7 Of The Most Charming River Towns In Upstate New York
The Empire State is more than just New York City and Long Island, and when it is time to take a break from the neighborhood, there are wonderful options in the small communities scattered throughout Upstate. Whether they are towns in the Adirondack Mountains or right on the border with Canada, visitors to the state will find hidden treasures to explore that are not found in Manhattan or Nassau County. Many of these towns have iconic rivers flowing through them, like the Delaware and the Hudson Rivers, making them special places to connect with some of the most well-known waterways of the northeast. So if you enjoy the peaceful sounds and charming sights of riverside villages, consider making a trip to one of these upstate New York towns!
Pulaski
Just near the eastern shores of Lake Ontario is the village of Pulaski, which sits on the Salmon River. With the Salmon River in town, visitors and residents can go fishing for some fresh salmon or trout, or go hiking near the Salmon River Falls just east of town. People can also go kayaking and rafting on the river to explore the natural beauty of the region and continue their fishing trips for fresh salmon to enjoy.
The rest of the village is a charming place to explore, featuring wonderful restaurants and shops that create a positive small-town vibe for visitors from out of town. LD's On the River is a restaurant that serves its patrons excellent craft burgers and drinks, and gives people outdoor seating with views of the Salmon River right next to the restaurant. Across the street, people can enjoy a nice stroll in the Pulaski Village South Park, which features a large gazebo, local monuments, and is an ideal spot for a relaxing sunny day.
Port Jervis
Right on the Delaware River and across from Matamoras, PA, and the tri-border between New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey is the city of Port Jervis. With access to the famous Delaware River, people can enjoy kayaking, rafting, and fishing on the river near town. Rafting providers like Silver Canoe and Whitewater Rafting provide people with raft rentals to enjoy a day exploring the River. During the summer, the West End Beach is a charming spot to enjoy on the Delaware River with public swimming, more spots to enjoy fishing, and a softball and baseball field adjacent to the beach.
Visitors can also enjoy a relaxing day at Riverside Park, where there's disc golf, a skatepark, a softball field, basketball courts, green forests, and charming views of the river and Pennsylvania across the river. In the heart of downtown, visitors can enjoy a nice weekend at the Erie Hotel, Bar, and Restaurant, which was built in 1890 and was restored in 1994 after a fire. The hotel rooms offer guests some local charm, and the restaurant in the lobby serves wraps, sandwiches, burgers, and much more to enjoy. The Tiki Bar at the hotel has outdoor seating, a pool table, and is a good spot to enjoy sporting events.
Kingston
Right on the Hudson River and the Rondout Creek is the city of Kingston. The city was the state's first capital until it was burned down by the British Army during the Revolutionary War in 1777. Since the city sits on the Hudson River, the city has Hudson River Cruises, where people can go sightseeing and pass by iconic landmarks like the Rondout Lighthouse, which is the last of three lighthouses at the entrance of Rondout Creek. Visitors to the lighthouse can explore the first floor and make their way up towards the observation deck.
On the northern end of town is the Kingston Point Beach, where people can enjoy a small sandy beach with scenic views of the Hudson River, and there is a playground and picnic area for families to enjoy. A very unique and fun museum to visit in the city is the International Museum of Dinnerware Design, which collects and preserves dining culture and showcases historic, contemporary, and futuristic dinnerware for all to enjoy.
Mount Morris
Located on the Genesee River and at the western end of the Finger Lakes region is the village of Mount Morris. A man-made marvel to behold in the Genesee River is the Mount Morris Dam and Recreation Area, which was built in the 1940s to reduce flooding in the region. Visitors can go on a guided tour, go hiking and biking on trails, and enjoy the views of the river. Letchworth State Park offers many vantage points to enjoy the river, including 66 miles of hiking trails. Another park that provides access to the river is the John Wesley Powell Park and Boat Launch, where visitors can explore the water and enjoy a peaceful day of fishing. The area has picnic tables for everyone to enjoy a calm lunch with the river in view.
