12 Adorable Small Towns In New York
There are several small, adorable towns in the Empire State, with soft, placid landscapes that offer epic eye-feasting opportunities, from stunning red-brick architecture to outdoor backdrops that Norman Rockwell would be thrilled to paint. Instead of Any Town, USA, you will discover a bold new world with lush vineyards, beautiful alpine lakes, soothing waterfronts, and above all, color and character. Starting with Lake Placid, continue reading to uncover twelve adorable small towns in New York.
Lake Placid
Lake Placid is a quaint village on Mirror Lake with several shops and restaurants on the water. If you don't come when it is crowded, because it is quite a vacation hotspot, you will enjoy a walk around the lakes, ambling through the walkable downtown area, and fantastic Main Street shopping and dining.
Although known for the epic outdoor adventure opportunities it offers, especially with places like Mirror Lake, Henry's Woods, a wooded preserve that offers trails for hiking, running, and biking, and the nearby Mt. Van Hoevenberg, a relatively easy hike that will reward you with some of the best views of the High Peaks, there are several other things to enjoy here. History nerds, for instance, will enjoy a trip to the John Brown Farm State Historic Site to see the home and gravesite of the ardent abolitionist best known for his daring raid on Harpers Ferry and the famous folk song that immortalized his death.
Saranac Lake
Imagine a brisk, sunny fall day in Saranac Lake, a low-key area with spellbinding nautical charm and a relaxing environment perfect for hiking, kayaking, canoeing, or simply mingling with people and feeling the breeze. The Saranac Lakes (there are actually three) offer top-notch blue-space therapy and numerous convenient access points. The town itself, billed as "The Capital of the Adirondacks," has an authentic and pleasing feel, rather than a glitzy-touristy one.
Still, it boasts an attractive dining and retail scene, as well as generous recreational opportunities, alongside notable historic architecture. There is Donnelly's, which probably serves the best and freshest ice cream in the Adirondacks, Adirondack Rail Trail, a venue for hikers who enjoy soaking up the mesmerising fall colors, and Baker Mountain, a well-known hiker’s paradise that forms part of the McKenzie Mountain Wilderness Area.
Skaneateles
A visit to Skaneateles invariably means access to the eponymous shimmering beauty, featuring crystal-clear water and stunning views. The best part is that the picturesque shoreline is more residential than commercial, lending the village a subtle hint of countryside charm and scenery. From soaking up wonderful scenic views on every side to enjoying epic boat rides of varying options to lunch and dinner cruises, a visit to this Finger Lakes jewel can easily leave you in a daze.
Start at Skaneateles Bakery, where pastries crumble and melt in the mouth, or at Patisserie, which serves some of the best pumpkin cream croissants in the world. Clift Park is a serene, soothing space to watch boats and birds, while the Barrow Gallery is a thought-provoking space for followers of the Hudson River School of Painting, or anyone who loves art.
Rhinebeck
Rhinebeck is known for its bucolic bliss and was once touted as the “Violet Capital of the World.” Every October, tens of thousands of yarn enthusiasts troop to the Dutchess County Fairgrounds in town to flaunt handknit sweaters and trade crochet tips. Llamas and Angora rabbits roam the landscape as vendors set up stalls amongst crispy autumn leaves, as they gear up for the New York State Sheep and Wool Festival, a fiber artist’s version of paradise.
Ferncliff Forest offers more than 10 miles of hemlock tree-lined trails and peaceful ponds with frogs, salamanders, and geese. Ensure you climb the forest’s fire tower, especially to catch a 360-degree view of its countless acres of nature. Follow this with a Himalayan salt sauna at the world-famous Mirbeau Inn & Spa, then browse the fashionable selection of clothing, handicrafts, and jewelry at Winter Sun & Summer Moon. As for delicious sandwiches and organic wood-fired breads, Bread Alone Bakery and Cafe is typically everyone's recommendation.
Watkins Glen
Even Hemingway would probably not find enough words to describe how magical the Watkins Glen State Park looks, especially with the pleasurable Gorge Trail, up to 19 sparkling waterfalls, the spectacular gorge (think of 200-foot cliffs), and the trees adorned in brilliant shades of red, orange, and gold, particularly in the fall. Away from the outdoors, the iconic Glen Theatre is one of those fine old theatres that dates back to the vaudeville days. It is a two-screen theater with excellent acoustics and comfortable seating, making it a pretty decent place to spend an afternoon.
Watkins Glen is renowned worldwide for its racing, and Watkins Glen International is undoubtedly the premier road racing facility in the Empire State. If your world revolves around sparkling Pinot Noirs or Chardonnays, you will want to explore the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, which boasts over 30 wineries.
Naples
Naples is another delightful eye candy in a landscape of rolling hills, peaceful glens, and, above all, Canandaigua Lake, whose clear water is like a liquid mirror extending to the horizon. Grimes Glen Park, a serene outdoor wonder just minutes from downtown Naples, is both a beautiful slice of history and a captivating natural beauty. It is best known for its two stunning 60-foot waterfalls, where you can wade and enjoy the rush of water between your toes.
More than that, Grimes Glen holds a remarkable place in New York State History as where a local geologist discovered what would become known as the Naples Devonian Tree, the oldest fossilized tree ever found in New York. The prehistoric relic was later relocated to the New York State Museum in Albany, where it remains on display. There is the Naples Grape Festival, one of the most popular autumn festivals in the Finger Lakes; Bristol Valley Theater, a cool place to catch a show and mingle with locals; and Inspire Moore Winery, one of the most hospitable wineries in the region.
