Middleburgh blends colonial history with country living
Middleburgh is a historic rural town in the Capital Region of New York known for its country feel and slower pace of life. First settled in the 1700s, Middleburgh was originally an agricultural community that produced around 80,000 bushels of grain during America’s fight for independence against the British, earning the nickname “the bread basket of the revolution.” “There were three forts from here to Schoharie Valley,” says Betty Wayman, an associate broker with Century 21 Northeast who has been in the market for over 35 years. "Now it's all just farmland with a little family-oriented community." Today, Middleburgh reflects both its past and future with a walkable downtown, nearby state parks and historical attractions that are still standing nearly three centuries later.
State forests, hiking trails and Schoharie Creek
Many state forests surround the community, including the 10,000-acre Burnt-Rossman Hills State Forest, which has fishing piers, campsites and hiking trails. Vroman’s Nose is a popular natural landmark due to its stunning views over 1,000 feet above the valley, and people can go canoeing and kayaking in Schoharie Creek from Timothy Murphy Park. The Middleburgh Community Pool has a waterslide and a diving board, and the Middleburgh Art Park features paintings and sculptures from local artists. The historic Middleburgh Reformed Church was established in the 1730s and was later rebuilt after the original building was destroyed during a British raid. The Dr. Best House & Medical Museum is an old Victorian home that showcases medical equipment, clothing and furniture from the 19th century.
Colonial homes and cozy cabins in the countryside
There are mostly historic homes in Middleburgh, some of which are from the 1780s. Small bungalows, cottages and cabins that are less than 600 square feet can have screened patios and wood-burning stoves and cost $50,000 to $150,000. Colonial and Victorian homes built in the 1800s are prevalent, and there are also some ranch-style and Cape Cod houses from the mid-1900s. Prices range between $150,000 and $450,000. Large contemporary and custom homes are built on acreage and can have decks, fireplaces and panoramic views of the rolling hills filled with hardwood and maple trees, ranging from $500,000 to $900,000.
Family-owned businesses and longstanding restaurants
Middleburgh’s Main Street has many restaurants and small businesses near the creek. Middle Village Pasta & Grill is an Italian restaurant that also serves pizza, seafood and hot sandwiches, while Ole Bar and Grill is a new restaurant that opened in 2025 specializing in tacos, quesadillas and cheeseburger sliders. Middleburgh Diner has been around since the 1950s and is popular for its fresh country eggs and homemade apple pie. The Ice-Burgh is a soft-serve ice cream shop with ice cream sandwiches, sundaes and apple cider donuts. There are many thrift stores and gift shops downtown, including Middleburgh Mercantile, and Middleburgh Hardware has been family-owned and operated for over 130 years. Valley Market is the town grocery store that’s been part of the community since 2018.
Music and merry tidings on Main Street
Middleburgh hosts a concert series during the summer where musicians play on Main Street on the fourth Friday of every month. In addition to live music, the series also features food trucks, kids’ activities and classic car shows. Locals also look forward to Miracle on Main Street in early December, where they light up the Christmas tree, shop at the holiday marketplace and ride on horse-drawn carriages. “It’s just a big family thing,” Wayman says. “It gets people excited about the holidays.”
Schoharie County Public Transportation to nearby communities
New York State Routes 30 and 145 both run through Middleburgh and lead around 10 miles north to Interstate 88, which provides a direct route 20 miles east to Rotterdam. The capital city of Albany is also around 40 miles east and has an international airport with nonstop flights to 25 destinations nationwide. Cobleskill Regional Hospital is around 12 miles northwest and is open for 24 hours. The Schoharie County Public Transportation System serves area residents and has routes that run throughout the county.
Student clubs and activities at Middleburgh Central School District
Middleburgh Central School District serves 11 towns in the county and earns a B on Niche. Middleburgh Elementary School earns a B-minus and teaches pre-kindergarten through sixth grade with student clubs for art, reading and skiing. B-rated Middleburgh Junior/Senior High School has a 9-to-1 student-teacher ratio and offers advanced placement courses.
