By ERIN DEBORAH WAKS, TRAVEL WRITER
Published: | Updated:
Liverpool has just been named 2026's nicest place in America – and no, we don't mean the home of the Beatles, but a tiny village in New York with the same name.
The village in New York spans just one square mile in size, and has a population of 2,600.
A far cry from the bustling port city in the north-west of the UK, it's filled with tree-lined avenues, a lake park and small businesses.
Located near Syracuse, Liverpool was ranked as the 'nicest place in America' by Reader's Digest.
Moreover, thanks to its charitable spirit and focus on volunteer work, there's a real neighbourly spirit present in the small village.
'Welcome to the Village of Liverpool, a vibrant community on the north shore of Onondaga Lake with unique shops, great restaurants, neighbourhood parks, lovely lakeshore trails, and a warm and welcoming village community,' says the official government site of the village.
Liverpool has been ranked as the 'nicest place in America'
It is situated on the shore of Onondaga Lake Park
Often dubbed the 'Central Park of central New York', Onondaga Lake Park is the main attraction here.
With trails, sports, play areas, a skatepark and bike rentals, it's perfect for a family day out.
The village is also home to Heid's of Liverpool, a famous hot dog establishment that lures in visitors from the surrounding regions – as well as one of the oldest drive-ins in the US.
'Heid's of Liverpool has been serving iconic Hofmann franks and coneys since 1917, making it a long-standing Central New York favorite and delighting families and visitors for generations,' the restaurant says.
It's now also home to an ice cream shop, and has a nostalgic, retro American vibe.
Liverpool Cemetery is also a historic landmark in the town, home to walking tours with a range of themes from war veterans to public health.
Heid's of Liverpool has served its iconic hotdogs for more than 100 years
The picturesque village has many pretty buildings, including the Liverpool Police Department
Liverpool Village Cemetery is also home to walking tours
The spirit of togetherness is what won the town its new title.
'In a time where everyone is looking straight ahead and just taking care of themselves, it's nice to know that if I get in trouble, I can knock next door and there's someone there that'll open the door and smile,' Liverpool resident Simone McCarthy told Reader's Digest.
Stacy Finney, Liverpool’s mayor, added: 'I do think there’s a spirit of volunteerism in Liverpool.
'Because people love the area they live in, they want to enhance it. You’ve got to love where you live, and invest your time where you live.'