8 Best Towns In Upstate New York For A Two-Day Recharge
Far from the crowd-swarmed attractions that you have always been wasting your money on is a vast but quiet expanse in New York State that feels and looks vacation-worthy. Although it has flashes of modernity and beautiful cultural attractions, Upstate New York is mostly raw and pristine. That's the aspect that many people rave about. Think of glittering lakes and turquoise views, one-of-a-kind museums to explore, some of the best parks in America, and misty waterfalls with interesting color shows. From Cooperstown to Ticonderoga, discover below the eight best towns in Upstate New York for a two-day recharge.
Cooperstown
Tucked away in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains, Cooperstown bills itself as "America's most perfect village." You will initially dismiss it as a mere marketing gimmick until you're awestruck by its spectacular waterfront, lush parks, walkable downtown, and delectable culinary scene. Of course, the phenomenal National Baseball Hall of Fame steals the show — and rightly so. The game has long been known as “America’s pastime.” At the well-organized museum, greatness is almost palpable, from the entrance to the magical hall, to the interesting exhibits, and to the gift shop with a large assortment of team memorabilia.
Keep in mind that Cooperstown has always claimed to be the birthplace of baseball, although historians have punched holes in the story. The historic Doubleday Field is another cool place to feel the history of baseball, so make sure it's in your itinerary. Lakefront Park is an excellent place to sit by the water and admire the beauty of Otsego Lake, although it also doubles up as a slice of hidden history. Even if you don't have a newly minted fiancée, the air of romance that pervades the environment at The Landmark Inn is always something to relish. It is housed in a restored 1856 mansion in the heart of Cooperstown.
Watkins Glen
Although known across the nation for its high-octane motorsports, Watkins Glen wears many hearts. From legendary local wineries to heart-gripping waterfalls to vibrant fall colors in the autumn, The Glen is just in a class of its own. The contest here is incredibly tight, but it's always hard to find an outdoor venue in the entire state that comes close to what the Watkins Glen State Park offers. No wonder it is considered the crown jewel of the Finger Lakes. It packs in 19 waterfalls, including the famous Rainbow Falls, and a gorge, nearly 400 feet deep, that will make your heart skip a beat. The gorge is considered one of the most dramatic natural landscapes in the Northeast.
Just a hair out of town is another unforgettable water wonder: Shequaga Falls. It is easily accessible, and there's an imposing bridge at the top, from where you can snap pictures and meaningfully take in the views. Still in the outdoors, Havana Glen Park features the spectacular Eagle Cliff Falls, one of the most picturesque in the Finger Lakes region. Expect to spot some of the more than 100 bird species in the area. The Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel is spotless, beautifully maintained, and conveniently located within walking distance of the downtown area.
Kingston
It is easy to swoon over Kingston, especially because of its painfully beautiful setting, a backdrop that features the majestic Catskills, Shawangunks, and the mighty Hudson River. But it is the history buff who may find himself quickly transported into a state of delirium. Kingston was once the state capital — and it shows. You will enjoy feasting your eyes on the several attractions that dot the town, particularly the delightful lineup of interactive museums. These include the Hudson River Maritime Museum, a waterfront beauty with rotating exhibits, boat rides to a historic lighthouse, and a fleet of small boats, including a 1898 steam tugboat.
From here, walk to the Trolley Museum of New York, which offers an impressive collection of historic trolleys and streetcars, some of which you can even ride. Of course, the trolley ride along the scenic Kingston waterfront is always the highlight. You can mingle with llamas and peacocks at the Forsyth Nature Center, or enjoy the breeze at Kingston Point Beach, before spending a peaceful night at A Kingston Bed and Breakfast, set in a beautifully restored 19th-century house.
Saratoga Springs
Because of the abundance of mineral waters, Saratoga Springs was the setting for America’s first resort. While it is still proud of its heritage, Saratoga Springs is today a thriving vacation destination and offers a rich menu of visit-worthy attractions. You can experience the thrill of thundering hooves as the finest Thoroughbreds in the world slug it out at the Saratoga Race Course, which has been hosting horse-racing events since 1863, making it one of the oldest race tracks in the U.S.
You can also stroll through the town, and pop inside the family-owned restaurants and shops that stud Saratoga’s award-winning Great American Main Street. A good recommendation is 15 Church, a refined restaurant serving fillets with fresh ingredients on a lovely patio. Take note that a mid-morning stroll through Congress Park, with its Grecian pavilions and Italian gardens, is a walk through time. Finally, if you want a place that makes you feel well-taken-care-of, spend the night at Saratoga Arms Hotel. You will love its location, porch scene, and beautifully appointed rooms.
