11 Best Downtowns In Upstate New York
Some of the best downtowns in upstate New York have as much to see and do on their main streets as in the scenery surrounding them. Rhinebeck has acclaimed restaurants in a compact village center, Woodstock's eccentric shops line Tinker Street, and Hudson's historic buildings give Warren Street its identity. Galleries and museums showcase classic and contemporary art, and downtown Geneva and Lake Placid are just steps from their respective lakes. These 11 downtowns have earned their place among upstate New York’s favorites for their walkable streets, locally owned businesses, and a lot happening within a few blocks.
Beacon
Over the past 20 years or so, Beacon has reinvented itself from a 19th century industrial town into a major artists colony in the Hudson Valley, thanks in no small part to its easily walkable Main Street. Along with more than a mile of restaurants, cafes, and shops, Main Street is noted for its concentration of galleries like the Marion Royael Gallery. BAU Gallery hosts talks and performances from local artists throughout the year.
The true anchor of Beacon's arts scene is Dia Beacon, set in a 300,000-square-foot former Nabisco printing factory, is one of the largest contemporary art museums in the world.
Skaneateles
Skaneateles is named after Skaneateles Lake, part of the Finger Lakes and famed for its crystal clear waters, so clean it almost looks like the Caribbean Sea. The lake is the centerpiece of downtown Skaneateles, set along Genesee Street. Its 19th century buildings and historic homes are designed in Federal and Georgian architecture.
These homes continue on the western and eastern sides of Genesee Street's main shopping district. West Lake Street suits a waterfront walk, with Skaneateles Lake on one side and grand historic estates on the other. Panoramic views of the lake can be accessed at Clift Park, featuring a gazebo and a 625-foot jetty for fishing. Mid-Lakes Navigation's narrated cruises depart from downtown as well, covering the history of the area and the full scope of Skaneateles Lake's size.
Woodstock
Woodstock preserves its artistic, open-minded roots and pairs them with a modern shopping and dining scene. The former aspect is front and center on Tinker Street, home to a number of gift shops with eye-catching handmade items like Woodstock Leisure Syndicate and Timbuktu. Woodstock is forever associated with the Woodstock Music and Art Fair of 1969, and the iconic, psychedelic clothing from this era can be purchased at Rock City Vintage on nearby Rock City Road.
Downtown Woodstock remains active into the evening at Tinker Street Tavern, open until 1am on weekends with a regular schedule of live music.
Lake Placid
Lake Placid has grown into one of the liveliest towns of the Adirondacks, largely because its downtown is as scenic as it is convenient. Main Street follows the shore directly behind Mirror Lake, a local favorite for swimming and kayaking with the High Peaks in the background, notably Whiteface Mountain, one of the tallest mountains in the state. The consistent foot traffic on Main Street itself can be attributed to shops like Imagination Station, providing an eclectic mix of intellectually stimulating games, toys, and outdoorsy clothing.
Downtown is home to the Herb Brooks Arena, the hockey rink where the United States defeated the Soviet Union in one of the most famous upsets in the history of the Winter Olympics in 1980, as well as the nearby Lake Placid Olympic Museum. With so much close together, a single street covers most of what downtown has to offer.
Plattsburgh
The northernmost of these downtowns, Plattsburgh is distinguished by its historical landmarks and waterfront location, bordered by the Saranac River to the south and Lake Champlain to the east. The War of 1812 Museum features artifacts, artwork, exhibits, and a moving diorama depicting key events from the monumental battle. At Macdonough Park, the 135-foot Macdonough Monument pays tribute to Commodore Thomas Macdonough, who led the American naval fleet during the Battle of Plattsburgh and the Battle of Lake Champlain during the War of 1812. The park is a convenient entrance to the Plattsburgh Riverwalk, a path that winds along the Saranac River and passes SUNY Plattsburgh along with multiple scenic overlook points.
Plattsburgh's history lives on at the Kent-Delord House as well, a 200-year-old Colonial home with original furnishings and household items, as well as numerous historic churches like the First Presbyterian Church on Brinkerhoff Street, originally constructed in 1812 and rebuilt towards the late 1860s in Gothic Revival architecture.
