These 7 Towns Are New York's Best-Kept Secret
New York is full of surprises, and some of its most unforgettable destinations are the ones that few people know about. Scattered across the state are small towns with big character, featuring vibrant main streets, stunning scenery, and a deep sense of local flavor. These hidden gems offer the perfect escape from the crowds, inviting you to slow down and explore at your own pace. Whether you are wandering through a public garden in Tannersville, soaking in Adirondack charm in Saranac Lake, or enjoying a day out on the water in Hammondsport, these seven small towns in the Empire State are quietly waiting for you to explore them.
Cold Spring
Just over 50 miles north of Manhattan, you will find Cold Spring, with its rolling hills and tree-lined streets just off the shores of the Hudson River. Rich in history, the town is full of well-preserved 19th-century buildings, making it a perfect spot for history buffs to explore. Speaking of history, make your way to the West Point Foundry Preserve, an outdoor museum of sorts where some of the country’s first pipes, steam engines, and locomotives were made. The site is free to the public, open year-round, and popular for its audiovisual tour, which you can listen to with your own headphones as you explore. If you are more interested in art than history, head to Magazzino Italian Art, which is the only museum in North America dedicated to Postwar and Contemporary Italian art and culture. In addition to the museum’s impressive exhibits, it is home to over a dozen Sardinian donkeys, which are an endangered species. New York is known for its natural beauty, and that is on full display in Cold Spring. Visit Stonecrop Gardens to take in spectacular views spanning about 15 acres. The site was originally the home of Anne and Frank Cabot, but in 1992, it opened as a public garden. Today, it features an enclosed English-style flower garden, a conservatory, and cliff rock gardens.
Tannersville
Known as “The Painted Village in the Sky,” Tannersville sits in the Great Northern Catskill Mountains in the upper Hudson Valley. Start your day in Tannersville at the Mountain Top Arboretum, a beautiful public garden featuring native plants and exotic trees. The garden also features trails and boardwalks to explore, perfect for spotting plants, geological features, and local wildlife. If you want to bring a souvenir home with you, one of the most unique spots you can visit is the Tannersville Antiques & Artisan Center. Within the store’s 19th-century building, you will find an impressive collection of vintage clothes, jewelry, furniture, and collectibles, so there is sure to be something that catches your eye! After a day of exploring and working up an appetite, settle in for a delicious meal at Jessie’s Harvest House & Lodge. The tavern has an American-style menu made with locally sourced ingredients, and even offers rustic lodging, where you can stay during your time in Tannersville. Another popular spot in the town is the Orpheum Performing Arts Center. Conveniently located on Main Street, the theater hosts dance performances, concerts, and more.
Skaneateles
The Finger Lakes region of New York is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful parts of the state. The town of Skaneateles sits along the northern shores of Skaneateles Lake, which is the sixth largest of the Finger Lakes, and is popular for its stunning blue-green water. Get out for a hike in Skaneateles by heading to Bahar Preserve & Carpenter Falls. There, you will find a trail along the south rim of the gorge, where you can see views into the 100-foot-deep Bear Swamp Creek ravine. Another popular outdoor spot in town is Clift Park, in the middle of downtown. There, you will find a charming gazebo, a stone sitting area, and gardens with a fountain, making it a perfect spot to sit back and relax. If you visit in the summer, the park has a small swimming area with inviting, clear water. No trip to the Finger Lakes region is complete without some delicious wine, so head to Anyela’s Vineyard when in Skaneateles. The vineyard offers onsite tastings and small bites, plus you can take a bottle home with you once you decide which one is your favorite.
