11 Of The Most Captivating Small Towns In Upstate New York

One of the Pacific Northwest's most spectacular aspects is its natural beauty. Set amongst towering Douglas fir, cedar, and hemlock trees covering the landscape, visitors can discover six small, idyllic towns steeped in history. From clear lakes carved into the land by glaciers to the rush to find gold to the arrival of the Great Northern Railway, the Pacific Northwest has been transformed by its rich past and natural surroundings into towns like Orcas Island, Jacksonville, Sandpoint, Astoria, Chelan, and Silverton.

Orcas Island, Washington

Orcas Island is the largest San Juan Island in the northwest corner of Washington. Renowned for its scenery and laid-back vibe, the island is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, artists, and those seeking a peaceful retreat. Around 5,000 residents call Orcas Island their part-time or full-time home, including retired astronauts, renowned chefs, and a few celebrities (although Oprah quietly sold her 43-acre estate on the island recently). Orcas is called an "island of artists," and its thriving arts scene can be found in the village of Eastsound in studios and galleries like Orcas Island Artworks and Orcas Island Pottery or in the Orcas Center.

The island boasts diverse landscapes, including forested hills, rocky shorelines, and serene lakes. Mount Constitution in Moran State Park rises about one-half mile above Orcas Island and is the highest point in the San Juan Islands. From the top is a stone tower built in the style of 12th-century Russian watchtowers, offering visitors 360-degree panoramic views of other islands in the San Juan archipelago, the North Cascades, and on a clear day, Mount Baker from its summit.

Jacksonville, Oregon

A historic gold rush town with well-preserved buildings, Jacksonville is set in the Rogue Valley in southern Oregon, surrounded by rolling landscapes. The Jacksonville landmark district is a well-preserved example of a 19th-century gold rush town that began with a mining boom in the 1850s. Various town tours are available, like the Jacksonville Trolley Tour, a 45-minute narrated tour highlighting historic homes and buildings throughout the town, like the Jackson County Courthouse and the Beekman House. Built around 1873, the Beekman House was banker Cornelius C. Beekman's family residence and is now a museum where visitors can learn about the town's history and see artifacts from the era; a few blocks away, his 1863 Beekman Bank stands as one of the oldest financial institutions in the Pacific Northwest. Guided tours are also available at the Jacksonville Cemetery, one of the oldest pioneer cemeteries in the state. It is home to over 5,000 graves, nearly all dug by hand.

Since 1963, Jacksonville has hosted the Britt Music Festival, a cultural institution in the small town that attracts thousands of music lovers for the summer concert series that spans June through September every year. The event is held in a natural amphitheater on the sprawling estate of 19th-century photographer Peter Britt, who arrived in the rowdy mining camp with $5 in his pocket. Two miles from the town center, visitors can find Forest Park, which has 30 miles of multi-use trails in the Jackson Creek Watershed. It has trails ranging from an easy 5% grade to a more challenging 20% grade.

Sandpoint, Idaho

Located in the Idaho Panhandle, 60 miles from Canada, Sandpoint is an idyllic small town on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille, the largest lake in the state and the 38th largest lake by area in the US. The lake gets its unusual name from the French words for "pendant" and "ear," which describe the lake's shape, which resembles an earlobe. Sandpoint is an ideal town for outdoor enthusiasts with activities like skiing at Schweitzer Mountain Resort, considered one of the best ski hills in the Pacific Northwest. With 2,900 acres of terrain, Schweitzer overlooks the town of Sandpoint and offers views of three states, Canada, and Lake Pend Oreille.

Apres ski season, visitors to Sandpoint can explore the area's over 200 trails, all within an hour of town. The trails range from easy to strenuous and include the challenging 3.5-mile-long Mickinnick Trail, which rises more than 2,000 feet, the popular hiking and mountain biking Gold Hill Trail, or the easy, family-friendly Mineral Point Interpretive Trail along Lake Pend Oreille. After all that physical activity, thirsty visitors can relax with a stop at one of Sandpoint's coffee houses, breweries, or wineries, like MickDuff's Brewing Company, the Pend d'Oreille Winery, and Laughing Dog Brewing.

