6 Eccentric Towns in the Northern United States
Are you a fan of random facts, strange laws, and odd places that defy belief? The Northern United States is dotted with eccentric towns for those who want a taste of something fresh and unexpected. The American North comprises a number of states, including Massachusetts, Illinois, and New York. Even though you will experience warm to hot summers there, you will also see significant snowfall during the winter—so a visit there offers a wide range of options. Whether you are exploring the Great Lakes, visiting national parks, or touring historic cities like Boston, Chicago, and Minneapolis, you will find no shortage of ideas. All manner of eccentric towns await you in the north; all you have to do is take the first step!
Ely, Minnesota
Ely is a hub for dogsledding and a top spot in the northern United States for viewing the northern lights and the Milky Way. This small town is known for being a gateway to the million-acre Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Visitors usually check out the Pillow Rocks historical landmark, but Ely is also a natural preserve. Home to the International Wolf Center, efforts are made to educate people on wolves and their natural habitat. There is also an iron ore mining history rooted in the town, and you can visit places like the Dorothy Molter Museum to learn more about local legend!
Woodstock, Vermont
A quaint little town, Woodstock hosts a plethora of festivals, such as Pride of Woodstock, and events at the Billings and Farm and Museum. It is home to the Middle Covered Bridge, one of Vermont’s most iconic covered bridges, rebuilt in 1969 after a flood. A trip through Woodstock, though, is not complete without a visit to the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park—a forested national park where you can also tour a Victorian mansion! A short drive east will land you at Quechee Gorge, an incredible, glacially-carved gorge nearby. Locals call it the "Little Grand Canyon."
Marquette, Michigan
This town famously celebrates "Yooper Day," what locals describe as a day to recognize Michigan's Upper Peninsula. A lot of interesting history is behind Marquette. The Iron Ore Heritage Trail commemorates the area’s iron-mining past, and Ore Dock Brewing Company—a local brewery—is housed in a historic warehouse, restored to its former glory! One could also visit the Marquette Maritime Museum to check out marvelous artifacts from shipwrecks in Lake Superior, with over 350 documented wrecks. Finally, a visit to the 1866 Harbor Lighthouse to complete the picture is in order. This popular landmark is still in active use to this day.
Bar Harbor, Maine
An obsession with "cottaging" is tied to this town. Bar Harbor is known for its late 19th-century residents' love for building extravagant "summer homes" that were anything but cottages. Unfortunately, a fire in 1947 devastated the town and forced residents to rebuild, resulting in an architectural mix of old and mid-20th-century styles. The landscape is quite breathtaking, with areas like the Cadillac North Ridge Trail and Eagle Lake worth visiting. A working harbor like Frenchman Bay is also worth a visit for anybody interested in whale watching or lobster fishing. If you are looking for something indoors, visit the George B. Dorr Museum of Natural History to learn more about Dorr, the “Father of Acadia.”
Leavenworth, Washington
You would think you were walking into a Bavarian town once you entered Leavenworth. Every building here follows strict Bavarian-style architectural guidelines. Of course, such European countries love to celebrate Oktoberfest, so this town does not fail to draw visitors every fall. Leavenworth is also home to the Nutcracker Museum, which has over 7,000 nutcrackers and older designs. Interestingly, the Kris Kringl Shop brings in tourists even in the summer, where it is Christmas year-round! For more eccentric attractions, head to Leavenworth Adventure Park, and the Leavenworth Reindeer Farm is also an experience you will not soon forget.
Rosendale, New York
New York may be known for its big city, but small towns like Rosendale are destinations in their own right. The Rosendale Trestle, a 940-foot-long former railway bridge, is worth checking out and is now part of the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail. The town also has a historic theater: the Rosendale Theatre, which has been operating since 1949 and is community-owned. You can still visit restaurants like Soy, and it is also a good idea to take in views such as those of Joppenbergh Mountain!
Head to an eccentric destination with fun people rather than a commercialized city where nobody interacts with anybody. The Northern United States offers much of that and more. Small towns always tend to have people with the biggest hearts and the most interesting, eccentric features. Why go for an overpriced ticket to an overcrowded destination that has been documented millions of times when you can make your own unique experiences in fun small towns?
