2 Hudson Valley Towns Among 'Coziest' In America

MID-HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Two small communities in the Hudson Valley are among the coziest small towns in the United States for a winter weekend, according to a new ranking.

MyDatingAdviser.com compared 170 Coziest Small Towns in America in the following categories: weather, food and activities.

In addition, they looked at data points like winter temperatures, average snowfall, cafes, bakeries, crafts and bookshops, among other indicators of a cozy small town.

Seven small towns in New York were singled out, with Hudson and Rhinebeck in the mid-Hudson Valley making the cut.

Hudson came in at No. 50 out of 170 towns, and Rhinebeck was No. 96 out of 170.

Hudson was chosen for its quiet atmosphere and the fact that it’s just two hours from New York City. There are a plethora of vintage and antique furniture, art galleries and cocktail bars. Plus, its proximity to the Hudson River and adjacent hiking trails makes Hudson a great fall destination. The average winter temperature is 29 degrees, with 89.5 inches of snow.

The village of Rhinebeck has stunning views of the Catskills Mountains and boasts a vibrant indie-shopping scene on Main Street. There are also tons of great restaurants in the village. The observation tower in Ferncliff Forest is a favorite hiking spot. The average winter temperature is 28.5 degrees and usually has 41.6 inches of snow.

Other New York towns that were cozy were Ellicottville (No. 4), Lake Placid (No. 7), Lake George (No. 10), Cooperstown (No. 25) and Skaneateles (No. 91).

Amy Pritchett, editor-in-chief at MyDatingAdviser.com, said they 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,” she said.