New Paltz
A weekend in the vibrant village of New Paltz is always astoundingly therapeutic. New Paltz is loved for its lively music scene, and, unfortunately, the town's Bohemian atmosphere and beautiful Hudson Valley setting don't help matters. As if that is not enough, the presence of the SUNY New Paltz campus also gives the town a gush of youthful energy that makes the air around even more lively. Although the town offers a long list of attractions, there are three places you will want to prioritize: The Historic Huguenot Street, Mohonk Preserve, and the Testimonial Gateway. Historic Huguenot Street is a nostalgic space with whispers of yesteryears and beautifully preserved 17th-century homes. They often conduct special autumn tours in September and October.
On the other hand, Mohonk Preserve is in the Shawangunk Ridge and features 8,000 acres of forests, fields, and streams. It is a well-known outdoor playground and the go-to place for hiking, biking, birding, rock climbing, and horseback riding. Lined with massive oak trees, the Testimonial Gateway features a beautiful stone archway and tower that once served as the formal entrance to Mohonk Mountain House. If you crave a luxurious night in a park-like setting, snag a room at Moondance Ridge Inn.
Port Jervis
There are scenic drives that are delightful to cruise along — then there's the Hawk's Nest Drive. The snake-like road offers some of the best views in the Upper Delaware River Valley, featuring dramatic sandstone cliffs, rolling hills, and dense forests. Leaf peepers often come to admire the fiery autumn foliage and the technicolor glory that fills almost every open space. Although Hawk's Nest is a good excuse to visit Port Jervis, the town itself is neat and quaint and boasts a holiday ambiance that people find hypnotic.
You can check out Huckleberry Ridge State Forest, and burn your legs in its woodsy trails, or opt for the Port Jervis Watershed Park and Recreation Area, a cyclist's haven with surprisingly well-marked trails and mind-bending views. No wonder it is often touted as having the best trails in the tri-state area. Spend the night at the Erie Hotel & Restaurant, a country-style space that also serves the best burgers in the world.
Ithaca
Norman Rockwell did not paint Ithaca, but if he were to do it over again, this is the one spot in the world he would love to put on canvas. Ithaca is a postcard town backdropped by beautiful rolling hills, ridges, and a landscape that is part dramatic, part coy. It is lovingly set on the shores of Cayuga Lake, the longest of the Finger Lakes, and is a water-themed outdoor playground. Start with a healthy meal at Moosewood, a well-known culinary icon of vegetarianism near Cornell that has produced 12 vegetarian cookbooks, with over 6 million copies sold.
Hangar Theatre is a warm, comfy place that can transform a dull afternoon into one filled with belly-shaking laughter. Don't mention the outdoors, especially waterfalls, because you will certainly be spoilt for choice. From Taughannock Falls to the strangely named Lucifer Falls to Ithaca Falls, the region’s most powerful and impressive, there's just no end to enjoying what the area offers. The university campus is also beautiful, but be sure to arrive at your hotel room in good time. You will rarely go wrong with the Hilton Garden Inn Ithaca, which offers a convenient location near the Commons.
Ticonderoga
Ticonderoga — or where the waters meet — is a mind-rousing outdoor retreat steeped in fascinating 18th-century American history. For example, historians credit a surprise dead-of-night attack in Fort Ticonderoga as a highly consequential event in the young nation's journey to independence. The fort is celebrated as the site of the Continental forces' first offensive victory and keeps crucial Revolutionary War exhibits that are always fun to browse. A visit here may also involve watching entertaining reenactments. There's the well-groomed King's Garden, a serene and colorful space with fragrant flowers and lush greenery, and Lake Champlain, a shimmering beauty with nearly 600 miles of shoreline to explore. Spend the night at Circle Court Motel, a reasonably priced facility in a convenient location.
A Weekend In Upstate New York
So, while the Big Apple offers some of the best cultural attractions in the world, there is a world of recreation and adventure beyond the buzz of Manhattan; beyond the whirl of cars and the glitter of glass. Upstate New York always looks like a world away. The air is fresh and fragrant, the landscapes wild and whimsical. You will find razor-thin ridges, sun-dappled forests, rolling hills, and verdant valleys. A weekend spent in such an environment will feel therapeutic. So, find a small, charming town, and explore this criminally underrated corner of the United States.