Glens Falls
Glens Falls is one of the more developed commercial hubs of the Adirondacks, balancing the region's outdoor recreation with a strong lineup of indoor attractions. The Hyde Collection, for example, is a fine art museum containing works by Picasso, Rembrandt, Degas, Renoir, and more in a historic, Italian Renaissance-style home. Similarly intriguing is the Shirt Factory, a mix of arts-related shops, studios, galleries in a former men's shirt factory from 1902.
Additionally, Just One More Chapter is an independent bookstore tailored to the romance genre, and Rude Betty sells humorous and thoughtful gifts for all ages. Downtown houses a number of nightlife spots like Katy's Wine and Whiskey Bar, one of Glens Falls' newest additions and featuring a tasteful selection of charcuterie boards, pizzas, and shareables to pair with their premium spirits.
Rhinebeck
Rhinebeck does not have a lengthy downtown strip like Beacon or Lake Placid, but its culinary scene has garnered international attention for years. Terrapin Restaurant serves fine dining in a restored 19th century church, hard to miss with its Gothic architecture.
Additionally, The Beekman Arms claims to be the oldest continuously operating inn in the country, with documentation dating back to 1766. Today, it is a favorite source for elevated American fare, served with a healthy dose of nostalgia in a rustic Colonial era tap room at the Tavern at the Beekman Arms.
Saranac Lake
Downtown Saranac Lake is larger than expected, a reminder of how the town earned the nickname, "The Capital of the Adirondacks." Downtown has a wide variety of attractions, with the lake close at hand. The Charles Dickert Memorial Wildlife Museum features more than 100 pieces of taxidermy, especially native species like bobcats and white-tailed deer. Goody Goody's Toys and Games is the region's leading provider of mind-bending strategy games, and the staff are happy to explain how to play anything on display.
Saranac Lake's main downtown park, Riverside Park, looks out over Lake Flower with the High Peaks in the distance. Alternatively, the Saranac Lake River Walk follows a 1-mile brick path along the Saranac River. The walk passes numerous bridges and downtown staples like RiverTrail Beerworks, a lively brewery pouring 16 locally crafted beers on tap.
Hudson
A former whaling port and industrial center, Hudson has transformed into an affluent center for food, art, and antiques. Warren Street showcases a lengthy stretch of stylish Federal, Greek Revival, and Victorian buildings reminiscent of both Brooklyn and New England.
Luxury comes in many forms on Warren Street, such as high-end retailers like Shaina Mote Store, or antique shops like White Whale Limited, featuring rare collectibles from around the world. Art galleries line the street, and few spots are more upscale than SERRE, a French restaurant inside a glass conservatory offering a contemporary take on traditional French culinary techniques.
Geneva
Geneva occupies the northern tip of Seneca Lake, the largest of the Finger Lakes by surface area and water volume. This region of New York is known for its wine, and wine is at the core of downtown Geneva's restaurant and nightlife scene. F.L.X. Table features a sophisticated prix fixe tasting menu that can be paired with international or local wines selected by award-winning chef and master sommelier Christopher Bates.
Similar to Skaneateles' Clift Park, Geneva's Bi-Centennial Park is a peaceful spot with wide views of Seneca Lake. The park connects to the Geneva Lakefront Trail, a flat lakeside walk extending all the way to Seneca Lake State Park, with many comfortable seating areas along the way.
Ithaca
Ithaca is the proud home of Ithaca College, a highly regarded liberal arts institution that adds a youthful and spirited energy to downtown. Beyond its students, Ithaca is known for its gorges, and many locals spend their weekends on the trails. Downtown Ithaca serves both crowds with The Commons, a four-block pedestrian-geared district with hundreds of independently owned businesses.
Odyssey Bookstore and Buffalo Street Books are small bookstores reflecting the diverse voices of the local creative community. Moosewood Restaurant has been a downtown fixture for decades, with a menu of vegetarian, gluten-free, and plant-based options. Another downtown highlight is Cinemapolis, a theater that often shows festival-winning independent films before their nationwide release. Between the public art, street performers, and landmarks like the Raimondo DeVincentis Water Fountain, Ithaca's downtown is among the most robust in the Finger Lakes.
New York's Personality Shines Upstate
The Finger Lakes, the Hudson Valley, and the Adirondacks are known for their scenery, but their small towns are defined by what happens on their main streets. Restaurants, galleries, and boutique shops run by masters of their crafts share these blocks with landmarks from New York's 18th and 19th centuries. Across these 11 towns, errands, dinners out, and evening walks all happen within a short walk of one another.