Further in town are some cozy restaurants, shops, and bed and breakfasts for its residents and visitors to enjoy. The BrickInn is one of the few cozy bed and breakfasts to enjoy during a visit to the community. The BrickInn features large, calm, and relaxing guest rooms, giving its guests wonderful views to enjoy, along with a freshly made breakfast each morning. Within easy driving distance of the BrickInn is the charming downtown area, featuring amazing shops and restaurants to visit, such as Finders Keepers, a thrift store with treasures worth finding, and Questa Lasagna, offering a calm and upscale Italian dining experience.
Owego
About 25 miles west of Binghamton is the town of Owego, which sits on the Susquehanna River. The Owego Riverwalk is a calm and charming place to enjoy the views of the river on a sunny day, and gives its visitors access to downtown's local restaurants and bars to enjoy later on in the day or evening. The Owego Row N Ride provides kayak and raft rentals for those who want to go fishing and explore the waters of the Susquehanna River until it closes for the winter due to being a seasonal business.
In the heart of the historic downtown, visitors and residents can enjoy the Courthouse Square, a small and charming public park that also houses the Tioga County Courthouse. On Front Street, local shops and restaurants dominate with diverse options for people to enjoy. The John Barleycorn Tavern is a wonderful spot in town to enjoy locally made pizza and drinks with friends, and hosts local events for people to enjoy. The Cellar Restaurant and Lounge is another exciting option for patrons to enjoy, while enjoying craft cocktails, tasty seafood starters for dinner, and a diverse brunch menu.
Cohoes
About 10 miles north of Albany is the city of Cohoes, which sits at the intersection of the Hudson River and the Mohawk River. Visitors to the community can enjoy the scenic Cohoes Falls from the Falls View Park and Overlook Park, which allows people to enjoy the four-acre falls and surrounding forested areas while enjoying a calming picnic during a sunny day. Another spot to enjoy both the Mohawk and Hudson Rivers is Peebles Island State Park, where people can explore endless trails, wonderful forests all around them, and bring their leashed dogs with them for incredible adventures.
In the heart of downtown, visitors and residents can enjoy local shops and restaurants, such as Anthony's Italian Restaurant, where patrons can enjoy lavish Italian-style appetizers, personal-sized pizzas, and other incredible meals. On the northern end of downtown is the Cohoes Music Hall, where people can enjoy local musical performances, local theater performances, especially during the holidays, and stand-up comedy to keep the entertainment alive no matter the season.
North Tonawanda
The town of North Tonawanda lies just 14 miles north of Buffalo, where it sits on the iconic Niagara River. Gratwick Riverside Park is an excellent place to enjoy the scenic views of the Niagara River and the adjacent views of Canada. The park also has a boat launch for those wanting to explore and go fishing in the water. Thursdays on the Water is an event venue that also sits on the Niagara River and hosts concerts every Thursday for visitors and residents to enjoy, with the view of the river in the background.
Further in town, visitors and residents can enjoy local charm all over, from the likes of Riveria Theatre, which also hosts musical events, plays, and holiday shows. Unlike Thursdays on the Water, the Riveria Theatre has more shows that are more accessible. On the southern tip of Tonawanda Island, the Shores Waterfront Restaurant is an excellent place to enjoy a nice meal with scenic views of the Niagara River. The Restaurant also has a marina for people to dock their boats and can enjoy the vast river during the day.
The River is Where the Adventure Awaits
Each of these remarkable communities in upstate New York offers residents unique and exciting experiences with the various rivers flowing through them. Whether they're near mountains, close to iconic landmarks, or have local attractions that make the rivers a central and lasting part of the community, they come alive. These rivers also contribute economically to these communities by providing boating services and access to local fishing spots for people to catch their next big fish. These wonderful riverfront communities await people's next big adventure away from the cities and keep you in a New York State of mind.
