'The Nicest Place In America' For 2026 Is This Wildly Charming Lakeside Village Outside Syracuse

Located on the shores of Onondaga Lake, Liverpool, New York, offers visitors a walkable historic village center and miles of trails to explore at Onondaga Lake Park. While its waterfront setting adds to the village's charm, Liverpool's charitable organizations and residents helped earn its recent recognition as the "Nicest Place in America" for 2026 by Reader's Digest. 

The magazine's readers submitted nominations for the award; then, a select panel of judges narrowed down the list by considering each locale's "nice factor," or the ways people help others in their communities. Liverpool, located near Syracuse, took the No.1 spot based on local nonprofit organizations and personal philanthropy efforts from its residents. The article highlighted several residents, including a local shoemaker who collects and repairs shoes for a nonprofit that serves people experiencing homelessness and food insecurity.

Liverpool is home to many nonprofits that support and address a wide range of community needs. One example is Operation Northern Comfort. It's a volunteer-run nonprofit that helps people by building wheelchair ramps, making home repairs, and providing disaster relief support. Operation Northern Comfort began in 2005, when volunteers from New York traveled to Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina to help with rebuilding efforts. The nonprofit later shifted toward helping residents closer to home. David's Refuge helps parents caring for children with disabilities or serious medical issues by providing free weekend getaways, support groups, and wellness programs so they can take a break from caregiving.

Several local businesses also give back to the local community through donations and fundraising efforts. For over a century, Heid's of Liverpool has offered German-inspired hot dog specialties in New England-style buns. There's a Hofmann frank combining veal, pork, and beef, a coney made with pork and veal, and an Italian sausage, as well as tasty fried sides like onion rings. Since 2023, the restaurant has hosted an annual Halloween Trunk or Treat fundraiser benefiting local nonprofits. Heid's also hosts other fundraisers throughout the year, supporting a variety of charitable causes, including a National Ice Cream Day event that contributed a portion of sales to Upstate Cancer Center. The restaurant is also a stop on New York's Upstate Eats Trail.

Events are another way that nonprofits bring the community together and raise funds. Nearby Syracuse is home to the annual Crawfish Festival, a fundraiser for Operation Northern Comfort. The Cajun-inspired festival is held at Clinton Square in May. The festival centers around Louisiana-style seafood boils and Cajun culture. It features live music, craft, family-friendly areas, and nonprofit booths. Visitors planning a late-summer trip should also consider America's oldest state fair, held at the New York State Fairgrounds near Syracuse, with agricultural exhibits, concerts, and regional foods.

Liverpool is about 5 miles from Syracuse. Visitors can fly into the Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) and arrive via rental cars, taxi, or rideshare services from the airport. Public transportation is also an option, and visitors can catch a Centro bus from downtown Syracuse on one of the several routes serving Liverpool, with its unique shops and New England vibes.