11 Cutest Small Towns In New York
New York may be home to “The Big Apple,” the constantly bustling and famously never-sleeping urban powerhouse that is New York City. Yet beyond the five boroughs of the city, there’s far more to New York state worth experiencing in 2025. In fact, travelers can find everything from Olympic-caliber ski slopes and world-famous waterfalls to tasteful wine country hamlets and counterculture cool when traversing the entire state. And all the way at the other end of the state, there’s even a place that may just be the East Coast’s poshest surf town. With so much in this one state, it’s easy to see why New York is called the Empire State. And for some more ideas on where to go and what to do, here are our picks for the 11 cutest small towns in New York.
Plattsburgh
Just 23 miles south of the United States-Canada border is the New York town of Plattsburgh, a unique outpost on the Adirondack Coast full of natural wonders. For some quality time at Lake Champlain, Cumberland Bay State Park fits the bill with its wonderful sandy beach, plus it remains open during winter for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. A short drive south, visitors can discover another spectacular sight at Ausable Chasm, the “Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks” with the Rainbow Falls waterfall making this place even more special.
There’s even more to explore to the north of town, including at Point Au Roche State Park, a beautiful lakefront park with a large expanse of pristine forest and a Nature Center that remains open year-round. Even better, Point Au Roche Lodge is right by the state park, and it’s a lovely boutique home with 11 individually designed guest rooms, cozy lounge spaces, and common areas to enjoy on the property.
Lake Placid
Nestled high in the Adirondacks of New York’s North Country is Lake Placid, a small town with a mighty legacy. Travelers can jump back in time at Lake Placid Olympic Museum, which is chock full of memorabilia and fascinating stories from the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics that occurred here. One can also ski where Olympic athletes skied at Whiteface Mountain, an incredible ski area that continues to impress with the greatest vertical drop in the East (at 3,430 feet)!
For even more impressive mountain scenery, it’s an amazing journey up to the High Peaks Wilderness, home to New York’s tallest summit at Mount Marcy (at 5,344 feet above sea level) and a total 275,460 acres of beautiful Adirondack wilderness that’s open for hiking, camping, and fishing (at the preserve’s lakes and streams). To complete one’s Lake Placid getaway, it’s always a good idea to stay at the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort, a cozy and comfy spot by Mirror Lake and close to all the fun and games downtown.
Watertown
Near the junction of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River is Watertown, a true “freshwater paradise” that invites visitors to partake in all sorts of outdoor recreation. During winter, Tug Hill State Forest becomes quite the winter wonderland with its famously heavy snowfall and ideal conditions for snowmobiling, snowshoeing, dogsledding, and cross-country skiing. Meanwhile, by the Lake Ontario shore lies Dexter Marsh Wildlife Management Area, a prime park for hunting, trapping, and ice fishing during fall and winter.
Back in town, visitors can find all sorts of cute creatures at Zoo New York, the only zoo dedicated to protecting and caring for local wildlife like black bears, bald eagles, snowy owls, and Roosevelt elk. Travelers can also find their own welcoming habitat at the comfy and convenient Hampton Inn Watertown.
Niagara Falls
Situated right by the Niagara River (which flows between the U.S. and Canada) is the New York town of Niagara Falls, a town named for one of the world’s most beloved set of cascades. Of course, Niagara Falls State Park offers some great vantage points to view and feel the magic of these waterfalls, along with the Maid of the Mist Boat Tour that offers a much more up-close-and-personal waterfall experience. For even more amazing Niagara Falls scenery, it’s a lovely stroll or bike ride north to Whirlpool State Park to encounter the famed Whirlpool, and a little farther north lies Devil's Hole State Park and its devilishly good-looking gorge and rapids.
After a long day exploring Niagara Falls, one can retreat to the charming Butler House Bed & Breakfast, a 1910 Craftsman-style Foursquare home that’s been converted into a welcoming bed-and-breakfast at a prime location near Niagara Falls State Park and the Niagara Greenway trail.
Geneva
Around 46 miles southeast of Rochester, visitors will discover the lovely lakeside village of Geneva. Right in town is Seneca Lake State Park, a wonderful place to enjoy the lake views and do some snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and ice fishing during winter. Also in town is the tasting room for Trestle Thirty One, a family-run winery specializing in small-batch, artisan takes on varietals like Chardonnay, Riesling, and Cabernet Franc.
For another taste of this corner of the Finger Lakes wine country, it’s a short drive out to Ventosa Vineyards, a “taste of Tuscany” in New York with its gorgeous lakeside setting and its wondrous array of award-winning wines, including varietals like Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Merlot. From there, it’s a scenic drive over to Geneva on the Lake, the area’s top luxury resort with elegantly appointed rooms and suites, farm-fresh fare at the Diciannove Dieci restaurant, and a simply stunning location with expertly landscaped grounds running up to the lake.
Ithaca
Ithaca might only be about 55 miles south of Syracuse, yet this college town feels a world away from the ordinary with its unique blend of learned sophistication and playful spirit. The Cornell University campus makes the perfect starting point for local excursions, thanks to special gems like Triphammer Falls, the extensive grounds of Cornell Botanic Gardens, and the phenomenal collection of works at the Johnson Museum of Art. A few blocks west, there’s a full feast for the senses every weekend at Ithaca Farmers Market, featuring a wide variety of farmstands, chef-run food stalls, and artisan goods from the local area.
