8 Best Towns In The Northern United States To Visit In 2024

The Northern States of Washington, Montana, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Indiana, and Maine contain a variety of small towns that feature historical buildings and monuments, as well as areas of natural beauty and peaceful escapes into nature. Their proximity to the Canadian border means these Northern regions experience fluctuations in temperature, with the thermometer reading cooler temps more often than their Southern counterparts, but don’t let the cold stop you; simply bundle up and enjoy! There is plenty to see and do in the Northern United States in 2024, and these are some of the best small towns in the area.

Cedarburg, Wisconsin

Cedarburg, Wisconsin, is where outdoor lovers can access the Ozaukee Interurban Trail and its 30 miles of paved roadway covering former railway beds, offering a free, family-friendly excursion in the fresh air. For some indoor adventure focused on arts and culture, learn about the region’s history by visiting the Cedarburg History Museum, located in historic downtown Cedarburg. Make the Cedarburg Cultural Center part of your agenda as well, as it celebrates its community through cultural events and exhibits that highlight the local talent and heritage of Cedarburg and surrounding areas. Round out your experience in Cedarburg by capping it off with a visit to the Cedarburg Art Museum to enjoy original works of art by early and contemporary Wisconsin artists.

Gig Harbor, Washington

Gig Harbor, Washington, provides 4.9 miles of outdoor adventure along the Cushman Trail. This trail features paved walkways where visitors can cycle or go by foot through acres of untouched evergreen forests and lush meadows. For indoor adventure, The Harbor History Museum highlights the stories of Gig Harbour through a series of permanent displays and features a variety of revolving exhibits throughout the year as well. The Museum proudly features the first Thunderbird Boat ever constructed and is also working on restoring a 65-foot purse seiner, inviting volunteers to join the team to help bring the project to completion. Gig Harbor’s Heritage Distilling Company is a must-try for a relaxing beverage along the way. Heritage Distillery is the most awarded distillery in North America, producing whiskeys, gin, and vodka from locally sourced ingredients.

Westchester, Pennsylvania

The American Helicopter Museum tops the to-do list in Westchester, Pennsylvania. Flight enthusiasts will be thrilled to learn about the history of rotary-wing aircraft through interactive public exhibits, airshows, and many other events designed to celebrate the pioneers of aviation. The longest single-day battle ever fought during the Revolutionary War occurred in Westchester and visitors are welcome to tour the site of this battle at the Brandywine Battlefield Park. After looking to the past, visitors to Westchester may look to the future at Longwood Gardens. These horticultural gardens provide 200 acres of vibrant formal gardens and lush wildflower meadows, as well as stunning views of the Brandywine Valley. Carefully designed all-natural garden displays highlight the advances in the region’s horticultural through a variety of districts, including the Chinese Tower Exhibit, which enjoys its own 50-foot waterfall. The Gardens also provide a non-stop flower show under the protection of acres of glassed-in greenhouse space.

Rugby, North Dakota

Rugby, North Dakota, provides an opportunity to pause and consider the enduring relationship between the United States and Canada at the International Peace Garden. The Peace Garden is comprised of acres upon acres of plains and forestlands, as well as vibrant flower gardens, dedicated as a monument for national and international peace. History lovers are beckoned to Rugby’s Prairie Village Museum, which is like walking back in time. It features 22 historic buildings and exhibit halls, and many of its structures are original to their era and have been moved onto the site for the purpose of preservation. These buildings include the Zion Lutheran Church, the York Jail, and the Pleasant Lake Bank. All buildings are fully furnished and provide a joyful glimpse into the way things used to be in North Dakota.

Kalispell, Montana

The mountain town of Kalispell, Montana, is a northern destination just a short 32-mile drive from Glacier National Park, with 1 million acres to be explored through glacier-carved terrain where waterfalls and snow-capped mountains punctuate the 734 miles of trail. Closer to the center of town, the Conrad Mansion Museum is an icon of the former glory days of Kalispell. Built in 1895 by famous mountain man Charles Conrad, the home features 26 rooms of peak pioneering prosperity. Docent tours, as well as self-guided tours, are available to the public. Kalispell’s Hockaday Museum of Art preserves the artistic history of Montana and the Glacier National Park. The Museum houses permanent and rotating exhibits, art shows, and classes. It also features art from the Blackfoot Nation and an exhibit about the Empire Railroad.

Astoria, Oregon

Astoria, Oregon, features one of the region’s finest homes. Lavished with original Victorian-era furnishings, the Flavel House Museum showcases some of the Northwest’s best-preserved Queen-Anne architecture. Once belonging to the affluent Flavel family, the home has been restored to its former elegance and is a must-see when visiting Astoria. Family-oriented fun awaits guests in spades at the Astoria/Warrenton/Seaside Koa Resort. Rent a deluxe cabin and enjoy access to indoor and outdoor swimming and a variety of sporting events for all ages. Access to the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean provides the opportunity to enjoy whale-watching, hiking, and clam digging. Worthy of note, the beloved American classic movies The Goonies and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest were filmed in historical Astoria, now home to the Oregon Film Museum, located in a former county jail.

Madison, Indiana

Madison, Indiana, is a mecca for those who love to go antiquing. Antique malls and boutiques punctuate the landscape in Madison, making it a perfect destination for those looking for a great deal on quality antique merchandise. Deal with the Dealer events happen regularly, giving buyers a chance to dicker on the price of their favorite items with the dealer. Madison also enjoys a vibrant arts scene, and The Little Golden Fox gallery invites guests to try their hand at making works of art of their own, either in the form of painting or pottery. Art galleries in Madison feature works of art by local and regional artists as well. Music lovers can certainly get their fix while in town, as the Madison Music Movement provides live entertainment every weekend with the goal of fostering a sense of community involvement and prosperity through musical events.

Freeport, Maine

Freeport, Maine, is a historic seaside town full of East Coast charm. It is located on Casco Bay, along Maine’s rugged Atlantic Ocean coastline. A five-minute drive from Freeport will take visitors to the nearby Wolfe’s Neck State Park, where you’ll find marshes and open fields to explore, enjoying a golden opportunity to reconnect with nature in an abundance of fresh seaside air. The park features a variety of ecosystems, such as a rocky shoreline along Casco Bay or waterways and habitats along the Harraseeket River.

Freeport is also where the historic Harrington House and Pettengill Farm are located, where visitors declare it is like walking back in time upon arrival. Harrington House, the heart of the Freeport Historical Society, is a museum that provides exhibits, archives, and a research area. Pettengill Farm is a 140-acre saltwater farm featuring an 1800s-era saltbox-style house. Both buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Properties.

Often, the southern regions are the first places that come to mind when seeking adventure, but these small towns in the Northern United States feature prime examples of ways in which visitors can enjoy the peace and quiet of the great outdoors, even in cooler climates like the trails at Cushman Trail in Gig Harbor, Washington or the Ozaukee Interurban Trail in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. History lovers will enjoy a blast to the past at Freeport, Maine’s Harrington House farm or the American Helicopter Museum in Westchester, Pennsylvania. The Northern regions of the United States may experience chillier temperatures, but the communities are vibrant and abundant in variety and history for a 2024 adventure.