12 Ideal Northern United States Destinations for a 3-Day Weekend in 2025
The northern portion of the United States, just south of the southern border of Canada, has a plethora of unique vacation destinations, from the state of Maine on the Atlantic coast to Washington State on the Pacific coast. Each of these places has its own distinct attributes that make it perfect for spending a three-day weekend there. From the quaint town of Boothbay Harbor, Maine, to the scenic town of Leavenworth, Washington, the dozen resorts, lodges, and inns listed below are some of the best destinations for that three-day weekend with friends, family, or even alone in the northern part of the United States.
Boothbay Harbor, Maine
Located in downtown Boothbay Harbor, the Fisherman’s Wharf Inn is a perfect destination for that three-day weekend with someone special. Along with being right down the street from Ports of Italy, which serves a delicious Lobster Ravioli, the Fisherman’s Wharf Inn has its own on-site dockside restaurant, with many of its own delectable seafood choices.
The Maine State Aquarium and Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens are also located in Boothbay Harbor, both open seasonally. The aquarium has two 1,400-gallon tanks, which are designed to mimic the rugged coastlines of Maine. They also have a phenomenal Learning Lab, which features Sharks of the Gulf of Maine. The botanical gardens have several awe-inspiring exhibits as well, including a Native Butterfly House and the Lerner Garden of the Five Senses.
Frankenmuth, Michigan
Known as “Michigan’s Little Bavaria,” the picturesque town of Frankenmuth is home to several Bavarian-style buildings, including the Bavarian Inn Lodge. Offering some great amenities for the entire family, including an indoor waterpark, an 18-hole golf course, and a family fun arcade, the Bavarian Inn Lodge is ideal for that three-day weekend. The Bavarian Inn Restaurant, also in downtown Frankenmuth, serves some tasty entrees, like their “all-you-care-to-eat” chicken dinner.
Some other great attributes within this German-inspired town in Michigan are Grandpa Tiny’s Farm and Frankenmuth River Place Shops. Founded in 1938, Grandpa Tiny’s Farm has an awesome petting zoo. Frankenmuth River Place Shops, forty different shops within a Bavarian-themed shopping mall, sells everything from Irish apparel to hot sauces from all over the world.
Tannersville, Pennsylvania
The quaint town of Tannersville is home to Camelback Mountain Resort in the Pocono Mountains. With an indoor waterpark and a mountain adventure park, this mountain resort is one of the best destinations in Pennsylvania. They also have some fantastic dining options, like Alta Vida, which serves elegant cuisine on-site. If you prefer more down-to-earth fare, Smuggler’s Cove Restaurant is ten minutes away in downtown Tannersville. They serve everything from hamburgers to alligator bites.
Tannersville is also home to Pocono Premium Outlets, making for a great day of shopping. They have over a hundred different stores and shops, selling everything from beef jerky to smoky diamond necklaces. Big Pocono State Park is also in close proximity to Tannersville, with scenic hiking trails, options for some great photography, and opportunities for a fabulous picnic with the family.
Brookings, Oregon
The Beachfront Inn, on the coast of the Pacific in downtown Brookings, Oregon, is an ideal destination for that three-day weekend with someone you love. From a private terrace to a private hot tub to excellent room service, romance is in the air at this quaint coastal inn. Plus, Catalyst Seafood, a great dining option, is only half a mile away on Lower Harbor Road.
Downtown Brookings is also home to some other romantic attractions. Augustino Winery Tasting Room, also on Lower Harbor Road between Catalyst and Beachfront Inn, is well worth the visit. Harris Beach State Park, just north of downtown, is also great, especially if you wish to do some hiking. The Rockway Beach trail and the South Beach trail are both only half a mile in length and considered easy to moderate in difficulty. Then retire back to the inn for a relaxing end to your weekend.
Whitefish, Montana
For a relaxing weekend in the rugged Mountain West, Whitefish, Montana is your destination. The Lodge at Whitefish Lake, situated north of downtown Whitefish, along the western bank of Whitefish Lake, has some stunning features, making it great for a three-day weekend with someone special. Along with a casual dining room and a bar at the lodge, the Lodge at Whitefish offers free wi-fi, in-room fireplaces, a spa, and a swimming pool. Several great restaurants are also nearby, including Herb & Omni.
The town of Whitefish, Montana is close to the western entrance of Glacier National Park as well. Some of the activities that can be enjoyed in Glacier National Park include scenic drives along the Going-to-the-Sun Road, camping overnight, and photographing the diverse wildlife. Whitefish is also home to Whitefish Lake Golf Club, offering two separate golf courses, along with some beautiful Scottish bunkers and tree-lined fairways.
Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
Picturesque Sturgeon Bay is home to Bridgeport Waterfront Resort. This fabulous resort has some fantastic views of the waters of Sturgeon Bay, as well as several awesome amenities, like a heated indoor pool, a whirlpool, an exercise room, and a parlor with a walking path just outside that leads down to the water. And the Bluefront Cafe is right down the road. They are best known for serving delicious local cuisine.
Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin also has several fantastic attractions. From Whitefish Dunes State Park, along the banks of Lake Michigan, to Potawatomi State Park, on Sturgeon Bay itself, one can enjoy kayaking, fishing, and boating. There are some great camping options at Potawatomi State Park as well. Several great hiking trails are also inside both parks, like Old Baldy Loop in Whitefish Dunes and the Ice Age Trail in Potawatomi. This northern town is great for outdoor lovers who enjoy stunning lakefront views.