Beyond the urban core, there’s a whole lot more to explore around Ithaca. Perhaps another top highlight is Taughannock Falls State Park, home to its namesake 215-foot cascade, picture-perfect ponds for wintertime ice skating, and multiuse trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Whenever one’s ready to call it a day, it’s a pleasant return to Cornell when one’s staying at the on-campus Statler Hotel, a teaching institution that earns high scores for its snazzy guest rooms and tasty restaurants.
Corning
Located in New York’s Southern Tier is Corning, a town that shines and dazzles like the fine glass it’s best known for. At the Corning Museum of Glass, visitors can peruse through 3,500 years’ worth of glass artifacts and works, learn about the emergence of the glassmaking industry in Corning, see live hot glassmaking demonstrations, and even sign up for hands-on glassmaking classes. Just across the Chemung River, visitors can see even more at the Smithsonian-affiliated Rockwell Museum that’s dedicated to showcasing American art, and at the nearby West End Gallery that features many amazing works of glass art by contemporary local artists.
For the cutest Corning experience, there’s the Gaffer Inn in Corning’s Gaffer District. Not only does this inn have great grub and craft beer at their Burgers & Beer pub, but also funky yet cozy loft-style guest rooms on site.
Narrowsburg
Perched right by the Delaware River (and the Pennsylvania state line) is Narrowsburg, a tiny hamlet full of amazing Appalachian adventures. At the north end of town, Fort Delaware Museum has a meticulously detailed re-creation of the original Cushetunk settlement that white settlers formed here in 1757. Meanwhile, to the south is the Tusten Mountain Trail, offering a three-mile journey full of great mountain views. And a little farther south, Minisink Battleground Park is the place to walk the field where a key Revolutionary War was fought in 1779, and to appreciate the natural woodlands that make this such a pleasantly tranquil place today.
Between the Minisink Battlefield and the central village is where one will find the Blue Fox Motel, a delightfully rustic retreat with cozy guest rooms and entire private homes available to rent.
Woodstock
The New York town of Woodstock may have a reputation as the epicenter of peace, love, and psychedelic rock-and-roll, but there’s much more to this town than that one concert that occurred in the area in 1969. For one, Slide Mountain Wilderness lies to the west, an over 47,000-acre expanse of prime Catskill Mountain territory for hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, hunting, trapping, and wildlife viewing. Heading back to town, Bearsville Theater has a calendar full of cool concerts, and the Woodstock Artists Association & Museum (WAAM) has an impressive collection of over 2,000 works by local artists.
For the ultimate Woodstock experience, travelers can check into The Herwood Inn, a lovely boutique hotel with uniquely decorated suites, eco-conscious and locally sourced goods available at The Commune Shop, and a great location near downtown’s central hub of boutiques and eateries.
Stony Point
Only about 48 miles north of New York City, one can escape the Big Apple’s hubbub and retreat to the revolutionary grandeur of Stony Point. Right by the Hudson River lies Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site, a park that preserves the site of the 1779 Revolutionary War battle where American forces took control of the river, along with the 1826 Stony Point Lighthouse that’s the oldest lighthouse on the Hudson River. To the north of the battlefield, one can venture up to Bear Mountain State Park for hiking and cross-country skiing in this beautiful corner of wilderness. And to the west, Harriman State Park is an even larger park with some 31 lakes and reservoirs, 200 miles of hiking trails, and seemingly endless opportunities for outdoor excursions.
Returning to Bear Mountain, a stay at Bear Mountain Inn looks and feels like a serene mountain oasis that’s surprisingly close to the Tri-State metro region, a historic hotel with guest rooms and cottages that combine the cozy aesthetics of a classic country camp with all the creature comforts one expects from a contemporary resort.
Montauk
While Montauk is best known as the premier summertime beach playground for New Yorkers (it’s around 115 miles east of New York City), there’s actually a lot to see and experience here year-round. Long after the summer tourist crowds disperse, Turtles at Montauk Point State Park becomes one of the East Coast’s best surf breaks and Long Island’s most consistent beach for big waves (during winter). Even for those who don’t want to don wetsuits and brave the chilly waters of the Atlantic Ocean, this park and the adjacent Camp Hero State Park are perfect for surf fishing, hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.
For even more spectacular coastal scenery, it’s hard to beat the “walking dunes,” sandy oceanfront beaches, pristine woodlands, and beautiful multi-use trails at Hither Hills State Park on the west end of town. And when one craves some extra quality time by the shore, it’s a short drive from Hither Hills to Gurney’s Montauk Resort, the area’s only year-round beach resort, complete with its own private beach, the 30,000 square-foot Seawater Spa & BathHouse, a refreshing indoor saltwater pool, and multiple delectable dining options (including the seasonal Igloos by the Sea).
Keep It Cute And Have A Great Time In These New York Towns
The Empire State may be home to the United States’ most populous city, one with massive skyscrapers, monumental cultural institutions, and colossal economic heft. It’s also where travelers will find a treasure trove of smaller towns that keep it cute like nowhere else. Lake Placid is a charming mountain town with a gold medal-worthy Olympic legacy. Niagara Falls has some of the world’s most famous and captivating natural waterfalls. Woodstock not only has a tremendous music legacy but also a very alive and active arts scene. And down at Montauk, surf’s up with phenomenal beaches. Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, yet New York always finds ways to make visitors feel cute and oh-so fulfilled while exploring this special state.
