5 Hidden Gems Outside of New York City

When many people make a list of potential locations to buy a home in New York State, the first thought that comes to mind is likely the Big Apple. Of course, New York City has many top sights and attractions, but buyers are missing out on some secret treasures that may take a bit of digging to find.

Don’t worry, though. We’ve done the digging for you. Check out five must-see hidden gems outside of New York City that may have you ready to get your group together and put in an offer.

Lake Placid

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Overview:

Even if you’re not an Olympian, Lake Placid is a top-notch winter sports destination. Speaking of the Olympics, Lake Placid is one of only 10 cities in the world to have hosted the Olympics twice—once in 1932 and then again in 1980.

Surrounded by the snowy high peaks of the Adirondack Mountains, it is truly a winter wonderland. But, really, any time of the year is the perfect time to visit Lake Placid with its rolling hills, majestic distant peaks, pristine lakes and ponds, and a lively town in the center of it all. It is one of the best places to visit in the United States to enjoy the outdoors year-round, whether it's water skiing in the summer or ice skating in the winter.

Attractions:

Lake Placid has worked to carry on the legacy of the Olympics by keeping the sites alive and open for tourism. Five attractions are available for tourists to explore. Additionally, overlooking Lake Placid is Whiteface Mountain, which is one of the tallest peaks in New York State. It is also one of the most prominent ski destinations. Another option is visiting High Falls Gorge, a 22-acre privately owned nature park with trails that bypass four waterfalls. With these options and so many more, you will never run out of outdoor activities in Lake Placid.

Distance from NYC:

• 4 hours, 45 minutes
• 288 miles

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Listings:

4 bedroom, 2 bathroom

3 bedroom, 2 bathroom

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4 bedroom, 2 bathroom

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Ithaca

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Overview:

Ithaca is located at the south end of Cayuga Lake, the largest of New York’s Finger Lakes. This means Ithaca boasts unsurpassed natural beauty in its gorges, state parks and waterfront. 

Additionally, Ithaca is home to Cornell University, making the town consistently ranked as a top area to live, work, and study.  Near the university, Ithaca Commons offers residents a city atmosphere with a variety of shopping, restaurants, cultural activities, and nightlife. 

From waterfalls to wineries, art to theater, outdoor recreation to family fun, Ithaca is a must-see hidden gem in New York.

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Attractions:

Cayuga Lake is one of Ithaca’s top-visited attractions with ample opportunities for recreation. Visitors can swim, boat, fish and choose from many other outdoor recreational activities. Another place to visit is Taughannock Falls State Park. Taughannock Falls features a massive 215-foot waterfall, making it three stories taller than Niagara Falls! Another waterfall to check out is Ithaca Falls, a waterfall located on the side of the road. While we have only mentioned two, Ithaca is home to more than 100 waterfalls.

Ithaca Commons, which has major New England vibes, is a pedestrian-only area with blocks of shops and restaurants. This is where Ithaca comes alive, so be sure to check it out.

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Distance from NYC:

• 3 hours, 45 minutes
• 222 miles

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Listings:

4 bedroom, 3 bathroom

4 bedroom, 4 bathroom

4 bedroom, 3 bathroom

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Saugerties

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Overview:

If you know Jimmy Fallon, you know Saugerties, New York. After all, it’s his hometown. If you’re not a Jimmy Fallon fan, then another interesting fact is Saugerties was home to the Woodstock 1994 rock concert.

Saugerties is only about two hours from the hustle and bustle of New York City, but it feels like a world away. Saugerties has a relaxing, small-town charm that makes it an ideal escape from the city. The town is nestled between the foothills of the Catskill Mountains and the Hudson River. This allows it to offer numerous cultural and vacation experiences, such as farms, an animal sanctuary, a nature preserve, art, lighthouses, museums, parks, restaurants, and more.

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Attractions:

Saugerties has a lot to offer. One of the attractions you may enjoy visiting is the Saugerties Lighthouse, a restored historic lighthouse and Hudson River landmark that was built in 1869 to help ships navigate the area. Another option if you’re the outdoorsy type is the Esopus Bend Nature Preserve. Spanning more than 160 acres, the nature preserve offers many outdoor recreation activities open to the public including hiking trails, canoe tours, kayaking, birding field trips, butterfly walks, guided nature walks, and more.

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Distance from NYC:

• 2 hours
• 108 miles

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Listings:

5 bedroom, 3 bathroom

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3 bedroom, 2 bathroom

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4 bedroom, 2 bathroom

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Cold Spring Harbor

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Overview:

It’s the name of Billy Joel’s first album. It’s the home of the world-famous genetics lab. John Lennon had a home here. And Lindsay Lohan grew up here. If you guessed Cold Spring Harbor, New York, you’re right.

The name Cold Spring Harbor refers to the freshwater springs running north through the area and into the harbor. It can be traced back to 1650 when the English called it Cold Spring after they bought some land here from the Matinecock Indians.

Cold Spring Harbor is a very small town. While it may not have a lot of quantity, it has high quality attractions, including a whaling museum, fish hatchery, and the historic district, Main Street, which features shops and restaurants.

Attractions:

Some of the area’s top attractions include the 40-acre Cold Spring Harbor State Park. As the trailhead of the Nassau-Suffolk Greenbelt Trail, this is a perfect place for hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Located on the north shore in the center of Long Island, there is something for everyone.

Distance from NYC:

• 50 minutes
• 38 miles

Listings:

3 bedroom, 2 bathroom

4 bedroom, 4 bathroom

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4 bedroom, 3 bathroom

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Hyde Park

Overview:

Hyde Park, New York, is one of the state’s hidden gems. Located about 90 minutes north of Manhattan, the town of Hyde Park has about 21,000 residents in 37 square miles, making it less than 1% as dense as Manhattan.

The town is best known for being the lifelong home of one of America’s most beloved presidents, Franklin D. Roosevelt. There are many historical sites related to Roosevelt’s life and work. Many of the town’s historical attractions are connected by the beautiful Hyde Park Trail. If you’re looking for something a little different than that, you can go for a llama hike at the Clover Brooke Farm or stop by the gallery operated by the Artists’ Collective of Hyde Park.

Attractions:

If you’re a fan of FDR, there are plenty of sites to see, including the presidential library and museum and more. But if you’re looking for something different to do, Hyde Park has more than 30 miles of hiking and biking trails, including National Parks, State Parks, Town Parks, and a nonprofit nature preserve. 

Distance from NYC:

• 1.5 hours
• 93 miles

Listings:

3 bedroom, 3 bathroom

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3 bedroom, 2 bathroom

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4 bedroom, 2 bathroom

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When looking for co-buying opportunities in New York, there are plenty of hidden gems outside of “The City That Never Sleeps.” If you’re looking for a more peaceful option, to reconnect with nature, or for a place where your dollars can stretch a little further, you’d be remiss to not check out five of these hidden gems located outside of New York City.

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Nestment, Inc. does not guarantee and is in no way responsible for the accuracy of the information provided in this blog post. All information is provided “AS IS” and with all faults. Data presented here may not reflect all real estate activity in the market.  While the information on this site is about legal and tax issues, it is not intended as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for the particularized advice of your own attorney and tax professional.

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