8 Fairy-Tale Small Towns In New York
Beyond the skyscrapers, the Empire is an emancipating fairyland. Covering over 60% of New York state, forests are the ideal setting for a fairytale. A magic atmosphere permeates the state. What can be more magical than a lake cruise aboard a historic steamboat or a trip to a castle-topped island?
Open your heart to a real fairytale in a frame of wild nature, scenic waterfronts, and historic streets with storybook architecture. From the Adirondacks in Lake George to the historic spa town in the Finger Lakes Region, it may not look or feel like New York, you know, but it sure is the state you love.
Alexandria Bay
Alexandria Bay is a fascinating little town with beaches, marinas, and waterfront restaurants, overlooking Sunken Rock Light and the iconic Boldt Castle on a 5-acre island. The stone castle offers captivating tours of the formal gardens and interiors, with period furnishings designed in the early 1900s. Scenic View Park on the St. Lawrence River offers a seasonal swimming beach, a playground, and a picnic pavilion. Beyond the imposing chateau, Alexandria Bay offers a modern version of a fairy tale: to escape.
In addition to kayaking and trophy fishing, Uncle Sam Boat Tours offers several scenic excursions, like the popular 2 Nations Tour. The waterfront resorts cost around $100 in the heat of summer, making it vacation-worthy. After all, you're at the gateway to the 1,000 Island region between the US and Canada along the St. Lawrence Seaway. One day you can be teeing off at the municipal golf course, and the next, scuba-diving in the crystal-clear river. Explore nearby state parks, like Wellesley Island, with sandy beaches, cabins, and camping.
Aurora
This petite college town is under a square mile of pure charm midspan on the eastern shore of Lake Cayuga, the longest of New York's glacial Finger Lakes. With just a few streets to its name, Aurora is easily manageable to indulge in fairytale vibes. Take the Inns of Aurora—a high-end resort spa on a Federal-style inn estate, downtown with an outside porch facing the lake. In addition to several restaurants, impressive inns, and spa procedures, the public grounds are free to explore, from jogging paths to the scenic lakefront with a gazebo.
The white-columned 1833 building is a minute's walk from Glass Beach, a launchpad for swimming, kayaking, or wading the shallows that go on for a ways before getting deep. The impeccable town is surrounded by farmland and wineries, including the Long Point Winery, a family-owned winery across from a top-rated brewery. A frosty mug and crowd-free tastings can be a prequel or rewarding end to the day in the serene views at Long Point State Park, featuring a boat launch, plenty of picnic tables, and clean amenities.
Beacon
Voted America's Coolest Small Town by Budget Travel, Beacon feels like a fairytale beneath the eponymous peak with top views across the Hudson. For one, the early 20th-century Bannerman Castle on Pollepel Island is a ghostly ruin, transformed into a personal fortress by a Scotsman. It is a magical sight day and night, framed in lush greenery and jagged cliffs. Hop aboard the Estuary Steward for a 2.5-hour scenic excursion of pure emotions, out and back, with a walking tour of the island, castle ruins, and gardens, plus free time to explore.
Filled with culinary experiences, eclectic shops, and an immersive art scene, the city enjoys its newfound passion for craft beverages. Strolling the vibrant Main, take the wide Walcott Avenue down to Dia Beacon, which put Beacon on the map. The comically large former Nabisco box printing factory on the banks features a proportionately impressive collection of world-class contemporary art. The next-door Scenic Hudson's Long Dock Park is home to the ferry terminal and Hudson River Expeditions, watersports, and a relaxed picnic area with grills.
Cold Spring
This quaint village with rich history, unique boutiques, and art galleries is right up your alley. Free up a weekend along the scenic banks of the Hudson River, just 55 miles north of Manhattan. City dwellers enjoy highway access plus the Hudson Line or Metro-North Railroad for recreational and cultural adventures. Cold Spring, with its storybook architecture, loves antiquing. The Cold Spring Historic District is one of the best-preserved 19th-century showcases in the entire valley, with most houses, buildings, and churches from the pre-Civil War era.
Known for scenic foliage at the historic West Point Foundry Preserve and Foundry Dock Park for paddling activities and picnics, it is just a stroll to soak in the sunset along Cold Spring Pier. Immerse yourself in the breathtaking outdoors and quiet riverfront beauty through Hudson Highlands State Park, known for the popular Breakneck Ridge Trail. This strenuous hike rewards a fair share of experienced hikers and those testing their strength—unequaled views of the Hudson River Valley follow you the entire way.
