7 Best Small Towns in New York To Visit In 2024
While New York’s famous “City That Never Sleeps” attracts an estimated 60 million visitors each year, more and more tourists are setting aside time for trips and detours to the Empire State’s small towns. From breathtaking state parks to sparkling Finger Lakes, these towns offer a contrasted refuge from the busier city attractions. With quaint historic districts, spirited local events, and one-of-a-kind landmarks, while the excitement comes in a different package, it is exciting all the same. With that being said, if you are hoping for an exciting, albeit more laid-back, New York retreat in 2024, here are the seven best small New York towns to add to your itinerary.
Saranac Lake
Once a world-renowned health resort, today, the main draw of Saranac Lake is its natural beauty. While you can still learn about the town’s fascinating past at places like the Saranac Laboratory Museum, most come to explore Saranac Lake’s great outdoors. Visitors can hike, bike, or paddle the Adirondack Rail Trail, picnic at Riverside Park overlooking Lake Flower, and wander the scenic Riverwalk. The 1-mile brick-paved path follows the Saranac River through downtown, with several fairytale bridges. On September 1st, 2024, Saranac Lake will also host an outdoor concert for people of all ages at Riverside Park, making this New York town the perfect place to celebrate the end of summer.
Lake Placid
An under-20-minute drive from Saranac will bring you to beautiful Lake Placid, an Adirondack Mountain village near its namesake lake. Like Saranac, this New York village celebrates a pretty remarkable past. Having hosted the Winter Olympics twice, first in 1932 and then in 1980, attractions like the Lake Placid Olympic Museum are a must before exploring the town’s famous natural scenes.
At the center of town, Mirror Lake is known for its calm, reflective waters which can be appreciated from the Mirror Lake Loop Trail or paddled with a Mirror Lake Boat Rental. For higher-elevation adventures, Lake Placid is also a gateway to thousands of miles of mountain trails, with something for everyone. Hikes like the Mt. Jo path are cited as beginner-friendly with gorgeous mountain vistas, while more experienced hikers may want to take on challenges like the 8.75-mile Adirondack Mountain Reserve Waterfall Loop.
Ithaca
Boasting more than 100 waterfalls within 10 miles of downtown Ithaca, this Finger Lakes town is one of New York’s top destinations. With Cayuga Lake bordering the north of Ithaca, spots like Allan H Tremen State Marine Park grant gorgeous lake views, whether enjoying the sights aboard a Cayuga Lake Boat Cruises or exploring by foot on the Cayuga Waterfront Trail.
Elsewhere in town, Buttermilk Falls State Park is Ithaca’s crown jewel. Taking its name from the park’s famed 165-foot waterfall, visitors can take in the majestic cascade along with nine others. As for hiking trails, the Buttermilk Falls Gorge and Rim Trail Loop are the most popular paths, taking hikers past the park’s highlight gorge and waterfalls.
Sleepy Hollow
Despite often being called one of the “most haunted places in the world,” Sleepy Hollow is frequently rated one of the safest small towns in New York. So, despite the town’s ghostly reputation, locals and visitors alike can explore the town’s iconic legend and famous landmarks with peace of mind. This includes visiting the historic Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, where the author of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow himself is buried.
Other supposedly haunted landmarks include the Headless Horseman Bridge and Headless Horseman Statue. And if you love all things spooky, Sleepy Hollow is famous for its Halloween festivities, with events like their Haunted Hayride happening October 18th, 2024 and the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze at Van Cortlandt Manor which will feature over 7,000 hand-carved pumpkins.
As for day-to-day attractions in Sleepy Hollow, there is plenty to see and do outside October. Whether paddling the Hudson River with a rental from Hudson River Recreation, visiting the Sleepy Hollow Lighthouse, or touring the historic Rockefeller Estate, this spirited town is anything but sleepy.
Kingston
About an hour and a half north of Sleepy Hollow, the river town of Kingston boasts a wealth of history and Old World charms. As New York’s original capital, this 17th-century town is the perfect place for a day of museum hopping, with highlights like the Volunteer Fireman's Hall & Museum, Hudson River Maritime Museum, and the Senate House State Historic Site, to name a few.
History lovers will also enjoy traveling to the past on a guided tour of the Stockade National Historic District. Featuring a wide range of repurposed buildings from the 1650s, this tree-lined 8-block district is a gorgeous testament to the power of preservation. As for more modern attractions, the Kingston Waterfront Farmers Market is a fan-favorite while attractions like the Forsyth Nature Center and Hudson River Cruises are popular with people looking to get outdoors.
Montauk
At the eastern end of the Long Island peninsula, the cozy village of Montauk is known for its beaches and vibrant coastal culture. The public shores of Ditch Plains Beach are super popular for those looking to cool off and unwind in the summertime, while landmarks like Montauk Point State Park can be enjoyed year-round.
No matter the season, this 862-acre nature haven is an absolute delight for those looking to reconnect with New York’s great outdoors. Many of the park’s scenic nature paths serve as cross-country ski trails in the winter and hiking trails from spring through fall. Other paths like the Montauk Point Loop, however, are strictly for hikers looking to climb the bluffs for breathtaking views of the Atlantic. Adding to the allure, history buffs can also relish at sights of New York’s oldest beacon, the Montauk Lighthouse, commissioned in 1792 by President George Washington.
Oswego
In Upstate New York, Oswego, "The Port City of Central New York," is a cute lakeside town that blends nature and history. Perched on the shores of Lake Ontario, the town’s H. Lee White Marine Museum offers the best of both, making it the perfect place to start your visit. Visitors can breathe in gorgeous lakefront views, learn more about the region’s maritime past, and tour the West Pierhead Lighthouse from mid-June through September. As a follow-up, the Fort Ontario State Historic Site is another must-see landmark, while Breitbeck Park in downtown Oswego is a lovely way to see more of Lake Ontario. The shaded green space features winding walkways along the water, a playground, and numerous picturesque picnic spots.
Final Thoughts
Whether visiting New York’s small towns on a road trip, as a detour from the Big Apple, or for a visit to the town itself, their natural beauty, hospitality, and unique attractions enchant all who pass through. From Lake Placid’s mountain vistas and shimmering lakes to Montauk’s smooth shores and open ocean views, these towns have something to entice every solo traveler and family vacation all the same, proving bigger does not always mean better.
