7 Of The Most Charming Small Towns To Visit In The Northern United States
The Northern US, designated the "Union" during the Civil War, comprises 20 states. These seven towns are the most charming in relevant states, topping tourist bucket lists throughout the year. From the quaint fishing village to Hudson's architectural neverland, there's something to be said about small-town living that lures flocks from the city with charms for any taste in every season.
Despite its serious veil, when it comes to the small towns, the Northern US offers a humbling atmosphere and a simpler way of life on a getaway to magnificent ocean shores, lakes, national parks, and picturesque beaches. Just look at Mystic, perhaps the most charming town in all of New England!
Damariscotta, Maine
Just an hour north of Portland, this historic fishing village offers a quintessential New England getaway with deep roots in its pretty coastal setting. Exuding charm and abounding in diverse natural features, from the ocean shore, lakes, and rivers to the pristine countryside, the natural gems are just as numerous as opportunities for discovery, like fishing, hiking, boating, swimming, and cross-country skiing in the winter. This vibrant year-round community in Maine was founded in 1848 along the rocky headland, which attracts adventurers and photographers while offering two golf courses and hundreds of local businesses for leisure and simple browsing.
Visitors can enjoy easy boat access to the picturesque lakeside town on the Damariscotta River, just a short drive from the Atlantic Ocean. Damariscotta fosters an inspiring atmosphere for the many artists and musicians who call it home today. With over 80 miles of hiking trails and waterways, it is a magnet for tourists to change the pace from the city hustle to what residents have long embraced as a water-centric lifestyle. Don't miss the deep connection to the unique, centuries-old fish ladder, while boating, fishing, and swimming are the popular activities of the day. The iconic Damariscotta Pumpkinfest and Regatta is a fun annual event to cheer for giant pumpkin boat races around Halloween.
Egg Harbor, Wisconsin
The charming Door County town with a charming name feels like a paradise for both families and foodies and looks like one against the breathtaking expanse of sky that mirrors in the azure waters with wispy clouds. Home to only 201 people enjoying this natural inlet on Lake Michigan, Egg Harbor invites you for scenic leisure and feel-good poking around some fresh produce stands, cheese shops, and farmers markets, as well as fine dining. Egg Harbor's allure speaks to every taste with a number of golf courses and unique art galleries like the local Cappaert Contemporary Gallery/Studio, while for a rewarding evening, nothing beats the award-winning performances at the outdoor Peg Egan Performing Arts Center. Don't miss the One Barrel Brewing Company or its two wineries to cap it off.
Tucked away among verdant orchards on the Green Bay side of the peninsula, the small town with coastal charm inspires a seemingly simple yet one-of-a-kind escape. The adventurers flock for the expansive nature preserves and farmlands, while the quiet Egg Harbor Beach features a calm lake, ideal for a relaxing swim after. From the foliage-ridden main street to peaceful Harbor View Park and the new, sparkling marina for epic aquatic exploration, it keeps you on your feet before hitting the hay at one of the pampering accommodations. With all this against the harbor views, you will never want to leave the photogenic lineup of majestic boats and dories of Egg Harbor Marina, which beg for another lasting impression at sunset.
Grand Marais, Minnesota
Tucked into the deepest natural harbor on Lake Superior, Grand Marais, a small-town star of the state, is a real charmer. Start discovering at the Angry Trout Cafe and bite into the Grand Marais Harbor on a stroll from the Grand Marais Marina Vista Point to the Grand Marais Lighthouse on the other side, lending a sense of comfort and serenity to locals and visitors alike. Home to under 1,500, this artsy town feels like a fresh breath of air from the city on a relaxed getaway in any season, with ways to explore like hiking, biking, canoeing, sailing, and nearby golf.
The waterfront Lake Park is great for a summer day stroll along the coast, where you can always seek shade, while the hilly Pincushion Mountain Trail System introduces the sentiment and appreciation of open, lush wilderness. Another famous attraction, Artist Point, is not to be missed for active and creative souls! Adventures continue into the night for northern lights chasers, for it is here in Cook County, Grand Marais vantage point, to catch the aurora borealis from the shore in the winter months, one of the few best places in the entire US for the phenomenon!
Hudson, New York
Hudson, the epitome of everything you could want from the historic New York small-town charm, is 120 miles north of New York City. With another neighboring small town, Greenport, there's a small-town charm in the air against the Hudson River views hugging Hudson to the west. The charming town on the east side of the Hudson River, 45 miles south of the state capital, is a favorite escape for city folk. Once a whaling port way back in the 1700s, it is a destination for magnificent architectural displays, from the walkable city center to the waterfront. Home to nation-renowned shopping and dining venues, Warren Street is a shopaholics paradise, including its dozens of antique dealers.
