Big Flats, New York
Southern Tier Gateway to the Finger Lakes

Welcome toBig Flats, NY

Southern Tier Gateway to the Finger Lakes
Welcome to the Town of Big Flats, the "Southern Tier Gateway to the Finger Lakes", formed in 1822. We are a close community with strong programs for Youth, Seniors and people of all ages. The Town Complex features a Community Center with all facets of community activities along with over 11 community parks, three walking trails with a relaxed town feel. Big Flats is foremost a cozy residential community with light commercial businesses and retail shopping centers. Big Flats is the home to the Glider Museum, Chemung County Airport, Warplane Museum and many nature preserves. The Chemung River runs through Big Flats featuring many activities like canoeing, kayaking and fishing. With excellent schools and a hometown feel, it makes a great place to retire or to raise a family.

Upcoming Events

This is where you place information about your upcoming events
See All Events

Town Supervisor Lee Giammichele
Welcomes you to Big Flats



Hello and welcome to the Town of Big Flats! The Town strives to maintain a balance of the high quality of life and small-town amenities it offers while encouraging sustainable residential, commercial, industrial and recreational growth.  We want the Town of Big Flats to be a place for regional connectivity, economic development and tourism while providing a healthy and diverse range of housing and employment choices. In 2021, Business Insider named Big Flats the most affordable small towns to live in New York and continue to be considered as one of the best small communities in upstate New York to live and raise a family.   


Whether you are traveling into the area through the Elmira-Corning Regional Airport, or visiting one of the many attractions including the Warplane Museum, the National Sailplane Museum, or the Tanglewood Nature Preserve, or maybe it is to spend a day on the river or shopping at one of the many retail establishments...whatever brings you to the Town of Big Flats, we welcome you and hope you will enjoy Big Flats, your Southern Tier Gateway to the Finger Lakes.