2025's Most Underrated Towns In The Northern United States
Between iconic landmarks like Niagara Falls and famous cities like Chicago and New York, the northern United States draws millions every year. On the other hand, many of the region's small towns lack the same love. Whether overshadowed by cities, tucked away from busy highways, or simply less well-known, these communities continue to fly under the radar.
While largely overlooked, these towns are rich in history, exciting attractions, and natural beauty. From Great Lake towns with wind-swept shores to New England villages with Hallmark charms, these underrated towns may lack the popularity of Niagara Falls, but they are nothing short of spectacular.
New Shoreham, Rhode Island
Described by The Travel as “one of Rhode Island’s most scenic yet overlooked coastal gems,” New Shoreham is a small town with big charm. Located around 12 miles from mainland in the Block Island Sound, the 10-square-mile island earns New Shoreham the title of “smallest town in the smallest state.” Nonetheless, the tiny town packs a big punch with its coastal attractions, including landmarks like the 19th-century Southeast Lighthouse.
Beckoning with its seclusion and soft sands, Mansion Beach is perfect for introverted beachgoers. Originally home to a mansion that burned down in the 1960s, today, the quiet north shore is great for surfing and shelling. For a bird’s-eye view of the mighty Atlantic, New Shoreham is also home to the Mohegan Bluffs. Towering 200 feet high, many consider the bluffs to be New Shoreham’s greatest feature. Optionally, a 141-step descent from the overlook will bring travelers to a cliff-sheltered beach below.
Livingston, Montana
While many choose the city of Bozeman as a base camp to explore the wonders of Yellowstone National Park, Livingston is a vastly underrated alternative. "The Gateway City," as many call it, is about an hour’s drive from the park; however, it served as Yellowstone’s original rail entrance. Today, the historic rail town stands apart from Bozeman due to its rich history and quaintness, inviting Yellowstone adventurers to embrace a slower pace.
Surrounded by pockets of Gallatin National Forest, Livingston also offers its own natural attractions. For a night under the stars, the Pine Creek Campground provides seclusion and scenic forest scenes. The campground is also close to the Pine Creek Falls Trailhead, a challenging hike with an enchanting finale: a spellbinding 100-foot waterfall.
Back in town, Sacajawea Park is great for a rest and recharge. Bordering the beautiful Yellowstone River, visitors can enjoy picnic tables, a playground, and the nearby Livingston Farmers Market. Held “Rain, Wind, Or Shine” the market is hosted every Wednesday from June 4th to September 17th, 2025.
Cooperstown, New York
Perched along the southern shore of crystal-clear Otsego Lake, Cooperstown is the type of place that inspires a day of aimless strolling with a coffee in hand. With just 2,000 locals as of 2023, the central New York village loves all things laid-back and cozy-but do not mistake sleepy for dull. While the small town may lack big-city attractions, this is half Cooperstown’s charm. Instead, it encourages visitors to ditch the go-go-go and embrace a relaxed stride.
Whether sitting in or ordering to-go, cafes are the perfect prelude to a day of exploring. As with most cozy towns, cafe culture is Cooperstown’s specialty, housing gems like Doubleday Cafe and Stagecoach Coffee. Afterward, many like to explore Cooperstown’s museums, including the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Fenimore Art Museum. On the other hand, nature lovers and beachgoers may prefer venturing straight to Glimmerglass State Park. Around eight miles outside of Cooperstown, the Otsego Lake area features a swimming beach, kayak launch, and serene hemlock hiking trails.
Stillwater, Minnesota
Located along the St. Croix River, Stillwater’s name hints at the beauty to come. A tributary of the Mississippi, the St. Croix stands out for being Minnesota’s first designated National Wild and Scenic River. Whether strolling its edge, chartering a watercraft from Stillwater Boat Club, or boarding a Stillwater River Boats cruise, the waterway guarantees a good time.
Often called the “Birthplace of Minnesota,” Stillwater is also known for hosting the 1848 convention that led to Minnesota becoming a state. In the Stillwater Commercial Historic District, history buffs can marvel at more than 100 Heirloom Homes and Landmark Sites, including 21 structures listed on the National Historic Registry. The Warden's House, constructed in 1853, is a highlight site and popular museum. The 1870 Historic Courthouse is equally worth a visit, showcasing an old jail, sheriff’s residence, and the oldest courthouse in Minnesota.
Old Saybrook, Connecticut
Located along the Connecticut River and Long Island Sound, Old Saybrook is another underrated town anchored by its waterfronts. The former summer home of Katharine Hepburn, the acclaimed actress once used Old Saybrook as a weekend escape for a break from the hustle of everyday life. Today, Old Saybrook remains a spirited summer destination, inviting guests to experience “Katharine Hepburn's Paradise” at locales like Harveys Beach and the Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center.
On June 22nd, 2025, the town will also host its third annual Celebrate Saybrook Street Party on Main Street. Locals and out-of-towners alike are invited to enjoy vendors, live music, and great food from merchants like Vecchitto's Italian Ice and Los Mariachis on Wheels. Many of Main Street’s usual boutiques and shops will also partake in the festivities, including Maximus Antiques and Smartyplants Design.
Whittier, Alaska
While Anchorage, Juneau, and Fairbanks are Alaska’s largest and most well-known cities, small towns like Whittier are just as enchanting. Despite being home to just a few hundred locals, Whittier’s backyard is as vast as it is extraordinary. It is one of the best places in Alaska to witness marine wildlife, tidewater glaciers, and the astonishing beauty of the Prince William Sound.
On land, Whittier is a gateway to over a dozen waterfalls, making hiking one of its best features. The 2-mile-long Horsetail Falls Trail is one of its more popular routes, guiding hikers up a gentle climb for views of the dramatic plunge. Alternatively, for views of Whittier’s surrounding beauty, cruise excursions are highly recommended. With Phillips Cruises & Tours, their signature 26 Glaciers Cruise guides passengers through the beautiful Esther Passage and past the College Fjord. On the other hand, their Glacier Quest Cruise showcases glaciers in Blackstone Bay and plenty of wildlife, including sea otters, whales, and seals.
Egg Harbor, Wisconsin
Returning to the Continental US, Egg Harbor is an underrated resort town with beauty to spare. Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, the Wisconsin village is largely known for its bizarre name. No one knows the exact origins of the title, but many have speculated. Some say settlers named the bay and town after a nest of eggs found on its shore. However, the more popular story believes it comes from an epic egg battle that took place during a rowing race.
Beyond its quirky name, the village of Egg Harbor shines for Lake Michigan attractions like Egg Harbor Beach. Small but serene, the 500-foot shore is known for its calm waters, protected and sheltered in the bay. For adult-only travelers, Egg Harbor is also known for its wineries and art galleries, including charming sites like the Harbor Ridge Winery and Plum Bottom Gallery.
Discover These Underrated Northern US Towns In 2025
Creatures of habit, many vacationers and travelers stay with what they know, particularly America’s more mainstream attractions. On one hand, these popular destinations are usually popular for good reason. However, when we refuse to venture off the beaten path, sometimes this means losing out on something special.
New Shoreham, for instance, may be the smallest town in the smallest state, but it also has some of the prettiest coastal scenes in the country. Whittier too may be overlooked in favor of larger Alaska cities, but its natural surroundings are sublime. In sum, these underrated northern US towns reveal an important lesson: that sometimes, the reward of venturing off the beaten path is well worth the risk.
