Upstate New York offers a lot of appeal, not only for those in-state city dwellers seeking a good vacation spot, but also for out-of-state tourists and people looking to move to a place where they can enjoy a more relaxed and rural lifestyle.
Here in Central New York – the region United Country Real Estate | Upstate New York Living serves – there’s plenty of history, culture and a world of attractions to discover. Even the year-round natural beauty alone is reason enough to head upstate for outdoor recreation or other pursuits.
Whether you’re drawn to a home in a historic small town, a remote farmhouse with wooded acreage or something in-between, you’re bound to find your perfect property in Upstate New York. Let’s take a closer look at the draw of Central New York for residents and visitors alike.
Since our real estate office is based in Cobleskill, N.Y., we’ll provide a brief snapshot of the town and Schoharie County, where it’s located.
Cobleskill is a historic village surrounded by natural beauty and various cultural highlights. Originally settled in 1752, Cobleskill is on the list of the National Register of Historic Places. Greek Revival, Italianate and Federal-style homes accent the town, granting glances into the past through the stunning architecture.
Schoharie County is known for its agriculture, and you’ll see farm stands and local shops selling fresh goods on a regular basis. There are multiple main street villages and 16 historic towns all with their own unique charm. The county is also within the Mohawk Valley, nestled between the Adirondack and Catskill mountains. It presents a really even mix of suburban and rural areas.
Cobleskill may be a few hours outside of New York City, but it’s only 45 minutes west of state capital Albany, allowing for easy access to a sizeable metro area when needed.
Upstate New York’s majestic Adirondacks beckon nature lovers and outdoor adventurers with dense wilderness and endless recreational opportunities. Hike scenic trails, paddle crystal-clear lakes or venture into the forests during the warm weather months. In the winter, hit the slopes for skiing or snowboarding.
Likewise, the Catskill Mountains are an outdoor paradise for camping, fishing, horseback riding, golf and more. The mountains teem with diverse species of wildlife and stunning scenic views surround.
State and National Parks are always a good “go to” when it comes to recreation in America, and New York has its fair share of popular parks. Glimmer Glass State Park just outside Cooperstown offers a peaceful escape for fun on the gorgeous Otsego Lake. Around 30 minutes south of Cobleskill, Mine Kill State Park features a magnificent waterfall, challenging hiking trails and superb facilities for swimming and boating.
The rustic jewel known as Burnt-Rossman Hills State Forest is a haven for hikers, hunters and wildlife enthusiasts. Spanning more than 10,000 acres, the park has trails winding around ponds and creeks, and up through rolling hills and timberland.
Anglers in particular are attracted to East-Central New York here in the Upstate for the various opportunities to fish the rivers, lakes and ponds. In fact, this part of New York alone has dozens of waterways filled with bullhead, trout, bass, whitefish, shiner and several other species of fish.
Whether you’re in Cobleskill, Cooperstown, Oneonta or Otego (or pretty much any other community across Central New York), there are ample attractions to discover and enjoy. If you’re a history buff, The Farmers Museum offers a chance to experience Upstate New York’s rural heritage, while the architectural masterpiece that is Hyde Hall is a historical reminder of life during British colonialism in America.
Going back even further, the Iroquois Indian Museum in Cobleskill features the country’s largest collection of Iroquois art and a center for live performances. If you’re into art, check out the Fenimore Art Museum in Cooperstown for its various collections. Science-minded folks will want to visit the Gilboa Museum to see fossils from the world’s oldest forest.
However, before heading to any of these places, we suggest visiting the must-see National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. This prestigious institution captures the spirit and history of America’s favorite pastime, showcasing the legends of the game and their achievements with a vast collection of memorabilia. It makes for a great outing for the whole family, not unlike Howe Caverns in Howes Cave, N.Y., where you can tour the caves via an underground boat ride.
Festivals and annual events are always well attended in Central New York, including the Schoharie County Sunshine Fair each August, the fall Harvest Festival in Cooperstown and the Glimmerglass Festival. Greene County holds some very cool music events in the heart of the Northern Catskills, including the Flyday Music Festival in May, and the three-day-long Taste of Country Music Festival when June arrives.
There’s not enough space on this page to truly capture everything there is to do in this part of New York. We could go on about mountain resorts, local restaurants, breweries and wineries, shopping and a lot more. The best approach though, is just to do a bit of research and then come explore for yourself!
Sources:
ILoveNy.com
VisitSchoharieCounty.com
SchoharieCounty-Ny.gov
MohawkValley.today
ThisIsCooperstown.com
AlbanyNy.gov
Albany.com
SouthernTier8.org
VisitTheCatskills.com
VisitAdirondacks.com
Parks.Ny.gov
Dec.Ny.gov
BaseballHall.org
NewYorkByRail.com
En.Wikipedia.org