‘Bring on the Bagels’ at These 14 Top Upstate Bagel Shops

So, how do you start your morning? A piece of toast on the run? A bowl of Cheerios? Ham and eggs? A fruit smoothie? Well, they are all good starters but for this writer (and many other folks) a great way to start the day is with a toasted bagel with a schmear of cream cheese. Filling, healthy, delicious, and convenient. There are dozens of bagel shops spread all over the Upstate region. Here is a starter list of 14 great bagel bakeries, from the Hudson Valley to Buffalo, and from the St. Lawrence River to the Catskills. Check out the list and see some of the great photos. I can guarantee you that looking at these photographs will make you say, "Yup, it is bagel time!"

Each of the 21 villages on this list has less than 1,000 residents. Still, they all have something worth stopping by for a visit.. Something historic, fun, something delicious to eat, or just plain fascinating, each is worth a side trip. Visit the Three Bears in Ovid (pop. 602). You won't see that anywhere else in the U.S. Stop and say hello to TV stars "The Beekman Boys" in Sharon Springs (pop. 558). What was the "war" that took place in Delaware County that escalated to violence and even death? Why is Tannersville called "The Painted Lady in the Sky?" Is it true that Mark Twain named his favorite house cat after a village in Western New York? And why is the National Abolition Museum and Hall of Fame in Peterboro (pop.176)? Each of these tiny map dots have a great story to tell.