The Most Picturesque Small Towns in the Northern United States
For years, small towns have been a scenic getaway for travelers looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. These picturesque towns provide a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure, with unique atmospheres and rich cultural histories. Nestled in the northern United States are some of the most picturesque places, often hidden in seemingly obscure corners. These towns, with their extraordinary landscapes and welcoming communities, promise a rejuvenating experience for anyone.
Leavenworth, Washington
Beautiful Leavenworth is an enchanting Bavarian village that is full of life. In the 1960s, the people of Leavenworth decided to transform their town to help build tourism and help their community flourish. They chose to theme the town as a Bavarian Village. Tucked into the Cascade Mountains, Leavenworth transports its visitors to a place taken out of a storybook. Known for its architectural style and festive atmosphere, the town is captivating in every season.
Prior to Leavenworth's transformation, its economy thrived on the logging and sawmill business, as well as the trading system. However, as the railroad rerouted and left town, Leavenworth needed a new way to draw visitors. Along with the transformation of the town, the residents created the Autumn Leaf Festival, Maifest, and the Christmas Lighting Festival, which are pivotal attractions to this day.
A fairy-tale mountain escape, Leavenworth provides tourists with Bavarian authenticity amidst their Northwestern hospitality. Revel in the traditions beneath the towering mountains and along the rolling Wenatchee River.
Cody, Wyoming
Located around 60 miles from the east entrance to Yellowstone National Park, Cody was founded in 1896 by none other than Colonel William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, one of the most iconic and well-known figures of the American Old West. First passing through Cody in 1870, he was impressed by the possibilities of developing the land, from irrigation and hunting to scenery and its proximity to Yellowstone. He returned to establish Cody in the 1890s and named the streets after his associates.
Today, Cody is home to over 10,000 people and caters to tourists who come not only to visit Yellowstone- but to experience the thrill of the Wild West. Cody is the only place in the country that has a nightly rodeo performance. There are two professional rodeos, the Cody Nite Rodeo, from June 1st to August 31st, and the Cody Stampede, from July 1st through the 4th. The Cody Stampede, officially starting in 1919, is one of the longest-running professional rodeos. The Nite Rodeo transformed Cody’s economy, attracting tourists and cowboys from all over the country to compete.
Downtown Cody offers plenty of bustling activities. Visitors can catch shoot-out reenactments like The Wild Bunch or see Old Trail Town, which features 25 restored historic buildings just off Yellowstone Highway. Surrounded by the Shoshone National Forest and the Absaroka Mountains, Cody boasts soaring canyons and wide open spaces, completing its quintessential old-west identity.
Holland, Michigan
Set along the Lake Michigan shoreline, Holland is celebrated for its springtime tulips, summer festivals, fall orchards, and winter holidays. However, the town is best known for its friendly people. Settled by the Dutch in 1846, Holland planted its first crop of 100,000 tulips in 1929 and inaugurated The Tulip Time Festival. This eight day event, brings tourists each May to visit their thousands of blooms. Originally a flower festival, Tulip Time was so popular they expanded to include programs, pageantry, costumes and parades.
One of Holland’s most iconic attractions is the 250-year-old, 125-foot Tour De Zwaan, an authentic, functional Dutch windmill located at Windmill Island Gardens. Its looming botanical gardens also feature an antique carousel, Friesian horses, and Little Netherlands, a model of Dutch life as it was when Holland was settled in the 1840s. Known for its 150,000 tulips in the spring, the botanical gardens are planted with annuals in themed beds, offering beauty year-round.
Cape May, New Jersey
Cape May’s Southern Shore is the nation’s oldest seaside resort and was rated one of the “Most Beautiful Towns in America” by Condé Nast Traveler. Renowned for its exceptional restaurant scene, including fine wines, craft brews, and spirits, the entire city is a National Historic District. Cape May has more than 600 preserved Victorian buildings, characterized by their gingerbread trim and architecture.
Cape May played a pivotal role in history as it attracted northern abolitionists and underground Railroad Leaders. The Stephen Smith House and Cape May MAC’s Underground Railroad Trolley Tour are striking representations of this history that have endured the test of time.
Between the natural beauty of the city and its promenade lining the beach front, there are plenty of activities for visitors year round. From searching for unique quartz pebbles known as Cape May diamonds that wash up on Sunset Beach, to enjoying Victorian Week, visitors are sure to be entranced by the ambiance of the seaside, Victorian architecture, old-time gas lights, and colorful stained glass.
Big Sky, Montana
Home to some of the most stunning scenery in the world, Big Sky offers towering mountains, pristine forests and rushing rivers that create a captivating wilderness to experience. Nestled in the Rocky Mountains, the community is commonly divided into 3 regions.
The Canyon is how anyone enters Big Sky and follows along the Gallatin River, providing access to world-class fishing, white water rafting, horseback riding, and hiking trails. The Meadow is the heart of Big Sky’s community and is where tourists can experience two separate walking districts: the Town Center and Meadow Village. The Meadow offers activities in every season, from golfing and concerts in the summer to ice skating and Nordic Skiing in the winter. The Mountain is home to the Big Sky Resort and the luxury Montage. Big Sky Resorts has 5,850 skiable acres and the most advanced lift network in the US. In the summer, visitors can enjoy mountain biking over 50 miles of trails.
Big Sky is one of the finest locations in the country to go stargazing, as it is unaffected by light pollution from any nearby metropolis. It celebrates its heritage with galleries, live music, festivals and rodeos to accompany their wide range of food options. Year-round, community events are set against a breathtaking natural landscape, complimenting a rich and vibrant life.
Galena, Illinois
Once the lead mining capital of the world, Galena is like stepping back in time onto a hallmark movie set. The hills, valleys, and bluffs in this Mississippi River Valley area were left untouched by the glaciers of the Ice Age that flattened the continental US. One of the most scenic areas in the Midwest, 85% of Galena’s buildings are on the National Register of Historic Districts. Its charming historic Main Street was once walked on regularly by Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th US President, and retains many of the same buildings from that era. Often described as the town that time forgot, Galena remains much as it was when Grant lived there.
No other location in the Midwest can boast such picturesque hills and valleys. Many areas are protected for preservation and feature wildlife prairies and effigy mounds built by Native Americans.
Today, Galena is home to over 125 independent shops, restaurants, inns and B&Bs. The Dowling House, Galena’s oldest residence, is an 1857 limestone building that is a historic house museum, portraying a glimpse into 19th-century life. Visitors can also explore the Casper Bluffs, a self-guided tour of 85 acres that features burial mounds, including a 1,000-year-old Thunderbird effigy mound. Galena is the starting point of Illinois’ Great River Road, which follows along the Mississippi River for 550 miles, exploring the area's contribution to helping shape the nation.
These are just some of the most picturesque places in the Northern US that can provide mesmerizing experiences that capture the hearts of visitors. Each town provides a distinctive blend of natural beauty, historical significance, and warm hospitality, inviting travelers to step back in time, immerse themselves in local traditions, and create unforgettable memories. The stories, people, and moments make each place uniquely special. So, pack your bags and explore these gems!
