The Best Small Towns in Upstate New York for a Weekend Retreat
Upstate New York is the part of the state north and northwest of the Greater New York City area. No firm definition of "upstate" exists, and the region's boundaries are debated, but it is generally taken to exclude New York City and Long Island, with most sources also leaving out all or part of Westchester and Rockland counties. Split into distinct subregions such as the Hudson Valley, the Finger Lakes, the Southern Tier, the North Country, the Capital District, Central New York, Western New York, and the Mohawk Valley, Upstate New York packs in mountain ranges, abundant waterways, a strong farming economy, well-loved destinations like Niagara Falls and the Catskill Mountains, and countless small towns that make ideal weekend retreats.
Saratoga Springs
Saratoga Springs, known as "The Spa City," sits in the Hudson River valley in east-central New York's Saratoga County, about 30 miles north of the state capital, Albany. The area's many natural mineral springs helped build the town into an upscale resort destination. With a population of 28,491 as of the latest US Census, Saratoga Springs keeps a small-town feel while serving as an arts and cultural hub. The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga Race Course, Saratoga Springs History Museum, and Saratoga Automobile Museum are among its notable attractions. Broadway, the town's main street, is lined with historic buildings, offbeat shops, art galleries, bars, restaurants, and hotels such as the Saratoga Arms Hotel and The Inn at Saratoga. About 15 miles southeast of downtown lies Saratoga National Historical Park, the site of the Battles of Saratoga during the American Revolutionary War, and a must-visit for history lovers.
Cooperstown
The seat of Otsego County, this waterfront village sits at the foot of Otsego Lake in Central New York, around 60 miles west of Albany. A large part of the village falls within the Cooperstown Historic District, which takes in 232 contributing properties. Still, Cooperstown is best known as the home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, which draws millions of fans each year to its baseball artifacts and exhibits. Other attractions include the Clark Sports Center, Glimmerglass Opera, the Farmers' Museum, and the Fenimore Art Museum. Year-round, outdoor lovers can head to the adjacent Glimmerglass State Park overlooking Otsego Lake, and settle in at Cooperstown's well-known lodgings like The Otesaga Resort Hotel, The White House Inn, and the Landmark Inn.
Lake Placid
This small village sits near the southern edge of its namesake lake in the Adirondack Mountains, in the town of North Elba in northeastern New York's Essex County. Founded in the 1800s as an iron-mining town, Lake Placid draws travelers with its green hills, lakes, mountains, and ski slopes. Known for hosting the Winter Olympics twice, the town is a favorite of outdoor-sports fans. Winter visitors head for nearby Whiteface Mountain, which offers downhill skiing, ice climbing, mountain biking, hiking, and gondola rides. But Lake Placid is not only a winter destination; the Lake Placid Olympic Museum, Adirondack State Park, Lake Placid Lodge, Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa, and Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort welcome visitors year-round.
Skaneateles
An affluent village in Onondaga County, Skaneateles takes its name from its spot at the northern tip of Skaneateles Lake, at the eastern edge of the Finger Lakes region. Often called "The Roof Garden of the Lakes" for its high altitude, Skaneateles Lake, the cleanest of all the Finger Lakes, is the village's most popular draw. Genesee and Jordan Streets, which form the heart of the 17-acre Skaneateles Historic District, are lined with mid-19th and early-20th-century buildings, retail shops, banks, boutiques, real estate offices, and eateries. Visitors can stay the night at one of Skaneateles's well-known hotels, such as the Skaneateles Boutique Hotel, The Bond 1835 Inn, and 34 State Historic Luxury Suites, or time a trip to the village's annual events like the Skaneateles Festival of Music, Dickens Christmas in Skaneateles, and the Skaneateles Antique and Classic Boat Show.
Alexandria Bay
Alexandria Bay, a Jefferson County town in Northern New York's Thousand Islands region, sits on the southern shore of the Saint Lawrence River, near the US-Canada border. Several boat tours from the waterfront give visitors a close-up look at the islands and historic sites, alongside swimming, fishing, and kayaking in clear water. Stay at Capt. Thomson's Resort or the Rock Ledge Motel after exploring Alexandria Bay's landmarks, including the George C. Boldt Yacht House, Boldt Castle, the Cornwall Brothers' Store, and the Church of Saint Lawrence.
Beacon
Named for the signal fires that once blazed from the summit of the Fishkill Mountains to alert the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, Beacon sits in the foothills of Mount Beacon, along the eastern bank of the Hudson River, about 58 miles north of New York City. Once a factory town known as "The Hat-Making Capital of the US," Beacon saw an artistic and commercial revival with the opening of Dia Beacon, one of the world's largest contemporary art museums. The city has several parks, including Mount Beacon Park, Scenic Hudson's Long Dock Park, and Pete and Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park, all good spots to reconnect with nature. Do not miss Beacon's historic sites, such as the Reformed Church of Beacon, the Bogardus-DeWindt House, the Howland Cultural Center, and the Madam Brett Homestead, and wind down after a busy day at the Chrystie House Bed and Breakfast or The Swann Inn of Beacon.
Saranac Lake
One of Upstate New York's most appealing small towns and a year-round destination, Saranac Lake sits within Adirondack Park, about nine miles west of Lake Placid. Nicknamed "The Capital of the Adirondacks," it draws outdoor lovers with its cultural offerings and recreation. In the warmer months, Lake Flower is the place for fishing, boating, canoeing, and paddleboarding. In winter, on top of ice skating, downhill skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling at nearby ski resorts, visitors can join a 10-day winter carnival. The Saranac Lake Community Store, the Adirondack Carousel, an array of art galleries, free concerts at local music venues, historic buildings, and lodgings like Hotel Saranac, Curio Collection by Hilton, round out the appeal.
Just beyond the reach of New York City, the small communities of Upstate New York are waiting to be discovered. Each of these towns wins visitors over with its natural setting, deep history, comfortable hotels, well-regarded restaurants, lively festivals, and wide range of things to do. If you are after a peaceful spot for the weekend, these Upstate New York towns make an ideal escape from the noise of the city.
