Ride Along: Children's Museum at Saratoga
PLUS: Siro's Cup party pics and Opening Day at the track's familiar reading material.
Playtime Returns to Saratoga
My attempt at covering a full day of happenings at the Children’s Museum at Saratoga, which reopened last week in its new location in the Lincoln Baths building, got off to a pretty rocky start. First, the toddler I had plans with, who oddly—or appropriately?—happens to be named Rocky, bailed on me. Then, in my desperation to find a replacement child, I got my dates mixed up. “I’m here for the ribbon cutting!” I told the woman working the front desk on Tuesday at 10:30am. “That was yesterday,” she said.
Feeling quite incompetent (and perhaps learning what it’s like to be a rattled young mom) but not yet defeated, I took the info in stride, and returned at 1pm with not one but three children, ready to rumble.
12:55 - The Waiting Game
The museum’s regular hours are from 9am-noon and 1-4pm (it shuts down at lunch time for cleaning) Monday through Saturday. So just before 1pm, the parking lot and yard outside the museum was packed with kids impatiently waiting to be let in. (The entrance is in the back on the left side of the Lincoln Baths if you’re looking at the building from the road; I parked where I normally do for the Spa City Farmers’ Market.) Before long I was joined by Malta resident Mackenzie Pasqualino and her three girls: Courtney, 4; Victoria, 6; and Alana, 11. Alanna and Victoria had been to the Museum years ago when it was on Caroline Street, but didn’t remember. The sisters were excited, but nowhere near as excited as the little boy behind us in line, who told us he had driven with his grandmother from Loudonville. “I’ve been in the car for an hour and a half,” he told us.
1:05 - Check-In
The museum is recommending that guests get their tickets online in advance, though there were (thankfully for us) tickets available at the door. Mackenzie paid for her squad—$10 per person—and then I stepped up to the counter. “One adult, please,” I said. “I’m sorry,” the woman said. “We don’t allow adults to come in without children.” (It is a good rule.) Not about to be turned away from the Children’s Museum for the second time that day, though, I quickly gestured to my adopted family. This time, they let me in.
1:10 - Space
We headed straight for the second floor for the main attraction. I learned that this was Courtney’s very first museum experience, though she has watched Blippi visit them on screen. At the top of the stairs we found ourselves in a sun, earth and universe exhibit, which the museum acquired when it merged with North Greenbush’s Children’s Museum of Science and Technology. At the spacecraft-building station, Victoria was hard at work on something that looked nothing like a spacecraft. “I don’t want to listen to the boring rules,” she said. “I’m building a road.” Alana, who’s a little older than the museum’s target demographic, jumped in: “There are a bunch of potholes in your road.”
1:30 - The Hospital
After a quick jaunt to the side of the museum for more dedicated to free play—the outdoor-themed area features a treehouse, fishing station, knot tying tutorial and motorboat (the old museum’s rowboat has been upgraded since the exhibit now centers around Saratoga Lake instead of Congress Park)—we made a pitstop in the hospital. “What’s the difference between arteries and veins?” Alana asked us adults at an interactive human body exhibit. We didn’t know.
1:40 - The Grocery Store
At this point, Courtney wanted to turn around, since there was quite a commotion happening in the fire truck, where kids were pointing hoses at a video screen of a building on fire (the interactive exhibit actually allows children to put out the digital fire). But on the other side of the sirens and flashing lights she found a familiar hangout—the grocery store. Courtney went shopping. “How much were your groceries?” I asked. “It costed 100 million dollars.”
2:45 - The Weather Station
Several exhibits are sponsored by local businesses—the ice cream parlor is Stewart’s-branded, the bank is Adirondack Trust, and the weather station is branded Spectrum News. The girls took turns standing on the green screen, pointing to weather patterns, reading the temperatures and putting their faces as close to the camera as possible. At this point, a museum employee came around to inform everyone that the museum would be closing in 15 minutes because of a special event happening that evening. “Hurry!” Victoria exclaimed. “We need to play fast!”
5:15 - The Grand Opening Celebration
After a quick wardrobe change, I was back at the Children’s Museum for the third time that day. This time they let me in without children, and Director of Education Jessica Bauder gave me a tour. “There are a lot more interactives here,” she told me, comparing the new space to the old space. “But it’s still about imaginative play.” The new 16,000-square-foot space, which is about twice the size as the Caroline Street location, is also much more accessible—the city bus, fire engine and other exhibits are all on one level, so a wheelchair can roll right in.
6:00 - Back to the Weather Station
After a few brief words from Executive Director Sarah Smith and Board President Dave Martin, guests—most of whom were board members or there supporting board members—grabbed dinner from 9 Miles East, and drink samples from Old Tavern Farm Winery and Northway Brewing. I grabbed Saratoga Automobile Museum Executive Director Carly Connors, and asked to take her photo in one of the exhibits. “I’ll do whatever you want me to,” she said. “Want to be on the news?” I asked, gesturing to the green screen. “No, no, no,” someone jumped in, bringing up a point I’m sure no kid has ever mentioned: “The lighting is terrible on the news!”
—Natalie
Quote of the Week:
“It was very cold and I was drunk.”
—Bailey’s owner Matt Beecher reminiscing about his days at SUNY Plattsburgh
Save the Date:
Carson is coming to town! Meet horse owner and judge of RuPaul’s Drag Race at Saratoga Living’s Racing & Rosé brunch party 🐎on July 30 at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. After a VIP meet-and-greet, Carson will help facilitate a fashion show 👗 of looks by Miss Scarlett’s Jen Marcellus, and then will turn his attention to you—the guests—to select the morning’s best-dressed attendee! 💁 In other words: Dress. To. Impress. All bubbly, rosé and food included. Get your tickets here.
Sorry for the Distraction
The new issues of Saratoga Living arrived just in time—after reaching the distribution center in Glenmont after midnight the night before Opening Day, SL’s small crew high-tailed it down there at the crack of dawn to pick up the magazines and drop them off at the track during a very chaotic Opening Day morning. By the time the gates opened, there were hundreds of magazines disributed around the Clubhouse, per tradition. The Saratoga Living box was on fire—SL’s Track Ambassador and horse racing super-fan Kevin Killian barely got any betting in, he was so busy fielding questions and compliments (we are truly grateful!) about our new “The Races!” issue, starring Hall of Fame jockey and Saratoga celeb John “Johnny V” Velazquez. He chatted with the contingent from SEFCU and Sugar Plum Farm, among others, before leaving around 6, exhausted. “I just couldn’t be a rock star any longer,” he deadpanned regarding sitting in the magazine’s box on Opening Day. Kevin, we thank you for your service. Rest up—missing next Wednesday’s party with Johnny V is not an option!
Siro’s Cup
This week’s Siro’s Cup is known as the glamorous kick-off to Saratoga’s track season, and this year’s soirée did not disappoint. We spied the region’s hottest dresses, and there was Vegas-worthy partying, dancing—and drinking. Here are a few pics from the fab, fun and boozy evening, by Konrad Odhiambo.
This Week in Saratoga Living After Hours:
On Monday, we challenged readers with an opening day word jumble, before giving paid subscribers a sneak peak at our brand-new “The Races!” issue.
Then, on Tuesday, we rounded up the six non-beer drinks we’ll be sipping at the track this summer, from cold brew coffee and hard tea to boxed water and Skrewball in a can.
Know of a mom who might like the Children’s Museum? Recognize a face in the party pics? Share! Every little bit helps our little media company keep trucking along to bring you these updates!