As the weather warms up many of us may have road trips on our brains–New York is, after all, one of the best states in the US for summer road trips! And lucky for us New York is just filled to the brim with picturesque places–and World Atlas rounded up the most picturesque small towns near NYC so you don’t have to!
Here are the nine most picturesque small towns in New York:
1. Lake Placid
According to World Atlas, New York’s Lake Placid is the most picturesque small towns in the state. Nestled in the sloping Adirondack Mountains, Lake Placid is a two-time host of the Winter Olympics–understandable with its many snowshoeing and cross country skiing trails–and its stunning scenery recently named it one of the best mountain towns in the US.
Even more, it was recently voted one of the most beautiful small towns in the world! Read more on that here.
🚗 5 hours by car
2. Sleepy Hollow
Sleepy Hollow is mainly known for being a real-world Halloween town, but it’s also home to the Scenic Hudson Riverwalk (complete with a rustic lighthouse circa 1880s), Kykuit (the Rockefeller estate), and the Rockefeller State Park Preserve.
🚗 1 hour by car
3. Watkins Glen
Home to the world’s smallest diner, Watkins Glen sits at the southern end of Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes region. This town is filled with stunning gorges and hiking trails, and it’s also home to some pretty picturesque waterfalls.
🚗 4.5 hours by car
4. New Paltz
One of our favorite places for a winter getaway near NYC, New Paltz is filled with rugged mountain ridges and snow-dusted forests. But in the warmer months it’s also a fabulous place for hiking, biking, and horseback riding across the northern Sawangunk Ridge.
🚗 2 hours by car
5. Kingston
Kingston is a town of many traits–it’s simultaneously one of our favorite Christmas towns near NYC and one of our favorite Halloween towns near NYC.
World Atlas writes “Over on the waterfront, Kingston sports the Hudson River Maritime Museum (complete with a rotating exhibit of antique ships anchored in the river), a sandy public beach, and the Rondout Lighthouse, which can be seen atop its lonely island platform from Kingston Point Park.”
🚗 2 hours by car
6. Saugerties
Not far from Kingston you’ll find Saugerties, tucked between the Hudson River and Catskill Park. The quiet town is home to a picturesque lighthouse, which continues to operate today as a bed and breakfast.
🚗 2 hours by car
7. Woodstock
Though not the home of Woodstock Festival (that happened in the town of Bethel), Woodstock is still a hippie town itself. when heading to this quaint town you’ll want to stroll along Tinker Street–the town’s main road filled with art galleries, shopping, restaurants, and centuries-old architectural remnants.
🚗 2 hours by car
8. Montauk
Montauk, the easternmost part of Long Island, is known for its beaches, parks, boating, paddling, and fishing. And, for those who are looking for more indoor experiences, it also has some pretty great luxury stays and fine dining. Don’t miss checking out the town’s lighthouse!
🚗 3 hours by car
9. Skaneateles
One of the most underrated towns near NYC (in our opinion) is Skaneateles. Situated at the top of the 16-mile-long Skaneateles Lake (one of the highest Finger Lakes), the town is home to unique shops, restaurants, and a quaint historic district.
🚗 4 hours by car