11 Off-The-Beaten-Path Towns In New York

When it comes to travel, the term off the beaten path means seeking out secret beaches, hidden mountain villages, or local neighborhoods rather than major tourist hotspots. Many travelers prefer these spots for a taste of authentic everyday local culture. The appeal is simple. These are the places most visitors never think to look for. What these New York towns have in common is that they are full of local color and quietly memorable experiences.

Corning

With a population of 10,600 people, Corning is full of things that will have even the most jaded traveler marveling. There is the Corning Museum of Glass, which is considered one of the world's foremost institutions dedicated to the art, history, and science of glass. This New York town also has the Gaffer District, which features farm-to-table restaurants, breweries, boutiques, and museums like the Rockwell Museum, a Smithsonian affiliate housed in the city's former City Hall. Corning's major annual celebrations are the Crystal City Christmas, Harvest Fest and Glass Fest. Also, it was recently ranked the fifth best small town for culture by USA Today's 10Best.

Lily Dale

Lily Dale has about 275 year-round residents. The town is famous as the world's largest center for Spiritualism. Over 50 registered mediums live in this small town. They spend their time communicating with the dead. The town is very small. It only covers about 167 acres. It is a tiny town in Western New York. It is about one hour southwest of Buffalo. Mediums are people who say they can talk to spirits, and everyone in the town practices Spiritualism. Spiritualism is the belief that the spirits of dead people can talk to the living. The perfect off the beaten path New York town if you are looking for something unusual or have a dead relative you have been dying to talk to.

Narrowsburg

Narrowsburg is located just about two hours away by car from New York City. For things to do, visitors can either go boating, or do eagle watching or just walk through their Main Street. According to the Narrowsburg website, "Its location makes it a perfect spot to spend a day tubing, rafting or paddling along the Delaware River, with local outfitters offering trips and rentals; or take a hike up a nearby mountain to get a bird's-eye view of the panoramic river valley below." They have local theaters, art galleries, and museums and historic sites that visitors can enjoy.

Skaneateles

Skaneateles, NY is surrounded by Skaneateles Lake. It is located in central New York and has a small-town feel. With a population of 7,000, there is plenty to do in Skaneateles like visiting its museums, boutique, historic inns, waterfront parks, and nature trails like Charlie Major. They provide year round outdoors activities like cruising the lake, paddleboard, or swim. They also have spas, and a music festival held each summer featuring classical, jazz, and bluegrass.

Lake Placid

Lake Placid has about 2,260 residents. It is located in Essex County, 50 miles southwest of Plattsburgh. Lake Placid is one of the few places in the world to host two Winter Olympic Games. The 1980 games are most famous for the "Miracle on Ice," where the underdog U.S. hockey team beat the Soviet Union. You can experience this history at their recently upgraded Olympic Center. There are plenty things to do in Lake Placid including their Olympic Jumping Complex, where you can watch ski jumping demonstrations. Also, Whiteface Mountain and Mirror Lake, where visitors can swim and kayak.

Ellicottville

Ellicottville is located in Western New York. It considers itself a place for outdoor fun and adventure. From their website, they state, "They have over 24 shops, 23 bars and restaurants, and 2 ski slopes, all within walking distance." Visitors can enjoy skiing and snowboarding, golfing, skateboarding, mountain biking, hiking, fishing, paddle boarding, and kayaking. Ellicottville features two major ski areas. Holiday Valley offers 60 slopes, tubing, and the Sky Flyer Mountain Coaster. Ellicottville has events during late summer and fall months including, the Taste of Ellicottville (August), Rock N' Roll Weekend (September), and the highly anticipated Christmas in Ellicottville (late November), often compared to a Norman Rockwell painting.

Aurora

Aurora is the home of MacKenzie-Childs, a luxury home decor and ceramics brand famous for its bright, hand-painted patterns. According to their website, they describe Aurora as the "Village of Aurora, New York, located on the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake, is a 0.92 square-mile area of charm and wonder. Aurora offers a surprising amount of activity with most of it centered around the Inns of Aurora and their related businesses, including restaurants, a high-end spa, and several impressive inns." Things to do in Aurora is visiting the Aurora History Museum, Aurora Brewing Co., and seeing The Long Point State Park.

Hammondsport

Hammondsport is located at the south end of Keuka Lake. Today it is best known for its wineries and microbreweries. It is centrally located in one of the largest wine regions in the United States. It sits in a valley with splendid lake vistas on both sides of Keuka Lake. They have historic museums, hiking trails, cycling routes, wineries, breweries, distilleries, and cideries. Other things you can do in Hammondsport are eat at a local bakery or an inn restaurant. Also, you can visit wineries like the Keuka Lake Vineyards.

Cooperstown

Cooperstown, New York is known as the home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. It is located in the central region of the state. Considered a village of museums, it has the National Baseball Hall of Fame, Fenimore Farm & Country Village, and the Fenimore Art Museum, which is home to one of the country's premier folk art collections. The town's shopping provides plenty of places that are different in what they sell to visitors. In addition, they have a Trolley System that features five trolleys from bygone eras that take visitors to Main Street and museums in town.

Callicoon

Callicoon has many sports activities like kayaking, canoeing, rafting, tubing, swimming, and eagle watching. It is located near the Delaware River. Visitors can visit the Callicoon Theater on Main Street. It is the oldest continually operated movie theater in Sullivan County. They have a Tractor parade in June and Dickens on Delaware in December. With plenty to do, Callicoon, New York is an off the beaten path town that offers fun and drinking at the Callicoon Brewing Co. for visitors.

Northville

Northville, NY is a historic village in Fulton County, settled in the late 1780s. It can be found in the Adirondack Park, and is surrounded by Great Sacandaga Lake, it is a hub for boating and hiking. It also marks the southern starting point for the 133-mile Northville-Placid Trail. It is a visitor's paradise for activities in the summer, fall, and winter. They have fine restaurants, a golf course, and bed and breakfast. Besides that, they have hiking, cycling, snowshoeing, ice fishing, and snowmobiling. On their website villageofnorthville, they state "That camping at Northampton Beach Campground, right along the lake, cannot be missed."

Plenty To Do In Off The Beaten Path Towns In New York

Whoever said, "Big things come in small packages," was correct. These off the beaten path towns offer an array of things to do, unusual museums, camping, wineries, and year-round activities. For those looking to experience the small things in life like a movie theater, wine among the vineyards, or a high-end spa, these towns are ready when you are.