9 New York Towns That Locals Love
The Empire State reigns supreme along the East Coast beyond the Big Apple. From the state's first capital city in the Hudson Valley to the historic wellness resort at the heart of the Adirondacks, small towns are vibrant pieces of the colorful mosaic that is New York. Montauk delivers a true getaway at the state's easternmost tip, luring families, surfers, and spring breakers, while Ithaca buzzes with the energy only a college town can bring. Pick one or a few of these sweet spots for a contrasting escape with cultural accents and showstopping diversions in nature unlike any other.
Binghamton
This upstate college town has a lively yet relaxed pace. Just an hour south of Syracuse, near the Pennsylvania border, locals here enjoy lush nature and cultural diversions, like the 19th-century brick Phelps Mansion Museum, featuring period furnishings and tours. The Riverwalk connects to the serene Confluence Park with benches and water views, while Cutler Botanic Garden offers seasonal free access for strolls and guided tours. The city's six antique carousels give Binghamton the title of “Carousel Capital of the World,” and are open seasonally across several parks. You can admire the intricate, hand-carved carousels as you stroll around town during the free, annual Porchfest, featuring live bands on locals' porches throughout Binghamton's West Side on the last Sunday in August.
Cooperstown
Cooperstown is brimming with Main Street Americana, four-season outdoor adventures, and bustling breweries at the tip of Otsego Lake. Home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, even those not into baseball can appreciate the displays and patriotic sentiment. The town also offers a lakefront golf course, fishing charters, and plenty of options for shopping and dining.
Cultural attractions ring the shoreline, including the family-favorite Fenimore Farm and Country Village with a gift shop, carousel, and farm animals. Glimmerglass Queen Tour Boat Company cruises up the lake with narrated history and scenic views, while the iconic Glimmerglass Festival plays host to opera and musical theater each summer at the intimate Alice Busch Opera Theater.
Greenport
Once a whaling and shipbuilding center, this town on the North Fork of Long Island is a far cry from the Hamptons, with preserved 19th-century New England-style architecture. Its potent authenticity makes for a leisurely alternative to the upscale weekend crowds typical of the South Fork. From Bruce & Son inside a fine 1850s brick Italianate to the antique carousel a block west along Front Street, you can celebrate the start of the high season during the annual Cherry Blossom Festival, late April through May, amidst blooming trees.
Across town, 67 Steps Beach offers a unique vantage leading down to a secluded beach, with clear waters and sunsets painting the horizon to the west. The nearby vineyard, Kontokosta Winery, has a lively atmosphere and an industrial, airy design that contrasts with the rustic, barn-like exterior. Perched on sweeping bluffs above the sound, patrons enjoy tastings and views from the floor-to-ceiling windows, plus picnic tables near the clifftops.
Hudson
Dubbed “the Brooklyn of Upstate New York,” this reinvented valley hub tastefully combines art and history along the banks of the mighty Hudson, luring travelers with contemporary art, genuine hospitality, and locally sourced fare. Hudson boasts a creative transformation from a traditional riverport to a hip locale with a walkable layout and picturesque blocks, including indie boutiques lining the antique-filled Warren Street.
Wm. Farmer and Sons doubles as a New American eatery and a classy accommodation with dog-friendly vibes, and be sure to save room in your luggage for a statement piece from the popular Antique Warehouse to display at home. You can't miss the Basilica Hudson next door, featuring industrial textures, tall windows, and an open floor plan perfect for hosting regular events, like the annual Farm & Flea Holiday Market each November. At sunset, the landmark Hudson-Athens Lighthouse stands vigil with its unique shape, green light, and fog bell.
