Westport, NY

Westport sits along the scenic western shore of Lake Champlain, right where the water meets the foothills of the Adirondacks. Home to around 1,300 people, it offers a peaceful small-town setting with everyday lake views and easy access to mountain trails. It has a quiet rural pace, yet travel is convenient thanks to a local Amtrak stop in town and direct routes heading toward Plattsburgh, Montreal, and Vermont.

ATTRMwanner / CC BY-SA 3.0

The area carries plenty of heritage and character, most famously as the birthplace of the original Adirondack chair back in 1903. Summers bring a steady rhythm of activity with boating on the bay, long-running camps along the water, and the annual Essex County Fair. Between local art shows at The Mill, community performances, and the relaxed shoreline, Westport makes an appealing landing spot for anyone looking for a friendly lakeside home.