Aurora, New York is the kind of small town that makes you want to slow down—and maybe even stay awhile.
Perched on the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake, this Finger Lakes village recently earned a spot on Travel + Leisure’s list of the best lake towns in America to live in year-round—and it’s not hard to see why.
From lakeside luxury to quirky cultural charm, Aurora offers a rare blend of beauty, history, and small-town community in every season of the year!
A village restored to dollhouse perfection
Aurora’s story is as captivating as its scenery.
The town was lovingly restored by Pleasant Rowland, the founder of American Girl and a Wells College alumna, who invested millions to bring Aurora’s historic homes, inns, and bakeries back to life.
Town & Country called it a “dollhouse-worthy village,” a description that perfectly captures the village’s meticulous charm.
History buffs will also appreciate Aurora’s connection to NYC royalty: the Aurora Inn (now part of the Inns of Aurora resort) was built by Colonel E.B. Morgan, co-founder of The New York Times.
Luxury and leisure, year-round
Aurora isn’t just a summer escape.
In warmer months, the lake comes alive with sailing, swimming, paddling, and power boating.
But the town’s year-round appeal shines in the colder months, when visitors cozy up indoors at the 15,000-square-foot spa at the Inns of Aurora or explore the village’s culinary delights along the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, the first organized wine trail in the U.S.
For all-weather charm, MacKenzie-Childs’ 65-acre Victorian farmhouse campus offers whimsical tours, home décor shopping, and immersive workshops, making it a must-see even in winter.
Culture, community, and curiosities
Aurora’s small size belies a cultural punch!
The Morgan Opera House hosts concerts, theatrical performances, and exhibitions, and strolling through the village, visitors will find antique shops, art galleries, and boutiques—each one contributing to a welcoming, walkable atmosphere that’s easy to savor.
The perfect NYC getaway, no matter the season
For city dwellers, Aurora is just 5–5.5 hours from NYC—a manageable long-weekend escape that feels worlds away.
It’s also only 20 minutes from Ithaca, home to the “Ithaca is GORGES” slogan and over 150 waterfalls, making a two-for-one nature-and-lake adventure easy.
The 8 best lake towns in the U.S. to live year-round
- Green Lake, Wisconsin
- Aurora, New York
- Gilford, New Hampshire
- South lake Tahoe, California
- Lake Ozark, Missouri
- Greensboro, Georgia
- Truckee, California
- Sandpoint, Idaho