Visitors can browse leisurely along the range of historic building styles and veer off to notable sites, or take a riverside stroll and perhaps a sightseeing spin around the river aboard Hudson Cruises. The Olana State Historic Site boasts a hilltop locale that the 19th-century landscape artist Frederic Church built and lived in. Being proximate to the Catskills natural preserves, Hudson attracts the outdoorsy, with charming stays for every taste, like the Amelia, the best for a romantic couple. The Wick feels elevated, while Wm. Farmer and Sons is popular for getting your bang for the buck of a charming accommodation for travelers who enjoy a stay with a personality.
Meredith, New Hampshire
The Granite State is filled with an architectural galore of picturesque towns from the 18th and 19th centuries. One such quaint sample, Meredith, situated between Lake Waukewan and Meredith Bay in central New Hampshire, is a highlight in the scenic Lakes Region on the famous Lake Winnipesaukee. This New Hampshire's premier salmon-fishing lake hosts 20-inch-long fish that weigh over three pounds for fly-fishing. In the summer, visitors can dive straight into the waters or enjoy simple pleasure strolls like retail therapy for antiques and collectibles and a scenic tour around this arts and crafts community. Waukewan Beach inspires a lazy day until sunset for a walk along the Laverack Nature Trail, while for evening entertainment, look no further than the busy video arcade, Funspot.
The Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad offers a trip around the lakes and forests, with beckoning views of Lake Winnipesaukee in the summer and a spectacular fall excursion of the foliage, over a one- or two-hour ride. Find the best dry wines at the Hermit Woods Winery and Eatery, or catch BarnZ's Meredith Cinema for a show. The infamous Lakes Region Fine Arts and Crafts Festival on the Main spotlights over 80 artists and craftspeople to browse and mingle. Featuring music, entertainment, and food, you can really appreciate all the local charms in a pedestrian-only environment. From the lush Hesky Park to Clough Park, home to the popular Meredith Sculpture Walk, the lake freezes over in the winter for public enjoyment when not in use by the Pond Hockey Classic.
Middletown, Rhode Island
Just 10 minutes from bustling Newport, Middletown's allure is its quaint charm and natural serenity, with the notable attractions of the 242-acre (98-hectare) Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge and the Norman Bird Sanctuary. Visitors can take a wildlife spotting and birding stroll or a guided tour for insights into the area's native flora and fauna. Tangled within quiet back roads and rambling farmlands, Middletown feels like a Rhode Island countryside oasis with vineyards, beaches, wildlife sanctuaries, and greenways. From wide open spaces to coastal spaces, see which nature catches your eye first, but being in the Ocean State, some of the best beaches and fresh seafood are right here in Middletown. Its popular events include concerts and an outdoor Saturday farmer's market.
Don't miss a quick drive or a nice hike to Sachuest Point, on a peninsula near Newport's Second and Third Beaches, for over 243 acres of salt marshes, grassland, and rocky coastline to explore. With three miles of trails to vantage points and observation decks, enjoy access points to the most serene shoreline in Rhode Island, a stopover for migratory birds, your photo set, and lounging in the views. From the Vineyard Café to the Brix Restaurant, visitors can taste Newport Vineyard wines at some of the region's best restaurants, while Middletown Winery offers daily tours. Skirting the edge of the Newport National Golf Course and the vine fields of Newport Vineyards, the 10-mile Sakonnet Greenway Trail winds in a loop through Middletown and neighboring Portsmouth as the longest trail on Aquidneck Island for walkers and horseback riders.
Mystic, Connecticut
Much like the rest of New England, Connecticut's smattering of charming small towns would be challenging to compete with if it weren't for Mystic, a clear winner in popularity, Hollywood stardom, and a vibrant seafront to back it up. Home to the movie sites from Mystic Pizza, including the very establishment where Julia Roberts waitresses, it is a must-hit for a slice or family-style meal before taking in all the charm along Olde Mistick Village and its galore of colonial-style buildings. Mystic is an exceptionally friendly family town where restaurants offer crayons and kid's menus, and hotels delight toddlers with puppet shows and bedtime stories.
The photogenic town on the banks of the estuary of the Mystic River as it flows into the Fishers Island Sound, boasts a spectacular waterfront, still bustling from the past with nautical vibes permeating the atmosphere, like the popular Mystic Seaport for a stroll through a recreated 19th-century seafaring village. One of the nation's largest, Mystic Aquarium is a family destination from near and far to nuzzle your nose up against charming and mystic underwater creatures like beluga whales, seals, and dolphins. From the tasty seafood restaurants to historic architecture and a multitude of unique gift shops, there is something for everyone to get a taste of the clear theme in town. For something totally different, there's the Mystic Art Association's galleries and studios with local and regional artists' works, and the nearby Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun casinos.
While often taken more seriously than the fun-loving southern towns, the Northern US is home to all-American towns with plenty of charm, proximate to some of its loveliest landscapes. With a humid continental climate and cold, snowy winters, there are plenty of beach towns for the traditional summer seasons. Meredith is a highlight in the scenic Lakes Region of the Granite State on the famous Lake Winnipesaukee for a taste of lakeside living, while Ocean State's Middletown is home to some of the best beaches and fresh seafood.
