The 9 Can't-Miss Towns In Upstate New York

Across upstate New York, small towns define the landscape, set between Adirondack peaks, Finger Lakes shorelines, and old canal and rail corridors. The scenery shifts quickly, from mountain passes and long lakes to river towns shaped by early trade and industry.

While the views stand out, it is the towns that stay with you. Historic forts, Olympic venues, glass studios, and walkable downtowns give each place a clear identity, offering a change of pace that feels rooted rather than manufactured.

Ticonderoga

Ticonderoga is one of the most historically significant towns in upstate New York, especially during the American War of Independence. In 1775, a group called the Green Mountain Boys, alongside Benedict Arnold, captured the British fort in town without firing a shot. Today, you can't miss visiting Fort Ticonderoga for Revolutionary War artifacts, reenactments, and the King's Garden.

You can also hike up Mt. Defiance for an aerial view of the fort, or head down into downtown Ticonderoga for an out-of-this-world experience at the Star Trek Original Series Set Tour, one of the most accurate recreations of the show's set in the world. Lastly, you'll want to check out a replica of the Hancock House, the home of John Hancock's uncle, Thomas Hancock. It's been lovingly recreated as a 4½-story Georgian Revival granite-style home with four chimneys.

Lake Placid

The best towns in Upstate New York can be found nestled in the Adirondack Mountains, especially in its alpine lakes. One such town is Lake Placid, an Olympic Legacy community that hosted the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympic Games. During the 1980 games, the U.S. hockey team defeated the Soviet Union team in an event that has come to be known as the Miracle on Ice. You can view this skating rink by booking a tour through the Olympic Center, or see information about the games at the Olympic Museum. Skiing is also very popular in Lake Placid, with jumps at the Olympic Jumping Complex or Whiteface Mountain. The mountain is open for gondola rides during the summer as well.

Sackets Harbor

Sackets Harbor sits on Lake Ontario, one of the few natural harbors in the region. It was founded in 1801 as a business venture, but it would become a battlefield during the War of 1812 between the British and Americans. The Americans would ultimately win a battle here, which you can learn about at the Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site, which hosts a museum, an 1850s-era Navy Yard and Commandant's House, and the National Recreational Trail. You can also get right out onto the beach of Lake Ontario at the Westcott Beach State Park, either to go swimming or take a boat out onto the lake. Lastly, you can try your hand at a 9-hole golf course at Bedford Creek Golf Course.

Tupper Lake

Tupper Lake acts as a gateway to the Adirondack Mountains and to the beautiful night sky. Unlike the metropolis of New York City, Tupper Lake is renowned for its lack of artificial lights and dark skies. You can see the stars for yourself at the Adirondack Sky Center & Observatory, which hosts stargazing events and telescopes.

Tupper Lake also has one of the Adirondack region's top attractions, The Wild Center. It serves as a 54,000-square-foot science museum on the inside and an 115-acre adventure center on the outside, with a series of bridges connecting the treetops called the Wild Walk. If you're in the mood for a more strenuous hike, then you should try out the Tupper Lake Hiking Triad, which will challenge you to tackle the peaks of Mount Arab, Coney Mountain, and Goodman Mountain.

Lake George

Lake George has been called the Original American vacation. It's easy to see why, as the lake it's named after is one of the most beautiful lakes in the U.S. and has been called the Queen of the Lakes. There are endless outdoor activities to pursue here, from the classic to the unusual. First off, you can hit up the beach at Lake George Beach, or you can get a panoramic view of the lake from The Pinnacle Preserve or the Prospect Mountain Hiking Trail.

One of the more unique outdoor adventures here will take you on a railbike journey across old rail lines through the mountains. By journeying to nearby North Creek, you can take a rail bike tour with Revolution Rail Company, which will take you through the forest, the Hudson River, and a trestle bridge.

Saratoga Springs

Saratoga Springs sits between the Adirondack Mountains on one side and Albany on the other. Much like Ticonderoga, it was near the site of a major Revolutionary War battle that turned the tide in the colonists' favor. British General John Burgoyne was defeated by American forces at the Battles of Saratoga, a campaign in which Benedict Arnold played a key role before later betraying the Revolutionary cause. You can learn about this climactic struggle at the Saratoga National Historical Park.

Saratoga Springs also has a long history of thoroughbred horse racing, which is cataloged at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame and practiced at the Saratoga Race Course. Lastly, you can get out into nature by going to Brown's Beach right on the shores of Lake Saratoga.

Corning

Corning is a fun-loving town that's best known for crystal. It's been called America's Crystal City due to its status as a major hub of glass production. It honors this legacy at the Corning Museum of Glass, which collects more than 50,000 glass objects from 3,500 years of history, from an Egyptian pharaoh's head to stained glass, and more. You can also view experts making contemporary glass creations at the Vitrix Hot Glass Studio.

Corning has one of two Smithsonian Affiliate museums in upstate New York, the Rockwell Museum, housed in the old city hall and featuring 19th-century paintings, Native American artifacts, and other illustrations. One of the best ways to explore Corning is to take one of its fun downtown self-guided tours, such as the Chocolate or Antique Trail.

Seneca Falls

This Finger Lakes town played a crucial role in the early Women's Rights movement in America. It was here that the first Women's Rights Convention was held in America in 1848. You can see where it began at the Women's Rights National Historical Park, or learn about inspiring women from the past to the present at the National Women's Hall of Fame.

Seneca Falls sits between Cayuga and Seneca Lakes, making it a great getaway for anyone visiting upstate New York. Cayuga Lake State Park, located within Seneca Falls' borders, offers swimming, hunting, fishing, camping, snowshoeing, and other outdoor activities. Seneca Falls was also often cited as a possible inspiration for for one of America's most beloved Christmas movies: It's A Wonderful Life. You can learn about the movie and its influence on Seneca Falls at the It's A Wonderful Life Museum.

Woodstock

Music history fans will recognize this town as the namesake of the 1969 Woodstock Music & Arts Fair. The actual hippie and music festival took place in Bethel, NY, but Woodstock maintains a distinctly hippie vibe with its art, photography, and outdoor sculptures.

While you're in Woodstfock, you'll want to check out the Woodstock Artists Association & Museum, which showcases rotating exhibitions by regional and national artists, or see a live show at the Woodstock Playhouse and Byrdcliffe Theater. Lastly, if you drive 10 minutes out from downtown, you can explore Opus 40, an outdoor bluestone sculpture crafted from an old quarry. This sculpture is designed to be walkable.

Unmatched scenery and history

If there's one element these towns share, it's unmatched scenery and history. The Adirondack Mountains and lakes dominate the landscapes of Lake George, Tupper Lake, and Ticonderoga, while historic sites dot the maps of Sackets Harbor, Saratoga Springs, and Seneca Falls. This scenery also extends to the beautiful art you can see in artsy towns like Woodstock or Corning. If you're looking for a getaway in upstate New York, consider these 9 communities.