8 Safest Small Communities To Settle In New York
There’s no denying that New York is iconic, from the skyline of Manhattan to the river views of the Hudson Valley and the peaks of the Adirondacks. But it’s the fabric of its safest small-town communities that gives true meaning to “I ❤️ NY.” In these welcoming places, neighbors still wave, main streets stay lively, and the pace slows just enough to remind you why people fall in love with this state in the first place. If that’s not enough to make you want to choose one of these eight safest small communities to settle in New York, all of these postcard-perfect towns consistently rank low on the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer, proving that peace and quiet aren’t just part of the scenery.
Woodstock
The quintessential small town of Woodstock became the poster child for peace and love during the 1960s, and that easygoing spirit still embodies the artsy community that sits at the base of the Catskill Mountains in the Hudson Valley today. Spend a few hours wandering down Woodstock’s main street, Tinker Street, listening to Bob Dylan on your phone, and check out the funky shops, old-school record stores, art galleries, and cozy cafés, like Peace, Love & Cupcakes, where all the cakes are named after musicians, including Arlo Guthrie, Janis Joplin, and Jimi Hendrix. For music lovers, the Colony is a historic music venue, bar, and restaurant that’s been part of the Woodstock scene since 1929.
Channel your inner artist with a visit to the Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild, a local arts and crafts community that was founded in 1902 as one of the earliest utopian arts colonies in the U.S. Download a self-guided walking tour, designed as a 1-mile loop taking about an hour to complete, and discover over 30 unique historic arts colony cottages. Don’t miss the Chipmunk, the 1924 residence of actress Helen Hayes, known as the “First Lady of American Theater.”
Cold Spring
Cold Spring offers the best of both worlds: a safe, small-town atmosphere along the Hudson River, with the art, culture, and energy of New York City only 50 miles away. Not to be outdone by the big city, downtown Cold Spring is the perfect destination for antique hunters, art lovers, and coffee drinkers, who can easily spend an entire afternoon popping into the cute cafés, antique shops, and independent stores in the Cold Spring Historic District, like the old-timey Cold Spring General Store or Split Rock Books.
After indulging in a little retail therapy, immerse yourself in nature with a visit to Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve, a 3-minute drive from downtown Cold Spring. There are several ways to explore the preserve, so depending on your mood and energy level, you can take the Hudson Highlands Scenic Drive, explore the ruins of an old historic site known as “The Ruins,” or hike the Bull Hill Loop Trail for scenic views of the river and the valley from the overlooks at the top.
Saranac Lake
Saranac Lake is a year-round haven for artists, outdoor enthusiasts, and nature lovers looking for clean air, peace, and quiet in the heart of the Adirondacks. The jewel in this picturesque town’s crown is the chain of lakes that surround it, perfect for kayaking, swimming, canoeing, even ice-fishing, depending on the season. Once famous in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a global center for tuberculosis research and healthcare, you can learn more about the town’s fascinating past at the Saranac Laboratory Museum.
A must-see attraction in the William Morris Park in the town’s center is the Adirondack Carousel, a replica of an old-fashioned carousel featuring 24 animals native to the Adirondacks, rather than traditional horses, carved by local artists. Explore more artisanal crafts and other items at the Village Mercantile or visit the Adirondack Artists Guild Art Gallery, both located on Main Street.
Watkins Glen
Set on the southern tip of Seneca Lake, Watkins Glen perfectly blends small-town calm with exhilarating outdoor adventure. Spend the morning hiking past 19 spectacular waterfalls along rim trails overlooking the gorge in Watkins Glen State Park, one of the most famous of the Finger Lakes State Parks. While the iconic Gorge Trail closes seasonally, numerous other activities remain available in the park, including snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and cycling. In the afternoon, unwind at one of over 30 wineries along the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, such as the scenic Castel Grisch Winery or Lakewood Vineyards.
Watkins Glen boasts a cozy, walkable downtown area, featuring antique shops, unique boutiques, and local art galleries, such as the Franklin Street Gallery, which showcases locally made paintings, ceramics, glass, and jewelry. Enjoy the gorgeous lakefront views from Seneca Harbor Park, where you can watch the boats from the Watkins Glen Pier.
