Great small towns to visit in NY state?
 

Planning a trip for my mom's 70th bday this summer. We are looking for a quaint town not more than a 3-4 hour drive from Lewiston, NY with cute shops, good restaurants and maybe a nice hotel or B&B to spend the night. Any suggestions?

Has she been to the Jell-O museum in Le Roy?

I've never been, but on many occasions on this board, people have recommended Skaneatales.

Agree with Skaneatales. Would also suggest Ellicottville. Have you thought of Niagara on the Lake? It's so close to you that maybe you go often and you're looking for something different.

Thanks for your suggestions. She has been to Skaneatales and loved it so I would like to take her someplace similar. I thought of Niagara on the lake too but she doesn't have a passport to go to Canada so we need to travel stateside. Anyone been to the finger lakes? Any nice towns there worth checking out?

Naples, Canandaigua and Geneva are all nice. Naples is known for grape pies and a winery.
Hammondsport has several wineries. Try to visit the Corning Museum of Glass if you have never been.

Is Saratoga Springs within your limits?

I would have recommended Skaneateles as well. Friends like Chataqua, and
I like a lot of those towns around the lower ends of the Finger Lakes.

Is Stockbridge in the Massachusetts Berkshires within reach? It oozes charm and has the Norman Rockwell Museum. The Hancock Shaker Museum is awesome. The Clark Museum in Williamstown, MA, is also excellent as is North Adams if she likes contemporary art.

I am being sexist in assuming she wouldn't like the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

<<<I am being sexist in assuming she wouldn't like the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown>>>

Yes you are :-)

Watkins Glen would be a great choice. The Harbor Hotel is wonderful, right on the waterfront. Wineries & restaurants close by, the gorge and State Park, a cute Main St. Summer is busy book early!!

I said <<<I am being sexist in assuming she wouldn't like the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown>>>

sf3707 pleasantly replied, "Yes you are "

I know. I am a straight male who goes to Cooperstown for opera, since watching baseball to me is like watching paint dry , but a kind B&B owner once wasted a stadium view room on me instead of a fan because she assumed that's what I would be interested in.

If she likes baseball (or opera) she will like Cooperstown. It is a pretty place in addition to the attractions. But the Watkins Glen idea is a good one, too.

Thanks to everyone who posted�� You have given me a lot of great places to check out!

<<<a kind B&B owner>>>

You mean a sexist B&B owner :-) (I'm female, and more baseball than opera :-) )