Often unfairly overlooked in favour of bustling Manhattan, the State of New York is filled with an abundance of characterful small towns. From adorable lakeside hamlets to quaint college towns brimming with history, we’ve ranked the most charming towns and small cities in the state – perfect for a weekend getaway or day trip.

Wine aficionados should look no further than the picturesque town of Westfield, situated at the heart of the world’s largest growing belt for Concord grapes. As well as plenty of historic, family-owned vineyards where you can taste the region’s signature sweet-yet-mellow wine, there are ample opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. Try hiking through the leafy Chautauqua Gorge, sailing on Lake Erie or exploring the 19th-century Barcelona Lighthouse.

The small town of Lewiston, huddled next to the Canadian border, has a fascinating history. It was the site of the first major battle during the War of 1812, the Battle of Queenston Heights, whose story is captivatingly told on the Bicentennial Peace Garden Trail. In the mid-1800s, it served as the final stop on the Underground Railroad for slaves escaping the South. The Freedom Crossing Monument, which pays homage to the former slaves, as well as the Tuscarora Heroes Monument, dedicated to Tuscarora people who helped them flee, are both essential viewing.

Seneca Falls held the nation’s first-ever Women’s Rights Convention in 1848, an event which launched the suffrage movement that ultimately led to women getting the right to vote. Today, you can learn more about this uplifting slice of history by visiting the National Women’s Hall of Fame (pictured). In need of a refreshment? Fear not: Seneca Falls is located in the heart of the Finger Lakes, the largest wine producing region in eastern America, meaning it’s within easy reach of over 70 wineries. 

Enjoying a prime location at the edge of the 8,000-acre Mohonk Preserve, which boasts more than 75 miles (121km) of hiking and biking trails, New Paltz is a nature lover’s paradise. Yet the town itself is just as beguiling. Take a wander down the storied Huguenot Street, revelling in its 17th-century buildings, before checking out Mohonk Mountain House (pictured), a beautifully preserved 265-room Victorian hotel on the shores of Mohonk Lake.

Surrounded by verdant countryside and crowned by the spire of the First Presbyterian Church, Goshen has small-town charm by the bucketload. The Orange County gem, located around 60 miles (97km) northwest of midtown Manhattan, has a history dating back to 1714, testified by the 18th-century buildings that line its Main Street. Don’t miss the Harness Racing Museum, which was built in an original 1913 stable and houses more than 70,000 photographs, paintings and other artefacts. 

Home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, this dainty town on the shores of Otsego Lake is practically synonymous with the sport. The museum itself is undoubtedly worth a visit, containing more than 60,000 square feet (5,574sqm) of exhibition space filled with everything from historic photographs to baseball cards and 333 Hall of Fame members' bronze plaques. Yet Cooperstown has plenty going for it besides. You only need to step out onto Main Street to discover museums, family-run diners and bakeries, quaint B&Bs, kitsch shops and more. 

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Anyone seeking miles of wide open space should make a beeline for Pawling. This Dutchess County town, located at the foothills of the Berkshires, is moments away from the Pawling Nature reserve, where you’ll find dense birch and pine forests threaded with scenic hiking trails. Downtown, the vibe is decidedly low-key, with an eclectic mix of shops, independent bookstores and cafés lining its leafy streets.

Best known for its connection to Pleasant Rowland, creator of American Girl dolls, Aurora has a lot to thank the businesswoman-turned-philanthropist for. After attending the town’s Wells College in the 1960s, Rowland returned some 25 years later, but was dismayed to find it in a state of disrepair. She set up the Aurora Foundation, which has helped restore the town’s historic buildings to their former glory – they include the Victorian-era Morgan Opera House and the Aurora Inn and Fargo Bar & Grill from the 1830s. 

A dinky fishing town on the North Fork of Long Island, just two hours from Manhattan, Greenport is perfect for a laid-back getaway. Head to Widow’s Hole Oyster Co., where you can go oyster shucking and sample the Long Island delicacy, before checking out the diverse food scene, which ranges from farm-to-table restaurants to local wineries and craft breweries. If visiting in June and July, be sure to check out Lavender by the Bay, where more than 70,000 plants fill the region with the scent of fresh lavender.

Although Woodstock’s namesake festival actually took place around an hour away in Bethel, it remains a honeypot for free-spirited types. The upstate town, which occupies an idyllic spot at the foot of the Catskill mountains, is filled with art galleries, independent shops, crafts centres and veggie-friendly cafés which make it perfect for strolling around. Meanwhile, at weekends Woodstock comes alive with the buzz of Mower's Saturday/Sunday Flea Market and there’s a popular farmer’s market during summer. 

