A New York State crown jewel, Yaddo was founded in 1900 by philanthropists Spencer and Katrina Trask and is a world-famous private retreat for artists. A portion of the estate — the Yaddo Gardens — is open to the public year-round, from dawn to dusk.
Exploring the Gardens
Yaddo Gardens features two garden terraces, both unique in style and influence. The Rose Garden, in bloom from mid-June through September, has a central fountain and is overlooked by terraces, a balcony and a rose-covered pergola. The Rock Garden displays a fountain and a woodland of trees surrounded by blooming perennials and shade flowers.
Spencer and Katrina Trask were great experimentalists, and though they integrated formal influences, the design is exceptionally original. “The garden was not to be distinctly Italian nor French nor English,” Katrina said. “It was to be Yaddo.”
Visit and Tour
Garden tours include sharing the history of the Trask family, the mansion, and the history of Yaddo Gardens. The aura, spirituality and creative energy that permeates Yaddo is discussed. Docent-led tours begin at 11 a.m., Saturdays and Sundays beginning June 15 until September 1, 2019, and on Tuesdays during the racing season (No Tours on Travers Day).
Meet at the main fountain near the entrance to the garden. Tours last about one hour/cost is $10 per person. Private docent-led garden tours may be arranged at a date and time convenient to a group. For more information, contact Yaddo at 518-584-0746 or at Yaddo.org.
Take Amtrak to Yaddo Gardens
Visit the beautiful Yaddo Gardens via Amtrak to Saratoga Springs Station in Saratoga Springs – Don’t forget to use Amtrak’s See New York and Save 15% discount!
Get picked up from Saratoga Springs Station and taken to your reserved NYTRAIN Enterprise Rent-a-Car. Click here to reserve your car or call the Saratoga Springs office today at 518-587-0687.
