It’s the time of year when we’re layering on sweaters and blankets, and to celebrate the winter season, the dating reviews website MyDatingAdviser.com has ranked the coziest small towns in the USA.
These New York towns are considered the coziest: Ellicottville (ranked No. 4 coziest in the nation), Lake Placid (7th), Lake George (10th), Cooperstown (25th), Hudson (50th), Skaneateles (91st) and Rhinebeck (96th).
To determine the coziest small towns in America, MyDatingAdviser compared 170 well-known small towns across the country on ten key metrics.
They looked into winter temperature, average snowfall, cafes, bakeries, crafts, and bookshops, among other indicators of a cozy small town. By analyzing the data points, each town has been given a ‘Cozy Town Index Score,’ representing the level of coziness you might experience in that small town.
If you’re in the mood for cozy towns to get into the winter spirit, here are some of the best small towns across the country to visit for some serious winter comfort.
Here are the 7 coziest towns in New York:
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Ellicottville
Its population may not even reach 500, but this is precisely what makes Ellicottville perfect for overstressed New Yorkers. Two state forests and mountains surrounding this town invite outdoor adventure.
You can visit Allegheny National Forest to catch vibrant fall colors, take up skiing in the winter, hike numerous paths in the spring, and play at the summer adventure park when the weather is hot. Fun fact: To protect its uniqueness, the town has banned national franchises from opening branches within its limits.
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Rank: #4 out of 170 cities
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Average Winter Temperature: 27.5 °F, Winter Season: 3.3 months, Snowfall: 105.5 inches, Days Below Freezing: 164.3
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Lake Placid
This town in the Adirondacks was on the world map when it hosted the 1980 Winter Olympic Games. Since then, snow-sports enthusiasts have flocked here in even greater numbers to enjoy cross-country skiing, hockey, ice skating, and even dog-sledding. There are also numerous spas where you can relax, recover from the day’s activities, and escape the cold. Not a fan of snow? Come in any other season, and you won’t be disappointed. Fall is charming when the mountains are ablaze in reds, yellows, and oranges.
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Rank: #7 out of 170 cities
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Average Winter Temperature: 21.5 °F, Winter Season: 3.3 months, Snowfall: 102.4 inches, Days Below Freezing: 190.3
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Lake George
Nestled in the Adirondack region of upstate New York, Lake George offers a tranquil getaway for lovers of wine and fresh mountain air. What to do: Hike Prospect Mountain, visit the Adirondack Winery and spend the day at Million Dollar Beach.
Where to eat: While a little pricey, Bistro Leroux is the place to go for a romantic dinner you won’t soon forget. Where to stay: Perched on the shores of Lake George, The Inn at Erlowest is full of old-world elegance, with charming decor and 15 acres of land.
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Rank: #10 out of 170 cities
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Average Winter Temperature: 25.5 °F, Winter Season: 3.3 months, Snowfall: 63 inches, Days Below Freezing: 163.5
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Cooperstown
A must-visit for lovers of America’s pastime. While you should stop by the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, you don’t have to be a sports enthusiast to enjoy the town. Brewery Ommegang is located here, as is the Fenimore Art Museum, which houses an extraordinary collection of American folk art and American Indian art. The town was a popular summer retreat starting in the mid-1800s, and many of its historic lakeside estates are still used today. The grand Otesaga Hotel, built in 1909, is a local landmark.
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Rank: #25 out of 170 cities
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Average Winter Temperature: 27 °F, Winter Season: 3.3 months, Snowfall: 92.8 inches, Days Below Freezing: 151
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Hudson
With its quiet atmosphere and surrounding nature, it’s hard to believe Hudson is just two hours north of sleepless Manhattan. The picturesque downtown area has a plethora of vintage and antique furniture stores, art galleries, and cocktail bars. At the same time, its proximity to the snaking Hudson River and adjacent hiking trails also makes it a prime fall destination.
