The Most Beautiful Places in New York
This fall, we’ll be exploring a lot of Upstate New York and we’re so excited to be exploring more of the US! Even though we live in New York City, we haven’t done many weekend trips around greater New York.
For now, our plan is to road trip up to Corning in September, then explore the Thousand Islands. In October, we’ll double back upstate again (hopefully to see some fall foliage), and eat and drink our way through Hudson Valley and Dutchess County.
In between those set plans… we’re not sure!
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To get prepared for our Upstate New York road trip, I’ve asked fellow travel blogger Holly, of HollyHabeck.com to share her best tips for what to do in the region. Holly is from Rochester and went to college in Ithaca, so she knows Upstate New York like the back of her hand!
Keep reading to discover the prettiest small towns in New York!
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7 Charming Small Towns in New York State
Growing up, I always resented the fact that I wasn’t a true “New Yorker”. Though I lived in New York State, I had never caught a glimpse the Statue of Liberty, or even come close to shopping on 5th Avenue!
I craved the bustle of a big city life, but I was instead met with an abundance of rolling hills and quiet days spent on the countryside.
In retrospect, these things are what make Upstate New York such a desirable destination to live, visit, work, and play.
Check out these beautiful small towns in New York, and you’ll quickly learn to love the slower pace and fresh outdoors that make this upstate region the perfect getaway!
1. Hudson Valley
Just have time for a long weekend trip?
Then Hudson Valley is a great option – it’s just a 1.5 to 2 hour drive from New York City. A couple towns in the region (Rhinecliff, Poughkeepsie, Beacon and Hudson) are served by the Amtrak train line so you don’t even need a car!
Hudson is known for its local farms, incredible dining scene and thriving art scene. There are tons of vintage stores if you like shopping, old mansions if you like history (like Vanderbilt and FDR’s home) as well as modern art museums.
If you like hiking, there are plenty of great parks and green spaces.
The Hudson Valley Walkway is incredibly scenic and Beacon has a beginner friendly hike that ends with some spectacular views of the Hudson river.
Read more: The Best Things to Do in HudsonActivities & Points of Interest in Hudson
- Visit Hyde Park, the home of Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Explore Art Omi, a free outdoor sculpture park
- See Dia: Beacon, a modern art gallery
- Tour Olana State Park, home to Hudson Valley Painter Frederick Olana
Book Hudson Valley hotels here | Book Hudson Valley airbnbs here
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2. Ithaca
Ithaca, NY holds an incredibly special place in my heart.
As a graduate of Ithaca College, I had several years to enjoy this small town in New York and totally fall in love. Though Ithaca has been consistently rated as one of the top college towns, don’t think that’s all it has to offer.
For one, Ithaca is known for its many beautiful gorges. There are plenty of hiking trails and waterfalls to explore.
Taughannock Falls State Park is a great place to start your adventure and even stay awhile in one of the beautiful cabins overlooking Cayuga Lake.
Speaking of Cayuga Lake, don’t miss out on enjoying a section of the renowned Finger Lakes Wine Trail. There’s dozens of wineries to tour, all situated with great views of the lake or Ithaca’s gorgeous hills.
Don’t forget to venture into the Ithaca Commons either for some shopping, dining, and entertainment.
This recently renovated area in downtown Ithaca is the perfect place to spend the afternoon, with a mix of eclectic shops, internationally recognized restaurants, and more. It’s also worth taking a drive up through Cornell University before heading out on your next adventure.
This Ivy League institution boasts heaps of beautiful, historical buildings, and it’s even said that the library reminds some visitors vaguely of the setting of the Harry Potter films.
Book Ithaca hotels here | Book Ithaca airbnbs here
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3. Woodstock
Next up on this list is of course the iconic town of Woodstock, NY.
Nearly everyone’s heard of the 1969 Woodstock Music & Art Fair, and visiting Woodstock is practically a portal back in time.
Though the Woodstock Music & Arts Fair actually took place in the nearby town of Bethel, NY, there’s still plenty to see and do in this famous destination.
Make sure you check out Tinker Street, where there’s rows of one-of-a-kind shops and eateries. It’s a great place to spend the day and bask in the wonderful history of this small town.
Read more: The Ultimate Guide to Woodstock, NYADVERTISEMENT
4. Saratoga Springs
Saratoga Springs is arguably one of Upstate New York’s most charming small towns.
In fact, the town even made it on the list of the top 10 places to live in New York State in 2014! One of the things this area is most well-known for is horse racing.
The Saratoga Race Course was founded in 1863 and is one of the most popular attractions for visitors to this small New York town.
Saratoga Springs is also a great place for shopping, eating, and entertainment.
The area is home to a number of museums, and there’s of course a beautiful countryside to explore as well.
