8 Most Hospitable Towns In The Northern United States
Hospitality has always been a natural part of the Northern United States, in addition to the region’s breathtaking natural features. Throughout its history as a territory of the US, this region has been a place of warmth and friendliness. A place where everyone could feel at home, from fugitive slaves to free folks alike. No wonder tens of thousands of enslaved people fled to the region for a life free from the shackles of slavery in the 19th century.
Today, the Northern United States remains a sprawling region, full of kind people and some of the most welcoming establishments in the country, like the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa in Lake Geneva, which has been expanded upon below. Visit this region and head to these charming towns for a taste of genuine hospitality. From Meredith to Muskegon, these towns are quintessential destinations to enjoy the warmth of the North, alongside some of the region’s natural and historic gems.
Pella, Iowa
Pella’s hospitality is reflected in its heartwarming scenery, friendly locals, and exciting attractions and events, most of which point to the town’s Dutch heritage. The town was founded in the 1840s by Dutch immigrants, and today the Pella Historical Village is in the area to give visitors a taste of the Netherlands. This village is home to several historic buildings, including a blacksmith shop and a refurbished 1850s bakery, all of which reflect the early life of Dutch settlers in the area. This town also includes the 1850s-style Vermeer Mill, which represents one of the tallest working windmills in North America.
For outdoor buffs, Pella is a few miles from Red Rock Lake, Iowa's largest reservoir. This waterbody is a paradise for all things watersports, and several campgrounds and trails are also around the lake. Moreover, architecture enthusiasts and entertainment lovers will be delighted at the Pella Opera House, which was built in the Romanesque Revival style and offers shows and performances year-round.
Meredith, New Hampshire
Meredith is a charming town that combines the warmth of locals with abundant attractions to delight travelers. This town is home to the Moulton Farm, a beacon of hospitality that features a wide selection of locally grown fruits, delicious food, baked goods, cheese, seafood, and inspiring farm activities for guests. A few miles from this farm, the Hermit Woods Winery & Eatery further delights wine tasting tours, live music, farm-to-table food, and breathtaking scenery.
Additionally, Meredith is on Lake Winnipesaukee and surrounded by several lakes, making it a paradise for watersports. Adventurers are invited to the Meredith Marina to rent boats and explore the waters by kayaking, canoeing, boating, or paddleboarding. Meredith also hosts the Great Rotary Ice Fishing Derby, one of the largest community events in the Lakes Region, drawing anglers from all over New England. The derby creates a festive, welcoming atmosphere each winter, with prize giveaways, friendly competition, and lakeside camaraderie.
Bar Harbor, Maine
Maine's premier outdoor sweetheart, Bar Harbor, is everything an adventurer or laid-back tourist seeks in a town. Drenched in natural beauty and a sense of community, this town sits on Frenchman Bay, entirely occupying Mount Desert Island, and serves as the gateway to Acadia National Park. This park, for many, is the draw to Bar Harbor, and it's understandable as it is home to the tallest mountain on the US Atlantic Coast, as well as lakes, streams, forests, coastlines, meadows, wetlands, and diverse wildlife. Tourists at Acadia National Park will enjoy activities such as swimming on a sand beach, rock climbing, boating, paddling, fishing, and hiking over 120 miles of trails. This includes the famous Shore Path Trail that courses along the shores of Frenchman Bay, offering enchanting views of the Atlantic Ocean.
In downtown Bar Harbor, travelers will be delighted with delicious seafood and cocktails at Geddy’s, while history buffs will appreciate the eye-opening displays at the Abbe Museum. This museum highlights the history and lifestyles of Maine’s Native people and the archaeology of Maine through exhibits, special events, and workshops.
Stowe, Vermont
Stowe is more than a haven for winter sports and leaf peeping in the Fall. This town is also just a warm place full of lovely locals and hospitable establishments, like the Doc Ponds, which offers beer and delicious food in a homely atmosphere. Every fall, Stowe bursts to life with the Stowe Foliage Arts Festival, where visitors can enjoy live music, fine art, local crafts, and artisanal food in a vibrant open-air setting. The festival celebrates community spirit and creativity, a true showcase of Vermont hospitality.
Adventure buffs also have many things to enjoy in Stowe, starting from the Stowe Recreation Path, which stretches 5.3 miles from downtown to a covered bridge. It offers gorgeous views of woodlands and access to picnic tables and swimming holes. Nearby, Smuggler’s Notch State Park offers a pleasurable camping experience and has trails with easy access to unique rock formations, waterfalls, and even Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak.
