Find Your Perfect Little Oasis Among These New York Small Towns (2024)

Just a stone's throw from Albany, Schenectady boasts a bustling main street, complete with classic architecture and a well-preserved street clock. But perhaps its loveliest place for a stroll would be the Central Park Rose Garden, which features 4,000 rose bushes, a tiered fountain, and even a babbling brook. (Fun fact: Schenectady is where 2012's The Place Beyond the Pines, starring the now-married Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes, was filmed.)

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Visit this village among the Adirondack Mountains for the cure cottage architecture of the houses that surround the lake and the 1.1-mile Moose Pond Trail. Bonus: It's smooth enough to hike with kids.

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As it's placed snugly in the Finger Lakes' wine country, Corning is, of course, a great place for a fine beverage. But our favorite reason to visit is the Corning Museum of Glass. The chic space covers more than 3,500 years of glassmaking history, and you can even watch glassblowers at work and design a glass ornament of your own.

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You know Cooperstown as the home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame—and indeed, the Hall's annual Induction Weekend is the town's biggest event. But there's so much more to see and do here. Take in art (at the Fenimore Art Museum) or music (at the Glimmerglass Opera), antique, golf, and even horseback ride. As for where to stay, may we recommend the Otesaga Resort Hotel—an old-school stunner that just so happens to be on the National Register for Historic Places—or the charming Victorian Inn at Cooperstown, pictured here.

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In Watkins Glen, choose your adventure! In one direction, explore the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, known for its diverse lineup of world-class wines. In the other, visit the Watkins Glen State Park, where you'll find no fewer than 19 waterfalls. (The Gorge Trail, which lines Glen Creek, is known to be particularly easy on the eyes.) And don't miss the colorful Seneca Harbor Park Pier, pictured here, of course.

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If you're headed here, one of the Catskills' prettiest locales, it's fair to suspect you're also headed to Mohonk Mountain House. A resort founded by the Smiley Family in 1869, the Victorian castle sits right on the water—which is why so many hop in a kayak as soon as they step outside. Surrounded by so much natural beauty, many choose to hike, but you can also treat yourself to an afternoon tea or a trip to the spa. Don't forget the nearby Historic Huguenot Street, with history preserved from as far back as the mid-17th century, when the area was known as "New Netherland."

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Only 90 minutes north of New York City, Beacon is known for its beautifully preserved Victorian homes, as well as its quaint Main Street, filled with shops, restaurants, and art galleries. But no trip is complete without a visit to its enormous contemporary art museum, Dia Beacon. Not only does it feature art and installations from some of the modern greats, including Louise Bourgeois and Michael Heizer, but it also has some very famous fans: BTS' art-loving leader, RM, filmed a concert for his debut solo album, Indigo, inside.

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Lake Placid is the winter sports destination, even hosting the Winter Olympics in both 1932 and 1980. But if, unlike a certain animated ice queen, the cold does bother you, there are also plenty of pretty shops and restaurants you can stay warm in. As you can see, it's absolutely stunning in the fall too.

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Despite the fact that Woodstock—the iconic music and art fair of the '60s—was not actually held in Woodstock, the town has always been considered a home for the artistically inclined (back in the day, you could easily bump into Jimi Hendrix and Bob Dylan). No surprise, then, that if you visit Woodstock's town center, you'll find music shops and art galleries galore.

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With its pristine downtown—complete with an oversized gazebo, the Pleasantville Diner, The Village Bookstore, and more—you'd be forgiven for mistaking Pleasantville for the set of Gilmore Girls. But this real-world beaut is actually a bit more modern. Look no further than the Jacob Burns Film Center for proof. The five-screen, art-house theater plays films from around the world, while hosting same of the biggest names in cinema: Jason Reitman, Jon Stewart, Ryan Gosling, Anjelica Huston, and Meryl Streep have all come to speak. The town's also less than a 10-minute drive to Blue Hill Stone Barns, arguably the culinary experience of the Hudson Valley, complete with its own highly innovative farm.

