in time for the holidays! I have a magical day planned for you in Saratoga Springs, NY, with just a touch of spooky. 🙂 I visited all these locations this past weekend and will include some photos from my adventure!

Here’s your overview:

  • This is a day trip itinerary, but can be adapted into a weekend adventure. I will include a hotel option for those coming from further away or want to spread it out a bit more.
  • This is a walking tour. Plan on walking about 3 miles depending on where you park and how far into the cemetery you choose to wander.
  • Depending on how far you are coming from, plan 4 – 6 hours for this adventure from Albany, or the lower side if you are staying in or are already in Saratoga Springs.
  • Locations on this itinerary include notable sites of reported paranormal activity vs. spooky themed places.

Ok, let’s get into it!

But first coffee/brunch at Olde Bryan Inn

Ok, I don’t know about you, but today I’m hungry and want more than just coffee today. Let’s go to the Olde Bryan Inn, which hails from 1773, because we dine with Ghosts… Apparently you can see a lady in green (Beatrice) who walks up a staircase that no longer exists. We asked our server about Beatrice and they said a man was in the men’s room once and was startled by a lady in a costume who was angry and asking him to unlock a door. He told the staff about it, but none of the staff was in costume. The man and his guest left the restaurant quickly. Additionally, spirits from the Colonial era have been reported here. This historic structure saw the likes of the Revolutionary war (Battle of Saratoga), so it’s no surprise a few extra visitors may linger here.

When we visited, we didn’t see anything out of the ordinary, but we did see the lights flicker and one in our group felt a sudden cold shiver. Regardless, the food was delicious, it was decked out for the holidays with roaring fires in the fireplaces, and the historical charm of this location is unmatched.

Notes:

  • 123 Maple Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
  • Open at 11:30 AM to 8:30/9:00 daily Wednesday through Sunday

Sources: 

Stop 2: Walk around Downtown Saratoga Springs

The shops on Broadway really go all out for the holidays! You could shop the stores, but it’s also very pleasant to just meander and window shop. Many stores put up Christmas trees in their windows or outside their establishments, as well as wreaths, lights, tinsel and more. Creativity is high as we go into the festive season. Downtown Saratoga also puts up a massive tree on Broadway and Caroline Street, along with Santa visits on the weekends.

Stop 3: Canfield Casino

Featured on America’s Most Terrifying Places and Ghost Hunters, this place is worth at least a walk past, even if you can’t get in. Today, it’s an event space often reserved for parties and weddings, but once, it was a roaring casino full of action. It was established by a Ghost we will meet again later… John Morrissey in the late 1800s, originally called the Saratoga Club House. He had three rules, no women, no locals, and cash only. It ended up becoming a world-renowned gambling house in its era.

Paranormal reports include seeing a Victorian-era woman who asks a question and then vanishes, glasses being pulled from hands, objects moving on their own, the smell of cigar smoke, and cold spots. Apparently, the majority of activity happens on the 3rd floor.

We couldn’t go inside on the day we visited due to an event booking, but below is some information if you’d like to get inside.

Information:

  • You can visit the Casino on the 90-minute Haunted Saratoga Ghost Tours, which includes other haunted locations and knowledgeable tour guides. Tours run May – November on Fridays and Saturdays.
  • Visit the Saratoga Springs History Museum which is located inside the Canfield Casino.
    • Open Wednesday – Sunday from 10 AM to 4 PM for $10.

Sources:

Stop 3: Greenridge Cemetery

Just a few blocks from our final stop, walk to the Greenridge Cemetery to see the oldest cemetery in Saratoga Springs, hailing from 1844! The gravestones, mausoleums, and statues are incredible. This is the final resting place for racing notables, poets, statesmen, philanthropists, and more. Even if you don’t spy a ghost, it’s worth a visit!


Sources:

Stop 4: Adelphi Hotel / Morrissey’s Lounge & Bistro

The Adelphi Hotel is highly reported for its drinks, foods, accommodations, and ghostly encounters… On this itinerary, it is a suggested stop for snacks and drinks, but if you dare (and can afford it) it is a luxurious option for overnight accommodations as well, but you may catch sight of the dead. The most rumored ghost to still loom the halls of the Adelphi is John Morrissey, who opened the casino you visited earlier, but died at the Adelphi. The hotel was built in 1877, so there may well be numerous other ghosts who have taken a liking to the lux dark woods and leathers that this hotel offers.

Paranormal reports include waking up to find someone sleeping next to you, seeing people wearing Victorian-era clothing, and apparently some caused difficulty for the renovators of the building.

Sources:

Notes:

  • Address: 365 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
  • Open 7 days a week
    • Breakfast daily from 7-11 AM
    • Lunch from 11 – 3 PM
    • Dinner 4 – 9 PM (10 PM on Friday & Saturday)
  • Reservations for dinner are highly recommended, but you can also just sit at the bar for a snack and drink (there may be a wait on the weekends).

Itinerary Walking Map:

Click on the map or this text to hop right into your spooky Saratoga Springs adventure!

Visual walking map of locations in Saratoga springs. Follow link to Google Map of itinerary.

Hotel Option: Courtyard by Marriott Saratoga Springs

Convenient option if the Adelphi is too spendy. The Marriott is very near the Olde Bryan Inn, so a great location for starting and ending this tour.

Notes:

  • Free wifi and parking
  • No pets allowed outside of service animals
  • Amenities include a pool, fitness center, and restaurant
  • Marriott.com

Thank you for reading for this edition of Let’s Go Spook Seeking! I hope to see you ghouls out there seeing adventure and seeking spooky. But for now, it is farewell. Have a great holiday season!

– Alanna Zipp


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