7 of the Most Walkable Towns in New York
Walkability is an essential aspect of any town or city, and it is a factor that is growing in importance when people are deciding where they want to vacation or even move to permanently. The ability to explore a location on foot can not only lead to a more relaxing and stress-free trip but also eliminates the constant need for a vehicle to get around; such is the case, unfortunately, for many towns in the United States. Today, we will help you pinpoint small towns in New York that are highly walkable and, better yet, fun and memorable to visit.
Lake George
Lake George is an Idyllic escape in the Adirondack Mountains. Besides the lofty mountains and vast parks that surround the town, a notable landmark here is the Lake George Historical Association and Museum, located in the historic Warren County Courthouse. The museum offers exhibits on the town’s history, including its significance during the French and Indian War.
A short walk from Canada Street, the main street cutting through downtown Lake George, leads to Shepard Park, a central gathering spot with beautiful views of the nearby lake. The park features an amphitheater for live performances, a sandy beach, and a pier that juts out into the water. Continuing your walk downtown, visit the Fort William Henry Museum and Restoration, situated on the southern end of the lake. This reconstructed fort will give you an immersive look into 18th-century military life with guided tours, reenactments, and interactive exhibits. The fort’s location offers more panoramic views of Lake George, making it a must-see attraction.
The Lake George Shoreline Trail is ideal for a scenic pathway in woods along the lake’s edge. This trail connects various points of interest, including Million Dollar Beach, a popular spot for swimming and picnicking. Finally, go see the Lake George Steamboat Company, where you can take a boat tour of the lake.
Cold Spring
Cold Spring, located along the Hudson River about an hour and a half north of New York City, is renowned for its walkability. Visitors can easily explore this town on foot, starting all from the historic Main Street. The downtown core is full of many noteworthy destinations that can fill up a weekend here. A notable landmark is the Hudson House Inn, dating back to 1832, which serves as both an inn and a restaurant, a very convenient place to stay for the night. A short jaunt from the inn, you can reach Dockside Park, which has great views of the Hudson River and the surrounding Highlands.
Continuing the exploration, one can visit the West Point Foundry Preserve, an important site from the Industrial Revolution. This preserve offers trails that guide you through the ruins of a 19th-century ironworks, blending nature with historical education. The Cold Spring Depot, another historical site, is a reminder of the town's past as a bustling railroad hub. It has been converted into a, giving you a place to grab a bite after a day of moving around on foot.
For those interested in cultural activities, the Chapel Restoration is a short walk from Main Street. This historic chapel, originally built in 1833, now hosts various events and concerts throughout the year.
Cooperstown
Cooperstown, known primarily for the National Baseball Hall of Fame, offers much more than its famous sports landmark. The town is designed for walking, with well-connected streets that link various attractions that ought to be seen. Along the main street downtown, you will find a range of shops, restaurants, and galleries. The Hall of Fame itself is an essential visit, showcasing baseball's importance in New York and to the United States in general.
A short walk from Main Street takes you to the Farmers’ Museum, where you can stroll amidst a recreated pioneer village. This museum includes historic buildings, a working farm, and engaging exhibits that will give you a glimpse into rural American life in this region of upstate New York. Nearby, another fantastic museum, the Fenimore Art Museum, holds an impressive collection of American folk art, Native American art, and more, all housed in a grand mansion overlooking Otsego Lake.
For better views of the expansive lake nearby, walk to Lakefront Park. This scenic park offers views of Otsego Lake and is adjacent to the Otesaga Resort Hotel, a historic hotel that has been welcoming guests since 1909. The park also features the Cooperstown Village Pier, ideal for a peaceful picnic.
Saratoga Springs
Saratoga Springs combines an urban and convenient town center with an assortment of historic and natural landmarks. Starting at Broadway, the town’s main thoroughfare, you can check out the Saratoga Springs City Center, which is full of amenities like restaurants, shops, and hotels and often hosts events and conventions. Just a short walk from Broadway is Congress Park, a blend of manicured gardens, historic statues, and mineral springs in which the town is named after. The park also houses the Canfield Casino, a landmark building dating back to the 19th century that now functions as a museum. The nearby Saratoga Springs History Museum offers insights into the town's storied past, from its development as a resort town to its cultural significance.
Venturing a bit further, you can easily walk to the Saratoga Race Course, one of the oldest horse racing tracks in the United States. The track buzzes with activity during the racing season in mid-late summer. Another walkable landmark along the same vein is the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, which is conveniently near the racecourse.
Rhinebeck
Rhinebeck is a quintessential small town in the Hudson Valley, particularly for its beauty and proximity to New York City, allowing visitors an escape to a small town from big city life. If you can book a room, it is highly recommended to stay the night at the historic Beekman Arms and Delamater Inn, the oldest continuously operated inn in America, first opened in 1766. This inn is situated right in the heart of Rhinebeck’s quaint downtown.
Walking from the Beekman Arms, you can reach the Rhinebeck Post Office, another unique historical building designed by famed architect William J. Beardsley and built in 1939. The post office is renowned for its colonial revival architecture and murals depicting the history of the surrounding area. Pay a visit to the Wilderstein Historic Site too, a Queen Anne-style mansion with beautiful grounds and scenic views of the Hudson River.
A must-visit event if you are in town in August is the Dutchess County Fairgrounds, which hosts the annual Dutchess County Fair.
Port Jefferson
The village of Port Jefferson, on Long Island, is lined with beaches that face the Long Island Sound. Its extensive shoreline will provide you with hours upon hours of walking paths with unobstructed views of the water. White Beach, Port Jefferson Village West Beach, and Cedar Beach are just some of the nearby beaches that are worth taking a peaceful stroll along. The nearby McAllister County Park is a nature preserve that is dotted with native plants and sand dunes. The "Pirates Cove," which this McAllister park surrounds, is a popular swimming hole.
The downtown core itself is full of things to see and do within walking distance of many of the hotels, resorts, or cottages you may be staying at during your visit. A popular choice is the Danfords Hotel & Marina, a hotel that overlooks the marina. Food options are abundant around the hotel, The Fith Season being a top, albeit expensive, joint that serves locally sourced seafood and other ingredients.
The Mather House Museum, home of the Historical Society of Greater Port Jefferson, preserves the history of the town and contains a collection of artifacts and records dating from Port Jefferson's founding to the present day.
Ithaca
In the Finger Lakes region at the base of Cayuga Lake, Ithaca is a town whose layout, despite its bigger size than many of the towns on this list, encourages pedestrian exploration. Check out the Ithaca Commons, a semi-outdoor mall in the downtown core. This central hub is a lively place to start your day at a cafe and is a perfect spot to shop and pick up anything you may need before you embark on the rest of your trip.
A brief walk from the Commons leads to the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art at Cornell University. This museum, designed by architect I.M. Pei, houses an impressive collection of art spanning various cultures and periods. The museum's location also offers stunning views of Cayuga Lake and the hills surrounding it.
For a more outdoor-oriented excursion, a visit to the Cascadilla Gorge Trail is a must. This trail, which is accessible from downtown, takes you through a series of cascading waterfalls and lush greenery. The marked pathway is both gorgeous (especially as the foliage changes color in the Fall) and easy to navigate, making it ideal for casual hikers and families.
Find Your Walkable Retreat in Lake George
Make your next vacation or place of residence in New York easy when you move to a town that is highly walkable. You will be able to avoid the headache of traffic and even protect the environment by reducing vehicle emissions. And a "walkable town" does not have to be one far out in the countryside with limited amenities. Look at Ithaca, for example, a town of well over 32,000 residents, containing world-class schools, medical facilities, and more.
