7 Towns in New York That Were Ranked Among US Favorites
Ah, New York, New York, what wicked charms have you got to make this state the most popular to travel to in 2023? From an art mecca to a Lake Champlain stud, the Empire State has got some real gems among its small towns. A whole fruit basket outside of the Big Apple, Narrowsburg, greets and meets your anticipation within the Catskill splendor.
The foodies' hub of New Paltz is a lively town this time of the year, with its River-to-Ridge Trail for biking and jogging near the historic Huguenot Street's stone houses from the 1700s. There is plenty of charm to go around in every season around the Hudson Valley hub, just two hours from the Grand Central to be leaf-peeping, antique shopping, and cozy cafe visiting. Find the best of the best in these towns that were ranked among US favorites.
Beacon
Attention-grabbing yet modest, Beacon, one of the best art destinations in the state, rivaling any big city, also happens to be one of the Empire's prettiest towns. From nature walks to historic sites, the River Pool is a rainbow-colored circular floating pool with a netted bottom in the Hudson River for easy access to swimming. Part of Dutchess County within the Hudson Valley, inspiration to create is in the fresh air and all around, making everyday tourists fall head over heels for the upkept feel. With a lot to offer, start at Dia Beacon, which is famous for its enormous collection of contemporary and modern art. The institution is nothing short of a feat in the eyes of an architect.
Just 60 miles from the Big Apple, exchange the hustle for the laidback vibe along the streets to scavenge for delicious food between local art and a theater. After a morning stroll through the beautiful Mount Beacon Park, see what is up at the cultural center or what catches your eye through antique stores and local boutiques. With nearby opportunities for boating, fishing, and canoeing along the river length, head to the Madam Brett Park wetland observation area with a waterfall to picnic against Fishkill Creek views. From Hudson's Long Dock Park, the surrounding Hudson Highlands offer scenic hikes and viewpoints like Beacon Overlook.
Hudson
Hudson, the hub of the valley on the Hudson River fork, is an enticing town to visit year-round, with defined seasons and saturated colors of nature. Accessible via train from Grand Central Station in two hours via the Metro-North Railroad, you can have breakfast just a stroll from the station to the main thoroughfare. Offering unreplicable fall foliage, enjoy the cozy factor through cafes like Supernatural, the "it" spot for coffee that gets you up and exploring the valley. The rest of Warren Street is peppered with antique and home decor stores in historic buildings. From Promenade Park to Henry Hudson Park, Hudson Athens Lighthouse is a landmark lighthouse with a unique square shape, green light, and fog bell.
Talbott & Arding offers to stock up for a long weekend camping trip, including sandwiches and provisions for a picnic near the river, including lovely cheese and charcuterie selections to go along with a local bottle of wine from the valley. The Amelia makes for a memorable overnight in a 19th-century Queen Anne-style house in quaintness yet centrally located. The Maker Hotel, the newest boutique hotel, features a cafe, restaurant, and lounge, plus beautiful rooms with rich details of the Belle Epoque era and one of the only swimming pools in Hudson. Celebrating three centuries of firefighting, the FASNY Museum of Firefighting flaunts interactive displays, including 60 engines, apparatus, and art.
Kingston
Blending history, natural beauty, and small-town charm at the best natural crossroads, Kingston’s appeal is much more than just the former state capital. As the epicenter of Upstate culture in the Hudson River Valley, Kingston draws creative types and history buffs, who open their own restaurants, studios, and shops like bluecashew Kitchen Homestead for kitchenware. Just 100 miles north of NYC in the Catskill foothills on the Rondout Creek, you will discover the most architecturally distinctive town with its own Kingston Point Beach. Rondout, the idyllic downtown, flaunts serious old-world charm and Broadway, with rows of colorfully painted buildings along Main and North Front Streets, plus blocks of stunningly preserved architecture.
Stockade District, the uptown, highlights Kingston Consignments, Rhino Records, and a hand-picked selection at Lovefield Vintage. A hub for artists and young entrepreneurs, Midtown weaves creativity into an industrious center through refurbished old factories, like Zaborski Emporium, a massive warehouse of "architectural salvage." Take a stroll along the beautiful murals, or join the annual O+ Festival this October and zen out in a saltwater isolation tank at Zephyr Float, a spa. From Airfield Gallery to Monument Gallery and L'Impatience's modern ceramics, Black Creek Mercantile & Co. sells custom and handmade furniture. Across the river, Wilderstein Historic Site offers tours of the ornate, 19th-century Queen Anne mansion on 40 acres with river views.
Lake Placid
Lake Placid, a two-time host of the Winter Olympic Games, nestles along the Chubb River and the eponymous lake in the High Peaks region of the Adirondacks. Not just another Upstate vacation destination amidst the splendor of the Adirondacks, Lake Placid is an annual tradition, despite its further reaches from the Big Apple. The king of friends and family getaways into the great outdoors offers to indulge in popular activities ranging from relaxation by the water to biking and scaling Whiteface Mountain. Being a tourist hotspot with an exciting downtown area, Lake Placid disperses skiers, water babies, and other nature fans throughout the seasons. Enjoy leaf-peeping adventures this fall along the carpeted Adirondacks in a fairly uncrowded atmosphere.
