Head 2 ¼ hours up the thruway from NYC, take exit 19 to discover petite and sweet Margaretville (population around 657, elevation 1300 feet, median home price $149,000).

Located in the heart of the central Catskill region of New York state, we honor this tiny town for their big ideas.

Faced with an aging population, this community decided to dish up a nourishing serving of good health. They've reshaped their community infrastructure to promote a healthier and more vibrant community by focusing on wellness instead of illness.

All sorts of outdoor possibilities invite residents and visitors to exit their cars, rise from their couches and get active in the sweet air of the Catskills.

Fishing a nearby stream

Walking stars in this community. Village projects include the beautification of Main Street with gardens and signage, nature walking trails, a historical walking tour, and a fitness trail.

Comfortable summer temperatures, breathtaking autumn colors and plentiful hiking, bicycling, fly-fishing and skiing season this area with year-round recreational spice.

If all that activity has appetites eager for sustenance, Margaretville will not disappoint. Cafes and coffee shops deliver hot coffee and bagels.  Italian and French cuisine tempt continental palates. There's even a restaurant on a pier over the Delaware River that serves succulent Swiss schnitzel and hearty American favorites.

Country lanes near Margaretville invite cyclists

Chat with local shop-keepers as you stroll and shop Main Street. Discover art at the local gallery. Filled with sweet surprises, no wonder this village was the recipient of New York State Quality Community Award.

Margaretville proves that the best vibrant villages often come wrapped in small packages. It doesn't hurt that the town is so cute that you want to wrap your arms around it and give it a hug.

The annual Cauliflower Festival celebrates local vegetables

Local growers and fresh vegetable fans will find bountiful produce and rich growing soil. And lovers of all things cruciferous will appreciate the annual Cauliflower Festival. I'd like mine lightly steamed, with a nice cheese sauce, please.

Come for a visit, maybe stay for a lifetime. Margaretville is that kind of place.

For more information, contact the Central Catskills Chamber of Commerce.