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Boasting a prime spot between the Hudson River and Catskill Mountains, Saugerties’ crowning glory is its restored 19th-century lighthouse (pictured). This impressive beacon was built in 1869 and was almost destroyed in the 1970s, but luckily local campaigners got it onto the National Register of Historic Places. When you’re done visiting the landmark – which even houses a B&B if you wish to stay the night – try taking a stroll through Esopus Bend Nature Preserve, visiting the Catskill Animal Sanctuary or admiring Harvey Fite’s acclaimed works at the Opus 40 sculpture park. 

Located on a 508-acre peninsula on the Hudson River, Croton-on-Hudson is home to a winning combination of rugged natural beauty and small-town charm. Most visitors make a beeline for the stunning Croton Gorge Dam (pictured), which is thought to be the third-largest hand-crafted stone structure on Earth. After taking in the views, grab a drink at craft beer store and taproom the Green Growler, or head to the old-fashioned Thomspon’s Cider Mill. 

Halloween never ends at Sleepy Hollow, a town in Westchester County, immortalised in Washington Irving’s Gothic story The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Top attractions include the town’s eerie cemetery, where Irving’s grave can be found, as well as the Headless Horseman Bridge which features in his tale (although the original has since been replaced). And if you do visit around 31 October, don’t miss the vibrant Halloween parade or the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze, when more than 7,000 carved pumpkins are lit up at Van Cortlandt Manor.

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Owing its name to two groups of early settlers – ‘Penn’ stands for Pennsylvanians and ‘Yan’ for Yankees – Penn Yan is an idyllic town on the shores of Keuka Lake. Make the most of the tranquil lake by swimming, kayaking or canoeing through it or try hiking the Keuka Lake Outlet Trail alongside it. There are plenty of experiences here for foodie travellers too. Sample local wines at South African-inspired Tabora Winery, head to Windmill Market on Saturdays for fresh farm produce or discover why Penn Yan is the buckwheat capital of America at The Birkett Mills. 

Although it’s technically part of the Hamptons, Sag Harbor is a lot more down-to-earth than its neighbours. At this eastern Long Island gem, you’ll find a cute Main Street packed with local shops, a pretty marina studded with blue and white sailing boats, as well as a smattering of 19th-century houses. There’s also a whole host of family-friendly eateries to enjoy, from fast food joints like LT Burger to waterfront seafood restaurants like Dockside Bar & Grill. 

Tucked along the northern edge of Canandaigua Lake, this Finger Lakes town is perfect for enjoying the great outdoors. Start by taking in the colourful boat houses along Canandaigua Pier, which have been given protected status thanks to their 150-year-old legacy. Next, head to Sonnenberg Gardens, a 50-acre estate home to a 19th-century mansion, Victorian greenhouses and a range of themed gardens. If you’re visiting with kids (or just want an adrenaline fix), soar along more than 5,000 feet (1,524m) of zip lines at Bristol Mountain’s Aerial Adventures or make a splash at Roseland Waterpark. 

A visit to this popular Westchester County town would not be complete without exploring Lyndhurst Mansion (pictured). This impressive Gothic Revival building, which occupies a stately 67 acres on the banks of the Hudson, was famously bought by Wall Street tycoon Jay Gould in 1880 and used as his summer house. Since then it’s been restored and serves as a popular visitor destination. Tarrytown itself is small yet charming: a mismatched clutch of stores, houses and coffee shops exude an artsy, community feel. 

Situated in the picturesque Adirondacks, Lake George is one of those rare destinations that’s as popular in summer as it is in winter. In warmer months, visitors come to tour its plentiful biking and hiking trails, sit back on a Shoreline Cruise or relax at Million Dollar Beach. Meanwhile, as snow falls on the Adirondacks, families flock here for the month-long Lake George Winter Carnival, when a host of weekend activities including parades, winter races, food stalls and firework displays offer something for everyone.

The Finger Lakes are known for their wine and Geneva, with its scenic location at the northern end of Seneca Lake, is one of the prettiest places to enjoy it. There are plenty of good wineries but a couple stand out from the rest: Ravines Wine Cellars for its exceptional European-influenced wines, plus Ventosa Vineyards for its award-winning reds and spectacular lake views. The town is compact yet historic, with a 19th-century Greek Revival mansion, a Victorian opera house and the romantic Belhurst castle providing glimpses into Geneva’s past.

The leafy town of Cold Spring is located just 50 miles (80km) from Manhattan, yet it feels a million miles away. An oasis of calm, it’s surrounded by the rolling hills and verdant woodlands of the Hudson Valley, which are best explored on foot or by bike. After soaking in the incredible vistas, hop on a ferry to nearby Pollepel Island to check out Bannerman Castle. Built in the early 1900s by businessman Francis Bannerman, who was inspired by traditional Scottish castles, this now-abandoned crumbling ruin is fascinating to visit.

