6 Prettiest Small Towns In The Northern United States
The northern United States is geographically diverse and culturally rich, encompassing the rugged Pacific Northwest and New England charm. From the West Coast in Manzanita to the East Coast in Camden and the Rockies in Crested Butte, finding "pretty" is as easy as looking up. It will also take you on wild adventures and memorable escapades for the whole family. Whether you're a first-timer, returning for the Tulip Fest, or road-tripping, you'll discover flavorful cuisine and rich history in between plenty of outdoor play.
Baraboo, Wisconsin
Baraboo's historic soul and one-of-a-kind geography make for one pretty town at the crest of the Driftless Area. Hometown of the Ringling Brothers, vibrant attractions enhance its worldly appeal, including Circus World and the Ochsner Park Zoo, which turns a century old next year, with free entry to visit lynxes, monkeys, llamas, and other fauna. Also within its borders, Pewit’s Nest State Natural Area features a waterfall into a glacier-carved gorge. Lined with historic infrastructure, including the House of Seven Gables, the Balanced Rock Winery is top-rated.
Set against the Baraboo Bluffs, Baraboo is the northern entrance to Devil's Lake State Park, centered around the 360-acre spring-fed lake. The imposing state park breathes over the town with a sense of wilderness and adventure into every visitor wandering the streets. The defining Devil's Doorway Rock Formation will floor you with beautiful views to the top and the natural rock arch to make what you will of its pretty features framing the sparkling lake below. With its sandy beaches and campsites, score a site at the Merry Macs Campground with a new outdoor pool.
Calumet, Michigan
There are many pretty lakeside towns in the Great Lakes State. Even without a sea-like shoreline, Calumet shines as one of the most historically intriguing places to visit in Michigan on the Keweenaw Peninsula. Rustic charm and copper heritage lend it a one-of-a-kind glow on the serene Calumet Lake. Often overlooked, it is authentic and crowd-free to soak in the architectural landscape in unobscured views around every block, like sipping on a drink at an outdoor patio and shopping within antiquated facades.
Peeking inside, you will discover how Keweenaw’s rich mining, cultural, and political history have shaped this pretty town. Red Jacket was a prosperous village at the turn of the 20th century thanks to the copper boom. Check out the Copper Country Firefighters History Museum and the Float Copper Memorial. The opulent Calumet Theatre opened its doors in 1900 and delights patrons today with some 60 annual shows. Whether Calumet is a destination or a pit stop, its deep red tint will embed in your heart and memory.
Camden, Maine
Ringed by calm waters of the Penobscot Bay, Camden is the “Jewel of the Maine Coast.” The moniker rings particularly true among mariners, with proud sails and recreational craft ready to take you for a spin around the harbor, deep into the bay, or even on a multi-day trip. A two-hour guided kayak tour promises lifetime memories, paddling against the light waves that comically beat on Curtis Island Light, an 1836 landmark. For landlubbers, Camden Hills State Park offers a trail system and an 800-foot summit, Mount Battie, with a panorama fit for a postcard.
Anchored by beautiful mansions and estates, the "summer homes" of wealthy Mainers, Camden was the "it" spot in all of New England in the late 19th century. Today, it takes you sightseeing between elegant cruises, historic inns, and the Camden Opera House, so you can feel like a local in this worldly and historic town. Lined with specialty shops and galleries, a lot has changed, but much remains, like the Town Green and Camden Harbor Park, emanating the beauty of a bygone era. From any angle you take the town in from, the view is unbelievable, like, is this even real?
Crested Butte, Colorado
Many know of Crested Butte Mountain Resort, rightfully so, with its ideal skiing and snowboarding terrain for all levels. Like skiing, wildflowers define this town in the Gunnison Valley, so scenery and adventures are year-round, like the alpine Peanut Lake north of town. Often called the "Wildflower Capital of Colorado," Crested Butte is the north's premier destination to experience the vibrant and diverse display of blooms. Just 28 miles north of Gunnison, a college town, both the high desert and high alpine cousins have their hearts set on outdoor recreation.
Named for one of the surrounding peaks, Crested Butte matches its vivid natural appeal. With a lively, colorful downtown of historic buildings, it can single-handedly be held responsible for the “Colorful Colorado” jibe. Strolling along the streets, with jauntily painted town buses and jewel-toned townie bikes at the Elk Avenue bike racks, the infectious atmosphere beneath the transcending peaks all says, "Welcome to a real mountain paradise." Visit in late spring through the summer, with scenic routes and biking paths lined by lupine, balsamroot, and columbine.
La Conner, Washington
This oftentimes rugged PNW state has a soft spot for flowers. And not just the wild—carpeting its alpine slopes—but a whole variety for a million-dollar bouquet, including Sequim's sensual lavender fields. Colorful tulips and sunny daffodils in the Skagit Valley make La Conner a year-after-year destination. In addition to the nearby Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, the town celebrates the annual La Conner Daffodil Festival in March with fun events and exhibits. If it's not the flowers, the Arts Alive festival gets you through the falltime blues in November, or crossing the Rainbow Bridge.
Beauty is all along this riverside landing, and La Conner Marina is a jet set to the sparkling bay. Originally a fishing village, then an arts hub, start at the free-entry Museum of Northwest Art, with rotating exhibits by PNW artists. Wandering between the inns and taverns, the town is charmingly quaint. Check out the stunning 1891 Victorian mansion and intriguing works within this Pacific Northwest Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum. From La Conner Waterfront Park to Martha's Beach, it is a bike ride to the serene beach with a dog- and kid-friendly tide, open fires, and striking sunsets.
Manzanita, Oregon
Manzanita is easily overlooked along Oregon's rugged shore. Made even tinier by the unraveling scenery around, many stay oblivious to its striking features, the turquoise surf beating exposed cliffs, and hazy horizons. To experience this off-the-beaten-path charm takes on various forms. This oceanside villa, ringed by the sheltered Nehalem Bay, is an excellent fishing spot and the third-most photographed scenery in the state. The hikers enjoy scaling the large coastal headland at Neahkahnie Mountain. Wander the streets with nautical names and paths leading to the ocean.
Having originally drawn Portland tourists for its retreat vibes, many homes are available to rent out along the seven-mile pristine beachline. The open state beach beneath the headland offers views of the cape's north at Oswald West State Park. Take the Oregon Coast Trail right from downtown to Cannon Beach, 20 minutes north, then return at magic hour from Sunset Beach at Nehalem Bay State Park. This oceanfront park boasts acres of windswept beaches, hiking, biking, and equestrian trails, plus campsites and yurts. There's also crabbing and clam-digging at low tide.
Conclusion
Both locals and guests greatly enjoy the diversity in this part of the nation, found both in the natural environment and cultural distinctions. It is a colorful life in these northern towns, with wildflowers and tulips, rock formations, and red-hued downtowns. Whatever kind of landscape you seek to get enamored with, each, a showcase of the region's remarkable beauty, comes with a True North personality. You don't have to work hard for pretty views, but like a true northerner, take each day as an opportunity to make the most of it.
