9 Picture-Perfect Towns In The Northern United States
The upper half of the United States is home to a multitude of towns that showcase great historical and picture-perfect natural attractions. From Camden Hills State Park on the coast of Maine to Hug Point State Park on the coast of Oregon, there are excellent photographic opportunities just waiting to be captured on film or digitally. Whether you are looking for pictures of nature, like Saugatuck Harbor in Michigan during a sunset, or of history, like the Stephen Smith House located in New Jersey, these nine towns, spread out across the upper half of the United States, will catch your interest, as well as your attention.
Camden, Maine
The town of Camden, located along the coastline of Maine just north of Rockport, is well known for a variety of aspects, including its intimate connection with nature. Whether it is enjoying a spectacular view from Mount Battie and Camden Hills State Park with family or feeling a subtle tranquility out on Megunticook Lake or Pitcher Pond by yourself, the area around Camden is overflowing with scenic beauty that inspirits anyone who visits. Downtown Camden is also a haven for some excellent photographic opportunities, as it includes Barrett's Cove Park, an awe-inspiring public garden at Camden Maine Stay Inn, and Camden Harbor, which holds the Camden Windbreaker Festival every Labor Day weekend.
Saugatuck, Michigan
Saugatuck, a quaint beach town situated alongside the Kalamazoo River and bordering Lake Michigan, is considered to be a picture-perfect town for several reasons. Mount Baldhead Park allows visitors to experience stunning views of Saugatuck Harbor, while Wicks Park and Coghlin Park, also located in town, are great for family picnics or for just watching the day go by. Wicks Park is also known for the Chain Ferry, which has been in operation since 1838 and is the only chain-operated ferry still functioning in the country. Coghlin Park is a great venue for weddings and banquets and the home of the Mermaid Bar & Grill while still being near Butler Street and downtown shopping.
Lake Placid, New York
From the wondrous vistas available while gazing out across the shimmering surfaces of Mirror Lake and Lake Placid to the majestic presence of Mount Jo and Mount Van Hoevenberg in the distance, the town of Lake Placid, with its two thousand permanent residents, is a haven for photographic opportunities. This is not only true of the surrounding area, though. Downtown Lake Placid is home to several outdoor dining opportunities, including Top of the Park, the View Restaurant, and Caffa Rustica, as well as a variety of historical attractions, like the Lake Placid/North Elba Historic Society Museum, which showcases photographs of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics, as well as the rich history of Lake Placid and North Elba.
West Yellowstone, Montana
One of the most popular destinations in the north-western region of America and a picturesque town in and of itself, the town of West Yellowstone, located in Gallatin County, is best known for being the premier western gateway to Yellowstone National Park. West Yellowstone is also home to the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center, close to both Hebgen and Earthquake lakes, and several hiking trails, like the Daily Creek Trail and the trails edging the Yellowstone River. There are even several great views to be seen via the Diamond P Ranch, which offers three different horseback riding tours to everyone over age five.
Nantucket, Massachusetts
Home to several lighthouses, including Great Point Light, Brand Point Light, and the Sankaty Head Lighthouse, Nantucket is also well known for a plethora of other photographic opportunities. Surfside Beach, Madaket Beach, and Siasconset Beach all provide great panoramic vistas of the Atlantic, while the Loines Observatory offers a slightly different perspective, a view of the grand majesty of the stars and outer space. There are also a variety of historic attributes available in Nantucket, including checking out the Whaling Museum and learning its integral part of being in Nantucket or stopping by the Nantucket Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum, which is dedicated to connecting the town of Nantucket with the savage fury of the Atlantic Ocean.
Cannon Beach, Oregon
On the opposite side of the United States, Cannon Beach, located in Clatsop County, Oregon, is home to Hug Point State Park. It is also relatively near Ecola State Park and Oswald West State Park. Cannon Beach is also well known for several other outdoor attractions, such as Haystack Rock, a 235-foot tall geological rock formation on the coast created millions of years ago by a lava flow. There are also a variety of restaurants in Cannon Beach that cater to the view, including Wayfarer Restaurant, which offers a great fish and chips entree, and Maggie's on the Prom, which is famous for its fabulous seafood dishes.
Grand Marais, Minnesota
The small town of Grand Marais, located in the depths of Cook County and home to just over a thousand permanent residents, is also home to the Judge CR Magney State Park, the Grand Portage State Forest, and Poplar Lake. While the state park offers hiking, fishing, camping, and many other activities, it also offers views of the Devil's Kettle Waterfall, a deep mystery and myth of Minnesota. Grand Marais is also well known for Artist's Point, a geological rock formation situated on the coast of Lake Superior, the Grand Marais Lighthouse, and the Pincushion Mountain Trail System, which consists of a variety of scenic trails, including the Pincushion Mountain Loop Trail.
Cape May, New Jersey
Cape May, located along the coast of New Jersey in Cape May County, is known best as being home to a variety of establishments built in the eighteen hundreds, including Angel of the Sea, an elegant bed and breakfast inn located a half mile from the beach, and the Stephen Smith House, which is part of the Historic Cold Spring Village. Cape May is also home to the Jersey Shore Alpacas, the Cape May Lighthouse, and the Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum. While the lighthouse, fully restored in 1859, offers awe-inspiring views of the Atlantic Ocean, the aviation museum provides a historical reference to the wonders of flight through hands-on exhibits and specialized events.
New Glarus, Wisconsin
Located in Greene County at the bottom of Wisconsin, approximately a hundred and fifty miles from Chicago, the town of New Glarus is a haven for photographic opportunities, including the Sugar River State Trail and New Glarus Woods State Park. While the Sugar River State Trail offers only hiking and biking, the New Glarus Woods State Park offers primitive camping, hunting, and trapping, along with hiking and biking options. New Glarus is also home to the Chalet of the Golden Fleece Museum and the Swiss Historical Village. While visitors can experience a significant Swiss influence in several places within the town, the Swiss Historical Village provides more of a comprehension of where that culture first came from.
There are a plethora of picture-perfect towns spanning the upper half of the United States that are great for photographic opportunities with family, friends, or even alone. From the East Coast to the West Coast and back, from Camden to New Glarus and from Cannon Beach to Cape May, these towns outline a few of the excellent prospects for visiting some parks, beaches, trails, and even some outside dining options that cannot always be experienced back home.
