West Glens Falls, New York 2025

As of the 2020 census, the population of West Glens Falls was about 22,000 people.

West Glens Falls, a small city in New York's Capital District, has a rich history and a unique culture that makes it stand out.

Glens Falls was first settled in 1763 by a group of settlers from Worcester County, Massachusetts, who were of mostly English and Scottish descent. Over time, the town grew as a center of industry, with sawmills, gristmills, and woolen mills along the Hudson River. During the 19th century, the city became a popular summer resort, with several large hotels, inns, and boarding houses. Tourists came to enjoy the natural beauty of the area, including the famous "Glens Falls," a series of rapids that span the breadth of the Hudson River.

Glens Falls was the site of the 1932 Adirondack Mountains buried treasure hoax. A wealthy Troy businessman, John J. O'Connell, promised to hide a chest containing $100,000 in cash and bonds in the Adirondack Mountains (ADKs).

The name "Glen Falls" was officially changed to "Glens Falls" in 1916. Over the years, several notable people have lived in Glens Falls, including three Medal of Honor recipients, five members of Congress, a US Senator, best-selling novelist Ann Patchett, and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Bruce Catton.

With a diverse population, West Glens Falls celebrates its cultural heritage with festivals and events such as the Adirondack Scottish Games and Music Festival, the Crandall Interactive Art Gallery, and the Feeder Canal Alliance's annual Canal Festival. It also has the Glens Falls Symphony Orchestra and Chorale.

Glens Falls Farmers' Market, open on Saturdays during the warmer months, is an attractive place for foodies, where they can find local fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, baked goods, maple syrup, and wines.

In addition to learning its history, visitors can take guided tours at the Chapman Historical Museum. The Hyde Collection Art Museum and Historic Home features a collection of European and American art, while the World Awareness Children's Museum allows kids to learn via interactive displays and artifacts.

Other attractions include the 22-acre Glens Falls Recreation Center with its fenced-in Playground Heaven playground; the Glens Falls School District's Environmental Studies Program; and the Glens Falls Art Park, a haven for painting and photography.

Glens Falls is served by daily Amtrak passenger trains and is moments from Saratoga Springs and Albany, the capital city of New York. Its location in the southeastern Adirondacks makes it a popular destination for year-round outdoor recreation.