The EDC is shining a spotlight on the diverse assets of our region by listing what we consider the top 5 best things about living in Warren County communities. In this installment, we are covering the busy little city of Glens Falls which is located about 12 miles south of Lake George and a scenic 3.5 hour long drive North of New York City.
Glens Falls, New York, was named Hometown USA by Look Magazine in 1944 and it’s lived up to its name ever since. The majority of residents here, of which there are currently 14,078, enjoy a safe, fun, and profitable way of life where they can maintain a healthy work-life balance.
We are going to break down our top 5 reasons why Glens Falls is not only a great place to visit but a wonderful area to relocate to.
1. Safety
Glens Falls is one of the safest cities in the United States. The word safety can mean different things to different people. In this context, we mean physical safety of your person and home, as well as job security.
According to Business Insider, Glens Falls is among the 100 U.S. cities with the lowest population density at 74 people per square mile. This means you won’t be living on top of your neighbors in most sections of the county.
In the last 5 years, Glens Falls has seen a decline in violent crime and a decline in property crime (CityData.com). More people are relocating here and visiting here each year but the crime rates are consistently dropping. This is a trend we like to see. The 2019 crime rate in Glens Falls, NY was 2.6 times lower than the U.S. average (CityData.com).
Glens Falls is also a great place to work. Quicken Loans reports that the unemployment rate in Glens Falls in 2020 was at 4% which is below the national average of 6.7%. These numbers a good sign for employees, as well as, employers.
2. Recreation
Folks in Glens Falls love to play outside! The city is filled with recreational fun for people of all ages and ability levels, all year round. Here is just some of what there is to offer!
The City of Glens Falls is home to many different types of walking trails and paths. You can make it more of a hike or take a leisurely stroll and stop for ice cream on the way home. The sidewalks downtown make for a nice walk on a sunny afternoon! Even certain city sidestreets are peaceful to walk on as you pass beautiful homes and well-landscaped yards.
Glens Falls, and all of Warren County, are very bike-friendly! Drivers in the area are used to bicyclists riding alongside and walkers are familiar with bikes on the trails. Are you a casual biker enjoying the sights? How about a thrill-seeking speed biker? Do you prefer mountain biking through rougher terrain? Glens Falls has it all!
Whether you prefer to play baseball, disc golf, shoot hoops, walk your dog, dip your toes in the mighty Hudson River, or relax on a bench with your book, the beautiful parks of Glens Falls have just what you need!
Once the ducks fly south for the winter and the frogs hibernate, spring-fed Crandall Pond becomes the place to go for ice skating! You can lace up your skates and hit the ice for free, for as long as you like. There are even lanterns out in the evening for romantic night skating.
During those winter months, come ski through history on the first lighted cross-country ski trails in North America! The ski and snowshoe trails in Cole’s Woods, tucked behind the Glens Falls Family YMCA, are well-maintained and perfect for skiers of all experience levels. You’ll feel like you’re deep within the wilderness even though you’re just minutes from downtown.
Looking to find some inner peace after a hectic work week? Get in touch with your body through some mindful mat work at one of Glens Falls’ popular yoga spots.
3. Entrepreneurial Support
Glens Falls is a city where small businesses thrive! There is always a new business sprouting up whether it be a cafe, boutique, restaurant, or professional artist and the community is ready with open arms. Here is a list of just some resources and organizations Glens Falls has to offer to entrepreneurs and small business owners.
- The Glens Falls Collaborative
The Glens Falls Collaborative is a membership organization whose mission is to band together and promote Glens Falls. - The Glens Falls Business Improvement District
Their mission is to improve the economic environment and opportunities in Downtown Glens Falls that enhance the value of property within the District and promote the quality of life. - Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council (LARAC)
LARAC’s aim is to enrich the quality of life in Warren, Washington, and Northern Saratoga Counties by supporting arts and culture through promoting, developing, sponsoring, networking, coordinating, and providing arts activities and services. - WorkSmart
WorkSmart is a professional space offering a shared work environment, private meeting and conference space, events, and workshops. - The Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce
The ARCC advocates for businesses in our region, among many other offerings. - The Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce
The LGRCC spearheads a number of tourism initiatives and hosts networking events, among many other offerings. - SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives)
SCORE meets with you and offers free mentorship at the ARCC offices. - SUNY Adirondack
Take the Startup ADK class for a quick crash course on business, or take business classes through Continuing Ed.
4. Special Events
There always seems to be a special event happening in Glens Falls. The community really loves to come together and they know how to show up for a party! Below are some year-round events in the city.
