8 Darling Small Towns in the Northern United States
Looking for a new motivation to travel or get out of the house? If so, the northern region of the U.S. has abundant states to satisfy travelers! With countless small towns to consider for an upcoming trip and amazing experiences within these towns, like the boyhood home of Dwight D. Eisenhower or Oregon's Haystack Rock, there is nothing holding tourists back from seeing what is out there. These darling towns will be the best ideas for one's next trip around the country!
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Nicknamed "Pompey," Portsmouth is a charming town in New Hampshire with lots of community vibrance and fun attractions! The Strawberry Banke Museum is a beloved historical stop for observing Indigenous stories and with costumed roleplayers who enjoy sharing knowledge about ancient artifacts and early settlers. Maritime history lovers may like to visit the USS Albacore Museum, known for its Navy submarine exhibits and fascinating control rooms once used during wartime. For those who crave New England architecture, the Warner House is a colonial segue with early Georgian themes and alluring 17th-century murals!
At Prescott Park, nature enthusiasts can enjoy both laidback delights and riverside garden beds full of pink flowers and cute butterflies. Bookworms may admire the Portsmouth Athenaeum, a sanctuary for literature lovers and researchers who enjoy 18th-century covers and binds that may not be found in other towns! Liars Bench Beer Co. is a local favorite for traditional and international brews of all shapes and sizes and is quite memorable for its newcomer-friendly atmosphere. For tourists who like seafood, Old Ferry Landing is a great stop for family-friendly dining, Piscataqua River scenery, and deep-fried waterfront dishes.
Galena, Illinois
Galena, the "Town that Time Forgot," is not a destination that travelers can forget about once they visit! The northwestern town in Illinois is known for its inspiring landmarks, such as the Washburne House State Historic Site, a prominent Greek Revival landmark with Civil War history. At the Belvedere Mansion, guests can enjoy Italianate mansions consisting of beautiful gardens, 1820s antiques at the Dowling House, and quaint limestone bedrooms. The Horseshoe Mound Preserve is a natural detour with scenic outlooks that will always reel in outsiders who love panoramic views of Illinois, not to mention Wisconsin and Iowa, too!
Grant Park has lots of casual picnic pavilion comfort and easygoing locals who crave some sporting amusement while new in town. For mountain skiing delights, tourists can take on Chestnut Mountain Resort's hilly vertical drops and cozy chairlifts for scenic pleasures. For lovable vineyard experiences, visitors can pass by Galena Cellars Vineyard, where award-winning wines, culinary workshops, and delightful charms await those who want to feel part of a vibrant community. As for dining, Frank O'Dowd's Irish Pub is the best option for authentic Irish cuisine and a cottage atmosphere that will always bring people back for more!
Kalispell, Montana
Also referred to as the "Queen City of the Rockies" and "Hub of the Valley," Kalispell is a gateway town in Montana that is adored by many. The Conrad Mansion Museum is a wonderful stop for anyone who loves charming garden sights and family estate history related to the pioneer days of the 1890s. The Hockaday Museum of Art is equal parts historic and artistic with its restored Native American wood artifacts and 19th-century art exhibitions that will always leave a lasting impression. Lone Pine State Park is a mountainous attraction with ice fog, wildlife viewing splendors, and a cool interactive emporium near downtown!
At Herron Park, nature lovers can take in the mountain air and lakeside valley trails that are usually worth every trip. Buffalo Hill Golf Club is a golfer's paradise for Flathead Valley and northwestern Rocky Mountain sights, where it is easy to find charming locals and comfy forest patios! SunRift Beer Company is an underrated locale with amazing beers and kombucha to try out while enjoying town plaza conversations and bartending friendliness. Those who are hungry may want to stop by Moose's Saloon, where the finest pizzas and rustic saloon ambiance come to life.
Abilene, Kansas
Abilene, known as the "Queen of the Cowtowns" and "Greyhound Capital of the World," is full of vibrant features that are quite noteworthy! The Eisenhower Presential Library is historically famous for its museum relics and boyhood knowledge related to former U.S. president Dwight D. Eisenhower. At the Seeyle Mansion, guests can tour 25 rooms of Georgian home furnishings and late 18th-century fancy drawings. Vintage carousels and cultural finds can be discovered at Dickinson County Heritage Center, an underrated spot for rural heritage and phenomenal gift trinkets.
The Greyhound Hall of Fame offers travelers the opportunity to experience dog-loving comfort and museum thrills while exploring various parts of canine history, and even has adorable greyhounds that love to greet newcomers! Those who like to learn more about railroad legacies can visit the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad, a famed place for Old West photography and a vintage dinner train for backpackers who prefer a touristy ride across Kansan environments. One may spot the World's Largest Belt Buckle in Abilene, a trendy stop for anyone who likes taking photos of an amusing billboard landmark! Hungry stomachs can savor homemade pastries and specialty espresso at Amanda's Bakery & Bistro.
