9 Most Scenic Small Towns In New York For Nature Lovers
New York offers much more than just an exciting Big Apple experience. Upstate New York and the Hudson Valley offer some of America's most gorgeous natural landscapes.
Depending on which small town you venture into, you will find lush green landscapes, waterfalls, state parks, and all the hiking trails your heart desires. The following small towns offer only the best.
Skaneateles
If you love visiting beautiful outdoor spaces in winter, Skaneateles should be on your to-visit list in 2025. The view of lake-effect snow falling nonstop from a warm and cozy cabin is something you need to experience at least once.
The Skaneateles village sits within the Finger Lakes region, formed by glaciers that are millions of years old. Skaneateles Lake is crystal clear, inviting visitors to gaze out over it from the stunning shores.
If you visit during summer, Clift Park and Thayer Park have fantastic green spaces to spend an entire day lazing about. You can also take a lunch or dinner cruise on the lake while enjoying the gorgeous surroundings. Should you prefer to stay on land, Clift Park is the best place for a picnic. You can also get a snack or three from the popular Skaneateles Bakery.
Get close to nature and history by hiking the Charlie Major Nature Trail. The trail is just over one mile long and follows an abandoned railway line. Along the way, you will see what’s left of old dams and millworks.
Wind down your day in Downtown’s East Genesee Street, where you can eat at the café or restaurant of your choice while Instagramming the historic storefronts.
Greenport
The small town of Greenport is charm personified. Once a whaling port, this tiny place boasts its marine history wherever you go.
You can explore what is left of the town’s gorgeous docks or go for an open water tour. If you are after a slightly more exciting water adventure, you can book a small charter and set off on a sunset excursion.
Greenport is the polar opposite of the Hamptons. Here, everything has a casual and relaxed feel to it. There is no exclusive vibe, which may be off-putting for some visitors.
In Greenport, you can visit the unique 67 Steps Beach with its steep staircase and great rock formations. There are several farms, wineries, and vineyards to visit, too. Kontokosta Winery, in particular, is a huge favorite with visitors because of its excellent Cabernet Sauvignon and unmatched views of the Long Island Sound.
Nature also shows off during every season with cherry blossoms in spring, and deep blue waters in summer. During the fall, the foliage and pumpkin patches are something to experience. With the cold of winter comes serene harbor views and several holiday festivals.
Amenia
If you want to immerse yourself in the outdoors, Amenia might appeal to you even more. The name Amenia is taken from the Latin word ‘amoena.’ Simply put, this means ‘pleasant to the eye.’ Never has a town name been so apt, at least not an NY town.
Amenia still consists of seven hamlets, each of which holds their appeal to residents and visitors alike. The Harlem Valley Rail Trail is perfect for hiking or walking past unspoiled woodlands and meadows.
If you want to explore each hamlet individually, start with Leedsville, where you will find Troutbeck, a historic estate on several acres of wonderfully landscaped grounds.
The nearby Wethersfield also offers more than 1,000 acres of memorable gardens and trails that lead to massive forests, streams, and orchards.
The scenery is so beautiful in Amenia that 19th-century writers and artists considered it a retreat for those who are creative at heart, including naturalists and poets.
However, the wonder that is nature in Amenia is not all this haven has to offer. When night falls, you can take in the starlit skies while you make your way to the Four Brothers Theatre for a drive-in movie experience.
High Falls
High Falls is hamlet in Ulster County that goes big on outdoor experiences. Its location north of the Hudson River’s Breakneck Tunnel makes it a gateway to Mohonk Preserve’s famous trails.
The Spring Farm trailhead, in particular, provides access to miles of hiking and rock-climbing opportunities. There are several outlook points, including Bonicou or Lemon Squeeze (Lemon Squeeze is accessible via the Labyrinth Trail). Even the trail’s parking lot is popular because it offers an incredible sunrise view.
When the weather is clear, you might spot the Catskill Mountains in the west - that is how great the view is.
You will also find plenty of paths for easy walking in the town. The Five Locks Walk is a flat path that follows the riverside along the 19th-century Delaware & Hudson Canal locks. These restored locks were once part of a 19th-century boat route. As you stroll along looking for the perfect picnic spot, you’ll find posted signs explaining the canal’s history.
You can choose between hiking and biking in the woodlands, too, as you take in the peaceful scenes of greenery.
Trumansburg
If you want more lake views, Trumansburg should be one of your stops when visiting small New York towns. Trumansburg, or T-Burg, sits on the west shore of Cayuga Lake, surrounded by woods and waterfalls.
A few miles southeast, you will find Taughannock Falls State Park. The park is home to the tallest single-drop waterfall on the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains. This waterfall is taller than Niagara Falls, dropping 215 feet into a rocky gorge.
There are several rim and gorge trails, some more difficult to follow than others. The Gorge trail is easy enough to complete, and on a hot day, the mist of the falls will cool you down.
The South Rim Trail is more challenging, climbing high to outlook points where you can enjoy the view. You can stay for a day, but you’ll find yourself wondering about camping grounds to soak in more of this wonderful atmosphere.
