Here are 10 relaxing New York state towns perfect for a weekend getaway

Removed from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan and the rush of water in Niagara Falls, many New York towns offer a calmer, quieter atmosphere — where spectacular views don't require admission tickets, towns feature walkable communities with compact main streets and where walking paths are abundant and nearby. You certainly won’t find theme parks, skyscrapers or multi-lane highways running through these communities. 

Take a breather and relax, calm yourself by centering yourself in these New York towns some weekend. Some are even nearby in the mid-Hudson.

Here are 10 stress-free towns in New York, perfect for a weekend retreat, as picked by World Atlas, a website that publishes content about resources surrounding travel, geography and other topics.

Cold Spring, NY

Located in Putnam County, Cold Spring is on the Hudson River and is best known for its stunning landscape and quaint atmosphere. Nearby is one of the Hudson Valley's most famous hikes: Breakneck Ridge, a challenging trail with steep climbs. Other notable spots are the West Point Foundry Preserve, an outdoor museum that offers a view of the village's industrial history through ironworks and the Magazzino Italian Art Museum, which features post-war and contemporary art. The central part of the village is on the National Register of Historic Places due to its many well-preserved historic buildings that date back to the 1800s.

Beacon, NY

This photo of the falls at the Fishkill Creek at the Roundhouse in Beacon was taken on Nov. 7, 2014.

Located along the Hudson River in Dutchess County, Beacon is known for its art scene, natural beauty and small-town charm.

The community has a historic Main Street with numerous boutiques, eateries, contemporary art galleries and museums. It is also near the historic Bannerman Castle, West Point Military Academy and Mount Beacon, which offers plenty of hiking options where one can enjoy the seasonal hues. On Sundays, Beacon hosts an open-air farmer's market and a seasonal flea market. The town is roughly two hours north of New York City.

Hudson, NY

Located in Columbia County, the aptly named city of Hudson is roughly 2.5 hours north of New York City, on the Hudson River. The city boasts a historic downtown area, with an eclectic array of shops that add a modern vibe. It's also home to a variety of landmarks: Olana State Historic Site, where acclaimed painter Frederic Edwin Church lived; Henry Hudson Riverfront Park; and the nearby the outdoor Art Omi Sculpture Park.

Woodstock, NY

A hiker explores hotel ruins on Overlook Mountain near Woodstock on, Oct. 7, 2021.

Located in Ulster County in the Catskill Mountains, Woodstock is best known for lending its name to a particularly famous music festival in 1969, even though the festival actually took place 40 miles away in Bethel, Sullivan County. Woodstock has several open-air and indoor performing arts centers, galleries and museums, but its also got a network of hiking trails. Slide Mountain Wilderness, Overlook Mountain and Catskill Center Thorn Preserve are both nearby. Mower’s Flea Market, which is open every weekend, is also wildly popular.

Saugerties, NY

Situated between the Hudson River and Catskill Park, in Ulster County, Saugerties is a haven for adventure while not being overly inundated with droves of tourists. The Catskill Animal Sanctuary, Falling Waters Preserve and Esopus Creek Conservatory are all located there. The Saugerties Lighthouse, which still operates, also now doubles as a bed and breakfast. Saugerties' quintessential small-town commercial district sprawls across the highly walkable Main and Partition streets. 

Lake Placid, NY

Fall colors in Lake Placid.

This village in the Adirondacks twice hosted the Winter Olympics and serves as an all-around sports mecca from skiing to triathlons, and from skating to hiking. Lake Placid sits on the southern shores of a lake by the same name and surrounds the much smaller Mirror Lake. Numerous wooded hikes start from trails in the village, which is also known for a wide array of quaint shops and restaurants. Fall foliage is simply spectacular here.

Skaneateles, NY

Skaneateles, with its unique shops and restaurants, sits astride the northern tip of Skaneateles Lake in Onondaga County. Home to Carpenter Falls and Bahar Nature Preserve and of course Skaneateles Lake, the town is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. Skaneateles Lake is considered to be one of the highest Finger Lakes, at almost 900 feet above sea level. The town has several parks, including Cliff Park, Thayer Park and Shotwell Memorial Park, and a quaint historic district, which hosts a Charles Dickens-themed festival each December. The historic district boasts a wealth of well-preserved 19th-century buildings and has been a part of the National Register of Historic Places since 1984.

Cooperstown NY

Doubleday Field in Cooperstown on July 17, 2020.

Often described as "America's hometown," this Otsego County town is known for its small-town charm, lakeside draw and baseball. Cooperstown is home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, and is somewhat of a pilgrimage for sports fans. The town sits at the foothills of the Catskill Mountains and rests on the shores of Otsego Lake, known as "Glimmerglass." The popular annual Glimmerglass Festival celebrates opera and music in a stunning lakeside venue and marks its 50th anniversary in 2025. Cooperstown's historic district has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1980 and includes more than 200 properties and buildings, including Doubleday Field, several inns and a still-operating post office.

Greenport, NY

A scenic coastal town in Suffolk County on Long Island, Greenport is known for its seaside and surrounding beaches. Learn about the community's maritime heritage at the East End Seaport Museum or head outside to enjoy a swim or picnic on the beach or hike the forest of Orient Beach.

Aurora, NY

The Inns of Aurora, which includes the flagship Aurora Inn pictured here, recently received Michelin Guide recognition along with eight other hotels in New York.

Established in 1795, Aurora is a small village (of roughly 735 people) on the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake. The Cayuga County community has a rich culture and landmarks, including the notable Aurora Inn. The village is home to Wells College, which for years was a women-only liberal arts college and closed earlier this year. Also known as Aurora-on-Cayuga, the village is filled with lakeside inns and estates, eateries and shops. Visitors can also enjoy lakeside recreations and water sports on Cayuga Lake.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Here are 10 relaxing New York state towns perfect for a weekend getaway