Besides its horse racing fame, the mineral waters of Saratoga Springs, New York has been soothing bodies and souls for almost 100 years. Valarie D'Elia filed the following report.

  To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

Saratoga Springs has been drawing visitors to its famed mineral springs for the better part of a century. Now with the recent legalization of same sex marriage in New York State, here’s a girlfriend’s getaway -- or honeymoon perhaps -- for “Spa Queens” of all types.

Saratoga Springs has been drawing visitors to its famed mineral springs for the better part of a century while at the same time, going with the flow of modern times.

Saratoga Spa State Park is a 2,400 acre National Historic Landmark home to several imposing buildings resting on manicured lawns including a legendary state-owned hotel that is bubbling over with history.

“The Gideon Putnam Hotel was built in 1935 under the auspices of FDR our president at the time, part of the WPA program to put people back to work during the depression," said Gideon Putnam Resort & Spa Concierge Julianne Sopko. "He had a specific interest in this because he himself had polio, and he was always looking for mineral waters, the healing mineral waters and that’s what he found here.”

Whether it's been scientifically proven or not, the so-called healing waters are at the least, a source of relaxation for visitors who can dunk themselves in a carbonated bath, followed by an array of spa treatments at the nearby Roosevelt Baths and Spa.

The baths, housed in their original building, has 43 treatment rooms and just enough polish to detract from its institutional roots.

Starting at $782 plus tax, the Gideon Putnam is offering a midweek special for two for a two night stay, available Sundays through Thursdays in July. The package, valid July 1-31, 2011, includes accommodations, breakfast each morning, one bath and one 60 minute massage for each guest, dinner for two at Putnam’s Restaurant & Bar, and passes to two nearby museums.

For more information call 1-866-890-1171 or visit gideonputnam.com.'