Kingston
Some 90 miles north of NYC, Kingston was New York's first capital. Since the title moved some 60 miles north to Albany, Kingston retained an air of importance at the confluence of Rondout Creek and the Hudson. Mapped out back in the 17th century, the city is more vibrant and historic today than the once traditional manufacturing hub, with three distinct districts. In addition to serene beaches and history for miles through the Sojourner Truth State Park, there's something enchanting about winding down at historic lodging.
From the central lifeguarded beach, take a stroll through Kingston Point Park along the Kingston Point Rail Trail for scenic views of the Rondout Lighthouse. The Hudson River Maritime Museum is an enticing indoor and outdoor exposé with rotating exhibits and a small-boat fleet, including an 1898 steam tugboat. Boasting award-winning restaurants and the historic 1,510-seat Ulster Performing Arts Center, it is an ideal complement to follow an early fall sunset with a national music act, films, symphonies, or dance talent.
Lake George
Lake George is fit for a lakeside fairytale, but some go as far as saying, "...without comparison, the most beautiful water I ever saw"—Thomas Jefferson. The impeccable town on the southern shore of the "Queen of the American Lakes" is a humbly elegant vacation paradise coming up on two centuries. The historic Lake George Steamboat Company has been in demand the entire time to revel in the panorama aboard a historic vessel. Floating past the mountains, beaches, and inlets, you'll feel in tune with the Adirondack wilderness.
Lake George is a leaf peeper's favorite along the strenuous Prospect Mountain Hiking Trail to a high overlook of the lake. Boasting 109 miles of shoreline, Lake George is an ideal summertime retreat, from its vast public beach to over 170 islands, 44 of which offer 387 campsites accessible via boat or canoe. You'll be a happy camper at under $30/night for one of the region's most revered spots and stargazing. Meanwhile, the legendary British Fort William Henry from 1755 was featured in "The Last of the Mohicans."
New Paltz
New Paltz is an enticing blend of nouveau, preserving a unique slice of NY history in the Hudson Valley on the Wallkill River. The River-to-Ridge Trail is a fun, breezy bike ride for every level, miles beyond town. Set out early to beat the midday sun through fields that look like a dream. Many enjoy the shaded trails at Sojourner Truth Park, a dog-friendly, peaceful place to get close to nature, with a small kayak launch and spectacular fall foliage. After hitting Lola's Cafe for lunch or java, Historic Huguenot Street feels entirely like another time.
Seven incredibly preserved stone houses built by 1700s Huguenot settlers create a lovely backdrop along the 10 acres, with reenactments and storytelling year-round, plus candlelight ghost tours in October. Adventures await across the river through Mohonk Preserve, with its massive, beautiful stone archway, "The Testimonial Gateway." Surrounded by large oak trees and 110 nature acres, choose your mode to explore the pure beauty of the Shawangunks along over 70 miles of trails, hiking, on horseback, or cross-country skiing.
Saratoga Springs
This spa town has a deep history of battlefields and over 150 years of thoroughbred racing. Centered around natural springs and storybook architecture downtown, the 890-hectare Saratoga Spa State Park is nothing short of a dreamland. The walking trails guide you along mineral waters, spas, and museums in a scenic and historic backdrop. Drop by the Saratoga Performing Arts Center on-site, the summer residency for the New York City Ballet and Philadelphia Orchestra, with a year-round schedule and music events.
Just three hours and change from NYC, visitors can quench their equestrian fervor and Victorian architecture, balanced by shopping, spas, and gourmet dining. Place your bets at Saratoga’s Saratoga Race Course, which hosted the first stakes race in the US. Meanwhile, the National Museum of Racing relays stories of the winning pairs—the jockeys and thoroughbreds—through exhibits, tours, art, and memorabilia. In addition, Congress Park features a charming historic carousel and a 19th-century casino, now a museum.
Between storybook forests, island castles, camping, and state parks, each town offers a unique interpretation of the Empire. How about the "Queen of the American Lakes in a breathtaking postcard frame of Adirondack wilderness?
The historic Hudson Valley towns are popular weekend escapes due to easy highway and rail access from the Big Apple. From the vibrant arts and cultural scenes in Cold Spring, shoot up to New Paltz, then hit the state's first capital.
