Monmouth to The Spa trip.
 

Hey guys. I'm taking the family up to Saratoga for the Personal Ensign. Have lodging at the Spa, but I'm looking for a stop over Saturday night since I'm bringing the little guy. Anyone on here from the Shore make this trip regularly and have any advice on a stop over spot and/or accomodations? Thanks.

It's like a four plus hour drive, no? Just stop in the city somewhere.

I live in Old Bridge and made it to the Spa in under 3 hours last year. Not sure if you would still need a stop based on a trip that short.

Ya it's only like 2.5 hours I think.

It's 30 minutes from Albany to Saratoga and I can get to NYC from my home in Albany in about 2.5 hrs, so it's over that from Monmouth to Saratoga. If you want to cut the trip in 1/2 stop down in the mid Hudson area, by Kingston or such.

Really? Wow, you must have been cooking. Mapquest has Red Bank to Saratoga at 3 hr 55 min. I've got a 2 year old, so the plan is to drive 2-2.5 hrs Saturday evening. Have a relaxing night and morning with breakfast (if that's possible with a 2 year old) and hit the Spa around 11-12 on Sunday. Better to have the little guy fresh and happy, than beat and pissed from 4 hours in the car. I'm thinking maybe Kingston area or a bit south for a stop.

I would think that mapquest is based on doing 55 mph. If you kid naps, your best bet would be to leave during nap time. Your kid would sleep the majority of the trip and would be ready to go when you hit Saratoga.
The other thing is, I would warn you against bring your kid to the track 2 hours before the races actually start. I know my son was 6 last year and we went early to watch Andy do the show and by 2:30ish he was done. I'm not sure for how long you are going, but be strategic with your time especially with the kids. Looking back, I should have left him with my wife at the hotel and then just have them meet me at the track later.

Good advice. As of right now, the little man loves watching the horses and we spend 3-4 hours at Monmouth no problem. I should time our arrival close to post time however. Good call. Mommy and AJ might be making an early exit if it's raining or hot though, and daddy will be on foot, hitchhiking or taking a cab back to the hotel.

Irish-

Good Luck . Let me know how you make out as I am taking my 11 yo son ( w/ autism) on Travers week. He loves horses and wants to go to Woodbine. So we are doing the tour of Saratoga/Woodbine. We are 70 miles south of you .

Anyone ever do the breakfast tour/program with their kids?

I did the morning patrol at Monmouth and it was pretty cool.

http://www.derbytrail.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31353

Thanks. I remember you posting that last year. Hope to go to the one at Monmouth once he completes his summer camp..

its a 4 1/2 hour trip from Monmouth to Toga (with normal traffic - I've done it a few times).

You probably wont need to stop anywhere... though a night in the big city is always fun for the family.


edit: probably a little shorter of a trip without traffic but it seems like you can always count traffic in NJ & NY

if you can get him to nap during the ride I would suggest just going right to Saratoga.. the nightlife & area there in the evening is just as much of an experience as the racing. You guys can explore downtown.

Are you staying in Red Bank?

I did a one day trip last Saturday from my house right by Philly it took 3.5 hrs

Driving from Philly
 

I drive up to Saratoga and it always takes me a really long time from the Philly International Airport area. What is your secret? Which route do you take?

vprtdo

My wife bet on Slambino, $2 across the board when he won at 89 to 1 odds, back three years ago.

I live in RB. Born and raised.

NJ TP to GSP to 287 to 87 and doing 90mph on 87

HEY! Me too. . . Not born or raised, but I live here now.

It's 190 miles between the 2, so you can figure how long it will take based on how fasr you drive. It;s major highways all the way, but there can be major traffice jams anywhere along the way.

If you decide to make a stop along the way, Mahwah, NJ would fit within your travel time frame.

http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...rlz=1I7TSHB_en