We breezed through Ballston Spa this summer while we were out and about and couldn’t help but notice the great energy downtown. We immediately made a mental note to head back down with some more time to explore the charming business district and admire the beautiful architecture throughout the village, and we’re so glad we made it happen this past week. We were thrilled to see the village bustling with activity, from shopping to coffee shops to bakeries and restaurants - and we couldn’t recommend it more for a little weekend day trip. You’ll most definitely need more than a day to eat and shop your way through town, but read on for a few favorites that we stumbled across while we were there.
EAT + DRINK
Two Birds Marketplace: With sunshine streaming through the windows and the smell of house made baked goods in the air, this is the type of place you’ll want to sit and enjoy for a while. The cozy seating nooks throughout pretty much guarantee it, too! Our muffin and scone were perfection, and we had our eye on pretty much every thing else in the bakery case, so chances are we’ll be making a return trip sooner than later. The perfect place to start your day!
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Nomad Coffee & Crepes: An awesome spot for an afternoon pick-me-up, Nomad has the best of both worlds - coffee and cocktails! And crepes too, by the way, which we can’t wait to sample next time. Two thumbs up on the coffee from Tom, and even though I’m not a coffee drinker, the super friendly crew sold me on a chai latte and it’s safe to say I’ve got my new go-to. Delish! Looking forward to checking out the cocktails next trip.
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Iron Roost: Lots of light, exposed brick, and all of the waffles your little heart desires - Iron Roost is a must for breakfast or lunch (or both!). With savory and sweet options, not to mention vegan and gluten free options too, there’s truly something for everyone. We went with savory for lunch and loved the Happy Harvest (did we mention it’s an open faced waffle sandwich?!), and we were eyeing the neighboring table’s sweet dishes as well - the Very Berry and Apple Crisp are happening next time for sure!
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Next Door Kitchen & Bar: With a fantastic atmosphere and an amazing menu, Next Door will definitely be in regular rotation for date night from here on out. The Brown Butter Brussels Sprouts were a favorite, as well as the Hand Rolled Gnocchi and the Wild Mushroom Risotto. And how could we forget the Cider Donut Bread Pudding?! Don’t miss it.
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SHOP
Stone Soup Antiques Gallery: With an antique shop at every turn, Ballston Spa is a fantastic spot for treasure hunters. Stone Soup has been a favorite of ours for a while, and with two floors and over 40 dealers, you’ll want to give yourself plenty of time to peruse. If you’re in the market for larger pieces, be sure to check out the Ballston Spa Antique Center on Milton Ave - they’ve got furniture galore and lots of fun smalls, too.
Front Street Home: If you’re into the modern farmhouse aesthetic, this is your place. A perfect blend of antiques and vintage with updated decor and art - you’ll want one of each. We were smitten by the desk above repurposed as a bar cart / wine rack, along with the farmhouse tables throughout. And if you’re in the market, they offer interior design as well!
Boho Chic: Beautifully curated with goods from over 40 New York State artisans, this is the place to shop if you’re looking for a unique gift and looking to support small local artists and businesses. A win-win! With a little bit of everything - adorable tea towels and totes, pottery, fine art, and more - you’ll want to add this to your list for sure.
The Bundle Store: The sweetest store for little ones, we found the perfect birthday gift for our nephew at The Bundle Store (and maybe a couple of Christmas gifts, too!). With a focus on sustainability and eco-friendly products, this was right up our alley. Bonus - they have classes for new moms, including Tummy Time and Baby and Me Yoga.
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Until next time, Ballston Spa! If you’ve got any other favorites we should add to our list for next trip, we’d love to hear!
P.S. Check out more in our Road Trip series here.
THIS ROAD TRIP WAS FUELED BY STEWART’S SHOPS.
Fueled up at the Ballston Spa Stewart’s while we were in town and couldn’t help but notice the friendly reminder at the gas pump that it’s Egg Nog season (Tom’s favorite!). We’re holding out until after Thanksgiving, but come Friday, you can bet Tom will be heading back to pick some up.