Rhinebeck
Another small town in the Hudson Valley, Rhinebeck, is east of the Hudson River and just over 100 miles north of New York City. Among the tree-lined streets, you will find boutique shops, impressive architecture, and nature-centered spots just waiting to be explored. Head to the Wilderstein Historic Site to see one of the Hudson Valley’s most impressive examples of Victorian architecture. Originally belonging to Thomas Suckley and Catherine Murray Bowne, the home was designed in 1852 and then remodeled in 1888 by architect Arnout Cannon, who turned it into a Queen Anne-style mansion. Today, you can take guided tours of the home and walk around the 40-acre outdoor estate. Do you consider yourself an outdoor enthusiast? Whether you prefer to hike or bike, you will fall in love with Ferncliff Forest. With over 12 miles of trails for walking and mountain biking, the forest also has a pond and is known for its stunning fall foliage. Another popular outdoor spot in Rhinebeck is Brittany Hollow Farm, where you can grab a one-gallon bucket to fill with fresh flowers you pick on the farm. With everything from amaranthus to zinnias, the farm is open through the summer and early fall, making it easy to bring a little Rhinebeck happiness home with you.
Saranac Lake
Located in the northern part of the state, in the Adirondack Mountains, Saranac Lake is known for its scenery. From mountain views to lakes, forests, and rivers, there is no shortage of things to explore when visiting the town. Start your time in Saranac Lake by climbing Baker Mountain for an impressive view of the region. The trail is only 1.7 miles round-trip, making it a great option for novice climbers or those looking for a quick ascent. From there, take a trip to the Robert Louis Stevenson Cottage Museum, the remarkably preserved home of the author who penned Treasure Island. The museum is home to many of Stevenson’s personal belongings in addition to a number of original art pieces. To take in even more of the area’s history, plan a visit to the Saranac Laboratory Museum, which highlights Saranac Lake’s time as a tuberculosis treatment area. There, you can learn about the area’s scientific history and learn about the care patients once received in the town. Are the kids tagging along on your trip to Saranac Lake? Take them for a ride on the Adirondack Carousel. The ride was made by local wood carver, Karen Loffler, and features hand-carved Adirondack-area animals and scenes depicting Saranac Lake.
Hammondsport
While the quiet town of Hammondsport is small, it has plenty to keep tourists entertained. Sitting on the southern shores of the distinctive Y-shaped Keuka Lake in the Finger Lakes region, Hammondsport is home to sprawling vineyards and eye-catching views. As a waterfront town, it is only natural that Hammondsport is home to the Finger Lakes Boating Museum, where you can browse galleries to learn about local boat builders, restoration efforts, and stunning canoes. Between June and mid-October, you can also take a historical tour on Keuka Lake on the museum’s vessel, The Pat II. Another fun spot to explore in the area is the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum, which focuses on aviation and motorcycles. There, you will find an impressive collection of early 1900s-era aircraft and automobiles, making it feel like you have stepped back in time as you explore. When you are ready for a drink, head to Pleasant Valley Wine Company, the oldest winery in the Finger Lakes, having been founded in 1860. While you are there, sip on a glass of Great Western, the official Champagne of Watkins Glen International.
Port Jefferson
Just 50 miles east of New York City, Port Jefferson considers itself to be the hidden treasure of Long Island. The town has a rich maritime history, which you can learn more about when you visit the Mather House Museum. Originally the home of John Richard Mather, one of the area’s leading shipbuilding families, today, you can see the 19th-century artifacts inside and explore a collection of shipbuilding and carpentry tools. Another museum worth exploring, especially if your kids are traveling with you, is the Long Island Explorium in Port Jefferson. This children’s museum focuses on science and engineering, with interactive, hands-on exhibits, such as a Morse Code signal center, that will keep the kids entertained for hours. If you are visiting during the summer, head to Jeanne Garant Harborfront Park for the Summer Concert Series that runs on Wednesday evenings in July and August. Free to the public and family-friendly, the concerts offer a relaxing way to listen to a variety of local musicians with stunning waterfront views.
These New York Hidden Gems Are Calling Your Name
Whether you are sipping wine by a quiet lake, strolling through a history museum, or simply taking in the pace of small-town life, these welcoming destinations will remind you of the joy in slowing down. From the riverfront serenity of Cold Spring to the hiking trails in Rhinebeck, each of these towns invites visitors to experience New York in a whole new way. While these hidden gems may not be the biggest names on the map, they are sure to leave a lasting impression. Which one will you visit first?
