New York may get a lot of attention from the attractions and excitement that can be found within our big cities, but don’t let that fool you into thinking that’s all that’s worth seeing here! To me, there aren’t too many things that are better in life than coming across a small town that feels as though you’ve found the best unturned stone in our state. If you’re looking to soak in the charm of a delightful town, then these 10 locations that you may have never even heard of are exactly where you should visit next.
- Penn Yan
eflon/Flickr Just one of the many the amazing small towns you can find out in the Finger Lakes, Penn Yan is home to some of our favorite attractions. From the unique and charming Penn Yan Diner to the incredible Keuka Lake Outlet Trail, there’s so much to love in such a small place! Another reason many come out this way? The fantastic and tasty Keuka Lake Wine Trail! Located in Yates County, as of 2010 the population consisted of just 5,159 residents.
- Croton-on-Hudson
jjctraveler/TripAdvisor There are plenty of amazing towns and cities that can be found right along the Hudson River, but there’s something about Croton-on-Hudson that keeps our residents returning regularly for adventures and visits. Located in Westchester County, as of 2010 the population was at 8, 070 residents. Some of the reasons you’ll find people visiting this little village? Pictured above you can see the beautiful Croton Gorge Park that features the New Croton Dam, a fantastic place to spend the day if you’re looking to enjoy the outdoors or want to photograph New York. You can also find Croton Point Park right along the water and you should certainly not miss out on taking a trip to the Van Cortlandt Manor.
- Angelica
WikiMedia One of the many small towns you can find in New York that still seems as though they’ve been frozen in time, Angelica is a picturesque place to visit. Found out in Allegany County not too far from the Pennsylvania border, the small town only has a population of just over one thousand residents. Check out the local country stores, antique shops and bakeries or stroll around Main Street and people watch from one of the many charming benches you’ll find here!
- Clayton
Elayne L/TripAdvisor Head out to our Thousand Islands to enjoy this small town in Jefferson County! Right on the St. Lawrence River, as of 2010 the town only held a population of 5,153 residents. If you’re looking to get out on the water and enjoy the scenic views, there’s nothing like taking a boat tour to Rock Island Lighthouse State Park which you can see pictured above. Another great stop to make while you’re in town? Check out the Clayton Distillery!
- Raquette Lake
Southern Adirondack Library System/Flickr A tiny hamlet within the town of Long Lake, Raquette Lake can be found out in Hamilton County amongst the Adirondack Mountains. The small town is home to the historic Sagamore Camp, the perfect place for visitors to take a tour to learn more of the region’s fascinating history. The area also offers fantastic boat tours that provide the perfect way for you to get out on the water.
- Newcomb
Kristin P/TripAdvisor Hiding up in the Adirondacks right near our High Peaks, you’ll find the small town of Newcomb that has remained under the radar for many of our residents. If this town sounds familiar but you can’t quite put your finger on why, it may be because you’ve read our post about the incredible and eerie ghost town Tahawus. Other reasons people stop in to this area? Newcomb is also home to the historical Camp Santanoni, one of the Great Camps of the Adirondacks. During our warmer months many will also venture up here to enjoy Harris Lake and the Adirondack Interpretive Center. Basically, if you love the outdoors and being away from it all up in the Adirondacks then this town will be perfect for you.
- Roxbury
Andy Arthur/Flickr Found out in Delaware County, many of our residents originally fall in love with this town because of the funky and whimsical Roxbury Motel. In love with their famous motel but not quite sure what you can do while you’re in the area? Right in town you can discover the Stone Tavern Farm, a place many choose for their wedding destination. And if you’re looking for adventure you can also seek out your thrills on Plattekill Mountain.
- Rhinebeck
RuthR655/TripAdvisor One thing you may have noticed about some of New York’s most charming towns? Many of them can be found right along the water. Located in Duchess County on the Hudson River, Rhinebeck is home to an assortment of attractions that will keep a smile on your face. Pictured above, you can see the view you’ll have from the Wilderstein Historic Site, a place that many of our residents deem bucket-list worthy. If you’re looking to get a bird’s-eye view of the area you can also spend the day at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome.
- Olean
BabelFish/TripAdvisor Located out in Cattaraugus County, I recently spoke of just one of the many reasons why this town is worth visiting, Rock City Park! The park is a place for visitors of all ages to explore and allows you to explore largest formation of Quartz conglomerate in the entire world. Another one of the reasons I find this town to be so charming? The 4-foot tall painted squirrels that you can find all over town. Yes, you read that right! If you’re familiar with the painted horses of Saratoga Springs or the painted cats of Catskill, then you already have an idea of what these painted squirrels look like.
- Sodus Point
Guillaume Capron/Flickr To those of our residents who have been lucky enough to grow up in Sodus Point, you know how truly magical this town is. If you’re unfamiliar with this small town located out in Wayne County, you can find it right on the shores of Lake Ontario. The small town gives you views of the water that seem as though they’re never ending and will easily steal your breath away. In Sodus Point you’ll be able to check out several lighthouses as well as the beautiful beach at Sous Point Beach Park!
