10 Underrated New York Towns Worth the Drive in 2026
New York has some beautiful lake scenery in the north and stunning Adirondack views throughout, making for some amazing drives. For Finger Lakes' fun, hit up Skaneateles for some of the best waterfront activities and wineries in the state. And don't forget about Lake Placid, which makes nearly every NY travel list, for good reason: ever since hosting the Olympics (twice), it's become a must-visit for Mirror Lake activities and classic resort energy. Whatever vibe you're feeling, New York has something for you.
Cold Spring
Located in the Hudson Valley, this town is popular among New York City natives as a peaceful day/weekend getaway. An idyllic drive from the big city, but also accessible by the Metro-North Railroad, Cold Spring is a waterfront town and perfect for a riverside walk, or a challenging hike if you feel limber enough to tackle the Breakneck Loop.
With a population of nearly 2,000, Cold Spring is brimming with 19th-century architecture and offers a great view of the Hudson River. There are lots of cute shops and boutiques, as well as great places for great eats, including Cold Spring Depot and Bar-Ber (a speakeasy-esque barber shop and bar, all in one).
Sleepy Hollow
Unbeknownst to many, the story of a small village haunted by a headless horse (The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving) is set in a village only 30 miles north of New York City. There are many notable landmarks specifically related to the story that are perfect to drive by as a Halloween treat. Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Headless Horseman Bridge, and the Old Dutch Burying Ground at the Church of Sleepy Hollow are a few notable ones. And who could forget the Headless Horseman Statue? It makes for such a cool photo.
There were also several other movies filmed here, such as The Thomas Crown Affair, The Family Man, Lord of War, and Stephen King’s A Good Marriage. It’s an eerie town with a ton of pop culture appeal, and it's definitely worth the drive.
Elmira
One of Elmira’s claims to fame is that it is where Mark Twain spent his summers and where he wrote some of his most famous works. Much of his writing was inspired by small-town living, which is obvious to anyone who has read Tom Sawyer. You can feel that same inspiration by driving through Elmira and visiting his gravesite. You can also drive by his summer home, but it is not open to the public. However, his octagonal study, where he wrote Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, was relocated to Elmira College.
Elmira's other claim to fame is being the ‘Soaring Capital of America’. This is where the first national soaring contest was held in 1930. The National Soaring Museum is a great spot to learn about aviation and gliding. And, if you are courageous enough, you can even try soaring yourself at the Harris Hill Soaring Corporation.
Cooperstown
A friendly small town and home to the Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown, NY, is worth the drive for any baseball fan. The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum alone sees hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. If you are in town during their Annual Induction Weekend, be ready for a wonderful time.
As you might guess, in a town where baseball is big, so is something that most people love to indulge in while watching (or playing) America’s pastime: a great beer. Visit Brewery Ommegang or the Cooperstown Beverage Exchange and sit down and watch a game in the heart of baseball country.
But a drive to Cooperstown can be for more than beer and baseball. The Fenimore Art Museum or a night at the Glimmerglass Opera are great stops for art lovers.
Skaneateles
On the shore of the Finger Lakes lies the beautiful town of Skaneateles—with waterfalls, nature trails, vineyards, and Lake Skaneateles to explore. It’s only about a 30-minute drive from Syracuse, and it’s a lovely place to run away from the city for a while.
The downtown is also a great place for a walk, full of historic, well-preserved buildings from the 19th century. It’s a complete architectural marvel. If you are lucky enough to visit during the Dickens Holiday Festival, you will see the entire town decked out in delightful decorations with festive events happening all through the week.
Hudson
This town is another great spot for New Yorkers looking to break away from the big city for a while. A scenic drive over the Rip Van Winkle Bridge and past the Olana State Historic Site (home of 19th-century artist Frederic Edwin Church) is truly a tour where you enjoy the open road.
What separates Hudson from other small towns in New York is its art scene. It has historic 19th-century buildings and waterfront tranquility like other towns, but with fun antique shops, design studios, art galleries, and unique boutiques. It’s a place for an artist to get inspired. Art galleries like the Front Room Gallery, the 510 Warren Street Gallery, and the Carrie Haddad Gallery are just a taste of what to expect.
Outdoor pieces, like those found in Art Omi, are visually stunning and are even more awe-inspiring when combined with a day of gorgeous weather. As for performing arts, there are Time and Space Limited and Hudson Opera House. Hudson, much like Chelsea and the SoHo district, is an art enthusiast’s paradise.
Geneva
Geneva is wine country and can be a getaway for plenty of reasons (other than drinking wine). It’s about an hour west of Syracuse and has some great shops and restaurants, combined with amazing scenery, all situated next to Seneca Lake. Ravines Wine Cellars, Grapevine County tours, and Three Brothers Wineries and Estates are just a few stops suggested for wine connoisseurs. There are plenty of other stops to choose from on the Seneca Wine Trail, which has over 30 wineries.
Geneva on the Lake, the downtown hub, was built in 1914 to resemble an Italian villa, with lush gardens and lakeside views. Belhurst Castle is another tourist stop. It is a historical landmark on Seneca Lake and has—you guessed it—a tasting room for wine. Seneca Lake State Park is also popular for biking and hiking your big-city blues away.
Ithaca
The Big Apple is known for its plethora of great restaurants, pizza, and overall amazing food. But for a small town foodie experience, Ithaca takes the cake in the state of New York (pun intended). It was ranked 6th on Bon Appétit’s List of Foodies Towns in America (for towns with a population under 250,000). That’s an impressive accolade.
Starting with the famous Moosewood Restaurant, known for its fresh farm-to-plate menu, this restaurant has over 40 years of experience delivering delicious food to its customers. The Boatyard Girl is also highly rated, and the Ithaca Ale House serves up premium craft beers. And if you have a sweet tooth, customizable frozen yogurt at Jason’s or a cookie from Insomnia Cookies is sure to keep you sleeping soundly through the night (and not wide awake thinking of desserts). These are just a few of the tasty places to eat in Ithaca, NY.
Lake Placid
It might be a small town, but there is a reason the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympic Games were held in Lake Placid: it is renowned for its winter sports. The Lake Placid Olympic Center is open to the public, so you can play sports where real legends competed. You can visit and skate the Herb Brooks Arena, where ‘The Miracle on Ice’ took place 46 years ago. The Olympic Museum is also super fun to explore for any sports fan. It's a stroll through history, and should be on the itinerary of anyone interested in Olympic history.
Even though Lake Placid is known for its winter sports, a summertime trip can also be an adventure if you want to kayak, swim, or play water sports in Mirror Lake or bike or hike the scenic trails of Adirondack Park.
Beacon
Another small town known for both its natural and manmade wonders. You can drive along the Hudson River and take in the view, or get out and explore. The Bannerman Castle is a former military warehouse and a true sight to behold. Madam Brett Park is another popular attraction that combines natural beauty along Fishkill Creek and the nearby marshlands with bridges crossing flowing waters. In the park lies Madam Brett’s Homestead, a stone house built in the early 1700s that still stands today.
As for other sights, it’s hard to top the view from Beacon Mountain. See how small you feel as you watch a sunset that overlooks the Hudson River, the Hudson Hills, and the town of Beacon.
Escape The City for An Unforgettable Getaway
With so much to do in New York’s big cities, people forget the little, relaxing joys in life. Buffalo, Syracuse, and, of course, New York City, give the state a certain notable reputation. But not everywhere is non-stop hustle and bustle, crowded streets, and fast-paced, big-city life. Not so far away, there are plenty of places where you can relax and breathe a sigh of relief. New York really does have it all.
