9 Serene Northern United States Towns For A Weekend Retreat
The Northern United States is a great place to set your radar when searching for a weekend-retreat-worthy destination because this region has so many interesting things going for it. Geographically, it borders the Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, and Canada while accommodating natural wonders like the Great Lakes and Mount Desert Island, among others. Historically, many states in the Northern United States were at the forefront of slavery abolition, and these states now preserve priceless gems, including some of the country’s oldest lighthouses like Montauk Point Lighthouse. Fortunately, there are dozens of laid-back towns in this region, perfectly positioned close to its most historic and natural offerings. So, set aside a weekend and proceed to these serene Northern United States towns for a thoroughly relaxing retreat.
New Shoreham, Rhode Island
Block Island is a charming destination with all the necessary features for an enjoyable weekend retreat. Shaped like a pear, this island is synonymous with the town of New Shoreham and is located right on the Atlantic Ocean, cut off from mainland Rhode Island. Weekend visitors to this island town can spend limited time relaxing and surfing on its most beautiful beaches, like Mansion Beach and Scotch Beach. The Mohegan Bluffs also beckons for indulgence as they offer breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and access to another picturesque beach, which is great for swimming and surfing.
Additionally, Block Island invites retreat seekers to check out its Southeast Lighthouse and North Light, both of which were built in the 1800s and are architecturally stunning. Those seeking a more peaceful experience can head to the Clayhead Trail to hike with views of the ocean and see migratory songbirds. The 1661 Resort is a recommended accommodation for visitors here as it has cozy rooms with stunning ocean views.
Ocean Shores, Washington
Ocean Shores is a low-key destination on the Pacific Ocean, ideal for a tranquil and remote weekend getaway. In this town, it is possible to spend an entire day at North Jetty climbing rocks, flying kites, or just watching the waves pound the cliffs during the stormy season, which runs from November to March. Meanwhile, the town is barely two miles from Ocean City State Park, which offers opportunities for camping, beach walking, fishing, and birdwatching. On the south tip of Ocean Shores, Damon Point is a recommended spot to enjoy a relaxing hike on a sandy beach at low tide and catch sights of sea creatures, like starfish and shells.
Ocean Shores also invites visitors to the Coastal Interpretive Center to learn about the region’s cultural and natural history. For accommodation, the Lighthouse Suites Inn is a good and affordable option, with free parking, ocean-view rooms, and proximity to the beach.
Glen Arbor, Michigan
Glen Arbor is a lovely destination between Lake Michigan and Glen Lake, with an overwhelming list of pleasures to offer. For starters, the town is the gateway to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, home to breathtaking dunes, scenic trails, campsites, and kayaking. Some of the park’s must-do activities include kayaking on Crystal River and hiking the 1.5-mile Empire Bluff Trail for stunning lake views. Glen Arbor also offers boating access to Lake Michigan and Little Glen Lake while hosting a township park with picnic areas, a playground, and sports facilities.
Furthermore, Glen Arbor Wines and Cherry Republic are great spots to enjoy locally made wines before leaving town. For a more enjoyable weekend experience here, stay at the town's top accommodation, particularly the Sylvan Inn Bed & Breakfast, which was first established in 1885 and now offers cozy rooms in the heart of Sleeping Bear Dunes.
Montauk, New York
Montauk is one of New York’s best-kept secrets, ideal for an ocean-side weekend retreat. While travelers can just stay at one of the best beach hotels in town, like the luxury Hero Beach Club, and soak in the ocean scenery all weekend, there is so much satisfaction waiting outdoors.
Visitors can go swimming and surfing at Ditch Plains or picnicking and fishing at Hither Hills State Park, which offers fireplaces, swimming spots, and an oceanfront campground. Meanwhile, a visit to this town is always an opportunity to visit the Montauk Point Lighthouse, New York's oldest lighthouse, built in 1796 under the presidency of George Washington. For more adventures, the Camp Hero State Park is worth visiting as it has multi-use trails, excellent surf fishing, and picnic areas.
Ely, Minnesota
Ely is always a great choice for weekend vacations, especially for those who love water adventures. This little town has dozens of entry points to the Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness, where one can paddle over 1,200 miles of canoe trails, explore over 12 hiking trails, and camp in one of the 2,000 designated campsites. The wilderness area also offers more than 1,000 lakes and ponds for fishing, as well as opportunities for dogsledding and cross-country skiing in winter. For easy access to this wilderness area, visitors can stay at the Grand Ely Lodge, which also offers boat rentals and a marina.
