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Tucked into the northeast corner of the country, New York State has had a front seat for much of America’s history, from its founding through the Civil War and Revolution to industrialization, the post-war boom, and the creation of its thriving tourism industry. You’ll find clues to this rich history throughout the state’s charming small towns and villages, where you can browse 19th-century colonial settlements, wander gothic hamlets haunted by headless horsemen, and take a soak at centuries-old springs. There’s so much to discover as you step back in time through these storybook streets.

Sleepy Hollow

Made famous by a centuries-old short story, Sleepy Hollow is a magical place with plenty of gothic charm. The setting for Washington Irving’s creepy 1820 tale, ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,’ this quaint small town is packed with 19th century landmarks that invite visitors to step into the era of Ichabod Crane.

For those on the trail of Irving’s hero, a visit to the Old Dutch Church is a must. This 1685 church and churchyard are heavily featured in his novella as the haunt of the headless horseman. Irving wasn’t the only author in Sleepy Hollow, however. The novelist Carl Carmer also lived here from 1940, occupying the historic Armor-Stiner Octagon House, one of the most unusual homes in the º£½ÇÉçÇø. Built in the 1860s, the house is a domed octagon in the style of a classical Roman temple. Today, the house is privately owned but open to the public for tours where you can learn about its history, decor, and the myths and mysteries that surround its construction.

Before leaving Sleepy Hollow, take a trip to Philipsburg Manor to see where the town began. Dutch Colonists first settled here in 1653, creating an estate that would later become the villages of Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown. The site has been restored to how it would have looked in 1750, giving visitors the chance to tour the mill, manor house, and barn.

Gilbertsville

The tiny village of Gilbertsville, founded in the late 1700s, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 in recognition of its beautifully preserved English Tudor and Romanesque architecture. You’ll find one of the best examples of Tudor architecture at the Major’s Inn, a community event space and gift shop in the heart of the village. Construction of the inn began in 1897 and today it has been lovingly restored to preserve its original features.

Other notable sights around the small community of just under 400 residents include the First Presbyterian Church, built in 1888, and the Gilbertsville Free Library which was built in 1818 as the village’s first schoolhouse. It’s also worth visiting The Empire House, the oldest commercial property in Gilbertsville. Now a busy restaurant and inn, the hotel was a center for abolitionism and hosted a legendary Emancipation Ball in 1872.

Gilbertsville is also known for its Memorial Day Parade which honours residents who have served since the Revolutionary War. The parade moves through the village to the historic cemetery and includes a marching band, community organizations, and a fleet of classic cars.

Saratoga Springs

Saratoga Springs, in the beautiful Adirondack Mountains, has a long history of welcoming travelers looking for rest and relaxation in the beautiful surroundings of upstate New York. The town is named for the mineral springs that gave it a reputation as a health resort in the 19th century. It’s also known for being the home of the oldest racetrack in America, built in 1863.

You can learn all about Saratoga’s health tourism and horses at the Saratoga Springs History Museum, which features rotating exhibits, period rooms, and permanent installations covering over 200 years of history.

Experience the healing benefits of the spa for yourself at the Roosevelt Baths, established in 1935, where you can enjoy a soak in the naturally mineralized waters or book a special spa treatment.

Saratoga Springs is also an important stop for Revolutionary War enthusiasts. The 1777 Battle of Saratoga is considered a key American victory and a turning point of the Civil War. Visit the site of this legendary battle at the Saratoga National Historical Park where you can enjoy stunning views over the Hudson Valley and see the iconic 154.5 ft tall monument that commemorates the conflict.

Potsdam

The riverside college town of Potsdam was founded in 1806 by the beautiful banks of the Raquette River near the Canadian border. The town boasts several buildings on the National Historic Register, many of which are made from a reddish-pink sandstone, which gives the village’s historic buildings a rosy glow.

The Potsdam Public Museum is a great starting point from which to explore the town, detailing its history through extensive photography collections, artefacts, and displays. You can also pick up a brochure to take a self-guided walking tour of Potsdam’s eye-catching sandstone structures. Speaking of eye-catching buildings, you can’t miss Trinity Church, a beautiful Gothic-Federalist church built in the 1800s on the banks of the Raquette.

For more gorgeous scenery, take the Munter Trail which starts downtown and meanders along the river bank, providing stunning views and picnic spots. The trail passes by Ives Park where you can launch a canoe to explore the river or attend the town’s farmers’ market on weekends.

If you’re visiting with little ones, be sure to check out the North Country Children’s Museum which will keep them entertained for hours with play areas and learning spaces suitable for toddlers right through to teens.

Aurora

Aurora is a small town in the heart of the Finger Lakes that can trace its history back to 1789. Home to around 300 year-round residents, the village sees a lot of summer traffic thanks to its idyllic setting on the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake.

The entire village is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and many of its original 18th century buildings are still standing. The Morgan Opera House is a restored Victorian theater located on the second floor of the Tudor-style Aurora Free Library which was built in 1899 and remains a focal point of the community’s arts and cultural scene.

On the outskirts of Aurora, you’ll find the Howland Farm Museum, the former homestead of Augustus and Phebe Jane Howland, who lived here from 1832 to 1887. Today the farm is an open-air museum featuring the original grounds and outbuildings, as well as a nature center and events space. The farm has a busy schedule of movie nights and music concerts during the summer, in addition to seasonal festivals throughout the year.

Aurora has long been known as a resort town thanks to its natural charms. Immerse yourself in its picturesque outdoors at Long Point State Park, where you can boat, camp, fish, or wander the 4.5 miles of hiking trails. Time your visit with the sunset, and you’ll be rewarded with unforgettable views of the sun sinking over Cayuga Lake.

Skaneateles

One of the bigger towns in the Finger Lakes region, Skaneateles was officially incorporated in 1833 and boasts a historic downtown with dozens of architectural treasures dating from this period. Visit the Skaneateles Historical Society to browse their collection of local photographs and artifacts, visit the museum gift shop, and pick up a self-guided walking tour.

The tour helps guests plot their own route past notable sights, including the Thayer Mansion, built in 1829, the Colonial Theater, originally named Legg Hall and visited by legendary showman PT Barnum in 1868, and one of the Finger Lakes’ first hotels, the Sherwood Inn which began welcoming guests in 1807.

Guests still flock to Skaneateles, especially in the summer when it hosts one of the biggest musical festivals in the state. The Skaneateles Festival has brought º£½ÇÉçÇø-class musicians to the town for over 40 years, offering four weeks of classical concerts, events, and activities in various venues.

Before you leave Skaneateles, pick up some history of your own from the Skaneateles Antique Center, a must-see for collectors of quaint and unusual items. Occupying two floors and 4,000 sq ft, this emporium offers plenty of quirky treasures, including antique and vintage jewelry, furniture, art, books, and more.

Unlocking Old Treasures in New York State

The scenic towns and villages of upstate New York aren’t just a great place to spend a relaxing weekend, enjoy the lakes, or get out of the city. They’re a window into the country’s past. Take a walk in these hidden hamlet,s and you might be passing a stop on the Underground Railroad, wandering over a Civil War battleground, or roaming land farmed by Colonial homesteaders. The footfalls and fingerprints of the past are never far in these quaint communities where history and heritage meet modern amenities to make a memorable vacation.