Canandaigua
Canandaigua is where all kayakers come to, so rent a kayak at Seager Marine Rentals and Charters and enjoy a full day of fun on the water, soaking up the scenery and admiring the tiny ripples that consistently tear the lake. If anything, it would be bold for anyone to ignore a place traditionally called “the Chosen Spot” by the Natives in the area. City Pier is not just an attraction for photographers. The entire area is beautiful, especially with all the swaying boats and the charming shops selling a wide variety of knick-knacks.
There is also the Canandaigua Lake State Marine Park, where you can enjoy epic boat rides, and the swoon-worthy Kershaw Park, a beautifully maintained lakefront gem with mesmerizing water views. Rose Tavern, with its covered outdoor patio seating, is the kind of place to sneak a conversation with a bartender about the history of the area, while enjoying scrumptious food and side-street views.
Old Forge
New York is riddled with places that can make you think you are somewhere in Switzerland, and one of the regions with awe-inspiring outdoor beauty is the Central Adirondacks, a scintillating stretch anchored by towns such as Old Forge. McCauley Mountain, which operates its chair lift during the summer and fall, is a perfect spot for soaking up fantastic views of the region.
You probably know that The Enchanted Forest Water Safari is the largest water park in the state of New York. It features more than 50 rides and attractions, including 32 heated outdoor water rides. That is without touching on the barnyard, fun food, and other classic amusement rides. In addition, there is the Adirondack Scenic Railroad, which tumbles through the forests and lakes of the Adirondacks, revealing landscapes that are hard to experience by road. Keep in mind that the mind-rousing watercolour exhibits at View Arts Center will awaken the slumbering artist in both children and adults.
Cooperstown
Cooperstown, also known as the Village of Museums, is widely associated with the National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum, probably the ultimate homage to America's Pastime. The history of baseball mirrors the structure of a spider web, and the game may have had its roots elsewhere, but Cooperstown’s claim as the birthplace of the game is still worth checking out. Moreover, moments spent ambling through the Hall of Fame, reading the stories of baseball legends, certainly count as lifetime experiences.
The Fenimore Art Museum keeps an excellent collection of American folk art, while the Farmers Museum holds the distinction of being one of the oldest living museums in the United States. Meanwhile, Brewery Ommegang is a hypnotizing entertainment venue with stunning views to enjoy, live music, a large bonfire pit on weekends, and multiple outdoor seating areas.
Saratoga Springs
You should have no difficulty figuring out what Saratoga Springs offers, especially if you pay attention to one of its most famous slogans: Health, History, and Horses. That is a top-level view because Saratoga offers several other hues of fun, from fine dining to shopping to art and culture. Saratoga Race Course, located on Union Avenue, opened in the 1860s and is often considered the oldest major sporting venue of any kind in the United States. Its maiden action was shortly after the Battle of Gettysburg. Sports Illustrated named it one of the top ten greatest sporting venues on the planet.
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame is just across the track and a fantastic place to pass by. There is the Saratoga Spa State Park, which offers the unique experience of soaking in a private mineral bath and taking advantage of massages, facials, and scrubs. Enjoy tongue-tingling Tex-Mex at Cantina, then drift into bliss at Congress Park, an outdoor attraction uniquely situated in the center of town on Broadway.
Hudson
Hudson is increasingly becoming a hot dining and shopping scene, and the area around Warren Street is transforming itself into a tiny version of Paris. Start with delicious vegetable and seafood dishes at Wm. Farmer and Sons, an intimate, 14-room hotel in the heart of historical Hudson with scandalously attractive rooms, then work your way to Promenade Hill Park, an incredibly cute outdoor space with one of the best views of the Catskills that you can ever ask for.
There is the option to drive 10 minutes to the Greenport Conservation Area to feel the country and the lay of the land, or experience an element of the divine at Olana State Historic Site, which Mark Twain described as “an exalted hill of art.” Keep in mind that the Hudson-Athens Lighthouse still guides ships around the Middle Ground Flats in the Hudson River, and a properly scheduled tour will offer an unforgettable experience.
Ithaca
One of Ithaca's most defining landmarks is the campus of Cornell University, an Ivy League college that is astonishingly adorable in its own right. Ithaca is layered in sublime natural beauty, with jaw-dropping gorges and glistening waterfalls at almost every turn. The air is fragrant and fresh, the views green and placid. Cornell Botanic Gardens is a stimulating space with colourful herbs and perennials, and a visit here, preferably after a meal at the nearby Moosewood, will easily put any stoic in a grinning mode.
Outdoor lovers will need serious help because it's difficult to choose which attractions to skip and which to prioritize, especially if squeezed for time. Robert Treman State Park and Taughannock Falls are a few noteworthy mentions. The latter has carved a 400-foot gorge through layers of sandstone and limestone, so ensure you have packed a good camera.
So, if you are plotting your next vacation, and you want to get out of Manhattan to explore the many small, charming towns that stud the Empire State, you will uncover a delightful array of adorable eye candies, some of which look plucked straight out of a fairytale. From sugar-white beaches reminiscent of the Gulf Coast to jaw-dropping mountaintops that feel more like Colorado than New York, this part of the country is divine. Then there is wine, car racing, lots of history, spectacular cascades, and lakes that look like liquid mirrors.
