USA Today Names Dutchess Town a Top 5 Tourist Destination

A small, local town was named a top tourist destination by USA Today.

In a recent article, USA Today ranked the top five must-see small towns in New York. Among vacation spots like Lake Placid and Cooperstown was a local village that has transformed itself over the past few decades into a hot tourist destination.

The Village of Rhinebeck in Dutchess County was listed as a must-see destination because it's "calming and spontaneous" vibe. Hot spots like Bread Alone bakery, Terrapin, Upstate Films and the Beekman Arms were listed as places to visit while staying in town.

Rhinebeck has transformed quite a bit from just a decade ago. Some new, trendy restaurants have popped up including Buns, a gourmet burger and shake joint that serves up grass-fed burgers and decadent shakes. The Amsterdam also recently opened across from The Beekman Arms, offering upscale casual dining. Long time Rhinebeck business, Le Petit Bistro, also recently expanded, taking over the old cigar shop on the corner of East Market and Mill Street (which is a fancy, Rhinebeck way of saying Route 9).

Have you spent time in Rhinebeck recently? Let us know why you think it deserves to be a top-five destination in the comments section below or on our Facebook page.

Bonus Video: Fall Foliage Over Mount Beacon