Drawing in creative types like moths to a flame, Kingston has gained a whole host of trendy cafés, independent record stores and vintage boutiques in recent years. Yet it’s the city’s history that makes it unique. Located 91 miles (146km) north of Manhattan, Kingston actually served as the state’s first capital for a brief period in 1777, before it was relocated to New York City. The old Senate House, the meeting place for the original New York Senate, has been restored and is a great way to learn more about the state’s history. 

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In northern New York near the Canadian border, the lakefront town of Oswego is crowned by this cute-as-a-button lighthouse – a fitting symbol for the town itself. Filled with historic attractions and intriguing museums, plus opportunities for boating, fishing and hiking, it fits a lot into a small package. Don’t miss the Oswego Speedway, where you can catch a range of thrilling motor races between April and October. 

At the southern tip of Cayuga Lake, around four hours from Manhattan, is an Ivy League city full of bright ideas. One of the first things you’ll notice is the pedestrian-only Ithaca Commons, an award-winning, four-block zone which hosts seasonal events including the Apple Harvest Festival. There are cutting-edge cultural attractions too, from the abstract Herbert F Johnson Museum of Art to the Kitchen Theatre, showing thought-provoking drama in an intimate setting. When you’re done exploring the city, you don’t have to go far to experience natural beauty, as Ithaca is surrounded by stunning waterfalls and gorges. 

Skaneateles’ namesake lake is the clearest in the whole Finger Lakes region, so it’s no wonder that boating, watersports and hiking are top activities here. But while visitors might come for the outdoor lifestyle, they stay for the town’s laid-back charm. Downtown, you’ll find mom-and-pop restaurants like Willow Glen Cafe, quaint boutiques and homely B&Bs. Meanwhile, at the waterfront, grab an ice cream from locals’ favourite Skaneateles Scoops, sit in the calm lawns of Clift Park and watch the world go by.

It’s not often a town has a gorge right at its centre. And Watkins Glen State Park Gorge, an atmospheric ravine with 19 waterfalls along its course, is more stunning than most. Needless to say, the natural wonder is the biggest draw for this Schuyler County town, but once you’ve hiked the 2.5-mile (4km) trail around it, there’s plenty more to do besides. Try checking out the Watkins Glen International race track, taking on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail or visiting the Sunset View Creamery to taste delicious local cheeses. 

Surrounded by the towering peaks and rugged forests of the Adirondacks, Saranac Lake has stunning scenery at every turn. The best way to experience them? By taking the nearly-a-mile-long (1.5km) hike from downtown to the summit of Baker Mountain, where you’ll be able to look out across Saranac Lake, Lake Flower and more than 20 surrounding mountains. Back in town, enjoy the colourful galleries, eclectic local stores and craft breweries that line the streets, or eat at one of 30 delicious food outlets. 

This upstate New York town has long been a luxury getaway for frazzled New Yorkers. From the late 19th century, visitors flocked here for its famous hot springs, which you can see today around Congress Park or in one of its spas – Roosevelt Baths & Spa, opened in 1935, is one of the most historic. Saratoga Springs is also home to a world-famous racing track, a three-block district dedicated to the arts and one of America’s oldest folk bars. 

It’s hard not to be dazzled by Montauk, which feels a world away from the bustling streets of New York City. Located right at the end of Long Island’s South Fork peninsula, the hamlet is graced with craggy cliffs, gorgeous sandy beaches and a lighthouse that dates back to 1797. Climbing to the top of this dainty beacon is a must, as well as walking around the surrounding Montauk Point State Park. The food scene here is great too, with everything from freshly caught seafood to organic cafés and local craft breweries on offer.

The bohemian city of Hudson, often nicknamed ‘the Brooklyn of the Hudson Valley’, is a creative hub all of its own. Located on the shores of its namesake river, this small yet lively city is home to everything from high-end boutique hotels to zingy ice cream parlours, Latin American restaurants and plenty of creative shops. The architecture is just as beguiling, with Victorian townhouses sitting alongside 19th-century industrial buildings, interspersed with plenty of green spaces.

The poster child of the Adirondacks, Lake Placid wows with its incredible scenery, wide range of outdoor activities and diverse food scene. As peaceful as the name suggests, it’s surrounded by some of the state’s most impressive landscapes. Enjoy them by skiing, snowboarding and snow-shoeing in winter, or hiking and biking in summer. When in need of a refreshment, you’ll find everything from farm-to-table restaurants to Tex-Mex cuisine and local breweries along Lake Placid’s postcard-perfect main drag.

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