And when you come, don't hesitate to bring your four-legged family member, with dog-friendly places including the Cambria Hotel with a heated indoor pool and an on-site restaurant, Haystack Bar & Bistro. You will enjoy plushly appointed rooms with modern comforts and incredible views, plus easy access to hotspots and local breweries, like the top-rated Big Slide Brewery & Public House, to unwind after adventures. Stop for culture at Lake Placid-North Elba Historical Society and aim north towards the bustling beachfront Main, featuring the Lake Placid Olympic Museum, plus local shops and boutiques. Among the 46 high peaks, find treasures like ice skating on Mirror Lake and High Falls Gorge, with homey and fine venues for dining and entertainment to follow up.
Narrowsburg
Right across the Delaware River from Pennsylvania, Narrowsburg is a serene hamlet in the foothills of the Catskills. Offering views of the Poconos, the sightseeing begins on an adventurous drive into the mountains, where the idyllic town greets you with hippy art-painted barns, historic architecture, and small-town businesses. Stop for brunch at the Heron or an intimate dinner along the riverfront of sourced New American fare, plus cocktails. The appealing Main Street is packed with cool shops, such as Maison Bergogne, a design agency open for your viewing pleasure to get ideas for your own home. Buzzing with activities in the summer, enjoy hiking, kayaking, and canoeing. Narrowsburg Campground is the top-choice stay, next to Pete's Market, for all your supplies.
From the town's Veterans Park, the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River Area encompasses a river park with a museum, fishing, hiking trails, and public access for boats. Enjoy fall-peeping activities like outdoor yoga and fitness centers into the colder winter months. Numerous restaurants cater to kids and are the most discernible, with regional cuisine and wood-fired pizzas. After your morning java at the Tusten Cup, cross the bridge for the best river views. Fort Delaware Museum features a 1700s fort, while Tusten Theatre has a cozy appeal for an evening play. The Laundrette, a couple's favorite, serves cocktails over river views. On the way out, the Hawk’s Nest is one of the state's best drives via Route 97 through Barryville, along the Delaware River to Port Jervis.
New Paltz
This university town is favored for historic sites, a youthful feel, and Main Street shopping, with nearby sightseeing, biking, trekking, and bird-watching trails. Set against evergreen forests, old architecture, boutique cafés, and shops, New Paltz calls you to let the worries go with the flow of Walkill River. Across it, the River-to-Ridge Trail is a favorite bicycle and jogging path with easy access to hotspots. Many come for the picture-perfect backdrop along the historic Huguenot Street, the oldest museum street of seven stone houses constructed by 1700s Huguenot settlers, plus demonstrations. The peaceful Mill Brook Preserve with its Braz Shack offers a woody appeal for a picnic, while Huckleberry serves elevated pub food and craft cocktails in a converted house with a patio.
From the Dry-Fly Coffee Company to Sojourner Truth Park, hit the tasteful Dorsky Museum of Art at SUNY New Paltz with works by famous Hudson Valley artists and those from around the world. The Tavola Trattoria is beloved for its rustic appeal, and Coppersea Distilling is famous for New York whiskey, scotches, and rye. Head to Dressel Farms for apple and strawberry picking in the summer or fall. Just north of downtown, Garvan's Gastropub hosts an Irish vibe while serving eclectic New American fare in an 18th-century home. Craving fresh cider and wood-fired pizzas? Stop by Twin Star Orchards. Some 15 minutes west, Minnewaska State Park flaunts waterfalls, three sky lakes, and 25 miles of hiking and biking trails, plus rock climbing with views of white rock cliffs, forests, and peaks.
Westport
This small coastal town in eastern New York hones one of the state's most scenic spots, perched proudly on the shores of Lake Champlain. Between the Adirondack Mountains to the west and views of the Green Mountains across Vermont, incredible sunrises light up the slopes, shimmering in colors, and in winter, under a soft snow blanket. Celebrate Thomas Lee's invention in 1903, who had a summer home here and brought his idea to a craftsman friend. Harry Bunnell, a year-round Westport resident, filed the patent for the design in 1905, so you can lounge today in the famous Adirondack Chair every evening with a drink and a loved one in the town where it was born.
Westport stays humble, quaint, and comfortable, hugging the North West Bay to explore the Champlain shoreline with few crowds. Offering plentiful year-round activities, like a serene trout fishing trip, it is among the top getaways in the state, with ice fishing, skating, or sledding in the winter. From the old-fashioned County Fair to daily prowls through the arts, crafts, and antique shops on the historic main street, play a round at the 18-hole championship golf course. Whether you are in for the summertime public beach and sunset concert in the park or wintertime fun in the Adirondacks, there are plenty of restaurants and bakeries, as well as camping and scenic sites like Furnace Point and Ballard Park.
Wrapped up in nature for every taste, these towns are big on adventure, culture, and laidback vibes, from the beaches to the vineyards. Enjoy camping or the lux resorts in the king of getaways, Lake Placid, or the former capital of the state, Kingston, alike.
Turn the chore of waking up into pleasure in Westport, with its incredible sunrises above the lit slopes. Shimmering in fall colors, and later, under a soft blanket, cozy up in the Adirondack Chair, here, in the town where it was born. So which US town ranked among the favorites speaks to you? Could it be the dog-friendly haven of Lake Placid?
