7 Fairy-Tale Small Towns In Upstate New York

Over the past decade, numerous studies have shown that children tend to be more creative than adults. They often think more freely, unbound by the rigid patterns adults develop with age. Perhaps it is time to tap into that playful creativity again! Visiting some of Upstate New York’s most storybook-like towns can be just the ticket for those who loved getting lost in fairy tales as a child. The following cities make it easy to bring back some of that childhood wonder, filled with castles, secret caverns, French festivals, and baseball tributes that will spark your creativity.

Lake George

Every fairy tale has its royalty; in our story, Lake George reigns supreme as the “Queen of American Lakes”. Travelers can explore the lake via one of the town’s boat tours, such as Lake George Steamboat Company, which offers champagne brunch cruises, dinner cruises, firework cruises, and other specialty cruises depending on the time of year. To experience a little sliver of Bavaria, consider planning your visit to Lake George during its annual Oktoberfest from October 10th through the 12th, complete with German food, music, and crafts. If you are seeking a truly magical place to stay, the Lodges at Cresthaven will deliver, sitting on the shores of the lake, offering unbeatable views.

Alexandria Bay

If your dream vacation includes visiting a castle, Alexandria Bay is the perfect place to make it happen. This town is home to Boldt Castle, a historic castle that dates back to 1900. Travelers can tour this castle, exploring its gorgeous tower, arches, and grounds. The 1000 Islands region is equally stunning, and one of the best ways to explore it is by boat. 1000 Islands Water Tours guides visitors past iconic landmarks, including Boldt Castle, Millionaire’s Row, and numerous other architectural marvels. Just 10 minutes southwest of town, Rock Island Lighthouse State Park features a historic 1847 lighthouse and a museum in the keeper’s quarters, where visitors can learn about the lighthouse’s fascinating history.

Sharon Springs

Sharon Springs’ magic is predominantly found underground, in the town's caverns. About a 20-minute drive away, Howe Caverns offers a labyrinth of rock formations for visitors to explore on a 1.25-mile walking tour and a quarter-mile boat ride. Secret Caverns is also near town, famous for its 100-foot underground waterfall, accessible by a 103-step descent and a quarter-mile winding passageway. Back in town, travelers can visit charming boutiques like the Beekman 1802 Kindness Shop on Main Street, offering a variety of skincare and bodycare products. In the spring, the store’s nearby farm hosts tours where visitors can meet its adorable goats!

Cape Vincent

Cape Vincent’s French roots stretch back several centuries, leaving a cultural imprint that visitors can still experience today. Travelers can experience this French heritage at the annual French Festival in July, which features live music, local vendors, Plein Air Art painters, a block party, and plenty of other exciting activities. Each Tuesday, the community also fills with energy during the weekly Farm & Flea Market, which takes place on the darling Cape Village Green. Sitting on the shores of Lake Ontario, a visit to town wouldn’t be complete without visiting the water! Travelers can enjoy an afternoon along the lakeshore at East End Waterfront Park, which has a swimming area, picnic tables, boat ramps, dockage, and more.

Cooperstown

Nicknamed “America’s Hometown,” Cooperstown’s heroes are baseball players, famous for the National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum. This museum is a must-visit for baseball fans, offering three floors of history, artifacts, and exhibits exploring the sport in-depth. Afterward, swing by the Cooperstown Bat Company on Main Street, a well-established bat store since 1981. On a separate note, this area of New York is also famous for its cheese! Roughly 10 minutes south of town, Cooperstown Cheese Company is an artisan cheese shop that is particularly well-known for its Toma Celena and Jersey Girl cheese.

Chittenango

Chittenango is the birthplace of the author of The Wizard of Oz. Frank Baum offers visitors a chance to explore a truly magical heritage. Fans of the whimsical story can start their trip by visiting the All Things Oz Museum, which exhibits memorabilia from the movies and musicals, autographs, rare collectibles, and many other related artifacts. Visitors can also plan their visit to Chittenango in June, during the annual Oz-Stravaganza, which offers rides, games, a costume contest, a writing contest, a coloring contest, vendors, and other thematic activities. This coming year, the festival will occur between June 5th - 7th. Besides Oz, travelers can experience the town’s eccentricity at The Wild Animal Park. This large zoo is home to animals like capybaras, cheetahs, hyenas, tigers, alligators, and monkeys, to name just a few of the species.

Old Forge

Families will find plenty of enchantment in Old Forge, where the Enchanted Forest Water Safari adds a touch of magic to every vacation. As one of the state’s largest water theme parks, it features more than 50 rides and attractions, including Cascade Falls, Safari River Expeditions, the Tilt-o-Whirl, Paul Bunyan’s Log Haul, and the Enchanted Forest Express. The town also gets rather spooky in October during the annual Hallowed Forge festival. Taking place from 1 to 3 pm on October 25th, this event is perfect for the kids, featuring costumes, candy, games, and prizes. Travelers can also get lost in a good tale at the Strand Theatre, a historic art-deco style theater that today operates as a four-screen movie theater, screening all of the latest hits.

Getting older does not mean you have to leave your sense of wonder behind. It is still essential to seek out adventures now and again, and upstate New York is arguably one of the best places to do so. Its fantastical zoos, Wizard of Oz attractions, and steamboat cruises make it easy to experience some of the region’s incredible magic. So connect with your inner child and prepare to make your fairy tale come to life!