Ballston Spa, New York, is a small village located near a natural spring about 7 miles southwest of Saratoga Springs. Split between two towns, Ballston and Milton, Ballston Spa was incorporated as a village in 1807. However, the region was a well-known destination for its "healing" mineral waters long before. In 1803, the Sans Souci Hotel was built, attracting elite members of society such as several U.S. presidents like Andrew Jackson and international dignitaries like Joseph-Napoléon Bonaparte, the ex-king of Spain. Residents and visitors can still taste the mineral water at the village's Iron Spring Park or soak in a relaxing mineral bath at the historic Medbury Inn & Spa.
While healing mineral waters were once the main draw to the region, today, Ballston Spa attracts residents seeking a small-town lifestyle with historic homes in the suburbs of Saratoga Springs. Residents can walk to a small commercial street lined with locally owned businesses, participate in one of the many community events, or spend time in the great outdoors.
"It's like a little mini-Saratoga Springs," says Kate Mastrangelo, associate broker with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Blake, Realtors, who has 5 years of experience and grew up in Saratoga. "It's a little Victorian town that was bustling even before Saratoga because of the mills. It just hasn't had the influx of money Saratoga has had, so it's taking a little longer to come back from the loss of its mills." The Union Mill Complex, also known as Bischoff's Chocolate Factory, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was once a large manufacturing enterprise that produced paper bags and chocolate.
With Albany 30 miles away, many residents work in government-related fields, as well as healthcare, education and technology. GlobalFoundries, a chip fabrication manufacturing center located in nearby Malta, is another large employer.
Ballston Spa has been a sister city of Saratoga Springs and a hot spot for visitors.
In operation since 1847 the Medberry Inn & Spa is a historic location with historical visits.
Global Foundries is a local chip manufactuerer empoyeeing over 12,000 people.
The NHRP Union Mill complex houses offices, and a few eateries now in Ballston Spa.
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Historic Victorians and colonials
Downtown Ballston Spa features a mix of intricate 1800s architecture. Near the main drag, colonial-style homes with gabled roofs line paved sidewalks. Other styles include small cottages and bungalows with welcoming front porches that range from the low $200,000s to the $300,000s. "Homes are more affordable in Ballston Spa than Saratoga," Mastrangelo says. Spacious Victorians with ornate details are scattered in between, but roads like High Street and Malta Avenue are known for their grand and colorful Victorians that can range from the $500,000s to the $700,000s. Some have been converted into multi-unit properties priced from the low $200,000s to the mid- $300,000s. Detached garages are standard, while others rely on street parking.
Farther from downtown, tree-lined streets give way to 20th-century subdivisions, where lush landscaping and attached garages are the norm. Home styles here include bi-levels, Colonial Revivals and ranch-style homes ranging from the $300,000s to the $400,000s. Other streets feature larger New Traditionals priced from the upper $300,000s to the $500,000s.
Italianette and Victorian homes can be found in Milton with a population of 18,800.
A classic colonial sits on a lined street of lovely homes in Milton, NY.
A new modern colonial in waiting for its new owner in Milton, NY.
A cape ranch style home with a garage in is a fresh new construction in Milton, NY.
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Small class sizes attract families
The Ballston Spa Central School District enrolls just under 4,000 students and scores a B rating from Niche. The district includes four elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. "Ballston Spa has a much smaller school district than Saratoga Springs," says Samantha Curry, a Realtor with New Scotland Realty who has almost a decade of experience in the industry. "I know several people in my office who live there specifically so their kids could attend a smaller school."
Private school options in the area include St. Mary's School, a small private Catholic institution that serves pre-kindergarteners through fifth graders. Across the street, the First Baptist Church of Ballston Spa is home to the Church Mouse Nursery School, which offers part-time morning care for young children.
Less than 10 miles north in Saratoga Springs, Skidmore College opened its doors as an all-female school in 1903. Today, this private, co-ed college is known for its liberal arts programs. Union College is another prestigious private undergraduate college about 15 miles south in Schenectady. Additional universities are scattered throughout the Capital Region, including SUNY Albany and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Ballston Spa Middle School is a great place to start the day, serving grades 6-8.
Ballston Spa High School is a great way for your kids to start their day in Ballston Spa.
Malta elementary school is a great place to start the day and play afterwards.
St Mary's is a private Catholic school located in Ballston Spa.
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Front Street's local businesses
The village is known for its historic charm, "Ballston Spa has a super cute, super quaint main street," Curry says. Front Street and Milton Avenue are dotted with local establishments. Restaurants range from rustic chic eateries with American fare and upscale bars to coffee shops, casual delis and the local watering hole, The Factory Eatery & Spirits.
