Liverpool, New York, named America's Nicest Place in 2026

Liverpool, New York, has been named Reader's Digest's Nicest Place in America for 2026. The village, located approximately five miles north of Syracuse, won the annual contest based on profiles of residents whose volunteer work extends throughout the community.

Reader's Digest launched the competition in 2017. Submissions begin with reader nominations, which the magazine's editorial team reviews before a panel of judges makes the final selection. This year's judging panel included Craig Melvin, co-anchor of NBC's "Today" show; Mitch Albom, author of "Tuesdays with Morrie"; author Monica Guzman; StoryCorps CEO Sandra Clark; and restaurateur Molly Irani. The judges prioritized community spirit, volunteerism, and acts of everyday kindness.

A central part of Liverpool's nomination is Operation Northern Comfort, a volunteer organization founded in 2005 by Norm Andrzejewski. The group, initially called Operation Southern Comfort, sent volunteers to Louisiana to help rebuild after Hurricane Katrina. It changed its name in 2012 and shifted its construction efforts to local needs. In 2025, the group completed 57 projects, including ramps and lifts to improve accessibility for residents with mobility challenges. A crawfish festival held this year raised $40,000 to support the organization's work.

The magazine also profiled Ralph Rotella, a Liverpool resident who owns Discount Shoe Repair in downtown Syracuse. His shoe drive collected more than 45,000 pairs of shoes in 2025. Since launching the drive in 2011, Rotella's organization has distributed a total of 300,000 pairs to people in need.

The village's charitable efforts were further illustrated by the response of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church to a woman experiencing homelessness. Congregants provided her with food, showers, and laundry assistance. A connection to a Syracuse nonprofit helped her secure an apartment, according to the magazine's account.

Liverpool features other local assets, including its location along Onondaga Lake, the popular hot dog stand Heid's of Liverpool, and American High, a film studio that opened in a former school building in 2017. Simone McCarthy, a Liverpool resident, summarized the community's approach to service in a statement to Reader's Digest. "You don't have to go out and save the world," McCarthy said. "Just save your block."