Saratoga Springs is arguably the most beautiful small city in the country. Regardless of the season, Derby Tours goal is to enhance the experience of those who visit. To accomplish our purpose we offer different services. The most common are:

• Step on guide service;
• Tea,Tour and a Book (Batcheller Mansion);
• Victorian Day in Saratoga
• Four different walking tours;
• And slide presentations to introduce groups to the city.

There are hundreds of Victorian Era homes in Saratoga all of which are privately owned. A passenger on one of our bus tours remarked, “There are more mansions that you can actually see here (in Saratoga) than anyplace I have ever been.” He was right. Our fine homes are not hidden behind hedges or walls, they are visible to those who walk or drive by. There is a reason. Saratoga has always been about See and be Seen - seeing who else was in town and being seen yourself. That is probably why people still smile as they pass on Broadway.

Anyone who visits Saratoga Springs needs to experience North Broadway, Union Avenue and Circular Street. You can walk or drive these streets alone; however, if your group seeks a guided look no further than Derby Tours. Besides the fact that our guides wear Victorian Era clothes, what makes our tours different is that we focus on the families that made these houses their homes. Since our research was mainly from old newspapers, many of the stories are scandals, which we have found most people secretly enjoy. 

Our step on guided tours last from 90 minutes to 2 hours.  These can be catered to the interest of your group. Click here to learn more about our step on bus tours.

The Batcheller Mansion Inn is without a doubt what the New York Times Called “Saratoga’s Crowning Glory.”  We offer groups a tour of the mansion, a Victorian Tea, and a copy of the book The Batcheller Mansion by Hollis Palmer.  Click here to learn more about our Tour, Tea and a Book.

Our newest tour is Victorian Day in Saratoga. The day consist of tours of two of the mansions, a tour of the city and a tour of the Saratoga Springs Historical Museum. Click here to learn more about our Victorian Day In Saratoga.

Our walking tours have different starting points based on where your group is staying. Click here to learn more about our walking tours.

Groups, especially those staying just out of the city at places such as Longfellow’s or the Gideon Putnam, have asked for presentations that could best be described as overviews of the city. We narrate a slide presentation providing a brief history of Saratoga and explaining what they want to see during their down time. It is best to call to find out more about our presentations.

Our principle guide is Hollis Palmer, a local character. What other tour guide made the front page of the local section of four of the five regional newspapers this year (he was relegated to page 2 of the fifth newspaper). The reason for his success is that he has learned that when you take people back in time it makes history enjoyable (of course his humor helps).

Would you and your friends like your own tour?
Private walking tours may be arranged.

To Schedule a Walking Tour:
-Call us at 518-495-7011; or
-Click here to e-mail us.

About Hollis Palmer:

		Hollis is a noted Saratoga Springs Historian. He has authored six books that document true crimes from Saratoga or the surrounding area. Information about his published books can be viewed by clicking here.
Hollis’ book, Saratoga’s Great Ladies: Broadway & Franklin Square can be used as a guide for a walking tour or as a great souvenir of historic Saratoga Springs. The book reveals the fascinating, and sometimes obscure histories of the families who built approximately 70 of the Victorian "cottages". On October 29th, 2010, Seen and be Seen: Saratoga in the Victorian era was released. The book met with immediate success. The book is $19.95. Please click here to order. The hard cover edition of Saratoga’s Great Ladies: Broadway & Franklin Square costs $24.95 and the softcover is $14.95. Please click here to download our order form. If you are interested in arranging a tour contact Derby Tours at 518-495-7011 or click here to e-mail us.