The Heart And Soul Of New York Is The Small Towns And These 7 Have The Best Downtown Areas
By Lisa Sammons|Published November 23, 2021
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Lisa Sammons
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Lisa loves animals and has dogs, rats, cats, guinea pigs, and snakes. She is passionate about animal rescue and live music - traveling across the country to see a favorite band is a pretty regular occurrence! Being out hiking in the woods enjoying the scenery with her beloved dogs is another favorite hobby, and also checking out the Pokemon Go scene in whatever city she happens to be in at any given time (coffee and dog leash in hand). You can reach Lisa at lsammons@onlyinyourstate.com
We’ve got a lot of great bigger cities in the Empire State. It doesn’t get much more fun-filled than New York City, and there’s plenty of attractions in places like Albany and Rochester as well. But if you really want to get to know New York, you’ll want to check out some of our less populated areas that are a little off the beaten path. There’s no better way to do that than exploring their downtowns. Many of the best small towns in New York have walkable Main Street areas where you can spend the day exploring charming shops or stop by a cozy cafe. Check out this list to plan your next day trip or weekend excursion.
Lake Placid is best known as the site of the 1980 Winter Olympics, where the famed "Miracle on Ice" U.S. hockey team win over Russia occurred. Today, the town offers some great recreational skiing opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. The downtown area is very pedestrian-friendly and you can find tons of adorable little shops to check out. The Lake Placid website lists plenty of locally-owned shops that are worth a visit.
Lake George is such a fun area. Whether you're looking to explore the outdoors, relax on the beach, or shop at the outlets, there's a lot to do here. The Lake George Village is famous for its campy kitsch atmosphere. You don't even need your car: there's a convenient trolley that will transport you throughout the town. Visit the Lake George website for more information.
Trumansburg is definitely one of our favorite small towns in New York. Fun fact: the village's name is actually a misspelling of the founder's (Abner Treman). They've got some great restaurants and antique stores, and aren't far from the beautiful Taughannock Falls. While you're in town, don't miss the delicious Wide Awake Bakery.
Cooperstown is such a fun little place and one of the best day trips in New York. The city's main attraction is the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Even if you aren't a sports fan, there are several delicious bakeries and quaint little shops to explore. Cooperstown only has one stoplight, but there's a lot to explore here.
Skaneateles borders the beautiful lake with which it shares its name. With a population of just over 7,000, it's a little larger than most of the small towns in New York on this list, but not so big that it feels soulless. The downtown area has some great little shops and restaurants to visit. Find out more on the town's website.
Cold Spring is only about an hour outside of New York City. The adorable little Main Street area borders the Hudson River and is a scenic, nostalgic reminder of times gone by. The Victorian architecture is gorgeous, make sure to admire all the detail as you stroll through downtown! Check out the town's website for more information.
Tivoli is a quaint little town with a two-block downtown area. They've got some delicious restaurants and a fun college town atmosphere (Bard College is about five miles away). They've got the best ice cream in New York!
Did we miss your favorite small towns in New York? Share your suggestions in the comments!
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