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Rank: #50 out of 170 cities
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Average Winter Temperature: 31 °F, Winter Season: 3.3 months, Snowfall: 42.5 inches, Days Below Freezing: 135.2
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Skaneateles
Why it’s a great small town: Central New York’s Finger Lakes provide numerous ways to enjoy the water, not to mention the dozens of wineries that spread across the landscape. You’ll find a nice downtown in Skaneateles with restaurants, places to stay, and quaint shops. Fun fact: There are 11 finger lakes that make up the Finger Lakes.
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Rank: #91 out of 170 cities
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Average Winter Temperature: 29 °F, Winter Season: 3.3 months, Snowfall: 89.5 inches, Days Below Freezing: 133.4
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Rhinebeck
This darling Dutchess County village along the Hudson River affords views of the Catskill Mountains, plus it has a vibrant indie-shopping scene in its downtown. An observation tower in the 200-acre Ferncliff Forest is a favorite hiking spot (with a view).
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Rank: #96 out of 170 cities
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Average Winter Temperature: 28.5 °F, Winter Season: 3.3 months, Snowfall: 41.6 inches, Days Below Freezing: 157.4
Find the 20 coziest small towns in the USA:
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Stockholm, Wisconsin
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Stowe, Vermont
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Stanley, Idaho
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Ellicottville, New York
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Breckenridge, Colorado
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Medora, North Dakota
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Lake Placid, New York
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Keystone, South Dakota
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Mackinac Island, Michigan
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Lake George, New York
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Deadwood, South Dakota
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Leadville, Colorado
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Silverton, Colorado
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Saugatuck, Michigan
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Leavenworth, Washington
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Kohler, Wisconsin
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Telluride, Colorado
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Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
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Talkeetna, Alaska
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Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin
Amy Pritchett, Editor-in-Chief at MyDatingAdviser.com, said:
“We’ve swept the country to find some of the coziest towns in America for a winter weekend escape. Whether you’re looking for a ski lover’s paradise, a historic spot that’s still near a major metropolis, or a remote waterfront retreat, you’ll find it on this list.
Winter can seem like a never-ending season dampened by drizzly weather, cold temperatures, and dark nights that can leave you in a miserable mood to match. Combat the seasonal blues by visiting some of the coziest small towns on this list, which can provide sanctuary and warmth while winter rages on outside.
I encourage everyone to indulge in some cozy things. Drink hot chocolate, sit by a fireplace, read a book, enjoy warm meals, and curl up with someone special under a warm blanket.”
What is Hygge?
Interestingly, the act of taking pleasure and contentment from a cozy environment is known as ‘hygge’ – a term coined by the Danes. Hygge is a central part of Danish culture, which perhaps explains why the Danes are some of the happiest people in the world.
5 ways to stay cozy this winter
1. Get your hygge on. Hygge is a Danish term that describes a general feeling of coziness, comfort, familiarity, and well-being. Danes embrace hygge all year and appreciate life’s simple pleasures like a scented candle, a good book, and a blanket.
2. Cook up some comfort food. Warming yourself from the inside out is a great excuse to whip up some winter classics. Soups, casseroles, and curries are hearty favorites for a reason and are sure to be a hit with the whole family.
3. Heat the hub. If you live in a place that’s cold enough to run a heater, think about the areas of the house that need to be kept warm and set the space up to capture the heat. Close the doors to rooms you’re not using and, if you’re able to, install unique purpose-built windows and door seals to stop the hot air escaping.
4. Out with the old. With the weather so uninviting outside, take advantage of the warmth inside and use your extra time indoors to do a spring clean of your wardrobe. Pull out any clothes that don’t fit well or that you haven’t worn in a while.
5. Soak those winter blues away. If all else fails, retreat to the bathroom and run yourself a warm bath. It may not quite get you through to September, but it’ll help warm you up!
Methodology:
To determine the coziest small towns in the nation, MyDatingAdviser.com compared 170 well-known small towns across the following categories: 1) Weather, 2) Food, and 3) Activities.
They then evaluated each area using 10 data points of cozy town friendliness—like average winter temperature, snowfall, cafes, bakeries, and craft shops.
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