9 Stunning Towns to Visit in New York (2024)

Leave behind the Big Apple, and wilderness takes center stage, spanning from the Hudson Valley and Long Island's Atlantic coastline to the Adirondacks, Catskills, and Finger Lakes.

Warwick is home to the Appalachian Trail, one of the most picturesque parts of the county. Skaneateles, along one of the nation's cleanest lakes, is a year-round hub of activity, featuring wine tasting, leaf peeping, apple picking in the fall, and a Dickens Christmas celebration daily from Thanksgiving through Christmas.

This cache of attractive small towns, the real gems of the Empire State, delights with their natural beauty, historic architecture, and colorful personalities away from the city. The first town, the “Gateway to the Thousand Islands,” is under 20 miles from the start of the Saint Lawrence River at Lake Ontario, marking the boundary between the United States and Canada.

Clayton

Clayton, a walkable town of nearly 2,000 residents, is a delightful Thousand Islands-Seaway destination, recently voted twice for the Best Small Town Cultural Scene. Full of small-town charm, its airy streets are steps away from about 15 miles of shoreline perfect for recreational fishing, boating, and sightseeing strolls. From galleries to museums, the Thousand Islands Museum shows how the 700-mile-long St. Lawrence River defined and molded Clayton. The Art Center flaunts an extensive 20th-century textile collection, while 1000 Islands River Rat Cheese is one of the most popular quaint stops to shop.

Encompassing Grindstone Island—the fourth largest of the Thousand Islands—with its two schoolhouses, and the nearby Picton Island, which houses the scenic Canoe Point State Park. Back on the mainland, the waterfront Antique Boat Museum displays North America's largest collection of antique and classic boats, including racing crafts and a 1903 houseboat, with seasonal skiff and speedboat rides. Home to marinas and village greens, save an evening for the Clayton Opera House, while Saint Lawrence Spirits Château, just south along the shore, offers a delightful stay with a large viewing deck to enjoy a drink or a full menu.

Ellicottville

Just over an hour south of the mighty Niagara Falls and one hour east of Chautauqua Lake, this 1-square-mile town bursts with down-to-earth hospitality, fun activities, and attractions for the whole family, including shopping, world cuisine, and dancing the night away at the disco. Hidden along the Allegheny Plateau, Ellicottville is a great stop for shopping or a specialty brew at Ellicottville Brewing Company, with regular musical and cultural events in town, and to visit the Griffis Outdoor Sculpture Park, just 10 miles north. The Nannen Arboretum is a relaxing place to contemplate nature on a stroll among unique trees and shrubs.

The quiet, tree-lined streets are steeped in the 19th-century charm of lovingly preserved homes and historic buildings. From fine restaurants to one-of-a-kind shops and intriguing galleries along Monroe and Washington Streets, each establishment has personality, with not a single chain store in the mix—just down-home Americana, from bistro to disco. The impressive lineup of high-quality specialty ski and snowboard shops points to the nearby wintry fun at the all-season, family-friendly Holiday Valley Resort in the Enchanted Mountains, with lodging, a par-70 golf course, outdoor pools, and its own Sky High Adventure Park.

Ithaca

Ithaca, an intoxicating blend of history, nature, and intellectual stimulation, is perfect for a summertime escape along the southern tip of the gently lapping Cayuga Lake. If you love hiking and waterfalls, you'll be hard-pressed to find a more delightful town than this multicultural community known for its acclaimed hospitality and high-quality local farms. From creeks winding through lush gorges carved by glaciers to the Buttermilk Falls at the backdoor, the vibrant college town of Ithaca is home to two waterfalls and the Cascadilla Gorge Trail downtown. Taughannock Falls State Park, with its iconic 215-foot waterfall cascading from three stories higher than Niagara Falls, is just 15 minutes north along the shore. Cheers to adventures afterward with craft breweries like the iconic Ithaca Beer Co. and nine cideries within a 30-minute drive, pairing drinks with local cheese and seasonal ingredients.

The creative food and beverage scene encompasses restaurants from around the world and the Ithaca Farmers' Market, located on the lakefront and open every weekend from April to December. Gimme! Coffee, award-winning and located on West State/MLK Jr. Street, is a must-visit, while the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, the nation’s first wine trail, offers a Finger Lakes wine tasting experience. Attracting great minds from all over, the Hogwarts-like architecture of Cornell University and Ithaca College contribute to the vibrant cultural life. From vintage stores and open-air restaurants at Ithaca Commons to the artsy, music-filled streets adorned with beautiful murals, don't miss the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art, a distinctive I.M. Pei-designed tower featuring Ancient Roman sculptures, 21st-century photography, and more.