Astoria, Oregon

With its rich maritime history and Victorian architecture, Astoria offers a walkable waterfront and historical landmarks like the Astoria Column. It is a towering monument built in 1926 that offers panoramic views of the Columbia River and the surrounding landscape. The column attracts over 400,000 visitors every year who come to admire the colorful murals depicting the region's history, as illustrated in Attilio Pusterla's initial sketches for the Astoria Column, which trace the region's development from its earliest days to the arrival of the Great Northern Railway in 1926.

Discover downtown Astoria with a scenic ride aboard the vintage Astoria Riverfront Trolley, which runs along the waterfront and is a unique way to experience Astoria's maritime heritage. Spanning the Columbia River from Oregon to Washington, the Astoria-Megler Bridge is a prominent landmark that appears straight out of a Hollywood movie. Completed in 1966, the 4.1-mile-long steel bridge is North America's longest continuous truss bridge and the final link in the scenic Mexico-to-Canada highway. When it was initially constructed, critics called it "a bridge to nowhere" because they thought it was too remote to justify the expense. However, the span still attracts visitors who drive or walk across the bridge to capture photos of the waterfront vistas.

Chelan, Washington

Located three hours from Seattle, Chelan, Washington, attracts an impressive two million visitors each year who come to explore the Pacific Northwest town set along the shores of Lake Chelan, the third-deepest lake in the U.S. at 1,486 feet. This clear lake was formed more than 10,000 years ago during the last Ice Age, when massive glaciers carved out its deep U-shape, which later filled with water as the glaciers melted. It's a popular destination for outdoor activities such as jet skiing, paddle boarding, tubing, canoeing, or simply cruising along the 50-mile-long lake. The Lake Chelan Valley is also a haven for wine lovers, boasting more than 30 wineries, including Benson Vineyards Estate Winery, Lake Chelan Winery, and Tsillan Cellars, among others. Since 1901, Campbell's Resort has drawn visitors to its 170 lakeside guest rooms and private beach on Chelan's historic downtown waterfront. It is within walking distance to downtown brick-and-mortar shops like Lake Life Chelan and Lake Chelan Sports, as well as local pubs like Stormy Mountain Brewing, whose motto is "Beer. BBQ. Friends. Beer." The Chelan Riverwalk Park is a waterfront area downtown featuring walking paths, picnic spots, and views of the surrounding mountains. It's a favorite location for both locals and tourists to enjoy the scenery and relax along the banks of the Chelan River.

Silverton, Oregon

While the town of Silverton is renowned for its blend of history and untouched wilderness, it is perhaps best known for its proximity to Silver Falls State Park. Dubbed the "crown jewel" of the Oregon State Parks system, which spans over 9,000 acres, visitors to the park can walk behind the 177-foot curtain of water. The Trail of Ten Falls, a 7.2-mile loop featuring ten waterfalls, often appears on hikers' bucket lists and can be tackled in sections or completed in under four hours of moderate hiking.

Downtown Silverton boasts a collection of murals known as the Silverton Murals. The initiative of the Silverton Mural Society, which aimed to establish the town as a mural destination, is dedicated to preserving Silverton's heritage within an outdoor art gallery set against the vistas of the Pacific Northwest. Visitors can embark on a self-guided walking tour to appreciate the over 35 mural sites on buildings throughout the city, showcasing the history of the Silverton area.

With its landscapes and lively communities, the Pacific Northwest is steeped in history. The region's past reflects the diverse influences of ancient Indigenous cultures and European explorers. The rugged coastline, verdant forests, and mountains have attracted settlers and adventurers alike, leaving a legacy of exploration and innovation. Today, historic landmarks such as the Astoria Column and Silver Falls State Park serve as testaments to this rich heritage, inviting visitors to discover and appreciate the timeless beauty of the Pacific Northwest.