Wildlife enthusiasts in town will love the North American Bear Center and the International Wolf Center as they offer exhibits and education about two of North America's most famous animals. Ely is also complete with cultural attractions like the Ely-Winton Historical Museum, which preserves and interprets the area's local history, including its mining, immigration, and fur trade history. Numerous art centers like the Brandenburg Gallery and Art & Soul Gallery are also in town to impress art enthusiasts. Notably, the Art & Soul Gallery is where you can find beautiful artworks and handmade gift items from 24 local artists.
Meredith, New Hampshire
Meredith is a lakeside town worthy to be at the top of your weekend bucket list destinations. Located on Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire’s largest lake, this town has several marinas from where one can launch into the waters and unwind with fishing and boating. When you are not on the waters, the town’s Hermit Woods Winery is a cool place to visit for wine tasting, while Waukewan Highlands offers three miles of hiking trails cutting through forests and fields covered with wildflowers in spring.
Also, it is always a pleasure to ride the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad through the picturesque Lakes Region of New Hampshire. This train ride departs from Meredith and lasts for two hours, which is enough time to soak in the lake's enchanting scenery and its surrounding natural features. If you love music and are visiting the Meredith area in the summer, be sure to attend the New Hampshire Music Festival, which is held in nearby Plymouth every July. Enjoy a more pleasurable weekend retreat in Meredith by staying at the historic Nutmeg Inn, which offers a large pool, free parking, a game room, and excellent customer service.
Geneva on the Lake, Ohio
Geneva-on-the-Lake is an ideal destination for those seeking a mix of exciting recreation and relaxation. For a more laid-back experience, weekend travelers here can start by visiting the Geneva State Park to relax and swim on Breakwater Beach, hike six miles of trails, and camp. The park also has a marina from where visitors can enjoy boating, jet skiing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing on Lake Erie. Meanwhile, located adjacent to this exciting park is the Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake, a picturesque hotel on the shore of Lake Erie featuring indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness center, a kid’s splash area, fine dining, and snowshoe and ski rentals. The park is also home to the Lake Erie Canopy Tours Aerial Adventure Park, where you can experience thrilling zipline rides with stunning views.
Furthermore, the Adventure Zone invites visitors of all ages to have fun with zipline rides, bumper boats, and go-carts. An added pleasure for visitors to this town can be walking through the mile-long Strip specifically to patronize some local establishments like Eddie’s Grill for delicious fries and Old Firehouse Winery for wine tasting and more food.
Riggins, Idaho
Tucked deep in a canyon, Riggins is a serene town where even a three-day weekend vacation never feels enough because there is so much to do. This small and remote town is renowned as the Whitewater Capital of America as it is near the Salmon River, Little Salmon River, and Payette River. These rivers are some of the best destinations in the country for white water rafting, with up to Class V rapids. Additionally, the Salmon River is an excellent location for steelhead, trout, and salmon fishing.
Riggins is also a gateway to the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, where visitors can hike, fish on the Snake River, and kayak while exploring the deepest river gorge in North America. Seven Devils Mountains is within this recreation area, offering thrilling mountain hikes like the 1.3-mile Heaven’s Gate trail, which leads to a lookout with breathtaking views of the entire Hells Canyon area. For an excellent experience in this town, be sure to stay at Riverview Motel, as it offers clean rooms with beautiful river views.
Leavenworth, Washington
Europe is a nice place to visit, but it is not always necessary to fly thousands of miles across the Atlantic to enjoy this experience. Just around two hours from Seattle, Leavenworth offers similar Germanic charms that people pay thousands to experience in places like Germany’s Bavaria and France’s Alsace region. The town even hosts an Oktoberfest, which is a must-visit for those in the area in October. Year-round, visitors to this mountain town will love to stroll through its downtown area to admire the distinct architecture and taste Bavarian food at establishments like Andreas Keller Restaurant. Also, the town's Wenatchee River offers thrilling rafting adventures, while The Springs invites retreat seekers to a world of relaxation with its hot pools, sauna, cold plunge, and stunning mountain scenery.
In the meantime, a stay at the Bavarian Lodge in Leavenworth is a big flex, especially with all the pictures of beautiful Bavarian interior decorations you will have to show off on social media. This hotel offers outdoor hot tubs, an outdoor heated pool, and a rustic beer pub, and it is close to attractions like the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum. Interestingly, this museum has one of the largest collections of nutcrackers in the world.
The Northern United States is a loosely defined region stretching across the upper Contiguous US, bordering Canada and the two largest oceans in the world. From Ocean Shores on the shores of the Pacific to Block Island on the Atlantic Ocean, a better list could not have been curated. Regardless of your idea of a weekend retreat, these serene towns in the Northern United States pack so much to delight each of your senses. Pick a weekend today and head to any of these destinations, and you will seriously wish weekends were longer.
