10 Most Welcoming Towns In New York's Countryside
With nearly 87% of New York State classified as rural, the state has far more remote destinations to explore than many people might realize. This year, if you are craving an escape from the city, there are several welcoming communities that you should have on your radar. The following 10 towns are filled with community-centered events, such as jazz festivals and vintage boat shows, and offer you the chance to explore the Adirondacks, Catskills, and Finger Lakes like never before. By the end of this article, you will likely have a newfound appreciation for the state’s countryside.
Saratoga Springs
Saratoga Springs has an exciting art scene to explore, home to renowned performing arts venues, free live music events, and contemporary art museums. From July 6th through August 26th, the town will host its summer concert series, which features free, family-friendly performances each week on the lawn of the War Memorial in Congress Park. If you are craving more live music, head to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in the heart of Saratoga Spa State Park, where you can enjoy ballet, orchestra, jazz, and performances by nationally touring artists. Afterwards, stop by the Tang Museum, a contemporary art museum that hosts around 12 innovative exhibitions each year.
Geneva
Located along the northern shores of Seneca Lake, Geneva is a community deeply committed to supporting its local farmers and vendors. In the summer months, travelers can stop by town on Saturdays for the weekly Geneva Farmers Market, where vendors sell fresh produce, meats, eggs, baked goods, crafts, and more. Sweet Acres Creamery is another popular spot to cool off, serving artisan ice cream, milkshakes, and other dairy products in its cafe. If you are looking for a delicious spot to dine, check out F.L.X. Table, an intimate farm-to-table restaurant that offers a prix fixe tasting menu each evening.
Ellicottville
Home to several cozy inns and summer festivals, Ellicottville is the perfect place to spend the weekend this summer. From July 25th to 27th, the town will host the Jazz & Blues Weekend, which livens the town with jazz and blues performances on the street and in restaurants and bars. A couple of weeks later, on August 9th and 10th, travelers can attend a Taste of Ellicottville, where local restaurants and food vendors offer delicious samples of some of their best dishes over the weekend. If you are looking for a place to stay during one of the festivals, consider lodging in The Jefferson Inn, a 19th-century Victorian-era inn that includes a gourmet breakfast with each stay.
Ticonderoga
Ticonderoga is filled with some of New York’s most fascinating history and is home to Fort Ticonderoga, a pivotal site during the Revolutionary War. Visitors can explore the fort’s 2,000-acre grounds or attend one of its reenactment events held throughout the year. To continue your exploration of Ticonderoga’s history, spend an afternoon at the Ticonderoga Heritage Museum, which exhibits the town’s industrial history, including its paper mills, graphite mining, and pencil industry. You can wrap up your history-filled day at the Paper & Pencil Restaurant, a riverside venue with an outdoor patio, cozy lounge, and occasional live music performances.
Woodstock
Woodstock is known for its creative spirit, which is filled with quirky shops and restaurants. There are several art-centric shops to visit in town, such as Woodstock Music Shop, which sells vinyl, vinyl art, instruments, and other music-related gifts. For a delicious dinner, make reservations at SILVIA, a family-owned restaurant that prepares its dishes with sustainably sourced ingredients and a wood-fired grill. If you drive about 18 minutes west of Woodstock, you will reach the World’s Largest Kaleidoscope, set in The Emerson Resort. This Kaleidoscope extends an incredible 60 feet tall and 37.5 feet in diameter.
Lake George
Lake George sits at the southern end of its namesake lake and is a fantastic destination for a lakeside summer vacation this year. On July 12th, the town will host Rock the Dock, an exciting music festival that will feature a day-long lineup with artists like The Switch, Neon Avenue, and Umphrey's McGee. To get out on the lake, consider booking a cruise with Lake George Steamboat Company, which has been operating on the lake for more than 200 years. If you are looking for a meal with a view, The Lagoon is a great choice. It has a bar and grill with a lakeside deck along the lake’s southern shores.
Canandaigua
Some of New York’s most elegant historic landmarks can be found in the small town of Canandaigua. Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park is the perfect example, a 50-acre estate featuring a Victorian summer home, a Japanese garden, and a teahouse. After wandering the home and gardens, head over to the Granger Homestead and Carriage Museum, which houses western New York’s most extensive collection of horse-drawn vehicles. For scenic views accompanied by local history, take a stroll along the Canandaigua City Pier, a gathering place for fishermen, boaters, and visitors for over 150 years.
Saranac Lake
As one of New York’s Adirondack towns, hiking trails are abundant in Saranac Lake. Travelers can start off their weekend of hiking on Ampersand Mountain, a 5.4-mile round-trip trail that offers panoramic views of the High Peaks Wilderness Area from the summit. For a short yet steep hike, check out Azure Mountain, which leads to a summit with a firetower and views of the St. Lawrence Valley and the northern Adirondacks. The Adirondack region has long inspired local artists, as showcased by the annual Adirondack Plein Air Festival, a week-long event where painters create their works outdoors, surrounded by the region’s natural beauty.
Beacon
About a 90-minute drive from New York City, Beacon welcomes citygoers who are in need of a relaxing weekend escape. If the summer heat has been wearing you down, cool off in the River Pool, a floating pool set right in the Hudson River. You may also enjoy attending a show at the Beacon Performing Arts Center. If you are up for a hike, consider climbing Mount Beacon, a steep but manageable hike that ends with panoramic views of the Hudson Highlands and Catskills Mountains. Head back into town after your afternoon in nature, where you can browse some local boutiques. Vintage Beacon is a great spot to pick up a new outfit. It is a consignment boutique that specializes in selling trendy vintage and designer label clothing.
Skaneateles
Skaneateles embraces its waterfront setting with several festivals throughout the year that celebrate life on the water. The Skaneateles Antique & Classic Boat Show, held each July, is an excellent example, showcasing around 80 vintage sailboats, canoes, runabouts, launches, racing boats, and rowing craft. One of the town’s quirkier traditions, meanwhile, takes place each September: the Duck Dash, an eccentric festival featuring a duck race, live music, and family-friendly activities along Skaneateles Creek. If you are looking to stay near the water, consider The Sherwood Inn, a historic property overlooking waterfront Clift Park. Dating back to the early 19th century, each room is now decorated with antique furnishings.
By midyear, it is completely normal to feel a bit burnt out. Luckily, summer is the perfect time to take a few days off, rest, and recharge. If a weekend on the lake, a sunny music festival, or a night away in a Victorian inn sounds like your idea of a relaxing getaway, these 10 towns are a great place to start your vacation plans. All you have to do is choose the one that speaks to you and start planning your trip!
