10 Oldest Founded Towns To Visit In The Northern United States

Despite having only been founded in 1776, many towns in the US predate the nation's hard-won independence from Britain in the Revolutionary War. From New York to Wisconsin, here is an assembled list of the oldest-founded towns in the Northern U.S. for history buffs with a taste for America's colonial history. Take a trip through the entries on this list for up close samples of living, breathing Americana.

Albany, New York

Originally called Fort Nassau, what would become Albany was claimed by Dutch explorer Henry Hudson in 1609 as a trading post and warehouse. The fort was eventually washed away by rising water on the Hudson River caused by melting snow and was rebuilt nearby. However, it was damaged beyond repair and replaced with Fort Orange in 1624. Fort Orange was later incorporated into the village of Beverwijck in 1652, which eventually evolved into the city of Albany in 1686. Today, Albany is the second-oldest city in the U.S. with a charter and serves as the seat of New York state's government. It is recognized for its affordable cost of living relative to other Northeastern cities and its numerous universities.

Plymouth, Massachusetts

Plymouth, originally called Plimoth, is a significant site in American history. It was where the Mayflower's first voyage across the Atlantic ended, marking the founding of Plymouth Colony in late 1620. The colony was established by Protestants who believed the Church of England had strayed from Reformation principles and sought religious freedom in the New World. As the landing site of the pilgrims and the birthplace of the first Thanksgiving, Plymouth attracts many visitors eager to explore U.S. history, see Plymouth Rock, and experience the town's rich heritage firsthand.

Kittery, Maine

Trappers, hunters, and lumberjacks were among the early English settlers who founded the town of Kittery in 1623. Like many American towns, its name comes from the British Isles. Kittery Court served as the family home of one of its founders, Alexander Shapleigh. In the 1650s, Kittery played an important role in the prosperity of the Massachusetts Bay Colony as a trading hub and shipbuilding center. Its reputation as a stopover for sailors is well known. Local legend says that pirates like Captain Kidd and Blackbeard visited the Isles of Shoals, a few miles offshore. Today, Kittery is famous for its blend of small-town charm and vibrant energy. Visitors can explore art galleries, museums, boutique shops, and exotic restaurants, all aimed at attracting tourists to the East Coast.

Dover, New Hampshire

Founded in 1623 by William and Edward Hilton, Dover's development was greatly influenced by the nearby Cocheco and Bellamy Rivers. These waterways facilitated water-powered sawmills and a thriving shipbuilding industry in the 1700s. In the 19th century, Dover emerged as a leading producer of cotton goods, with many mills lining the river. Today, while the city has transitioned from waterwheels and textile mills to a vibrant startup scene and life science labs, it still celebrates its history through carefully preserved historic buildings in the downtown area.

Gloucester City, New Jersey

The settlement that would later be known as Gloucester City has experienced many changes since it was founded in 1626. The name Fort Nassau, used by Dutch settlers in the 17th century for various settlements in the Northeast, was assigned to outposts and trading centers, two of which eventually developed into Albany and Gloucester Town. The Dutch eventually gave up all claims to the area, and the nearby towns under their control shifted to British rule. By the late 1800s, the waterfront was lined with mills and factories. The town also became a popular stop for leisure activities like prizefighting, swimming, sailing, and drinking, drawing both visitors and residents as an important rest area between South Jersey and Philadelphia.

Lewes, Delaware

Lewes, the first settlement along the Delaware River, was established by Dutch colonists in 1631. Initially named Zwaanendael, it was renamed Lewes after an English town in Sussex County when William Penn, a British figure, acquired rights to the area. This port city has a rich water and boating history spanning over three centuries and is now a popular resort spot. Water-based activities such as saltwater fishing, boating, and other aquatic sports continue to be very popular. Additionally, the town is home to the Delaware Bay pilots, who assist cargo ships moving between Wilmington and Philadelphia, and hosts the University of Delaware College of Marine Studies.

Windsor, Connecticut

Founded in 1633 as a trading outpost, Windsor was the first English settlement in Connecticut. The town was located between the Connecticut and Farmington rivers by a group from the Plymouth colony. Originally called Matianuck, it was renamed Dorchester after Puritan settlers from Massachusetts. Later, it was renamed Windsor after the royal borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in Southeast England. Tobacco farming had been a key part of the local economy since colonial times, along with brickmaking. In the post-war years, Windsor shifted to a service-based economy, with Amazon as its biggest employer.

Green Bay, Wisconsin

The land that would become the city of Green Bay was first visited by Europeans in 1634 by Jean Nicolet, a French explorer. Nicolet named the area La Baye Verte, meaning The Green Bay, because of the water's color. Green Bay grew into a fur-trading center connected by the Mississippi, Wisconsin, and Fox Rivers. The first settlers were the Charles de Langlade family from Quebec, who arrived sometime in the 1740s, but the area was taken from French control by the British until they lost it during the American Revolution. The city later became a manufacturing hub with the rise of railroads, flourishing in iron smelting and lumber milling among other industries. Today, Green Bay is considered one of the best places in the country to live.

Providence, Rhode Island

Renegade preacher Roger Williams fled religious persecution in Massachusetts and arrived in Rhode Island in 1636. There, he bought land from the local Native Americans with the goal of creating a new settlement built on religious tolerance. He named this settlement Providence, after the word for divine guidance from the almighty. Williams' new settlement grew into an important seaport because of its close proximity to the water, and by the 1780s, the town's residents had chartered expeditions eastward to the Mediterranean and beyond. Today, the city remains a key seaport for natural gas, lumber, steel, and more.

Annapolis, Maryland

Once known as the "Athens of America," Annapolis was founded in 1649 by Puritan exiles from Virginia. They gave the settlement several names, such as Anne Arundel Town and Providence. In 1694, it was renamed Annapolis in honor of Princess Anne, who was then the heir to the British throne. The city holds an important place in American history: the Annapolis Convention, held here in 1786 before the Philadelphia Convention, was critical to the nation's foundation. Today, the port city is well-known for its many pleasure boats and for hosting the United States Naval Academy and its museum, which displays key relics of American naval history.

Despite being a relatively young nation, the continental US has no shortage of history. Many of its earliest-founded towns are still standing today and, what's more, are flourishing. These cities and towns in the Northern states have hundreds of years of prestige behind them, extending back to the 1600s. It is no stretch to say these pieces of American history are alive and well today and are waiting to be seen firsthand. Visit any of the places included on this list for a field trip like no other.