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5. Lake George (Adirondacks)
Growing up, Lake George was our go-to destination for family vacations.
Located at the southeast base of the Adirondack Mountains, this small town is the perfect place to spend a relaxing weekend enjoying nature.
Like many of the other destinations on this list, Lake George is ideal for shopping and fine dining.
Beyond that though, you’ll find an abundance of outdoor activities like:
- hiking
- horseback riding
- boating
- whitewater rafting
If you’re looking for a bit of luxury, make sure you book a room at The Sagamore Resort.
This hotel was always my favorite growing up, and it has a history spanning over 100 years. It’s a wonderful property that has hosted families, celebrities, and dignitaries alike throughout its many years in business.
Book Lake George accommodation here | Book Lake George airbnbs here
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6. Alexandria Bay (Thousand Islands)
Alexandria Bay is a small town located in New York’s Thousand Island region.
You can’t really get a feel for Upstate New York without hitting up at least one of our beautiful islands!
One of the best ways to spend the day in Alexandria Bay is of course out on the water. Whether you rent a boat, jet skis, or just visit the beach, this is a great place to relax and enjoy the outdoors.
Alexandria Bay is also home to Boldt Castle, which is a major landmark and tourist attraction in New York’s Thousand Island region.
The castle was originally commissioned by George C. Boldt, millionaire proprietor of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City.
His goal was to build a full size Rhineland castle here in Alexandria Bay as a display of his love and affection for his wife Louise.
Unfortunately tragedy struck, and Louise suffered an early and unexpected death. The castle was never completed, but it remains an incredible sight and attraction in the area.
Book Alexandria Bay hotels here | Book Alexandria Bay airbnbs here
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7. Corning & the Finger Lakes
Corning, NY is another great historical town to visit.
The area is most well-known for the Corning Museum of Glass, which is a museum entirely dedicated to the art, history, and science of glass.
There’s plenty to see and learn about here, with some artifacts dating back to 3,500 years ago. You can even sign up ahead of time to take part in a class where you get to learn how to make your own glass!
We ended up making cute glass pumpkins when we went last Fall.
The Rockwell Museum, which has been described as “one of the best-designed small museums in the Northeast”, is also located in Corning. This museum is a Smithsonian Affiliate museum of American art.
The region around Corning is called the Finger Lakes for the pretty lakes and scenic landscape. It’s especially well known for its large selection of wineries, outdoor activities, and shopping.
Make sure you stop by one of the local farm markets too and sample some fresh food!
Book Corning hotels here | Book Finger Lakes airbnbs here
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8. Lily Dale
Lily Dale is perhaps one of the most interesting destinations I’ve stumbled upon in New York state.
It’s the true definition of a small town, with an estimated year-round population of 275 people. That doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to discover here though. The town is estimated to host 30,000 visitors annually!
What makes Lily Dale particularly unique is that it is well known as one of the most psychic towns in America. The town is home to 54 registered mediums and has been featured in popular tv shows like TNT’s Supernatural.
If you are looking to book a session with a registered medium or take part in many of the available workshops hosted in Lily Dale, make sure you register well in advance. This is a very popular destination during the summer and draws significant crowds at times.
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Even if you don’t believe in the supernatural though, don’t write this small town off just yet.
There’s a tranquility and quietness in Lily Dale that you simply cannot find anywhere else. There’s rows of beautiful homes to wander, as well as camping grounds and forests to explore.
While I wouldn’t call this small town a foodie’s paradise (there’s only a few restaurants to choose from), it’s definitely a unique location you won’t want to miss on your tour of Upstate New York.
Book Lily Dale hotels here | Book Lily Dale airbnbs here
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Have you ever visited Upstate New York? Which of these small towns would you like to explore most?
Visiting NYC – Travel Checklist
Road Trips | There's so much to see and do in Upstate New York, but one thing you need is a car. I recommend taking a road trip in Spring and Summer, or in early Fall to see the leaves change.
Hertz and Sixt offer affordable car rentals from New York City. You can also price compare on Auto Europe, an aggregator that pulls rental rates from all the car rental companies. Check rental car rates for Hudson Valley here.
Accommodation | Upstate New York has tons of hotel options – from luxurious Gilded Age getaways to romantic b&bs and quaint inns. In peak season, book hotels in advance to save, or check here for last minute deals.
If you have a group of people or want to stay in the countryside, rent a house on Airbnb. It's especially great if you want to hike and don't mind being a little farther from town!
Insurance | Lastly, be sure to visit Upstate New York with travel insurance. Whether you get injured and need to be hospitalized, or your phone gets stolen, travel insurance will help when you need it most. Get a quote for your trip here.
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I hadn’t heard of most of these lovely places before, thanks for putting it together!
Thank you for this post!
Living in Syracuse we have been to 4 areas. Lake George is my #1