New Paltz

Home to the stately SUNY at New Paltz, this spirited college town beckons visitors with an air of youth and a spirit of innovation through its enviable array of attractions that keep students engaged between and after classes. Lagusta's Luscious Café is the perfect place for morning java or breakfast, conveniently located across from the start of the River-to-Ridge Trail. From Hasbrouk Park, a hub for events and small gatherings with a large playground for kids, to Sojourner Truth Park, New Paltz offers diverse recreational opportunities. The Dorsky Museum of Art, hosted by the university, features works by well-known Hudson Valley and global artists. From the Vintage Shop to Hudson Valley Goldsmith, Rock and Snow offers gear for rent and purchase, along with friendly local advice.

New Paltz, an outdoor hub, is the town you’re looking for to escape into nature and intellectual stimulation with all the modern comforts. It offers a range of accommodations for every group and budget near the best attractions. Historic Huguenot Street features seven stone houses built in the 1700s by Huguenot settlers, with living history reenactments. Known for rock climbing, biking, and kayaking, New Paltz also offers riverside strolls or hikes to picnic spots at Mohonk Preserve, just west of downtown across the Wallkill River. To recharge, the popular Main Street Bistro or the neighboring Huckleberry will do the deed, and if you've really built up an appetite, be ready for a feast at Garvan's Gastropub. The drinking scene includes lively late-night bars and intimate experiences at Robibero Winery or Kettleborough Cider House.

Pittsford

Pittsford, a charming hamlet in the Finger Lakes region of western New York, captivates with its natural parks and majestic views of the Genesee River. Just 75 miles east of Buffalo and 90 miles west of Syracuse, this Rochester suburb is refined yet down to earth, with canal-side charm and a storied history of the Erie Canal. The Heritage Trail is a great place to start exploring along the canal, with opportunities for Sam Patch Erie Canal Tours and tasting craft beers at Lock 32. Home to a number of stores, town greens, and pretty churches like St. Louis Church, Pittsford also boasts the large Eastview Mall, which offers upscale retailers and a cinema.

Start the day on the right note at Simply Crêpes Cafe, and end the night at Pittsford Pub & Grille for elevated pub grub. From golf courses to a kayak launch, preserves, and historical sites, King's Bend Park is a great spot to enjoy the foliage, while the hilly terrain of Powder Mills Park attracts seasonal hikers with meadows, wetlands, and flower fields, along with an on-site fish hatchery. The 68-acre Thornell Farm Park and Tinker Nature Park/Hansen Nature Center feature various nature trails and a center with natural history exhibits. In the summer, visitors can enjoy quick access south to the 2,500-acre Mendon Ponds Park for a range of activities along trails, glacial ponds, and a sensory garden.

Port Jefferson

Located some 50 miles east of the Big Apple, Port Jefferson is a Long Island gem of rich maritime beauty and heritage. The lively downtown and the beachy, uncrowded feel make you want to savor each moment, like a morning stroll in the salty sea breeze as boutique chimes ring past the irresistible Ralph's ice cream parlor, where you might cheat on breakfast. Port Jeff, home to one of Long Island’s only two ports with access from Connecticut, paints a storybook cover with Port Jefferson Harbor. Attracting avid boaters with its calm waters and deep draft, many transient sailors also disembark to mingle at year-round events like outdoor movies and concerts. They can enjoy a glass of wine at an open-air bistro as the sun sets over the marina.

Jefferson Village Center hosts the internationally recognized Charles Dickens Festival and the Boater's Maritime Festival. Within a stroll from the marina docks, visitors can browse unique shops like Envision Crystal and specialty restaurants, including the popular Slurp Ramen, and access the public beach. Danfords Hotel & Marina is a popular place to stay, while Toast Coffee + Kitchen will get you going. From Harborfront Park to Rocketship Park with its cool playground, end your day at Theatre Three with a concert, a children's play, comedy, or a Broadway act. Don't miss the Big Chair right by the Long Island Explorium, an interactive, nautical-themed kids' museum, while Bayles Boat Shop focuses on the craftsmanship of wooden vessels.

