New York State is much more than the Statue of Liberty and bright city lights of New York City. Small towns in New York really should not be overlooked, and though they are blinded (literally) by their more populous and popular downstate neighbor of NYC, real travelers know that true New York lies in the humility of the New York small-town charm.

Here are 10 reasons why visiting a small town in New York should reign priority over visiting NYC.

10 The Charm

Interior at Mirror Lake Inn
via Kaitlyn Rosati
Interior of Mirror Lake Inn. PHOTO: Kaitlyn Rosati

Though New York City can be charming at times, it’s not exactly the first adjective that comes to mind when describing the Big Apple. Small towns in New York, however, are the epitome of charm.

Take Clinton, NY for example, with its quaint main street filled with locally owned stores selling anything from homemade soaps to quirky greeting cards.

Find antique shops off of major highways, diners in isolated parts of the state, and bustling downtown areas like the one in Saratoga Springs.

9 The Mom-and-Pop Shops

Tailgate and Party Store in Saratoga Springs
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Tailgate and Party Store. PHOTO: Kaitlyn Rosati

While NYC certainly does have many local mom-and-pop shops, they are sadly outnumbered by the commercialism of chain stores.

Find a Starbucks on every corner in Manhattan, but in small towns, find gems like Utica Coffee in Utica, Tailgate & Party in Saratoga Springs, and Grace Tyler Winery in Cleveland.

There’s nothing more authentic than stumbling into a pot that can’t be found anywhere else in the world.

8 The Food

Hattie's Food (Saratoga Springs)
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Food at Hattie's in Saratoga Springs. PHOTO: Kaitlyn Rosati

New York City has great cuisine, and no one will argue that. However, for those looking for a more intimate experience, with a higher chance of meeting the faces and names behind the food, small towns in New York have some true and tried traditional foods.

Try fried chicken and swamp water at Hattie's in Saratoga Springs. Go for Utica greens or chicken riggies in Utica, NY at places like Ancora!, Café Del Buono, and Delmonico's.

Eat a proper garbage plate at Nick Tahou Hot's, the place that originated them in the neighborly city of Rochester, NY.

And, of course, while not necessarily a small town, no visit to Buffalo is worth it without trying some buffalo wings.

RELATED: 10 Beautiful US Lake Towns You Have To Visit

7 The Humble Atmosphere

Saratoga Arts
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Saratoga Arts Center. PHOTO: Kaitlyn Rosati

There’s too much hustle and bustle in the city, and it seems like everyone walking around has an attitude.

For those looking for a place with a bit more humility than the over-hyped Wall Street finance bros and pinkies-up Upper East Side families, head to a small town in New York instead.

There's nothing more humbling than the simple life in the countryside and being surrounded by trees instead of buildings.

6 The People

Library at Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa
via Kaitlyn Rosati
Library at Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa. PHOTO: Kaitlyn Rosati

Let’s face it; New York City has a reputation for not having the kindest people in the world. Though this isn’t entirely true, and New Yorkers are likely to help visitors navigate the chaotic streets of Times Square and the East Village, New Yorkers are often in a hurry, in their own world, with places to be and no time to waste.

This is the opposite attitude of small-town New Yorkers. Life is slow, and people are often humble and friendly. Take Rochester, NY for example, which was just voted as the most neighborly city in the USA.

5 The Nature

Open Road Hunter, NY
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snowy road in Hunter, NY. PHOTO: Kaitlyn Rosati

From national parks to waterfalls to some of the country’s cleanest lakes, New York small towns offer something that the city simply can’t provide: a slice of sweet nature.

New York's small towns are beautiful, from the charm of Hudson to the history of Cooperstown to the waters of Oneida Lake.

Find waterfalls at Watkins Glen State Park, hiking trails in the Adirondacks, slippery ski slopes in Hudson, and be amazed at just how blue the water is at Green Lakes State Park in Syracuse.

RELATED: 10 Best Campsites To Book To See The Scenic New York Catskills

4 The Accommodation

Mirror Lake Inn front
Photo by RICK POLICASTRO
Front of Mirror Lake Inn. Photo: RICK POLICASTRO

Long gone are the days when New York City accommodations could be found for under $300/night. For that price, expect simply a room that's the size of a shoebox, probably tagged with at least an extra $50 for any type of add-on.

For those who not only don't want to break the bank but would enjoy something a bit more spacious, try heading to a lake house in Upstate New York. Oneida Lake is a great place for getting away from it all, and it's about a five-hour ride from The Big Apple.

Give money locally by renting a house like this one, fully equipped with a fireplace, where for under $200/night, up to 8 guests can stay spaciously.

3 The Road Trips

Winter Road Trip
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Winter road trip. Photo by: KAITLYN ROSATI

Driving a car through the Empire State is easily the best way to enjoy its diverse beauty. Why limit a trip to only one town when a road trip can allow visitors to see several? In winter months, head up north through Lake Placid and the Adirondacks.

In the summertime, head down to The Catskills. Take a wine tour with a designated driver around the Finger Lakes region. No matter which road-trip travelers decide to take, as long as it's in the state of New York, it's guaranteed to be scenic.

2 The Affordability

Downtown Lake Placid
Photo by Rick Policastro
Downtown Lake Placid.

New York City was recently voted as the most expensive city in the world, so for those who'd rather not pay $8 for an iced coffee or $30 for a sandwich, a small town in New York is, no doubt, a better bet.

For city folks especially, it becomes laughable just how affordable Upstate New York is.

Of course, there are some exceptions, like Skaneateles (hosting the state's cleanest lake) and the winter wonderland of Lake Placid being a bit pricier than the rest of the state, but towns such as Utica, Hornell, Saratoga Springs, Schenectady, and more, will provide a proper getaway without breaking the bank.

1 Overall? New York Has More Than NYC To Offer

Views from Above
Photo by Rick Policastro
Views from above Mirror Lake. Photo by RICK POLICASTRO

While New York City is, of course, a magical place to visit, and should be visited at least once in every traveler's lifetime, small towns in New York are not to be overlooked either.

From prices to quaint accommodations to some seriously friendly people, a visit to a small town in New York should be just as high on any bucket list as a visit to The Big Apple.