Nyack
Just across the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge (formerly known as the Tappan Zee Bridge), the small community of Nyack is a safe, walkable town with a riverfront setting, where vintage stores, coffeehouses, wine bars, and live music fill every corner. Discover one of Nyack’s most famous residents, Edward Hopper, whose realist paintings have been displayed at the Met, the Whitney, and in the White House, at the Edward Hopper House Museum & Study Center. Serious art lovers can discover the iconic painter’s favorite haunts following Hopper’s Nyack Walking Tour, with a stop for martinis and grilled cheese shots at Prohibition River.
A scenic way to incorporate exercise into your day in Nyack is to run, walk, or cycle across the 3-mile Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, which features a 12-foot-wide shared-use path with six overlooks, scenic displays, and public art along its length. It is the longest bridge in the Empire State, and the longest bicycle + pedestrian path in the U.S.
Tarrytown
Steeped in Hudson Valley history, Tarrytown is renowned for its storied landmarks, including Lyndhurst Mansion and the myths surrounding Sleepy Hollow. The mansion, a Gothic revival remnant of the Gilded Age, sits on 67 acres of manicured lawns, landscaped gardens, and old-growth trees, with stunning views of the Hudson River. Book a mansion or landscape tour, or participate in one of their themed holiday events throughout the year, including “Mr. Dickens Tells A Christmas Carol ‘25.”
With Tarrytown, you are really getting two great Hudson Valley towns in one. Just up the road, the nearby town of Sleepy Hollow, originally called North Tarrytown, was the inspiration for local author Washington Irving’s famous ghost story, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” so take time to discover landmarks like the Headless Horseman sculpture near the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. Wind down with a glass of wine and a seasonal meal at the farm-to-table hotspot, the Sweet Grass Grill in the heart of downtown Tarrytown.
Rhinebeck
Rhinebeck may be the quintessential safe Hudson Valley town, filled with historic inns, boutique shops, and funky cafés, all housed in 18th- and 19th-century buildings. You can easily spend an entire afternoon exploring the shopping options along East Market Street, Rhinebeck’s main street. For book lovers, the 1975-founded Oblong Books is a well-known indie bookshop and co-sponsor of literary events, such as the White Hart Speaker Series, and is definitely worth a visit.
Grab a coffee down the street to Samel’s Sweet Shop, a one-of-a-kind candy store + café owned by Paul Rudd and Jeffrey Dean Morgan (of “The Walking Dead” fame), whose favorite sweet treat is chocolate-covered Swedish fish. Another landmark in Rhinebeck is the Wilderstein Historic Site, about 10 minutes from downtown. Once the home of Margaret Suckley, cousin and confidante of Franklin Roosevelt, the Victorian mansion is open for tours of the house and its walking trails, with special seasonal events during the holidays.
New Paltz
With the vibrant energy of a college town, New Paltz strikes a nice balance between old and new, with the 10-acre National Historic Landmark District of Huguenot Street just a 15-minute walk from the lively downtown Main Street. Historic Huguenot Street pays tribute to the early French Protestant settlers who fled persecution in Europe for the Hudson Valley in 1685, and features seven original stone houses, a reconstructed 1717 church, and guided tours.
Downtown New Paltz is filled with eclectic shops, numerous indie bookstores, and a variety of restaurants. Krause’s Chocolates has been hand-dipping chocolate since 1929 and is a must-stop shop for chocolate lovers. If you’re interested in all things occult, then stop in at Ritualist, a modern witch shop that features a curated selection of votive candles, incense, and handcrafted beauty products.
From the artsy heart of Woodstock and the antique charm of Cold Spring, to the lakeside serenity of Saranac Lake and the waterfalls of Watkins Glen, these eight safe and scenic New York communities are a throwback to the days when you didn’t need to lock your door. In Nyack, you can cross the Cuomo Bridge for exercise and river views, while over in Tarrytown, tour Gothic mansions and indulge in ghost story lore. Meanwhile, browse indie shops and sip coffee in Rhinebeck and New Paltz without a care in the world. In these eight communities, safety is more than just a feeling; it’s a fact.