Small businesses include antique shops, home decor stores and the National Bottle Museum, which explore the history of American bottle-making. Chain grocers sit outside the village proper, while big-box retailers and the Wilton Mall are about 11 miles away in Saratoga Springs. Saratoga's main commercial corridor along Broadway also features additional local and high-end retailers and restaurants.
Downtown Ballston Spa is a great place to grab a bite to eat or a stroll with your love.
Henry's tavern in downtown Ballston Spa serves craft beers and gourmet comfort foods.
Whistling Kettle is a well known lunch and tea shop in Milton.
Downtown Ballston Spa is a great place to spend the day shopping or enjoying a bite to eat.
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BSBPA sponsors events
The Ballston Spa Business and Professional Association (BSBPA) sponsors many events, such as the seasonal farmers market, which is open from June to October. Other events include the Concerts in the Park Series, held every Thursday throughout the summer, and the Movies in the Park Series, screened on the first Friday of the month. "They also have a chocolate festival every year around Valentine's Day, which is fun. It's very much like a scene out of a Hallmark movie," Curry says.
However, Ballston Spa stands out with its annual Victorian Christmas celebration. This two-day event kicks off with a Santa parade and tree lighting. Dozens of establishments, including local businesses and houses of worship, put on pageants and activities and offer special discounts or free refreshments.
The village is also home to the Saratoga County Fairgrounds & Expo Center. Every July, crowds gather for five full days of carnival rides, arcade games and fun. The fair was established in 1841 by the Saratoga County Agricultural Society, and today, it still showcases livestock competitions, tractor pulls, pig races and live entertainment.
Besides grabbing some local produce you can enjoy some music too at the Saratoga Farmers Market.
Winterwood is a horse stable and dressage training facility located in Milton.
There is a lovely community center in Milton that host events and more for the area.
Every Thursday the Saratoga Farmers Market is open in downtown in Kimball Park.
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Green escapes around the village
Ballston Spa is home to several small parks. Iron Spring Park is best known as the site of its famous mineral waters, and a maintained spring is open for those who wish to drink from it. Wiswall Park is another small green space on Front Street that hosts events like the local farmers market.
Kelley Park stands out as the village's main recreational area. Nature trails weave alongside Kayaderosseras Creek, while common pastimes include fishing, kayaking and canoeing. Kids can also run around the large grassy field, play a game of catch or explore the wooden castle-themed playground. The creek separates the park from the village’s outdoor swimming pool next door.
Up the road, tree-lined dirt trails wind around the 130-acre Woods Hollow Nature Preserve. Year-round recreation includes hiking, jogging, cross-country skiing and fishing. Nestled between swaths of farmland and woodlands, Ballston Spa residents are a short drive from additional nature preserves. About 4 miles away, Shenantaha Creek Park is another popular green space with wooded trails, sports courts and an 18-hole disc golf course. For a different kind of green, Ballston Spa Country Club is a semi-private club open to the public Monday through Thursday.
With over 130 acres to enjoy, Woods Hollow will have you immersed in the wild.
Making par never felt so close to home at The Ballston Spa Country Club.
Burgess Kimball Memorial Park has a great playground to keep your kids active all day long.
Serving spring water to the community since 1832 Old Iron Spring is a historic part of the area.
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7 miles to Saratoga Springs
A small commercial street with paved sidewalks and a compact commercial corridor makes much of the village accessible to walkers and cyclists. The Capital District Transportation Authority provides public transit, with bus routes along Milton Avenue. Saratoga Springs Amtrak Station and Saratoga Hospital are about 7 miles north via New York State Route 50, also known as Ballston Avenue. Interstate 87 leads approximately 25 miles south to Albany International Airport and 200 miles north to Montreal, Canada. Other nearby roads include New York State Route 67.
Year-round considerations
Ballston Spa residents enjoy all four seasons. The town sees about 180 sunny days in the year, with summer high temperatures hovering around 84 degrees and the winter lows around 10 degrees. Ballston Spa gets close to the national rainfall average at 41 inches of rain per year and 64 inches of annual snowfall. Kayaderosseras Creek weaves through town and can pose a flood risk during heavy thunderstorms.
According to FBI crime data, Ballston Spa had approximately 36 reported crimes in 2023. Property crimes account for 27 reports, and violent crimes account for the remaining nine. Annually, the crime rate is about 7.3 per 1,000 residents, and the city is considered safer than 83% of cities across the country.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
