Lyons, NY

Set along the Erie Canal between Rochester and Syracuse, Lyons is a quiet upstate community with a relaxed pace and a lot of history. As the Wayne County seat, it has a stately feel anchored by handsome 19th-century architecture and scenic waterways. The Erie Canal and Clyde River run right through town, giving residents easy access to waterfront walking trails, kayak launches, and peaceful spots to spend an afternoon outdoors.

ATTRDmadeo / CC BY-SA 3.0

The heart of town centers on Central Park and the county courthouse, where you'll find local shops, a classic single-screen movie theater, and a popular summer farmers market. Lyons also celebrates its quirky past as the historic peppermint capital of the world with its annual Peppermint Days festival, which draws neighbors together for food, crafts, and music. If you're looking for an affordable, down-to-earth canal town with easy drives to both Lake Ontario and the Finger Lakes, Lyons offers plenty of charm.