With over 7,400 residents in the town, Gouverneur is a short drive from the Adirondack State Park and the Thousand Islands Seaway of the St. Lawrence River. The stunningly beautiful Adirondacks are characterized by their majestic peaks, lush green meadows, mountain lakes, and down hill skiing, hiking and snowmobiling trails. The region offers exciting activities such as white water rafting, hot air ballooning and mountain climbing. The Thousand Islands Seaway offers internationally cultural experiences, complemented by statuesque lighthouses, unique shopping opportunities and fishing villages. Both the Adirondacks and the Seaway are popular tourist destinations that provide a range of recreational activities without detracting from the small-town feel of the Gouverneur community. In addition, Gouverneur's central location affords easy access to several renowned attractions in the general vicinity. Ottawa, the cultural and political capital of Canada, Fort Drum, home of the 10th Mountain Infantry Division, Pyramid Mall in Ithaca, Lake Placid and Lake Ontario are all within an hour and a half drive of Gouverneur.

Gouverneur is known worldwide for its unique geology. Rock and gem collectors regularly flock to the area to study the fascinating "road cuts" and rare local minerals such as Hexagonite. The Gouverneur Museum displays an expansive collection of minerals and a local mining exhibit, as well as a variety of other historical items. Gouverneur is also known for its agribusiness. Each July, the Gouverneur Fair & St. Lawrence County Fair provides opportunities to showcase award-winning livestock and horticulture products in addition to the rides, games and other exciting activities. Gouverneur is also home to the annual St. Lawrence Valley Bluegrass Festival.

Gouverneur has excellent public schools and a variety of activities available to students including 4-H, scouting and numerous other age appropriate clubs. The academic communities nearby offer lectures, plays, concerts and a wide array of cultural and intellectual opportunities. SUNY Canton and SUNY Potsdam and the Crane School of Music, are part of NY's State University system. Clarkson University in Potsdam and St. Lawrence University in Canton and are known to be two of the top private educational facilities in the United States. All of these institutions are within a reasonable driving distance of Gouverneur.

An abundance of white dolomite marble contributed to Gouverneur's nickname, "Marble City". This marble has been quarried and used in Gouverneur since the town's founding nearly two centuries ago. The mineral-rich area is also host to thriving businesses such as the Gouverneur Talc Company, one of the world's oldest and largest talc producers, Cives Steel Company, Zinc Corporation of America and Cellu Tissue Corporation. Gouverneur, home to Kinney Drugs headquarters, is the birthplace of this retail drugstore chain that operates nearly sixty stores in northern and central New York and Vermont. The Development Authority of the North Country continues to attract new businesses to the area through projects such as their 450-mile fiber optic telecommunications system. This provides a state-of-the-art infrastructure for Gouverneur and the entire St. Lawrence County region.

Gouverneur, New York offers a safe haven from the hectic pace of city life. With its picturesque rural setting and safe neighborhoods, Gouverneur is an excellent place to live and work.