When you hear the words, “New York”, what is the first thing that comes to mind? If you are like most people, you think of New York City. Well, there is so much more to the state of New York than the Big Apple. You can easily spend a family vacation in one of the small towns in New York. Oh, and don’t think small town equals boring and nothing to do. There are plenty of family friendly activities to keep you busy and allow you to make memories. Today, I am sharing a few of the best small towns in New York. Choose one for your next family vacation and see where your adventures take you!  

Best Small Towns in New York 

Ellicottville 

Ellicottville is one of the charming small towns in New York that is perfect to visit during the winter. The ski slopes here are incredible. And yet, you won’t see the crowds like you would near the larger cities.  

Of course, you can visit this small town at any other time of the year. Ellicottville Village Park is perfect for picnics. And you can spend quite a few hours wandering around the downtown area, as you shop for souvenirs.  

Saratoga Springs 

There is no bad time to visit Saratoga Springs in New York. Although, most people descend on this town during the summer when horse racing takes place. Don’t worry if you don’t want to watch the horses. You can easily visit the local museums, shop at the farmer’s markets, and go shopping on Broadway.  

Saratoga Springs also has a ghostly past. Ghosts are everywhere in this city, but you can experience the best spooky experiences at the Canfield Casino in Congress Park.  

Lake George 

Not too far from Saratoga Springs is Lake George. You can easily spend your family vacation between these two small towns. Walk along the downtown area while going shopping. Relax on the beach. Or head out onto the water during a steamboat sightseeing cruise. You may even want the thrills that come with a parasailing adventure.  

Catskill  

Catskill is a small town in New York that is located in the region of the same name. One of the best things to do in this town is walk along the Hudson River Skywalk. The views from this bridge are magnificent, so don’t forget your camera.  

Another place to visit is the Thomas Cole National Historic Site. It is one of the cultural attractions in Catskill.  

Lake Placid 

Lake Placid is a remote town way up north in New York. It is best known for hosting the Olympics. The best time to visit is during the fall when the leaves change colors. Although, the excitement builds when ski jump, and bobsled competitions take place here during the winter months. Just dress warm. It gets cold in Lake Placid during the winter.  

New Paltz 

Spring, summer, and fall are the perfect times to hike the trails to waterfalls in this small town in New York. A family vacation here will include plenty of downtime by the lakes, as well as a few wildlife sightings.  

Watkins Glen 

Lots of people spend their time at Watkins Glen State Park when they visit this area. And who can blame them since there are nineteen waterfalls to check out! This is an excellent place to hike during the day. And at night, you can head to the nearby wineries to find a new favorite wine.  

Geneva 

The small town of Geneva is a wonderful place to make memories with your family. Start with a little time exploring Belhurst Castle. Then hike a trail in one of the nature parks before listening to a lakefront concert.  

Cooperstown 

It is all about baseball in Cooperstown. This is where the Baseball Hall of Fame is located. And they do the infamous induction ceremony there every summer. When you have finished walking around the downtown area, head out to Fly Creek Cider Mill. They have anything you could possibly want to snack on, as well as purchase to take home. Or you can grab a drink over at the Ommegang Brewery.  

Alexandria Bay 

One of the smaller towns in New York is Alexandria Bay. You can visit during the winter months, but most of the town is closed down for the season by then. So, stick with late spring, early fall, or all summer when planning a family vacation here.  

During your visit, you can take a cruise through the Thousand Islands. This boat ride will have you crossing the US and Canadian border. Don’t worry, you won’t need your passports, because you won’t be getting off the boat on the Canadian side!  

When you are almost back to where you began, the boat will take a detour to Boldt Castle. I recommend getting off the boat and exploring the castle. It is fascinating to see the work that was completed before the owner’s wife died and all work was stopped. You might even be interested in heading over to the yacht house for an even better view of the castle from a different vantage point.  

These are some of the best small towns in New York you can visit during your next family vacation. If you are unsure of which one is perfect for your family, we can figure that out during our personalized planning session. Don’t worry, I won’t send you to a small town that doesn’t have everything your family desires while away from home!  

So, are you ready to have me create a personalized family vacation itinerary for you in a small town in New York or another destination?  

If you said yes, I would like to invite you to click here to schedule a personalized family vacation planning session with me. When you click on the link, you will be taken directly to my digital calendar to schedule a time that is convenient for you.  

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