Ithaca
Perched on Cayuga's southern tip, travelers are drawn to Ithaca's dynamic culture, gorgeous waterfalls, and wooded hikes. The historic Cornell University features the 55-foot Triphammer Falls, an extensive botanic garden, and winding trails with views of its Ivy League campus. The popular Cascadilla Gorge Trail winds to another set of falls, while the iconic Taughannock Waterfall sits within a nearby state park and plunges 215 feet, making it one of the tallest waterfalls east of the Rockies. At the heart of this Finger Lakes town, the historic State Theater of Ithaca is a 1,600-seater with ornate detailing, presenting concerts, comedy shows, and musicals. Meanwhile, the annual Apple Harvest Festival celebrates the fall harvest with locally-brewed cider, baked apple treats, live music, and juicy fun for all.
Kingston
Dating to the mid-17th century, the state's first capital blends an illustrious past with boating, breweries, and B&Bs at the confluence of the Hudson and Rondout Creek. Once a traditional manufacturing city, there's plenty of local pride and scenic river views to uncover through three lively districts, with murals, venues, and the annual Heart of Midtown, a street party and community festival like no other.
The Point Rail Trail runs between Midtown and the waterfront for scenic views and a leisurely stroll or bike ride. Despite its short-lived status, the town's capital influence remains in its cultural attractions. Hotel Kinsley's four historic locations boast architecture from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, just a stroll from the heritage railroad station servicing day trips through the scenic Catskills.
Montauk
New York’s legendary playground lures travelers from all over to chase scenery down the South Fork to the captivating beaches and views at the easternmost point of Long Island. By extension, this quirky hamlet and the state's easternmost point feels unlike any other, with surf shops, gift stores, and nightlife spots lining Main Street near Ditch Plains Beach, offering dog-friendly spaces, seasonal lifeguards, surfing, swimming, and nearby casual waterfront dining.
Hither Hills State Park is an extensive nature preserve with trails, dunes, and oceanside camping where you can be lulled by the waves. Authorized under President George Washington and built in 1796, the 110-foot lighthouse museum is part of Montauk Point State Park, a popular rocky shore for surfing, fishing, and views of the converging tides. It is no secret that New Yorkers love to escape to Montauk no matter the season, but the best time to visit is perhaps in May, during the annual Montauk Music Festival, featuring bands and solo artists from across the state and beyond.
Saranac Lake
Saranac Lake has long lured people for the freshest air and promise of outdoor adventure in the heart of the Adirondacks, with breweries, camping, and resort options along interconnected waterways. Historic cure cottages remain of the tuberculosis treatment center, where the author of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde sought a favorable climate for his malaise. Part of the six encompassing peaks known as the Saranac 6, Baker Mountain is an excellent option for those looking for a challenge with a panoramic payoff.
Robert Louis Stevenson Cottage, a historic place and museum, was the famous author's home and is now open seasonally for tours and by appointment year-round, while the Saranac Laboratory Museum features exhibits related to the science of tuberculosis and the town's history as a treatment destination. There's also a launch and pier downtown on Lake Flower for fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. Meanwhile, locals enjoy Mt. Pisgah for skiing and snowboarding in winter, when the iconic ten-day Winter Carnival kicks off, complete with an enormous, illuminated Ice Palace built with blocks pulled straight from the frozen lake.
Watkins Glen
This tiny village is surrounded by wineries, wilderness, and natural wonders within Watkins Glen State Park. Once carved by glacial forces, Gorge Trail is a moderate yet dramatic hike with 19 cascading waterfalls shooting rainbows in the mist and stunning 200-foot-high cliffs all within two miles, culminating at the Cavern Cascade, the park's tallest at 52 feet.
You can sip local vintages along the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, hopping from town to town with pit stops in tasting rooms along the way. Clute Memorial Park offers lake access via the town's beach, while the Pier House sits at the tip of the boardwalk with views of the marina, a peaceful atmosphere, and the gentle sound of waves. Anchored by the legendary Watkins Glen International, the Grand Prix Festival honors the region's racing heritage with a race, a vintage car show, and a parade.
New York State is a veritable playground with beach towns, mountain hamlets, and riverside enclaves up and down the Hudson. From the beaches and wineries in Greenport and Watkins Glen, to the indie boutiques lining Hudson's Warren Street, each town is a window into the state's soul, a great place to live, and an idyllic escape for your next trip to the Empire State.
