Yaddo Gardens, Saratoga Springs (must see)

Yaddo Gardens is a breathtaking 400-acre retreat originally designed by financier Spencer Trask and his wife Katrina, a writer. Established in 1899, the gardens were inspired by the couple’s travels to France and Italy, incorporating formal terraces, fountains, and intricate stone statues that exude European elegance. The gardens are divided into two main sections: the lower Rose Garden, which reflects Italian and French Renaissance influences, and the upper woodland rock garden, a style that gained popularity in the late 19th century. A pergola adorned with climbing plants separates these two areas, creating a tranquil and picturesque atmosphere.

While most of Yaddo's estate serves as an exclusive artists' retreat, the gardens have remained accessible to the public as per the Trasks' wishes. Following personal tragedy-losing all four of their children-the Trasks chose to dedicate Yaddo as a sanctuary for writers, painters, composers, and other creatives. Over the years, it has hosted an impressive list of artists, including James Baldwin, Sylvia Plath, Langston Hughes, and Jeffrey Eugenides.

Though the mansion and private artist residences remain closed to visitors, the gardens offer guided and self-guided tours, allowing guests to admire the Italian marble statues, historic fountains, and seasonal floral displays that make the estate so distinctive. The famous Four Seasons statues, installed in 1909, are among the most admired features, symbolizing the passage of time and the beauty of nature.

Over the decades, Yaddo Gardens has faced challenges, including harsh weather, vandalism, and neglect, but in 1991, a restoration effort led by Saratoga Springs resident Jane Wait helped return them to their former splendor. Today, volunteers and Yaddo’s grounds crew work together to preserve the gardens' original grandeur, ensuring that they continue to offer a peaceful and inspiring space for generations to come.