Ballston Spa is often a cute little town we drive through on the way to somewhere else – to Saratoga or the Northway or anywhere other than Ballston Spa itself. Ballston Spa may be small, but this quirky little village packs plenty of adventure into its historic streets lined with eclectic shops, restaurants, and curiosities.
National Bottle Museum
Be honest – how many times have you driven through Ballston Spa and noticed the National Bottle Museum signs and wondered: What’s the story there? This one-of-a-kind spot celebrates the history of bottle making, bottle uses, bottle designs, bottle colors…bottles. The friendly curator, Chris, is happy to answer any question you have as you walk around the museum with an informative self-guided tour. Upstairs, the displays share space with a rotating gallery of local artists. It makes for a perfect mix of quirky, educational, and fun.
Speckled Pig Brewing Co.
One of our favorite spots is Speckled Pig Brewing Co. on Washington Street. The renovated building includes a brewery (of course) and wood-fired pizza that is always a hit. The tap list includes a wide variety of options including hard seltzers, seasonal options like the current pumpkin ale with a sugar rim, and a hard root beer.
The Still at Speckled Pig will be opening soon. This offshoot of the original building is housed in the neighboring building and will offer distilled libations in a fun and friendly cocktail bar setting.
Trails to Hike Nearby
October is the perfect time to get out for a long walk in nature, especially on a crisp and sunny day. The nearby Woods Hollow Nature Preserve Trail is a great stop to round-out your adventure!
Places to Eat
If you aren’t in the mood for pizza, there are great restaurants throughout downtown Ballston Spa including Next Door Kitchen & Bar, Henry’s Tavern, The Whistling Kettle, and the Front Street Social Club.
Leave a Reply