Have you visited (or live) in any of these delightful small towns in New York? Never let your adventures end! Check out This One Destination In New York That Has The Absolute Bluest Water!
eflon/Flickr
Just one of the many the amazing small towns you can find out in the Finger Lakes, Penn Yan is home to some of our favorite attractions. From the unique and charming Penn Yan Diner to the incredible Keuka Lake Outlet Trail, there’s so much to love in such a small place! Another reason many come out this way? The fantastic and tasty Keuka Lake Wine Trail! Located in Yates County, as of 2010 the population consisted of just 5,159 residents.
jjctraveler/TripAdvisor
There are plenty of amazing towns and cities that can be found right along the Hudson River, but there’s something about Croton-on-Hudson that keeps our residents returning regularly for adventures and visits. Located in Westchester County, as of 2010 the population was at 8, 070 residents. Some of the reasons you’ll find people visiting this little village? Pictured above you can see the beautiful Croton Gorge Park that features the New Croton Dam, a fantastic place to spend the day if you’re looking to enjoy the outdoors or want to photograph New York. You can also find Croton Point Park right along the water and you should certainly not miss out on taking a trip to the Van Cortlandt Manor.
WikiMedia
One of the many small towns you can find in New York that still seems as though they’ve been frozen in time, Angelica is a picturesque place to visit. Found out in Allegany County not too far from the Pennsylvania border, the small town only has a population of just over one thousand residents. Check out the local country stores, antique shops and bakeries or stroll around Main Street and people watch from one of the many charming benches you’ll find here!
Elayne L/TripAdvisor
Head out to our Thousand Islands to enjoy this small town in Jefferson County! Right on the St. Lawrence River, as of 2010 the town only held a population of 5,153 residents. If you’re looking to get out on the water and enjoy the scenic views, there’s nothing like taking a boat tour to Rock Island Lighthouse State Park which you can see pictured above. Another great stop to make while you’re in town? Check out the Clayton Distillery!
Southern Adirondack Library System/Flickr
A tiny hamlet within the town of Long Lake, Raquette Lake can be found out in Hamilton County amongst the Adirondack Mountains. The small town is home to the historic Sagamore Camp, the perfect place for visitors to take a tour to learn more of the region’s fascinating history. The area also offers fantastic boat tours that provide the perfect way for you to get out on the water.
Kristin P/TripAdvisor
Hiding up in the Adirondacks right near our High Peaks, you’ll find the small town of Newcomb that has remained under the radar for many of our residents. If this town sounds familiar but you can’t quite put your finger on why, it may be because you’ve read our post about the incredible and eerie ghost town Tahawus. Other reasons people stop in to this area? Newcomb is also home to the historical Camp Santanoni, one of the Great Camps of the Adirondacks. During our warmer months many will also venture up here to enjoy Harris Lake and the Adirondack Interpretive Center. Basically, if you love the outdoors and being away from it all up in the Adirondacks then this town will be perfect for you.
Andy Arthur/Flickr
Found out in Delaware County, many of our residents originally fall in love with this town because of the funky and whimsical Roxbury Motel. In love with their famous motel but not quite sure what you can do while you’re in the area? Right in town you can discover the Stone Tavern Farm, a place many choose for their wedding destination. And if you’re looking for adventure you can also seek out your thrills on Plattekill Mountain.
RuthR655/TripAdvisor
One thing you may have noticed about some of New York’s most charming towns? Many of them can be found right along the water. Located in Duchess County on the Hudson River, Rhinebeck is home to an assortment of attractions that will keep a smile on your face. Pictured above, you can see the view you’ll have from the Wilderstein Historic Site, a place that many of our residents deem bucket-list worthy. If you’re looking to get a bird’s-eye view of the area you can also spend the day at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome.
BabelFish/TripAdvisor
Located out in Cattaraugus County, I recently spoke of just one of the many reasons why this town is worth visiting, Rock City Park! The park is a place for visitors of all ages to explore and allows you to explore largest formation of Quartz conglomerate in the entire world. Another one of the reasons I find this town to be so charming? The 4-foot tall painted squirrels that you can find all over town. Yes, you read that right! If you’re familiar with the painted horses of Saratoga Springs or the painted cats of Catskill, then you already have an idea of what these painted squirrels look like.
Guillaume Capron/Flickr
To those of our residents who have been lucky enough to grow up in Sodus Point, you know how truly magical this town is. If you’re unfamiliar with this small town located out in Wayne County, you can find it right on the shores of Lake Ontario. The small town gives you views of the water that seem as though they’re never ending and will easily steal your breath away. In Sodus Point you’ll be able to check out several lighthouses as well as the beautiful beach at Sous Point Beach Park!
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