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The idyllic village of Aurora sits on Cayuga Lake in the Finger Lakes region. About 700 residents live in the town, and it is also home to Wells College. Plan your stay at The Inns of Aurora, with its impeccable accommodations and delicious dining options, plus activities like archery, kayaking, or touring local wineries. You'll want to spend a full day luxuriating at the spa.

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If you love your little, quaint towns with a dash of luxury—particularly in the form of a lush stay—Rhinebeck is for you. Its tree-lined high street is chock-full of speciality shops—including Samuel's Sweet Shop, a classic candy shop owned by none other than actors Paul Rudd, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and Hilarie Burton. (Fingers crossed for a sighting!) Once your sweet tooth gets its fix, head back to one of the prettiest hotels in the area: the Parisian-inspired Mirbeau Inn & Spa.

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Yes, we're talking about the Sleepy Hollow! The village is, of course, the setting of Washington Irving's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," aka the tale of the Headless Horseman. Naturally, such a claim to fame comes alive around Halloween. A proper spooky visit includes haunted hayrides, cemetery tours, and yes, a stop by the Headless Horseman Statue.

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Historic Greenport Village looks like something out of a harborside fairytale. At The Haborfront Inn, the architecture is a nod to the waterfront boarding houses of yore (with very modern amenities, like a pool and private beach). And for a room right on the Long Island Sound, with a view of the most gorgeous sunset, Sound View Greenport can't be beat. The North Fork area is also home to the famed lavender field, Lavender by the Bay, wineries galore, and an antique carousel that kids will adore.

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Andes is truly small—with just over 1,000 residents to its name—but when it comes to charm, it goes big. There's a special focus on fresh ingredients at both the restaurants and the cideries: Wayside Cider & Taproom (pictured here) serves hard ciders made with apples from their orchard. Plus, leaf-peeping in the fall, both in town and throughout the Catskills, is incomparable.

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Bovina is one of upstate New York's historic dairy towns, but we don't quite come for the milk. We come for our favorite restaurant: The Brushland Eating House. The restaurant offers a single seating per night to encourage conversation, say owners Sara and Sohail Zandi. "We want it to feel warm, familiar, and friendly," says Sara. With can-lined walls and a piano in the window, they can consider that mission accomplished.

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Here, you'll find eclectic antique stores, beloved vintage shops, and lots of quality restaurants. Our pick? The Red Onion, which not only has a lauded vegetarian-friendly menu, but also a Wine Spectator Award. Don't miss the Cantine Dam Falls—and if you love nature and art, you have to see Opus 40, a massive environment sculpture that Architectural Digest called "one of the largest and most beguiling works of art on the entire continent." Oh, and this lighthouse? It's also the sweetest little bed and breakfast.

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Nicknamed "The Friendly City," Hudson has just under 7,000 inhabitants, but that hasn't stopped it from taking over the Hudson Valley. Included on our list of the "Best Small Towns in the U.S.," Hudson has orchards, galleries, breweries, fine antique shopping (our go-to: Red Chair on Warren), and a brand-new boutique hotel called The Maker. And all with a perfect view of the river.

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Montauk is known by many Long Islanders as "The End"—and indeed, it is the easternmost part of the island (and, for that matter, New York State). Nevertheless, if you're new to Long Island's famed Hamptons, we'd argue that Montauk is actually a great place to begin. It's just as lovely as any other Hamptons village—one scenic bike ride to the Montauk Point Lighthouse will convince you of that—but it feels a bit more casual and cozy. If you're looking to kick it up a notch though, Gurney's Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa, with its private beach club and ocean-themed spa, will certainly do the trick.

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While we love the slightly more casual feel throughout Montauk, we are certainly not opposed to the ever-chic Bridgehampton—most especially, their crowning jewel, Topping Rose House. The 19th-century estate splendidly maintains its historic architecture, but there are a few perfectly modern touches too, including a serene lap pool and a Jean-Georges restaurant (farm-to-table, of course).

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