Looking to paddle a kayak, visit cascading waterfalls, swim with your family or climb the stairs of a lighthouse? These lakeside towns in New York offer unique destinations to enjoy the charm, beauty and plenty of recreational options on and off the water.
Here’s more about eight of New York’s most charming lakeside towns no matter the season, according to the World Atlas, a website that publishes content about resources surrounding travel and other topics.
Skaneateles, NY
Skaneateles, with its unique shops and restaurants, sits astride the northern tip of Skaneateles Lake in Onondaga County. Home to Carpenter Falls and Bahar Nature Preserve and of course Skaneateles Lake, the town is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. Skaneateles Lake is considered to be one of the highest Finger Lakes, at almost 900 feet above sea level, and there are also several parks in Skaneateles, including Cliff Park, Thayer Park and Shotwell Memorial Park.
The town boasts a quaint historic district, which hosts a Charles Dickens-themed festival each December. The historic district has a wealth of well-preserved 19th century buildings and has been a part of the National Register of Historic Places since 1984.
Cooperstown, NY
Often described as “America’s hometown,” this Otsego County town is known for its small-town charm, lakeside draw and baseball. Cooperstown is home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, and is somewhat of a pilgrimage for sports fans. The town sits at the foothills of the Catskill Mountains and rests on the shores of Otsego Lake, known as “Glimmerglass.” Glimmerglass State Park’s rolling, partially wooded terrain is just north of Cooperstown and is known for its lake and hiking trails as well as a covered bridge and Hyde Hall mansion.
The popular annual Glimmerglass Festival celebrates opera and music in a stunning lakeside venue. Cooperstown’s historic district has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1980 and includes more than 200 properties and buildings, including Doubleday Field, several inns and a still-operating post office.
Lake George, NY
This charming town is home to a variety of attractions, including Prospect Mountain and Lake George, a 32-mile-long, spring-fed lake in the Adirondacks. The Fort William Henry Museum is also in the area and hiking 1.7 miles up to Shelving Rock Falls. The town’s bustling main street is filled with craft shops, eateries and seasonal festivals and fairs.
Watkins Glen, NY
This Schuyler County town is a historic community surrounded by stunning natural beauty. Home to Watkins Glen State Park and its spectacular gorges and hiking trails, Watkins Glen at the southern end of Seneca Lake. Watkins Glen is also known for its race track, Watkins Glen International, which regularly draws racing enthusiasts to the area. Watkins Glen also has a vibrant – and walkable – downtown area with many stores, restaurants and shops. There are also several smaller parks downtown, including Seneca Harbor Park, a lakeside park that features City Pier and its iconic pier house.
Long Lake, NY
Located in Hamilton County, the town is named for the 14-mile-long Long Lake. Calm, still waters of Long Lake. Some of the nearly 100 miles of shoreline of the Raquette Lake is also located within the town borders. The community is off the beaten path within the Adirondacks and is a popular summer vacation destination. Long Lake Town Beach offers kayak and canoe rentals and a swimming area. Hiking trails are aplenty including Owl’s Head Mountain Trail – a 6-mile-long out-and-back hike with the fire tower. In the winter, snowmobiling, skiing, ice skating and ice fishing are hits. The town also hosts winter carnivals and ice fishing derbies.
Lake Placid, NY
This village in the Adirondacks was a two-time host of the Winter Olympics and serves as an all-around sports mecca from skiing to triathlons, and from skating to hiking. Lake Placid sits on the southern shores of a lake by the same name and surrounds the much smaller Mirror Lake. Numerous wooded hikes start from trails in the village, which is also known for a wide array of quaint shops and restaurants. Fall foliage is simply spectacular here.
Oswego, NY
Bordered by Lake Ontario and the Oswego River, Oswego is known for its pristine culture and maritime history. Tour the Fort Ontario State Historic Site or watch historic reenactments. Breitbeck Park offers lakefront access and views on Lake Ontario, and has a maritime museum with a lighthouse, playground and splash pad, walking trials, a picnic area and a boat launch with kayak and paddle boat rentals. Families with young children could stop by the Children’s Museum of Oswego.
Saranac Lake, NY
The village of Saranac Lake spans three towns in two counties – Franklin and Essex counties – and is the largest community within the Adirondack park in northern New York. This quaint town is often overshadowed by its more frequented neighbor, Lake Placid, yet it offers an equally captivating charm with far fewer crowds. Winter transforms Saranac Lake into a snowy wonderland, ideal for outdoor enthusiasts who can go snowshoeing and cross-country skiing on nearby Dewey Mountain. Each year volunteers build a massive ice palace crafted from blocks of ice, the centerpiece of the town’s winter carnival. Local cafes, galleries and shops are aplenty here as well.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: World Atlas names 8 most charming lakeside towns in NY. See the list
Reporting by Victoria E. Freile, New York Connect Team / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Victoria E. Freile, New York Connect Team | USA TODAY Network