In the heart of Trumansburg, the Smith Woods preserve holds its own as another tourist draw. This 32-acre old-growth forest overlooks the town and has doubled as a public park since 1909. Here, you’ll find rare plants, hemlocks, and maples that slightly give way to feet following the loop trail.
A walk around Trumansburg will also reveal several historical buildings. These include the Masonic Temple, originally a hotel built in 1871, and the First Presbyterian Church of Ulysses, built in 1850. Penn Yan
Penn Yan awaits those who want to try the Keuka Lake Outlet Trail at the Y-shaped Finger Lake, Keuka Lake. This flat, thickly wooded trail follows from the natural outlet of the lake creek to Seneca Lake in Dresden, around 7 miles away.
You don’t have to walk or bike only. Along the way, you can take a break, have a picnic lunch, or even fish along the stream. The trail runs over the former canal and rail beds, following the path of the old Crooked Lake Canal. It features stone lock ruins and majestic waterfalls. Seneca Mills Falls is a rushing 40-foot drop of water near the midpoint of the trail.
The Outlet Trail is great for families because there are no steep hikes and several lookout points. If you’re taking the family and want to get out on the water, you can launch a boat on Keuka Lake.
There are more adventures in the Keuka Lake State Park, west of Penn Yan. You will also find many vineyards in the hills above this pretty town. Penn Yan is the place to be if you want incredible views and the opportunity to relax in a natural setting.
Cold Spring
Cold Spring holds overwhelming appeal for nature lovers. This tiny village on the bank of the Hudson tends to make visitors feel like they’ve stepped back in time. A mere 50 miles north of Manhattan, you’ll find history, abundant natural scenes, and the Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve entrance. The preserve offers some of the best hiking trails in the area.
Trails to the infamous Cornish Estate ruins run through the woods, providing a sight where nature meets what is left of times gone by. Nearby, the Breakneck Ridge winks at the fearless, showing off its steep trail climbs. The payoff is a panoramic view of Storm King Mountain and Bannerman’s Island.
On a clear day, you can also see the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge and Pollepel Island fortress from the Breakneck summit.
If you prefer a gentler walk, you can stroll along the riverfront, Dockside and Riverfront Parks, and take a break on one of the benches that face the sunset.
New Paltz
Lying in the shadow of the Shawangunk Mountains, New Paltz is many travelers’ pick for a tour through natural surroundings. If you’re coming from Poughkeepsie, you can take a cab to New Paltz - 12 miles from the train station.
However, it’s better to take the scenic route by taking the Hudson Valley Rail Trail and the Empire State Trail.
You can also start your hiking adventure with the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, which starts outside the town’s Water Street Market. The Wallkill and Hudson Rail Trails form part of the Empire State Trail. On both the Hudson and Walkill Trails, you can go horseback riding, skiing, or bicycling.
Should you want to add kayaking to the mix, the Wallkill Trail follows the Wallkill River, where you can launch your kayak.
Back in town, you’ll find the Historic Huguenot Street, which holds more than 300 years of Hudson Valley History. There is also the downtown area to visit, where you can support any number of local businesses, including the hugely popular Main Street Bistro. Enjoy a wider view of the Wallkill River by heading down Main Street and crossing the Carmine Liberta Bridge.
Time your visit for late summer or early fall for gorgeous foliage views and mild temperatures.
Stone Ridge
Stone Ridge is a stone’s throw east of New Paltz, with both towns in the Shawangunk Ridge region. It is rural and quiet, with serene rolling fields, creeks, and woods.
The overall landscape of Stone Ridge includes some Shawangunk Ridge - you can see the cliffs on the horizon. It also includes conservation land like Esopus Creek meadows.
The Mountain-Beskow Preserve lies north of Stone Ridge along the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail. On this side of the trail, you can enjoy forest walks with stunning birdwatching spots.
There are several farm stands as you head down country lanes and paths that lead to the wilderness. The trails at the edges of Stone Ridge link up to the Mohonk-Minnewaska systems; you can spend a day (or several days) hiking and biking through evergreen forests and meadows.
Watkins Glen
You should visit Watkins Glen for the waterfalls and stay for the atmosphere. The Watkins Glen State Park boasts 19 waterfalls that drop into a magnificent gorge. Watkins Glen is small, but not short on sights and natural wonders. Aside from the waterfalls, the two-mile Gorge Trail to enjoy, and large outdoor pool in the state park.
You can go swimming at Watkins Glen Beach or Sampson State Park Beach. Or, you can make your way along the wine trail, sipping on some of the area’s best wines. There is even a wine festival, the Finger Lakes Wine Festival, at Watkins Glen International every July.
While out and about in Watkins Glen, visit the Catherine Creek Marsh. Not only is the marsh beautiful, but it is a great spot for hiking and fishing. You can also paddle for fish in Seneca Lake via the Watkins Glen Marina and State Boat Launch.
Each of these small New York towns offers a different perspective and view of what nature in the state is like. The best part is that you can pack all your adventure gear, including hiking boots and a kayak, and you’ll find a way to use them in each town.
If you are long overdue for a nature adventure in fresh country air, these small towns are the ideal places to get you going.
