8 Most Beautiful Small Towns In New York You Should Visit
Typically, when travelers think of New York, they envision the soaring skyscrapers and lively neighborhoods of New York City. While the “Big Apple” has a number of sights to behold, there’s plenty more to discover throughout the rest of New York state. Not only can one stroll the storied shores of Long Island, but one can also ski the slopes where Olympic athletes competed, wander the vineyards of some of the American East Coast’s most acclaimed wineries, and witness the grandeur of one of North America’s most famous rivers.
From the towering mountains of the North Country to the breezy beaches of the Hamptons, here are eight of the most beautiful small towns in New York you should visit.
Lake Placid
Here’s a town so nice, they hosted the Olympics twice! Yes, really, Lake Placid hosted the 1932 and the 1980 Winter Olympics, and visitors can begin exploring the Adirondacks’ Olympic history at the Lake Placid Olympic Museum. In addition, they can ski where athletes competed (in Alpine skiing) at the 1980 Winter Olympics at Whiteface Mountain, a resort with 94 trails across 290 acres offering up to a staggering 3,430 feet of vertical drop. And at Mt Van Hoevenberg, guests can go cross-country skiing at another venue used for multiple sporting competitions at the 1932 and 1980 Olympics.
After a long, fruitful, and hopefully gold medal-worthy day in the mountains, guests can treat themselves to a delightfully elegant stay at the Whiteface Lodge, a lovely resort with hand-crafted Adirondack furnishings paired with state-of-the-art amenities.
Tupper Lake
For a quieter and more quaint side of the Adirondacks, travelers can retreat to the scenic New York village of Tupper Lake. When one desires an easygoing day on skis, Tupper Lake makes it easy and enjoyable on the James C. Frenette Sr. Recreational Trails that are specially suited for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing during winter. There’s also Simon Pond, a flood plain of the Raquette River that freezes into the ideal wintertime spot for ice fishing. And for a truly unique experience in the great outdoors, The Wild Center is a fully-immersive outdoor museum that showcases the North Country’s natural environment, and during winter it hosts the Wild Lights nighttime holiday light show.
No matter what one decides to do in and around town, it’s always a good idea to retreat to the Northwood Cabins, a classic country lodge with retro-chic design and present-day equipment like smart TVs and fast WiFi internet.
Oswego
Around 38 miles northwest of Syracuse is Oswego, a town on the shores of Lake Ontario that’s great for year-round excursions. The Rice Creek Field Station at the SUNY (or State University of New York) Oswego campus is a “living laboratory” dedicated to preserving and educating about the local natural environment, and its trails work great for wintertime Nordic skiing and snowshoeing. Zooming out, Oswego County has 400 miles of official snowmobile trails that make for great journeys on four wheels through the open snow. And in town, there’s even more to see and do, from the cool nautical wonders of H. Lee White Maritime Museum to family-friendly fun at Splash Indoor Water Park Resort.
Once it’s time to settle in for the night, there’s no need to settle for less. Instead, visitors can check into the K&G Lodge for the region’s only full-service fishing and lodging resort.
Lewiston
Just north of the bustling streets and trails of Niagara Falls, travelers can experience a quieter and more relaxing side of the Niagara region in Lewiston. At the south end of town, Artpark State Park works well for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing expeditions, and it connects to the larger trail network that reaches the more famous parks at Niagara Falls. Meanwhile, on the north side of town lies the Stella Niagara Preserve, one of the area’s largest tracts of undeveloped land by the Niagara River and a prime location for birdwatching. And just a little farther north, Joseph Davis State Park has a wonderful set of nature trails that stay open in winter for Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and even snowmobiling (at designated areas).
To complete the ideal Niagara getaway, one can stay at Niagara Crossing Hotel & Spa, a comfortable full-service boutique hotel with snazzy rooms and suites, a soothing spa, and meeting spaces (including wedding services) that help guests feel right at home.