Muskegon, Michigan
Muskegon is one of Michigan’s friendliest towns, with so much to offer, especially in the outdoors. From its location on Lake Michigan, the town appeals as a haven for watersports, and Pere Marquette Park is the ideal place for access to all that the lake has to offer. In this park, travelers can relax on the beautiful beach, picnic, rent kayaks and paddleboards to explore the waters, or stroll along the Muskegon Channel to see a nearby World War II submarine.
Notably, Muskegon is home to Michigan’s Adventure, the state’s largest amusement park with over 60 rides, slides, and attractions. This massive attraction alone is worth a visit to Muskegon. One of Muskegon's most heartwarming events is the Muskegon Lakeshore Art Festival, which draws locals and visitors for a weekend of food trucks, local art, and live performances in a friendly lakeside setting. It reflects the town’s blend of creativity and community warmth.
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
This adorable and charming town in Walworth County sits on the scenic shores of Geneva Lake, where it holds every visitor spellbound with its beauty. Populated by around 8,000 people, the town is peaceful and full of hospitality, and it is best experienced at some of its finest establishments, such as the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa. This resort is one of the best in the state, with a wide range of facilities from luxurious guest rooms and spacious villas to two championship golf courses, a spa and salon, and a fitness center, among others. The Grand Geneva Resort & Spa also has lots of exciting adventures to offer visitors, including skiing and horseback riding. Away from the resort, the Egg Harbor Cafe is an amazing establishment that reflects the town’s hospitable reputation. Located in downtown Lake Geneva, this establishment offers American comfort food in a warm country setting, and a visit can be the highlight experience for many travelers in the area.
In the meantime, Lake Geneva is full of outdoor attractions, one of which is the Geneva Lake Shore Path. This trail is 21 miles long and meanders around the lake, offering hikers opportunities to soak in the scenery and see beautiful gardens and historic homes. The Big Foot Beach State Park is on the lake’s shores and has five miles of hiking trails, a swimming beach, picnic areas, and a campground for more adventures.
Hamilton, New York
Hamilton is a hospitable college town renowned for its art, shopping, and entertainment scene. Visitors to this town will feel welcomed while exploring its top attractions, starting from the Hamilton Center for the Arts, where lovers of the arts will be warmly entertained with paint classes, tours, and art exhibits. Additionally, the town is home to Good Nature Brewing, where visitors can further enjoy the region’s hospitality with delicious farm-to-table dishes and locally crafted beer. The brewery also offers live music shows regularly, and is decorated with local artworks, all of which combine to make the experience more satisfying. As for adventure lovers, Hamilton is a few miles from the Brookfield Railroad State Forest, which offers 130 miles of multi-use trails, primitive campsites, and fishing streams.
Sugarcreek, Ohio
Sugarcreek is a charming town in Ohio’s Amish Country, full of hospitable people and several unique attractions worth traveling to see. Known as “the Little Switzerland of Ohio,” visitors here will be entertained by Swiss architectural styles in the downtown area, where the annual Ohio Swiss Festival has also been held every fall since 1953. This event usually occurs in late September and celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Switzerland with parades, races, contests, wine and cheese sampling, and other exciting activities and entertainment. Downtown Sugarcreek further appeals with the World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock, standing at over 23 feet tall and 24 feet wide. Besides its impressive size, a cuckoo bird pops out of the clock every half hour, and is accompanied by Swiss polka music and a dancing couple.
Away from the downtown, visitors to Sugarcreek will appreciate the beauty of the Farm at Walnut Creek and its exciting activities. This farm has over 500 exotic animals, and a horse-drawn wagon ride is offered to interact with and feed the animals. Plus, visitors can watch baking, sewing, and canning demonstrations, or purchase food at the farm stand. Additionally, the Ohio Star Theater in town is always a warm place to enjoy a wide variety of shows and performances. The Dutch Valley Restaurant is beside this theater to further delight with Amish-style food and a family-friendly setting.
Concluding Thoughts
The Northern United States is arguably the most hospitable destination in the US. For hundreds of years, this region has welcomed people from all over the world with open arms and treated them fairly, regardless of race. During the Civil War era, the region was even at the forefront of slavery abolition, with thousands of slaves escaping through the Underground Railroad to Northern states. Today, the Northern United States remains a place of genuine hospitality, where everybody is welcome to live life to the fullest without fear of discrimination. While these towns are just a few places in the vast region, they are among the best destinations to experience the kindness of the North.
