The Finger Lakes region is known for its vibrant and charming towns – the type you may think only exists in your favorite small-town Christmas movie. It is where lakeside stillness and tranquility meet historic and cultural downtowns.
The World Atlas, a popular website that publishes a lot of travel resources and content, named 11 of the most peaceful small towns in the Finger Lakes. The list includes areas with scenic nature spots, historic landmarks and vibrant downtown spots. The World Atlas describes these towns as the perfect and calm escapes from city living.
Here are 11 of the peaceful towns named by the World Atlas:
Watkins Glen
Located at the southern tip of Seneca Lake, Watkins Glen is home to fewer than 2,000 residents, according to U.S. Census Data. This Schuyler County town is full of historic charm within its walkable downtown, filled with shops, eateries, museums and lakeside recreation on Seneca Lake. The Seneca Harbor Park, a lakeside park that features the City Pier and its iconic pier house, and the very popular Watkins Glen International race track, are beloved destinations within the quaint town.
Most famously, Watkins Glen is known for being home to the most famous Finger Lakes state park. Watkins Glen State Park has 19 waterfalls and spectacular gorges and is open year-round. World Atlas describes the town as “a versatile getaway for nature lovers, adventure enthusiasts and those seeking tranquility,” according to the list.
Montour Falls
The Village of Montour Falls, located in Schuyler County, is known for its 165-foot She-Qua-Ga Falls, located at the end of Main Street within its walkable downtown area. Described as blending “small-town tranquility with rich historical roots” by World Atlas, Montour Falls has many preserved landmarks. The village was once home to its namesake, Queen Catharine Montour, who became a prominent Iroquois leader after the death of her husband, who was a Seneca chief.
Canandaigua
Canandaigua, a beautiful historic city located along the northern tip of Canandaigua Lake, is also known as “The Chosen Spot,” deriving from the Seneca word “Kanandarque.” This Ontario County town is home to many historical sites, including the Ontario County Courthouse, where Susan B. Anthony was tried in 1873. Canandaigua’s historic downtown district is full of local restaurants, boutiques and its beloved bookstore, the Paperback Place.
Kershaw Park, along Canandaigua Lake, offers beautiful views of the lake and the beloved Canandaigua City Pier, which is full of historic boathouses. Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion State Historic Park is another popular destination, offering both stunning gardens and a rich history.
Aurora
The small village of Aurora, which is home to under 1,000 residents, is located on the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake, the longest of the Finger Lakes. The Cayuga County village is full of historic charm with its notable shops and attractions like the Village Market, Morgan Opera House and the now-defunct Wells College, which for years was a women-only liberal arts college and closed in 2024.
The lakeside village offers plenty of inns and estates to stay in, including the Aurora Inns, a collection of historic homes on 350 acres of land that was built between 1833 and 1909, then restored between 2003 and 2019. Aurora is home to only a little over 700 residents and is described as a “quintessential New York getaway” by World Atlas.
Geneva
Located at the northern tip of Seneca Lake, the city of Geneva sits on the ancestral lands of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. Geneva’s downtown area offers plenty of antique and gift shops, and Linden Street is full of cocktail bars and restaurants. Many wineries within the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, which runs through the city, are located minutes away from its downtown.
The Ontario County city is also home to many historic landmarks, including Belhurst Castle and the Smith Opera House. World Atlas described Geneva as a “well-rounded destination for both adventure and leisure,” considering the variety of outdoor, lakeside, historical and wine-centered activities and experiences it offers.
Penn Yan
The village of Penn Yan, Yates County, is a small yet vibrant area situated at the northern tip of the east branch of Keuka Lake and is considered a popular wine-making area within the Finger Lakes region. Its population is just over 5,000 people. Penn Yan is home to the Keuka Lake Wine Trail, which is known for highlighting its six family-owned and operated wineries and its fruit-flavored wines.
