11 Most Breathtaking Towns In The Northern United States

The Northern United States is a mosaic where each piece fits together perfectly. Hills rolling on the riverside, glacier-fed lakes, harbor towns, and island fortresses all fit together to make a majestic landscape that is both wild and welcoming. All together, these elements create the heart of the north, where towns are as alive as the rivers and rainforests. No matter which town you visit, the things you see there will leave an impression that stays with you long after you leave. Keep reading to discover eleven of the most breathtaking places that the Northern U.S.A has to offer, and why each one deserves a place on your travel list.

Leavenworth, Washington

To see a mix of this Washington town's natural beauty as well as the beauty created by its citizens, visit Front Street Park. Being home to “Art in the Park," this outdoor recreation space has tents scattered throughout its serene grounds where artists display their work. The park also hosts festivals throughout the year, such as Icefest and Oktoberfest.

For even more beauty, take a walk through Waterfront Park. Deer, beavers, and other wildlife share the trails with travelers as they walk through a forest that overlooks high mountains and the gently flowing river. After exploring the beauty of the wild, take a look through the Nutcracker Museum. Full of a very niche collection of nutcrackers, this museum shares the evolution of the nutcracker through models, paintings, and photography.

Bar Harbor, Maine

Discover this coastal Maine town by walking the century-old Shore Path that runs through it. This path acts as a central line for much of Bar Harbor and stretches along the ever-serene Frenchman Bay. From the path, islands and peninsulas bloom between the bay and the sky. While walking this scenic path, explorers will find Ells Pier, a locally beloved spot where you can sit on the wooden planks and whale-watch. For one more vantage point of the town’s magnificent bay, stroll through Agamont Park. This park makes for a great viewing point for tourists, where you can watch small sailboats and massive cruise ships on the water atop a cushion of green grass.

Mackinac Island, Michigan

With sights that seem equal parts history and fantasy, this island is an important stop in North American tourism. Mackinac Island honors its past at Fort Mackinac, where numerous historic buildings hold exhibits that explain the region's battlefield history. Along with being informative, the fortress is a beautiful place to explore, standing on a bluff over Haldimand Bay. To be transported to a land out of a fairytale, walk the path above Lake Huron’s shores.

140 feet above the lake is Arch Rock, a natural limestone bridge arching above lush plants. The geological bridge curves over the blue lake like a picture frame. Mix both history and fantasy at the Grand Hotel, where a live orchestra plays in the grand ballroom, treats are served at afternoon tea in the parlor, and guests dress up for lavish dinners.

Lake Placid, New York

This village in the mountains is home to many hidden gems, such as Lake Placid Public Beach. The beach rests along Mirror Lake right in the downtown district. While on the beach, locals can be found swimming in or kayaking on the gentle water or relaxing on shore. The view from the shore is spectacular, with a range of mountains standing beyond the forest that is nestled against the far side of the lake.

Summer visitors will be treated to Songs at Mirror Lake, a free concert series that hosts new artists every Tuesday in a beautiful natural arena. Adding to the intriguing lore of the little lake town, Lake Placid was home to the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics. To see where legendary Olympians competed, head to the Olympic Center, where you can skate on the same ice rink as Olympic athletes or walk through the Olympic Museum.

Sitka, Alaska

Walk the totem-lined coastal trails of Sitka National Historical Park, where the battlesite between Russian traders and the Indigenous Kiks.ádi Tlingit is preserved. No matter where you turn, this park has so much beauty to offer, from gigantic spruce trees to the sparkling Indian River. Since Sitka was once Russia’s colonial capital, one notable structure still remains. The Russian Bishop’s House, built in 1842, offers a deeper understanding of life in Sitka under Russian-American expansion.

While in the home turf of America’s bird, head to The Alaska Raptor Center to meet the Bald Eagle in person. While rehabilitating raptors, the center also houses raptors-in-residence (eagles that are too injured to return to the wild). Visitors can meet these residents and learn more about their history and habits. A quarter-mile nature trail loop connects the center to the Tongass National Forest that houses it, creating a space for guests to walk through a rainforest of native Alaskan plants.

