This Cozy Upstate NY Lake Town With Frozen Waterfalls & Horse Sleigh Rides Is Throwing A Huge Winter Festival This Weekend

Winter in New York City has officially entered its “we need to leave” era. And tucked into Central New York—about four hours from NYC —is a lakeside town that feels like it was designed specifically for this moment. Cazenovia, NY is a walkable, artsy, deeply cozy village set on the edge of a four-mile-long spring-fed lake , and it’s quietly becoming one of the most refreshing winter getaways in the state . “Perfect for a weekend escape, Cazenovia blends fresh local flavors, walkable charm, and scenic outdoor adventures into a refreshingly easy Central New York getaway,” says Kaytlynn Lynch, Executive Director of Madison County Tourism exclusively to Secret NYC. “This small town shines with vibrant festivals, welcoming local businesses, and experiences rooted in community, creativity, and the natural landscape.” Here’s how to experience Cazenovia right now—while it’s snow-dusted, lantern-lit, and very much in its cozy era. A small-town main street that actually feels alive -------------------------------------------------- Cazenovia’s Albany Street is the kind of main drag NYC travelers dream about in winter. Everything is walkable, local, and nothing feels rushed! Boutique shops, independent coffee houses, and restaurants line the street , making it easy to wander in layers, pop inside to warm up, and keep going. Cozy pubs, fireside dining, and beer-with-a-view energy ------------------------------------------------------- With plenty of places to eat and drink, Cazenovia never really gets boring, and the town’s eateries really its “homegrown, high-quality” vibe. The Brae Loch Inn feels like a slice of Scotland dropped into Central New York. Inside, it’s all stone walls, dark wood, crackling fireplaces, and proper pub energy. Expect pints, comfort food, and the kind of cozy-core aesthetic that makes February feel romantic instead of bleak. Just down by the water, the Brewster Inn leans full Gilded Age manor vibes. The massive historic building sits right on Lake Cazenovia , and winter dining here comes with frozen lake views, candlelit tables, and a menu that makes lingering mandatory . For something more lively, Meier’s Creek Brewing Company acts as a year-round social hub where there’s live music nearly every weekend, a food menu that goes way beyond bar basics, and winter programming that includes Snowshoe Sundays —free snowshoe rentals and guided trails followed by beers and fire pits. Frozen waterfalls, snowshoe trails, and low-commitment nature resets -------------------------------------------------------------------- Cazenovia is also a gateway town for some of Central New York’s most underrated winter nature . Delphi Falls County Park , once a private estate, is now a public park featuring a over 100 feet of dramatic waterfall cascades that looks especially striking framed by ice and snow . It’s an easy hike, wildly photogenic, and feels like it should be *way* more famous than it is. Just a short drive away, **Chittenango Falls State Park** delivers one of the tallest waterfalls in New York State—167 feet of cascading ice and mist in winter —with a footbridge that makes it feel cinematic without being overcrowded. Closer to town, Lake Cazenovia itself becomes part of the experience thanks to all of the snow-lined waterfront paths, quiet benches, and wide-open views ideal for reflective walks, especially at sunset. Art you can actually walk through --------------------------------- One of Cazenovia’s most unique assets in our opinion is Stone Quarry Hill Art Park. This 104-acre indoor-outdoor art park blends large-scale sculpture, forest trails, and sweeping valley views into one immersive experience . Instead of wandering a traditional gallery (which is also really great!), you’re hiking through landscape art, with installations tucked into the terrai n. In winter, it’s quieter, moodier, and even more striking—snow outlining sculptures, bare trees opening up sight lines, and crisp air that makes the whole thing feel intentional. A winter festival moment happening THIS WEEKEND ----------------------------------------------- Cazenovia doesn’t just endure winter—it throws a four-day party for it. Winterfest , which is happening this weekend February 5 – 8 turns the village into a cozy, come-as-you-are winter playground packed with small, charming moments you kind of stumble into. One of the most unforgettable happens Saturday night at Meier’s Creek Brewing Company, where a British blacksmith uses a red-hot iron poker to flash-heat a Colonial Hot Flip, a historic drink made with dark beer, rum, and honey. It’s smoky, dramatic, and wildly photogenic—part craft beer culture, part 18th-century survival ritual. Throughout the weekend, the town becomes a game board thanks to the Great Medallion Hunt , with daily clues dropped on Facebook and a $250 cash prize for anyone who cracks it. Saturday’s Cocoa Crawl lets downtown shops compete for the best hot chocolate , from spicy pepper cocoa to lavender and boozy orange-laced versions. As night falls, lantern-lit snowshoe hikes and torch-lit skiing at the Lorenzo State Historic Site make winter feel cinematic. Ice-carving demos, possible horse-drawn sleigh rides, and a free Snowshoe Sunday social hike round out a festival that proves winter is better when everyone leans into it. Source: https://secretnyc.co/cazenovia-upstate-ny-winter-escape/