Downtown Penn Yan includes tree-lined streets with many shops, vendors, and restaurants. It was awarded a $10 million grant through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative to support the development of the village’s downtown. A popular and beloved summer activity in Penn Yan is visiting the Windmill Farm & Craft Market, which contains 175 indoor and outdoor shops full of produce and hand-crafted items. Between its charming historic downtown and scenic lakeside views, it is no surprise that World Atlas considers it one of the Finger Lakes’ most peaceful towns.
Skaneateles
Skaneateles is a very popular small town along the northern tip of Skaneateles Lake, which is known to be the second cleanest lake in the entire United States. This Onondaga County lake town was founded in 1830 and was described as the “perfect balance between small-town tranquility and vibrant local culture” by World Atlas. Skaneateles’s downtown district is known for its unique shops and eateries, along with its beloved historic inns and luxurious spas like the 2W Lake, the Sherwood Inn and the Mirbeau Inn & Spa Skaneateles. The area is also known for its community events, including the Skaneateles Farmers Market, Summer Music Festival, and Dickens Christmas Event. Clift Park, located along the lake, is also a popular destination for locals and tourists, with many lakeside recreations.
Trumansburg
Trumansburg is a charming village in Tompkins County near the southwestern side of Cayuga Lake. Its Main Street is full of historic buildings, tree-lined streets and farm-to-table restaurants. The iconic Trumansburg Conservatory of Fine Arts is described as where the “town’s cultural heart beats” by World Atlas. It is a National Register of Historic Places landmark built in 1851, where you can experience the arts through performances and exhibitions. Taughannock Falls State Park is another popular destination near Trumansburg because it is home to the tallest free-falling waterfall east of the Mississippi.
Hammondsport
The small Steuben County village of Hammondsport is nestled at the southern end of Keuka Lake within the town of Urbana. Home to roughly 1000 residents, Hammondsport is known for its rich history in aviation and the wine industry. Pleasant Valley Wine Co., which was founded in Hammondsport in 1860, is known to be the first bonded winery in the United States, according to World Atlas. The village offers the Finger Lakes Boating Museum, the Glenn G. Curtiss Aviation Museum, and many world-class wineries and breweries. Depot Park, located in the heart of Hammondsport, is known to be a popular spot for both locals and tourists alike.
Seneca Falls
Known as “the birthplace of women’s rights,” Seneca Falls is located at the northeast tip of Cayuga Lake, with Seneca Lake to its west. World Atlas describes this picturesque town as being “where cinematic nostalgia and rich history blend seamlessly,” with its many historic landmarks, including the Women’s Rights National Historic Park and the National Women’s Hall of Fame. Many believe that the fictional town of Bedford Falls in the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” was inspired by Seneca Falls. The town has an “It’s a Wonderful Life Museum” and throws a “It’s a Wonderful Life Festival” every year, bringing in people from across the country. Nature lovers enjoy the Seneca Meadows Wetlands Preserve and the riverside views of the Cayuga-Seneca Canal.
Corning
Established in 1852, Corning is located in southeastern Steuben County. Although it’s not situated directly on the Finger Lakes, it is a charming town just under an hour’s drive from the Finger Lakes National Forest. In its list, World Atlas writes that “Corning has cultivated a vibrant cultural scene while retaining a sense of calm that makes it a perfect retreat from the bustle of larger cities.” The downtown district, or Gaffer District, offers many museums, galleries, historic buildings, eateries, and shops. One of its most popular museums, the Corning Museum of Glass, is where you can witness and learn about centuries of glassmaking.
World Atlas names 8 fairy tale towns in NY
World Atlas names top towns for craft beer scene
World Atlas names best places to live in NY
— Madison Scott is a journalist with the Democrat and Chronicle who covers breaking and trending news for the Finger Lakes Region. She has an interest in how the system helps or doesn’t help families with missing loved ones. She can be reached at MDScott@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: World Atlas names 11 most peaceful towns in the Finger Lakes
Reporting by Madison Scott and Victoria E. Freile, New York Connect Team / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
