Located inside of the incredible Saratoga Spa State Park is the Saratoga Automobile Museum. It is actually housed in the former water bottling plant. This impressive brick building circa 1935 has windows that span two stories, bathing the interior with vast amounts of natural light.
Step into the museum
Although the building itself is architecturally significant, it’s the collection inside that draws the crowds. The first floor is primarily a revolving exhibit space. (Just imagine switching out the collection of autos when the exhibits change). During my latest visit, it was a collection of James Bond automobiles. The second floor of the Saratoga Automobile Museum focuses on New York-based racing as well as cars that were once built in New York in the area called “East of Detroit”.
The former bottling plant provides the perfect space for the car collection as the exhibit halls are roomy enough to accommodate many cars at a time. This summer’s James Bond display was a lot of fun. It showcased cars (and even a car/boat hybrid) from all incarnations of the iconic series. Additionally, even the villains got their due with their wheels on display too. Along with the auto is a repeating video clip of the vehicle in action. It’s pretty cool to be able to see the car in person and in the movie.
In the adjunct display room on the first floor is a collection of damaged Bond cars that didn’t make it through their respective scenes at full capacity. This Bond in Motion exhibit is only displayed through January of 2024. Make sure to check out the submersible car and the snowmobile on display.
Start Your Engines!
The top floor is a historic collection of both New York-based racing and manufacturing showcases. Some of the early car manufacturers in the state include Pierce-Arrow, Franklin, and Thomas. At one time there were over 100 companies in the state!
Also on this floor is a history of car racing in New York. Tell the horses that Saratoga is typically associated with to move over! The cars currently on display range from the 1930s to the present. It’s always fascinating to be a witness to an exhibit such as this. Other regions of the country are often thought of as more synonymous with auto racing than New York State.
Visiting the Saratoga Automobile Museum
With two floors, the first which is ever-changing makes the Saratoga Automobile Museum a worthwhile visit on more than one occasion. My visit to the museum was markedly different in 2023 than when I first visited in 2018. Adults are $20 and kids $15.
It is located inside of Saratoga Spa State Park. Visit a natural spring, relax in an old-fashioned spa bath house, listen to a concert at SPAC, or just grab a coffee and wander around the impressive architecture.
For more Saratoga ideas check out the Cooperstown Distillery Beverage Exchange at Saratoga.
