There is nothing like a small town Main Street.  Either the ones we have today or those that are tucked away in our youthful memories.  As "the sprawl" now effects every community it is always nice to pause for a second and give thanks to those small towns who have interesting, walkable Main Streets to spend a little times at.

This list looks at a dozen nice ones.  This will be the first list of several to come in the future so hold your horses Skaneateles, Saratoga Springs, Ithaca, Ellicottville, and others.  Your time will come!

A couple of things about the towns on this first list.  It is surprising that some of them are so small.  I mean less than 2,000 residents.  And also, it was very surprising to me how many of the communities that play host to the large State University of New York college campuses in Upstate New York have really been able to retain a small town feel to them, with thanks, in part, to their charming downtowns.

Agreed, most of these Main Streets can be "done" in an hour, or a couple of hours, or even an afternoon.  So I have listed some of my favorite stores, restaurants, book shops, and museums along the way, to help you enjoy your adventure.  And all of them are, you guessed it, on Main Street!

Some of these places are most pleasant in the spring and summer, others sparkle when the leaves start to turn, while still others welcome snowbirds to their Main Street in the heart of winter.  All are wonderful.

I hope you enjoy this little travelogue to 12 of Upstate New York's best little Main Streets.

Take a Walk Along These 12 Charming Upstate New York 'Main Streets'

Typically the heart of any community is its Main Street. Upstate New York is no different. While big box stores, strip malls, and franchise restaurants can now be found at the outskirts of most towns, here are a dozen really nice small town Main Streets that would make for a perfect afternoon stroll. Check them out!

Gallery Credit: Chuck D'Imperio

The Most Head-Scratching List Of Upstate New York Trivia You Have Ever Read!

Wait....is that Mr. Ed in the photo above? What on earth could that talking horse have to do with Upstate New York?

OK...trivia time! Where is the geographic center of New York State? Where are all the lollipop, corn dog, and cotton candy sticks made? Where is the oldest (and shortest) covered bridge in the U.S.? Where is the most visited celebrity grave of all located? Is there really such a thing as a two-story brick outhouse, and if so where the heck is it?

Well, if you answered "Upstate New York" to all of these you are right. And you will definitely enjoy this delicious list of trivia about our region!

Everybody loves a good story, or some head-scratching trivia facts. This list pulls the curtain back on nearly 40 amazing pieces of Upstate New York history you probably didn't know about. Are they earth-shaking? No. Are they interesting? Definitely!

Whatever happened to "that kid" in the Willie Wonka movie? Where was the first grand slam home run in organized baseball hit? Where is the oldest mini-golf in America located? Tell us the story of Binghamton's Kentucky Derby winner! Tell us the story about TV's "Mr. Ed" and his connection to Upstate New York! How could the oldest continuously operating Boy Scout troop be in a tiny Upstate New York village? And what was that controversy over famous singer Kate's Smith's Lake Placid, NY grave all about?

The answer to all of these questions and many more lie in Upstate New York.

Enjoy!

Gallery Credit: Chuck D'Imperio

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