Upstate New York winters are known for being cold, snowy, and harsh. But there is also a natural beauty to the season that must be appreciated.

Often time that winter beauty is centered around our quaint Upstate New York towns that take on a whole new life in the winter months. There is nothing quite like a fresh blanket of snow adding to the charm of a walkable downtown, the welcoming warmth of a great local restaurant on a cold night, or just the sheer beauty of nighttime lights reflecting off the frozen hallmarks of the season.

Even if like me you get a little bit sick of the long spells of cold and clearing out snow, there is still no getting around or appreciating the beauty of winter in the Empire State.

So it should come as no surprise that two Upstate New York towns have been recognized as 2 of the Top 50 Most Magical Winter Wonderland Towns in the U.S. by Trips to Discover. The popular travel website says they based the distinction for these 50 towns based on each having "...breathtaking surroundings and often charming streets lined with historical buildings or perhaps simply an ideal eatery for sitting next to a roaring fire, a glass of wine, or a cup of hot cocoa in hand."

Let's check out the Upstate New York Towns That Made the list!

Lake Placid

We know very well the winter charms of Lake Placid, and Trips to Discover points out to its readers the countless winter activities, sports, and the amazing restaurant scene as the main reasons to visit this Adirondacks' gem in the winter months.

Lake Placid is truly a year-round destination, but winter may be the best of all 4 seasons when it comes to natural beauty and outdoors fun. Not to mention there is so much Olympics history to check out in the home of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Games.

Now lets get to the next magical Upstate town...

Skaneateles

Nestled on the Northern end of Skaneateles Lake in the Finger Lakes, this town looks like it should be in a Norman Rockwell painting (As you can see in the photo above!). Not to mention it is right in the middle of the amazing Finger Lakes wine region.

Trips to Discover says great holiday festivities, restaurants, shopping and a "vibrant downtown" are all reasons to plan your next weekend getaway here.

So when you are cursing out that snowblower when it doesn't start this winter, maybe it is time to book that winter getaway to one of these amazing towns to appreciate all the winter good stuff!