Penn Yan
Situated at the northern reaches of the east branch of Keuka Lake is Penn Yan, a small town that opens up to the big and bold flavors of Finger Lakes Wine Country. Along the Keuka Lake Wine Trail, travelers will find incredible gems like Keuka Spring Vineyards, a family-owned operation crafting award-winning wines, including Rieslings, Gewürztraminers, and Blaufränkischs. Also on the trail is Vineyard View Winery, a fifth-generation family farm with stunning views of Keuka Lake that makes some phenomenal sparkling, blush, and Rosé wines.
For an easier journey into the local wine scene, visitors can also stay in town and stop at Once Finger Lakes for the ultimate one-stop shop with a tasting room featuring local wines, ciders, and craft beers. From there, it’s a scenic ride up to Los Gatos Bed & Breakfast, a year-round space set in the rolling hills between Seneca and Keuka Lakes offering cozy guest rooms and private log cabins.
Lake George
Only about 60 miles north of Albany is the resort town of Lake George, a corner of the Adirondacks best known for its summertime “Million Dollar Beach,” yet also a place that welcomes visitors to experience its beautiful surroundings year-round. After all, it’s a short drive up to Gore Mountain, New York’s largest ski resort with 108 trails across 453 acres that offer up to 2,537 feet in vertical drop. Also nearby is West Mountain, offering some 35 trails across 124 acres and regular night skiing during the season.
Whenever anyone feels like warming up indoors after a chilly day in the mountains, it’s nice to return to town and chill out at Lake George Lanes & Games, the perfect family-friendly destination for bowling, billiards, laser tag, and a full indoor playground. And to the north of the main village, one will find The Lodges at Cresthaven, an esteemed collection of elegant vacation rentals offering plenty of room to roam and spectacular views of the lake and the surrounding mountains.
Rhinebeck
Nestled in New York’s famed Hudson Valley, about 105 miles north of New York City, Rhinebeck is a delightful small town that’s sure to please all the senses. Drayton Grant Park at Burger Hill may not appear to be a massive park, yet it has a steep trail to the top of the hill that reveals incredible panoramic valley and mountain views. There’s also Ferncliff Forest, a 200-acre preserve with a pond and some 12 miles of trails that stay open year-round.
After spending some time out in the forest, it’s easy to work up an appetite, and Terrapin is the perfect place to feast on fine farm-to-table cuisine. And for a truly distinguished luxury treat, Mirbeau Inn & Spa brings Old World, Parisian-style elegance to the Hudson Valley with its posh guest rooms and suites, a tasty on-site restaurant, and a sumptuous spa.
Southampton
Just 92 miles east of New York City, travelers can immerse themselves in a world of carefree coastal luxury in Southampton. Coopers Beach is an award-winning beach with expansive dunes, super-soft white sand, and clean Atlantic Ocean water, while the adjacent Little Plains Beach is a quieter and more low-key spot for surfing and seasonal whale watching. A short stroll inland from Little Plains Beach is where one will find the Halsey House & Garden, Southampton History Museum property that preserves an original 17th-century homestead, and the grounds stay open year-round for visitors to stroll and admire.
A little farther inland is Southampton’s main village full of exquisite restaurants and boutiques, along with the 1708 House. This is not only another historic home (that has existed here since 1708), but also a boutique bed-and-breakfast with stately guest rooms in the main house, plus it has detached cottages for guests seeking more privacy.
Discover the Simple Beauty of the Empire State of Mind
New York may be home to the United States’ most populous city, a city that famously “never sleeps.” Yet when one seeks a more restful oasis, New York also has a number of beautiful small towns to visit and experience. Lake Placid is a sporty ski town with an Olympic pedigree, while Tupper Lake offers a more tranquil side of the Adirondack Mountains. Penn Yan provides a gracious, warm welcome to New York’s highly acclaimed Finger Lakes Wine Country, while Rhinebeck makes for an easy yet serene escape from big city life into the Hudson Valley. Whenever someone seeks a beautiful place to visit, a place that invites one to leave all the troubles of the outside world behind, New York really does offer a special state of mind.