Skaneateles

On the shores of the eponymous lake lies the delightful village of Skaneateles, the jewel of the Finger Lakes region. The name translates as "long lake" from Iroquois. Home to charming bed and breakfasts and pristine colonial inns, Skaneateles is perfect for a weekend escape or a whole summer vacation along the shore of one of the country's cleanest lakes. Its historic downtown district offers unique foods, antiques, distinctive fashions, and original art. It's no wonder this Central New York town is Oprah's choice for a getaway, with occasional celebrity sightings. Stop by the Skaneateles Historical Society on a creekside stroll to Clift Park with its scenic waterfront gazebo.

Each season is vibrant and pronounced through saturated natural colors; a fall visit promises wine tasting, leaf peeping, and apple picking. In the winter, every day from Thanksgiving through Christmas, Skaneateles hosts the beloved traditional Dickens Christmas celebration that transports you right back in time to the author's storybook cover. From delightful strolls along the red brick sidewalks to sailing into the blue, Skaneateles mirrors the elegance of the clear lake and the impressive beauty of the Finger Lakes region with its luxury and hospitality through quaint architecture, affluent shops, and stunning restaurants.

Tarrytown

Tinged with literary and Hollywood fame, Tarrytown is a delightful town on the eastern banks of the majestic Hudson River. Just a train ride away from NYC, visitors can enjoy a slew of unique shops and eateries throughout historic districts with 19th- and 20th-century architecture. Follow the Victorian houses down to the river in the footsteps of American writer Washington Irving, who authored classics like Rip Van Winkle and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Don't miss a self-guided audio tour of the famed 19th-century Lyndhurst Mansion in all its Gothic Revival splendor on a 67-acre estate.

From the Scenic Hudson RiverWalk Park, it's just a stroll to the 1880s decommissioned yet charming Sleepy Hollow Lighthouse, with periodic tours. The colonial Philipsburg Manor features exhibits and hands-on demonstrations that bring you right back to its 1700s trading center days. Nestled in the Hudson Valley, Tarrytown evokes simpler times with its vibrant business district of old brick buildings housing coffee shops and hardware stores, as well as the Tarrytown Music Hall. The contemporary Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge is simply a delight, along with overlooks and art displays on a bike ride or a stroll across the dedicated lanes.

Warwick

Warwick is a historic hub in the lush Hudson Valley with plenty of outdoor recreation activities. Inspiring a relaxing escape to unwind from the Big Apple, there's no wrong season to enjoy its offerings, including wineries, apple picking, and a scenic drive-in theater. From the central Warwick Skate Park to the Hickory Hill Golf Course just southeast, there are plenty of unique shops, galleries, and restaurants to explore. Main Street is straight from a storybook cover, with an incredible food scene and craft stores like Frazzleberries, Warwick’s Country Store, Grappa Ristorante, and Eddie’s Roadhouse. Warwick Valley Winery promises a beautiful summer or fall day with wine tastings and vineyard strolls, while Bellvale Farms Creamery offers delicious treats and views to the horizon at sunset.

Tucked into the foothills of southern New York, Warwick is a designated official Appalachian Trail community. From the wild corner at the Madison Lewis Woodlands to cross-country skiing through the valley, the public Greenwood Lake is just southeast of town, featuring trails, a marina, and waterfront restaurants. Don't miss the elegant Warwick Historical Society and the scenic Thomas P. Morahan Waterfront Park. Stanley Deming Park features a playground, while Railroad Green hosts social events and horseback rides. In the winter, it is just minutes east to the popular Mount Peter Ski Area, which offers family-oriented skiing and snowboarding, a tubing area, lessons, and equipment rentals.

The Empire State boasts one of the highest forest coverages in the entire US, with state parks like Taughannock Falls. Located along the long shore of the gently lapping Cayuga Lake, just 15 minutes north of Ithaca, its iconic 215-foot waterfall cascades from a height three stories higher than Niagara Falls, which is also partially in the Empire State, among many other notable features.

New Paltz, another college town with a very different vibe, is an outdoor hub, offering climbing, biking, and kayaking along the Wallkill River, as well as a fantastic River-to-Ridge Trail. All the natural and intellectual stimulation make New York an exciting place to visit, with delights in every season.

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