Saratoga Springs Spas: The Lincoln Mineral Baths and The Crystal Spa

Photo Gallery Click HERE for Photos of the Lincoln Mineral Baths Click HERE for Photos of The Crystal Spa Contact Information Lincoln Mineral Baths • Address: Route 9 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 • Phone: 518-583-2880 • Web site The Crystal Spa • Address: 120 S. Broadway Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 • Phone: 518-584-2556 • Web site More New York Spas • The Emerson Inn & Spa • Copperhood Inn and Spa • Juvenex Spa • La Prairie Spa at The Ritz-Carlton® New York, Central Park • Pratima Ayurvedic Skin Care Clinic • Soho Sanctuary • Bliss • Four Seasons Spa at the Four Seasons New York • Sports Club/LA New York • The Greenhouse Day Spa Midtown Oasis • Elizabeth Arden Red Door Salon and Spa • Faina's European Skin Care Center and Day Spa • More Resort, Destination and Hotel Spas in New York • More Day Spas in New York Related Resources Links • Saratoga Springs, NY • Saratoga Race Track (America's oldest racecourse) • National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame • National Museum of Dance and Hall of Fame • Saratoga Performing Arts Center (summer home of the Philadelphia Orchestra and the New York City Ballet) • Yaddo (artists' retreat) Books • Saratoga: Queen of Spas: A History of the Saratoga Spa and the Mineral Springs of the Saratoga and Ballston Areas • Saratoga Lost: Images of Victorian America The Making of American Resorts: Saratoga Springs, Ballston Spa, Lake George First Resorts: Pursuing Pleasure at Saratoga Springs, Newport & Coney Island Other New York Resources on About Saratoga Springs, New York

Of course, I could not help myself from stopping by for a quick visit (and, hopefully, a short soak!).

Unfortunately, I arrived at the Lincoln Mineral Baths' door at 4:02 pm, two minutes after closing. The receptionist was gracious enough to give me a quick tour of the women's side of the facility - a long, wide room divided into separate compartments, each containing a tub from the 1930's and a bed. A mineral bath treatment is a soak in the tub filled with naturally carbonated spring water heated to body temperature (herbs can be added for an additional charge). The highly effervescent water is reported to create a feeling of warmth and relaxation, which continues after your bath when you are wrapped in warm sheets on the bed for a rest period. Afterwards, you can enjoy many of the modern spa treatments that are offered such as massage (1/2 or 1 hour, aroma, stone), body treatments (algae wrap, algae wrap with mask, moor mud wrap, moor mud with mask, body polish, sea mud muscle relief, paraffin hand wax), facials (European, hydrating, anti-aging, teen, vitamin C) and waxing.

The springs were introduced to white settlers by Native Americans in the 1700's. The Lincoln Bathhouse was established in 1915. Although this bathhouse accommodated large numbers of patrons, it could not keep up with the demand, so construction of the Washington Bathhouse began. By 1920, both bathhouses were in operation and handling 2,500 treatments daily. After the Lincoln Bathhouse burned in 1928, a new and larger facility was constructed. It opened in 1930 with a capacity for 4,500 treatments a day. Many of the buildings in the 2,500-acre Saratoga Springs State Park were constructed in the 1930s as part of the park's development as a health spa. The Washington Bathhouse is now The National Museum of Dance. The Lincoln Bathhouse still offers mineral baths today, however at a far reduced number. Only the back of the building is now used for baths. The women's side has 10 working tubs and a couple of treatment rooms. The men's side has six tubs.

I left the Lincoln Mineral Baths and headed downtown. After a few blocks, I came upon The Crystal Spa in front of The Grand Union Motel. The sign advertised mineral baths. I decided to stop. My timing was again a little off. No time for a soak before closing, but Agatha Benton, Executive Director of the spa, was happy to give me a tour. This modern spa is divided into a men's side and a women's side by a large lobby/reception area. The women's side has eight massage treatment rooms with baths, all named after local springs such as Rosemary, Crystal and Star. Additionally, there are two facial treatment rooms, two wet treatment rooms with showers and a sauna. The men's side has seven massage treatment rooms with baths and a sauna. The naturally carbonated mineral water used in The Crystal Spa's baths comes from the Rosemary Spring behind the spa. The water is said to permeate muscles and nerve centers and give a "lighter than air" sensation. The Crystal Spa offers a number of other spa treatments including massage, foot reflexology, facials (mini, European), refining sea clay wrap, moor mud wrap, seaweed body wrap, herbal body wrap, parafango glow, pumpkin apricot scrub, honey almond scrub, aromatherapy body polish, sea salt & papaya scrub, crystal hydration scrub, stress reduction scalp treatment, hand or foot paraffin treatment and packages combining various treatments.

I left The Crystal Spa, continued into town and had a great meal at Scallions Restaurant. I will have to be happy with one out of three successes. Sadly, I will have to wait until I am back in the area before I can experience a soak in Saratoga Springs water. However, there are lots of things in the area that would justify the return in addition to the spas: Saratoga (America's oldest racecourse), National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, National Museum of Dance and Hall of Fame, Saratoga Performing Arts Center, summer home of the Philadelphia Orchestra and the New York City Ballet, formal rose gardens of Yaddo artists' retreat, boating and fishing on Saratoga Lake (where the potato chip was born), ice skating and cross-country skiing.

Photos copyright 2003, Julie Register
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