Burlington, Vermont

In Burlington, walk the treelined granite-block streets through Church Street Marketplace. The marketplace is alive with music from street musicians and the unique energy that comes from cart vendors who want to share their crafts and creations with the public. Keep strolling at Battery Park, which overlooks Lake Champlain and the breathtaking Adirondack mountains.

This 14-acre historic park hosts concerts throughout the summer, so if you love local music, be on the lookout for events at the park. Another waterfront gem awaits all with scientific minds hungry for new knowledge. The Leahy Center for Lake Champlain (or “ECHO”) houses interactive and colorful science and nature exhibits. The museum is a great place to dig deeper and connect with the local ecosystem.

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Living history blooms along the sidewalks of Portsmouth, New Hampshire in the Strawbery Banke Museum neighborhood and gardens. This neighborhood is a living museum of historic houses, gardens, and landscapes. Costumed role players also walk through the neighborhood to further immerse visitors in an older era. Step back into the present at Market Square. Instead of historic houses, this street is lined with restaurants, jazz clubs, and shops that are unique to Portsmouth. Finally, escape among seemingly endless beds of flowers at Prescott Park, a 10-acre park where brick paths wind around colorful gardens.

Marquette, Michigan

Nestled against Lake Superior, this town takes lake life very seriously. Tour the lighthouse that stands high on the coast. Marquette Harbor Lighthouse remains an active aid for navigation, while also serving as a museum specializing in the maritime history of the town. More incredible lake views await at Presque Isle Park, a 323-acre forested oval-shaped peninsula that feels like its own little world.

Though locals call this popular hiking spot an “island”, it is actually attached to the mainland while maintaining the illusion of an island getaway. Finish the day with a brew at the local pub, Blackrocks Brewery. Warm golden light illuminates the cozy space where visitors can chat with locals or just enjoy food from the food trucks that are typically parked outside.

Stillwater, Minnesota

Start your Stillwater journey with a unique experience by strolling across the Stillwater Lift Bridge, which connects Minnesota and Wisconsin. Standing since 1931, this historic bridge stretches over the St. Croix River, making a fun and aesthetically pleasing route that is now closed to car traffic but open to pedestrians and cyclists. After taking in the river views, explore the 11 blocks that make up Stillwater Commercial Historic District.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the buildings here reflect the architectural diversity and house 100 locally owned eateries and shops to look through. Lastly, view the city and the river you just explored at Pioneer Park. Along with unbelievable panoramas, this hilltop park has picnic tables perfect for a meal with a view.

Whitefish, Montana

Whitefish is home to a lakeside beach so spectacular that it almost seems unreal. City Beach is home to a 7-mile-long glacial lake beneath a ridge of mountains. The beach is made of soft sand, perfect for a barefoot walk. Whitefish Lake flows into the Whitefish River, where a hidden gem called Riverside Park welcomes all who want to enjoy the water on canoes or paddleboards, or even by jumping into the peaceful current. This town has a legacy it loves to share at Stumptown Historical Society. Since 1982, this museum has preserved important relics of Whitefish's past regarding medicine, culture, and more.

Astoria, Oregon

Venture through Astroria’s riverfront in style on the Riverfront Trolley. Known as “Old 300”, the trolley was built in 1913 and still only costs $1 per ride. While on the hour-long trolley adventure, passengers will be driven by the river as well as downtown, hearing the history of the town throughout the ride. Sitting on a hill above the town is a 125-foot tower where tourists can get a 360° view of Astroria.

The Astoria Column is wrapped in a gorgeous, artistically painted sgraffito-style histogram that honors the history of the Pacific Northwest. Discover another piece of history at Flavel House Museum. The museum is within a Victorian home built in 1884, acting as a time capsule for Queen Ann architecture and the way of life for Astoria residents of the late 1800s.

From Maine to Alaska, the United States’ Northern territory is full of rare and breathtaking landscapes and archaeology. Each town carries a unique story worth exploring. Whether through Victorian streets, along totem-lined trails, or sandy beaches blanketed by glacial lakes. The beauty of the north is not only found in the expansive wilderness and in the Great Lakes, but also in the community structures and artistic creations within it. The towns on this list invite you to wander slowly and take in all of the stunning views that the Northern United States has to offer.