The best family-friendly hikes and walks around Saratoga Springs

Step off the bike to take a look at Hathorn 3 Spring. The Spring is a naturally carbonated spring that runs out of a historic stone well and spigot. Like all of the natural mineral springs in the park, you can drink from this one and perhaps experience the healing properties of the water!

Jump off the bike to take a look at the Geyser Island. The Geyser Island Spouter is one of the best known and memorable features in Saratoga Springs State Park. This spouter (which is caused by natural carbonation in the water) is in the middle of Geyser Creek on a small island created by mineral build up. Although it is a little difficult to see, the tufa that the water shoots from is a deep rusty red due to the iron in the water. The spouter first appeared in the early 20th century and spurts water at a constant rate, making for a memorable sight! You cannot go to the island itself, but there is a great, wheelchair-accessible viewing platform where you can get excellent photographs of it.

Ever wonder where some of the beautiful trees in New York come from? They may well have come from here; the nursery grows more than 1.5 million seedlings annually. Some of these trees are for research, conservation and restoration projects, but others are made available to the public in an annual spring seedling sale that runs from January through May. Get more information here: https://dec.ny.gov/nature/forests-trees/saratoga-tree-nursery

The cornerstone for this beautiful building was laid July 12, 1933 and marked the beginning of the New Spa's development. The New Spa was the name for an early 20th-century project to develop bath houses, research facilities and a drink hall — the Hall of Springs — in this already world-famous area. People from across the country came to drink and bathe in the natural mineral spring waters. Today, the well-preserved Hall of Springs serves as a restaurant and event venue. Across the lawn over the reflecting pool is a sister building that currently houses the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, which has been the summer home of the Philadelphia Orchestra and New York City Ballet since 1966.

Orenda Spring is an incredible mineral spring located on the northern end of Saratoga Spa State park. The high concentration of minerals in the water created a massive, hard tufa that the trail wraps around and water cascades over. This unique spot is a must see when visiting the park. There is a small, covered well where you can drink the water from this spring near by. While the indigenous people of this area have visited these springs for centuries, in the 19th-century the waters became known for their healing properties and people came from around the world to bathe in and drink them, as well as to admire unique geological features like the enormous Orenda Spring tufa.

Ferndell Spring is not carbonated and unlike the other springs near by, does not contain a high mineral content. Although it occasionally doesn't run, it typically spouts out of a handsome red granite basin on the eastern side of Saratoga Spa State Park.

Karista Spring is one of thirteen mineral springs in Saratoga Spa State Park. Like all of the other springs in the park, you can drink the water that comes out of the covered tap. Karista Spring has one of the strongest iron-rich waters in the world, and some believe that the soil around it helps alleviate arthritis pain.

The Hayes Spring or Hayes Well Spring is located just a few hundred yards from the famous Geyser Island Spouter. Like all of the springs in the park you can drink the mineral rich water straight from the tap. Note the thick build-up of minerals at the well's base!