A day at the Saratoga Spa City Farmer’s Market + Lunch at The Thirsty Owl
Summary: Every trip to the Saratoga Springs area should include a stop at the Spa City Farmer’s Market for fresh produce, local artisans and a bit of history. Make your day trip even more memorable with lunch at the Thirsty Owl.
Date: Observations and data recorded every Summer Sunday we could in 2025
Site/Location: Spa City Farmer’s Market - 65 South Broadway
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 The Thirsty Owl - 184 South Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Distance from Camp Hudson Pines: 18 Miles to Spa City Farmer’s Market (approx. 25 minute drive), 17 miles to The Thirsty Owl (approx. 25 minutes)
Participants: Two Adults
Length of Observation: Many pleasant day excursions
Links: http://www.spacityfarmersmarket.com/ & https://www.thirstyowlsaratoga.com/
Activity:
We love the lazy, sun-drenched summer Sundays in the Adirondacks. Our favorite day itinerary is to spend the day in Saratoga Springs wandering the bustling Spa City Farmers Market, and capping it off with a leisurely lunch at The Thirsty Owl. Small town charm, delicious food, and people watching is our trifecta.
We like to leave early and enjoy the beautiful winding drive in from Camp Hudson Pines to the Saratoga State Park. When you pull into the State Park, you will be greeted by tall pines. The Farmer’s Market is set up by the historic Lincoln Baths. The farmer’s market is full of life with live acoustic music from local artists and people chatting and eating. We love to meander slowly through the market to compare the different stands of fruit, sample the artisanal cheeses and smell the handmade soaps.
I snagged a bouquet of sunflowers taller than me and a loaf of sourdough so crusty it crackled under my fingers. If you're a foodie like me, don't miss the mushroom foraging demo—it's equal parts educational and envy-inducing.
By noon, our totes were heavy with treasures: local maple syrup, a wheel of creamy brie, and those elusive summer peaches that taste like sunshine itself. The market's vibe is unpretentious and inclusive—grab a bench by the mineral springs, sip on fresh lemonade, and let the world slow down.
With the market haul safely stowed in the car, it was time for a leisurely lunch at The Thirsty Owl, just a few blocks away at the corner of South Broadway and Lincoln Avenue. We snagged a table on the shaded patio of this cozy yet chic wine bar and bistro in Saratoga.
The Thirsty Owl shines with its focus on New York wines (their namesake label is crisp and dangerously drinkable), but it's the food that steals the show. We started with a charcuterie board piled high with house-cured meats, local cheeses, and those market-fresh figs we'd eyed earlier. For mains, I went for the grilled peach salad with goat cheese and balsamic drizzle (summer in every bite), while my partner opted for the seared scallops over herb risotto. Light, fresh, and paired with a glass of their Thirsty Owl rosé that tasted like vacation in a stemware.
We lingered for hours—two, to be exact—nibbling on truffle fries, people-watching the Saratoga crowd (horse racing enthusiasts in seersucker? Check), and plotting our next Adirondack jaunt. Service was warm and unhurried, the kind where your server knows your wine preference by round two. If you're in town sans kids or rush, this is your spot.
We made our way back to Camp Hudson Pines where we ate an alfresco dinner complete with fresh grilled market peaches and river views. If you are dreaming of your own Upstate NY getaway add this laid back Sunday itinerary to your trip.
Photographs:
Reflections:
The Spa City Farmers Market is a year-round gem. While this dreamy trip was made (over and over) in the summer we highly recommend you do the same in fall, winter or spring. They are open from 10 AM to 2 PM. In the summer they are set up outside on the lawn by the Lincoln Baths but from November - April they move inside of the Lincoln Baths. Parking is easy with a small lot right by the outdoor setup or a larger one across the road, inside of the state park.
The Thirsty Owl is open daily year round from 11:30 AM until 9 PM. They have a handful of parking spots available there or street parking can be found on Whitney Place. We highly recommend adding their award winning wines and delicious food to your Saratoga visit.
