New York’s Catskills region is home to dozens of charming small towns just a few hours away from the hustle and bustle of New York City. Both New Yorkers and tourists who need a break after experiencing Times Square’s constant crowds can find a refuge in Bainbridge, New York, a small village offering plenty of outdoor activities like kayaking and camping. Residents and visitors alike praise the quiet vibes, friendly community, and beautiful scenery.
Bainbridge is about a 3.5 drive northwest of NYC and about a 1.5-hour drive southeast of Syracuse, a food and art paradise that’s one of the most affordable cities for vacation. With a population of under 1,500 people, Bainbridge is a quiet refuge with many outdoor recreation opportunities. Both the New York Susquehanna Basin Water Trail (NYSBWT) and the annual General Clinton Canoe Regatta race flow through town, and there are several popular campsites. If you don’t want to camp, you have options for an overnight stay, including the historic Bainbridge House Bed & Breakfast, the charming Berry Hill Farm Bed & Breakfast, and the affordable Algonkin Motel LLC.
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Outdoor activities in Bainbridge, New York
A view of a river from a campsite in Bainbridge, New York – @lay.hr_z650 / Instagram
Bainbridge offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities with campsites, kayaking, and hiking. Campers can book a stay at Tall Pines Campground, Riverside RV Campground, or General Clinton Park. Along with tent and RV camping, Tall Pines Campground offers an in-ground pool, two arcades, volleyball and basketball courts, and a themed pirate playground for kids. The campground is located on the shores of the Unadilla River, offering swimming, fishing, boating, and more to both overnight campers and day visitors. Don’t have your own boat? You can rent a canoe, kayak, tube, or raft with NY River Adventure at Tall Pines. Riverside RV Campground is a smaller campground, a short drive away on the shores of the Susquehanna River. Visitors praise the scenic river views and friendly staff. And General Clinton Park features campsites for both tent and RV camping.
If you prefer to stay in a bed and breakfast or motel, you can still enjoy the river. Bainbridge’s two public parks both offer river access for kayaking, canoeing, and fishing, along with walking trails. The 50-acre General Clinton Park is also home to the scenic Community Foundation Walking Trail, baseball fields, a volleyball court, and a geocaching expedition. The smaller William Payne Park also offers river access and is home to the town’s public pool. Bainbridge is also a popular hiking spot. The Finger Lakes Trail, the longest hiking trail in the state at 549 miles, passes through Bainbridge and offers scenic views.
Stores and restaurants in Bainbridge, New York
The exterior of a retro diner with a neon sign reading Bob’s Diner in Bainbridge, New York – Tyler A. McNeil/Wikimedia Commons
Along with outdoor recreation, Bainbridge offers antique finds and delicious eateries. One of the town’s landmarks is the Town Hall Theatre, a 1910 vintage theater that hosts live music, amateur theater, and art shows. It also features a small art gallery featuring local creatives’ wares. Bainbridge is an antiquing hotspot with several stores in town, including Iroquois Antiques and Collectibles, Old Hickory Antiques, and Harmonie Hall Antiques. “This place is a very cool spot for a wide array of true antiques. Outside is full of reclaimed wood and windows and doors and wagon wheels, and inside is full of treasures,” writes one Yelp reviewer of Iroquois Antiques and Collectibles. Don’t miss Pine Ridge Grocery, either. Along with food, they also sell homemade Amish crafts.
Hungry? Bainbridge has a few local restaurants that are beloved by residents and visitors alike. The retro-style Bob’s Diner is a town staple, serving customers for over 90 years; Jerry’s Inn serves “great food and cold beer,” as one Tripadvisor reviewer put it; and S&S Cafe has a menu featuring comfort food like chicken pot pie and roast beef with mashed potatoes. For a sweet treat, stop by Erika’s Cakery or the Donut Shack. If you’re feeling thirsty, visit Better Daze Winery and Forged Brewing, located in the same building; both are stops on New York’s Southern Tier Craft Beverage Trail. Exploring more of the Catskills? Just an hour’s drive from Bainbridge, you’ll find Hobart, a charming little village dedicated to book lovers.
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