New York's Best Small Towns for a Weekend Escape
New York is world-known for many things, especially the Big Apple, New York City. But getting out of the big city for a few days is also ideal. There are many quaint villages and seaside hamlets to choose from in the Empire State, which makes narrowing down one's options difficult. To this end, we've compiled a list of the ten best small towns for a weekend retreat in New York,
The Hudson Valley and Upstate New York, with their beautiful rural landscapes and charming towns, offer plenty to do and see. Stroll down Main Streets and explore antique shops and museums. Or, get out in the great outdoors for a weekend adventure. Whatever your heart desires, New York has got you covered.
Schenectady
A short distance from Albany, Schenectady is a charming little town with a quaint downtown, complete with a town clock. The buildings are classic architecture, which can be appreciated with a stroll down Jay Street. Jay Street is the pedestrian marketplace with over 25 local businesses. It is almost mandatory to walk this historic street when you visit.
The Stockade Historic District is home to the Schenectady County Historical Society. Here, you can find exhibits, guided tours, and archives that introduce you to the town's history. Downtown is also a foodies' paradise, with pasta at Johnny's, sliders from Dirty Sliders, and pub fare at Kaite O'Byrne's.
Saranac Lake
Saranac Lake is a top spot for a relaxing nature getaway. It is a small village in the Adirondack Mountains with cozy cottages surrounding the lake. Hikers come for the Moose Pond Trail, a 1.1-mile trek smooth enough for the whole family to enjoy.
The bustling downtown is full of small-town appeal and has something for various tastes. A short distance away is William Morris Park with the Adirondack Carousel. The carousel has 24 hand-carved animals that are indigenous to the Adirondacks. The sideboards were painted by local artists, giving the ride the full Adirondack atmosphere.
Corning
You may want to look in your kitchen cupboard if you have never heard of Corning. This cozy town is home to Corning Ware and the Corning Museum of Glass. The museum is hip and covers 3,500 years of glass making. You can even watch glass blowers at work and design your own ornament.
The Gaffer District is a downtown district with stunning streetscapes and horse-drawn carriages. This is the heart of the community, and several annual festivals are held here. Several distinctive landmarks, such as Little Joe Tower and the Centennial Sculpture, show the fabric of Crystal City.
Cooperstown
Cooperstown is home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Doubleday Field, a famous ballpark. Though these two landmarks are enough reason for a weekend getaway, several other historic and charming attractions are worth visiting. Take in art at the Fenimore Art Museum or opera at the Glimmerglass Opera.
There are also charming horseback rides, antique shops, and beautiful architecture. The Otesaga Resort Hotel, built in 1909, is listed on the National Register For Historic Places. It is a stunning three-story, 4-star hotel wrapped in historic elegance.
New Paltz
One of the prettiest towns in the Catskills, New Paltz is full of charm and stunning scenery. No trip is complete without visiting the Mohonk Mountain House, a Victorian waterfront castle built in 1869 on the water. Many kayakers disembark from the grounds or paddle up for a photo opportunity.
Historic Huguenot Street dates back to the 1700s when the region was known as New Netherland. The adventurous can bike on the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail or swim in the glacial waters. This beautiful town, brimming with history and nature scenes, makes for an unforgettable weekend.
Lake Placid
Lake Placid is a famous winter sports destination and hosted the Winter Olympics in 1932 and 1980. Surrounded by the Adirondack Mountains, it is also breathtaking in Autumn when the leaves change color. If you're here in the winter, a popular ski area takes you on a snowshoe around the historic John Brown Farm State Historic Site.
In warmer weather, kayaking on Mirror Lake is popular and provides a unique view of the village. You can also find indoor fun on Main Street. Along with the abundance of shopping venues, there are cozy restaurants with outside fireplaces.
Woodstock
Woodstock, famous for the 1969 concert and love-in, is a quirky and fun town to visit year-round. The town center is the hub of the art and music scene, and it is common to bump into buskers playing their music. Main Street is constantly changing vendors, and you will find some 60s-friendly painted buildings along the strip and tie-dyed souvenirs.
Woodstock Playhouse is a popular performing arts theatre founded in 1938 and is a great place to check out the local music scene. No trip is complete without shopping on Tinker Street, where a collection of vintage gear is mixed with modern wares. And, since you're there, Tinker's Taco Lab is a must. If you're vegan, The Green Plate is perfect for lunch.
Rhinebeck
Rhinebeck is the ultimate small town with a luxurious flair. The walkable downtown is centered around tree-lined High Street, where you will find goodies like Samuel's Sweet Shop. Celebrities Paul Rudd, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and Hilarie Burton own this classic candy shop. Who knows, you might even run into one of them while you are there.
This small town is also a cultural mecca with art galleries, museums, and historic architecture. The Wilderstein Historic Site features a 19th-century Queen Anne-style house that doubles as a museum. The historic home is considered the finest Queen Anne architecture in the Hudson Valley.
Sleepy Hollow
Sleepy Hollow, yes, the village that was the setting for Washington Irving's Sleepy Hollow, is a charming village on the Hudson River. Naturally, the village gets a lot of visitors in October. During the Autumn, you can find cemetery tours, haunted hayrides, and guided tours to the headless horseman statue from the classic novel.
The town has several other landmarks, like the historical Phillipsburg Manor, built in the mid-18th century. You must cross the Millpond Bridge to get to the home, which adds to its mystique. The Rockefeller Estate, Kykuit, is the Hudson Valley's most popular tourist attraction. The gigantic brick structure housed four generations of Rockefellers and has been preserved for over 100 years. Sleepy Hollow features historical architecture and a sense of a haunted past and is well worth a weekend visit.
Montauk
It is a famed Hamptons Village known as "The End" by Long Islanders. It is a gorgeous village and a leisurely walk or bike ride to Montauk Point Lighthouse will show why it is so coveted. The Keeper's House Museum includes exhibits such as a signed document from George Washington and other historical documents.
Montauk is known for beaches like Ditch Plains and the Atlantic Ocean crashing on the rocky point. Camp Hero State Park is a former World War ll base and bunker. This 415-acre park includes wooded areas and a long expanse of coastline. This is an elegant town with hiking and outdoor opportunities and a lively town with excellent restaurants and nightlife.
New York is full of small towns, perfect for a weekend retreat during any season. Lake Placid is the place for winter enthusiasts, and Sleepy Hollow is the ideal Halloween destination. If you really want to ditch the big city, Bovina is your rustic paradise where the townspeople make you feel at home.
You can also spend the weekend diving into historic architecture like the Kykuit. And don't forget the wonder of Cooperstown. The National Baseball Hall of Fame has the world's biggest collection of baseball memorabilia and childhood dreams. Each of these eleven towns has something unique to offer, but they all exude the best of small-town charm and fun.