- Glens Falls Collaborative:
- Wing Fest (May)
- Pet Fest (May)
- Take a Bite (July – August)
- Fit Fest (September)
- Grandma’s Table (September)
- Boo 2 You (October)
- Hometown Holidays (December)
- Art in the Public Eye:
- 24-Hour Play Fest (February)
- Chalk Fest (July)
- GEM Fest (July)
- Outdoor Cinema (July- September)
- Food Truck Corral (May-September)
- Adirondack Theater Festival (June-August)
- Americade (September)
- Adirondack Film Festival (October)
- Adirondack Balloon Festival (October)
- Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council (LARAC): November and June Arts Festivals
- Taste of the North Country (November)
- Festival of Trees (December)
5. The Arts
Glens Falls is home to a vibrant arts scene! We are lucky to live in a community that so strongly supports artists and non-profits. From independent artists and arts education to world-renowned collections and original theater, there is something creative for everyone to enjoy.
Live theatre helps to promote social discourse, dialogue, and potential social change. The performing arts are an integral component in keeping the vibrancy and spirit of the Glens Falls community alive.
- Charles R. Wood Theater
The Charles R. Wood Theater is a 30,000 square foot community facility that resulted from the dramatic rehabilitation of a vacant Woolworth Store on Glen Street in the heart of downtown Glens Falls. - The Park Theater
The Park Theater is a premier theater, concert, and private event destination in the heart of downtown Glens Falls. The newly renovated century-old theater holds a long and storied past within the historic town of Glens Falls. - Glens Falls Community Theatre
Entertaining the community since 1935, the Glens Falls Community Theatre produces a fall musical, a mid-winter murder mystery dinner theatre, and a play in the spring. In addition, GFCT offers a Senior Seminar and a Community Service Show.
Glens Falls is home to a true gem in the world of fine art, The Hyde Collection. People travel from all over the country and the world to see this unique collection of renaissance masters on display in the historic Hyde house.
- The Hyde Collection
The Hyde is one of the Northeast’s exceptional small art museums with distinguished collections of European and American art. Comparable to that of a major metropolitan museum, the core collection, acquired by Museum founders Louis and Charlotte Hyde, includes works by such artists as Sandro Botticelli, El Greco, Rembrandt, Peter Paul Rubens, Edgar Degas, Georges Seurat, Pablo Picasso, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and American artists Thomas Eakins, Childe Hassam, Winslow Homer, and James McNeill Whistler.
Hometown U.S.A. is home to hundreds if not thousands of artists, crafters, and makers who display their work in the city in galleries and at festivals throughout the year. If you are a creative, this city will welcome you with open arms.
- Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council (LARAC)
LARAC is a non-profit arts organization promoting art and culture in Northeastern New York State. Their downtown location is home to a modern art gallery and a beautifully curated gift shop of locally made goods. LARAC is the host of the Summer Arts Festival that attracts over 15,000 people annually. - North Country Arts
North Country Arts is a non-profit cultural organization established in 1971 for artists, artisans, and people interested in the arts. North Country Arts currently manages three galleries in the Lower Adirondack and Glens Falls area, providing our artist members with opportunities to show and sell work, as well as juried shows and other events. - The Shirt Factory
Nearly 100 creative, talented, and passionate individuals now consider the former McMullen-Leavens Shirt Factory their home away from home. Visitors will find a variety of classes, shops offering a wide range of products, professional services, working artists, galleries, and much more.
There’s always live music flowing out of bars and restaurants on any given night and musicians hit the stage at every festival and special event in the city. Glens Falls is also home to a top-notch symphony orchestra.
- Glens Falls Symphony
The Glens Falls Symphony aspires to be the best in its class among regional orchestras in the United States through excellence in performance, adventurous programming, and diverse community and educational outreach.
Local museums are able to provide a sense of community and place by celebrating a collective heritage, offering a great way to get to know the history of a particular area. They can also serve as a gateway to learning more about the world as a whole. Glens Falls is home to a few prominent museums which double as educational centers.
Theatre, film, artisans, crafters, and more can all find a place in the spotlight in Glens Falls because the arts have their own bevy of festivals and specials events!
- Art in the Public Eye
- Adirondack Theater Festival
- Adirondack Film Festival
- LARAC Summer Arts Festival
- LARAC Fall Arts Festival
We hope this list sheds some light on why Glens Falls, New York is a beautiful and ever-growing place to live, work, and play. Come experience the community for yourself. You won’t want to leave!