McCall, Idaho
Within the great state of Idaho, the tiny town of McCall is home to Shore Lodge, just off the banks of phenomenal Payette Lake. Along with some awe-inspiring amenities, like a day spa, live music nightly, and two hot tubs, Shore Lodge has two excellent on-site restaurants, Narrows Steakhouse and Cutwater on Payette Lake, each of them serving delicious cuisine with distinct Pacific-Northwest flair.
The town of McCall is also home to several natural attractions. The Burgdorf Hot Springs are only thirty miles to the north, and Ponderosa State Park is less than two miles away from downtown, along the eastern edge of Payette Lake. Ponderosa State Park offers some exhilarating activities like hiking, kayaking, boating, and mountain-biking. They even have skiing and snowboarding in the winter, and camping all year round.
Lake Placid, New York
Whiteface Lodge, two miles northwest of downtown Lake Placid, is the ideal spot for a three-day weekend, whether with friends or the family. From the picturesque vistas of the Adirondack Mountains to the awesome amenities, such as indoor and outdoor pools, a spa, a movie theater, and even a bowling alley, Whiteface Lodge is perfect. They even offer a complimentary breakfast in their on-site restaurant every morning.
Downtown Lake Placid, New York has some great attractions aimed at entertaining the entire family as well. Along with several natural aspects, like Mirror Lake and Lake Placid, this small town has some good historic attractions. The Lake Placid Olympic Museum offers some fabulous exhibits, including North America’s second-largest Winter Olympic artifact collection, while John Brown Farm State Historic Site allows for a more intimate understanding of the abolitionist movement and life in the 19th century. History buffs and mountain lovers alike will enjoy a weekend in Lake Placid.
Hampton Beach, New Hampshire
Hampton Beach, New Hampshire is the ideal vacation destination, whether you are looking for a location to spend a three-day weekend with that someone special or with the entire family. From Ashworth by the Sea, a luxury resort situated right off the Atlantic, to several dining options in close proximity to the resort that serve exceptional seafood, including Point Break, Hampton Beach is the place to visit.
Hampton Beach also has some great attractions, including the Ocean World Oceanarium and Hampton Beach State Park. This state park offers some great activities, like swimming, fishing, camping, as well as options for exploring some of the local tide pools and salt marshes. Ocean World Oceanarium, open seasonally and situated just north of Ashworth by the Sea, has phenomenal hands-on touch tanks and even offers a tour with an experienced marine biologist.
Dover, Vermont
Mount Snow Grand Summit Resort, north of downtown Dover, has several awesome attributes that make it ideal for the perfect weekend escape, especially if you want to ski or snowboard. From the four different mountain faces, offering great winter wonderland attractions, to farm-to-table fine dining, to a 365-day outdoor heated pool, this all-inclusive resort is a touch of heaven within the beauty of the Green Mountains in Vermont.
The quaint town of Dover has some other awesome attractions that make the visit well worth the time, including the Art of Humor and I Love Art Space art galleries. And, not far from either the art galleries or the resort, the Great Moose Vermont Shop sells an abundance of small trinkets, gifts, clothes, and other great merchandise that honor the North American Moose in the best way possible.
Deadwood, South Dakota
Not far from downtown Deadwood, and situated near several great dining choices, like Jacob’s Brewhouse and Legends Steakhouse, the 1899 Inn has its own share of unique attributes. From quaint and cozy suites, including the Old Library and the Writing Room, to enjoying the winter season through a Christmas Tea Celebration, elegance and ambiance are prevalent in this turn-of-the-century inn.
The Adams House, a Queen-Anne style Victorian edifice that was built in 1892, is also in downtown Deadwood, South Dakota. With furnishings dating back to when it was first built, guests can experience how those from the 19th century lived. Plus, not far away from the Adams House, the Days of ‘76 Museum honors the discovery of gold in Deadwood Gulch in 1876. A long weekend in Deadwood will restore you and enrich your sense of history.
Leavenworth, Washington
The German-inspired town of Leavenworth, on the western side of Washington, is home to Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort. This fabulous mountain resort features several types of suites, including the Loft, the Rookery, and the Eyrie Suite. There are also a variety of dining options at the Sleeping Lady. The Kingfisher Restaurant serves a delicious breakfast menu while Grotto Bar offers spirits, beer, and wines, along with an excellent Tapas menu.
There are also some great dining options in downtown Leavenworth. Andreas Keller Restaurant offers excellent German cuisine, while Visconti’s serves up delicious Italian fare. Leavenworth also has its own Reindeer Farm, honoring Santa’s faithful helpers. There are also some great equestrian trails at Mountain Springs Lodge, fourteen miles north of town, for those who want to experience a sleigh ride, making this town a perfect Christmas destination.
Cozy Destinations for Weekends in the North
The northern portion of the United States experiences a vastly different aspect of enjoying a three-day weekend with friends, family, or alone when compared to the southern half. Here you'll find stunning foliage in the fall and snowy mountains for skiing and snowboarding in the winter months. There are some phenomenal resorts, inns, and hotels that not only accept cold weather but actually welcome it. These were just a dozen of the great destinations across the northern part of the United States for a perfect three-day weekend away.
