Story by Emily Barnes, New York State Team • 20h R ochester is packed with college culture as it's home to four campuses, plus a couple more on the outskirts, and now it's being recognized for it.

From New York City, it's a four-and-a-half-hour drive to the glistening state park. Nearby, another one of New York's best small lakeside towns , Cooperstown, is just 7.5 miles away.

These lakeside towns in New York offer unique destinations to enjoy the charm, beauty and plenty of recreational options. Here are the top lakeside towns in upstate New York, according to World Atlas.