Butler, Pennsylvania
Butler is the type of town that may appeal to just about every tourist out there. The Maridon Museum is a historical stop with quirky teapots and artworks that are tied to German and Chinese relic makers with a penchant for Meissen porcelain. At the Succop Nature Park, travelers can enjoy a mixture of natural splendors, pond wildlife encounters, and comforting estate tranquility that brings out the heart of the town! Diamond Park is also a nature-driven option for anyone who prefers smaller landmarks with cozy courthouse views and friendly Pennsylvanians.
Rustic Acres Winery is small yet splendid for any newcomer who wants to check out new wineries and conversate with friendly owners while tasting fresh cheesecake! New golfers in town may enjoy the thrills of All About Golf's practice facilities and year-round lessons for novices who want to feel more included. Playthings Etc. is a marvel for children and young adults who love the coolest toys and is one of the best locales for finding futuristic trinkets and little play areas for family-friendly traveling groups. Sandwich cravings can be satisfied at Chop Shop, a famous brick-walled diner with vintage amenities and laid-back customers who love nachos and chicken cobb.
Cannon Beach, Oregon
A frequented coastal town in northwestern Oregon, Cannon Beach is the perfect place for sandy shoreline amusement and precious moments. The 235-foot Haystack Rock is where many travelers often start and end their trip, as it is a sunset-driven monolith that draws in those who love summer ambiance, shore picnic outings, and seabird sights! The Tillamook Lighthouse is a great getaway option in town for romantic value or adventurists who desire beach thrills and binocular memories.
At the Cannon Beach History Center & Museum, knowledge about the Tillamook Lighthouse and quaint port history within a historic cottage usually entices guests to stick around for a while. Evening entertainment can be found at Coaster Theatre Playhouse, an intimate and surreal locale known for its 1920s rustic interior and lively performances. At the Jeffrey Hull Gallery, visitors will find watercolored portraits of Oregon coastline beauty that are truly awe-inspiring! Bruce's Candy Kitchen is an underrated chocolate-oriented stop for anyone with a sweet tooth, plus it has the most attractive pink-colored walls! Those looking for a bite can pay a visit to the Wayfarer Restaurant & Lounge for seafood delights with a gorgeous ocean view.
Skaneateles, New York
Skaneateles is often referred to as the "Eastern Gateway to the Finger Lakes" and is not one to discount on any itinerary. Explorers who love history will find enjoyment at the Skaneateles Historical Society, a genealogical site where preserved local settlement history and age-old photography always attract lake enthusiasts in New York. Those who wish to stay overnight in town may find that the Sherwood Inn is a historic hotspot with the most exquisite hotel rooms, vibrant wedding events, and post-Civil War manor foundations!
Sightseers in need of nature will enjoy Thayer Park's comfort-driven trails and lakeside resting spots for downtown beauty or Skaneateles Lake gardens nearby. The Charlie Major Nature Trail is a hiker's best option if they prefer railroad sites, forested corridors, and waterfall scenery. At Anyela's Vineyards, a sense of hospitality can be found while admiring luxury wines and stunning flowerbeds in an idyllic locale! Those who like art galleries will favor Skaneateles Artisans, a historic painting stop full of fiber art, pottery, and wooden mediums that the locals praise. A pleasant lakeside view is guaranteed at LakeHouse Pub, where people come to enjoy rustic dining and happy cocktail moments.
Morristown, New Jersey
Morristown may be nicknamed the "Military Capital of the American Revolution," but it still holds up to its foundation as a touristy New Jersey destination. The northwestern town is home to the famed Frelinghuysen Arboretum, a beautiful estate landmark with 127 acres of Colonial-Revival architecture and lovely spring shrubberies! The Morris County Historical Society at Acorn Hall is another attraction with its historic gardens and local history exhibits related to the 1860s and early family upbringing. There is also the Ford Mansion, a museum full of history related to George Washington's Revolutionary War legacy with magical Georgian architecture.
For enriching artworks and antiques, one can stop by Glassworks Studio, a cozy art vendor hosting glassworking projects and design workshops to entice newcomers to participate in something new. At Wightman Fars, travelers will come to love its pumpkin farms, farmer market goods, and delicious strawberry salad samples! Bar-hoppers who like to enjoy the night out can have fun at The Laundromat, a friendly locale populated by classy visitors and happy locals. The best "eye-candy" drinks and meals can be spotted at GK's Red Dog Tavern, a top-notch tavern with quality turkey sandwiches, grilled avocado, and soothing ciders.
All of these darling small towns in the northern region of the U.S. may satisfy every type of vacationer out there. With so much to see and do without any sacrifice of a quality experience outside of one's comfort zone, these states are all mesmerizing and delightful. No matter which state one considers from this list, these towns will bring out the best of any itinerary!
