Have you ever heard of Saratoga, Wyoming? Well if you haven’t, it’s time you have! This small town in southern WY is an absolute must see. Its charm combined with its proximity to amazing adventure make it a hotspot to visit! And the best place to stay while you are there is easily Riviera Motor Lodge!
Where to Stay:
What makes Riviera Motor Lodge so special? It may be a motel, but the experience you get here is anything but basic. Riviera sits right on the Platte River, with newly renovated accommodations, a spacious outside area with grills, games, a firepit and chairs to relax in alongside the river. Their motel is pet-friendly and right in downtown Saratoga placing it steps away from shops and restaurants. And it is a short, beautiful drive away from my favorite thing to do here: Medicine Bow National Forest!
You can rent bikes to stroll around town, or snowshoes in the colder months! Everyone here was super friendly, and Kenai had the best time watching the fishermen in the river!
What to do near Saratoga:
There is much more to do here than I initially thought, and being home already has me yearning to go back!
Medicine Bow National Forest: This is by far the premier hiking area in the region. Located just 35 minutes from Saratoga, these peaks are absolutely stunning! And the best part about this National Forest is that it can be enjoyed by anyone. If you love epic hikes, hike Medicine Bow Peak! If you hate hiking or can’t, there are gorgeous views from the road.
But just know that we went in late June and most trails still had heavy snow cover. Wildlife is plentiful here (I have never seen so many marmots), so be cautious on the roads! We spotted several moose so please keep all dogs on leash!
Lake Saratoga: This lake sits just outside of downtown and is a beautiful place to watch sunset! But beware…the bugs here are FIERCE so come well prepared!
Hobo Hot Pool: This natural hot spring pool is free and open 24/7! That’s right, this beautiful place can be accessed any time for FREE! The water is so nice and toasty, the ambience is wonderful, and it was a perfect way to start our day!
Fishing! Fishing is the most popular activity by far! We didn’t partake ourselves, but we met so many people who came to the area specifically for the fishing! So grab your line and go get yourself a fish!
Where to Eat:
Downtown Saratoga is beyond adorable, and is steps from Riviera Motor Lodge. Every day we wandered downtown and tried something new and everywhere we went was wonderful! Here are some of my favorites!
Bella’s Bistro: This Italian restaurant is featured on every blog about Saratoga I saw when researching the area, and people aren’t wrong! This home town gem has incredible Italian food and that wonderful small town feel. But make a reservation as this place is small and books up in advance!
Sunnycup: This adorable shop has coffee, smoothies, smoothie bowls, ice cream, epic Yeti Shakes, and so much more! Definitely a must stop, and I loved their refreshers with added boba.
Saratoga Sandwich Co, featuring Cowbell Coffee: Mountain High Macchiato. Enough said.
Malt: We didn’t personally get here but this is the premier place in town for burgers and whiskey…name a better combination!
And if you are coming from Denver like I was and looking for a hike to do on the way up, check out the Acorn Creek Loop Trail! Gorgeous views of the mountains and during the right time of year, wildflowers galore! And I highly recommend returning home by driving back through Medicine Bow National Forest. The drive is spectacular!
So have I convinced you to visit Saratoga yet? As always, drop any questions below and subscribe to the blog to stay up on all the latest! Happy adventures, fam!
*I was hosted in exchange for media production for this trip
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