These 11 Towns In The Northern United States Were Ranked Among US Favorites In 2026
The Northern U.S. is packed with remarkable sites. A rainforest sits a few miles from the Pacific coast. A prehistoric island rises out of the Great Lakes, and a cliff of Gilded Age mansions lines the Atlantic. This list spans the Pacific coast, the Midwest, and New England. It gathers eleven towns that stand out among US favorites in 2026. The picks include the Grand Teton gateway of Jackson and a utopian village in Iowa.
Port Angeles, Washington
Port Angeles, Washington, is the closest city to a diverse set of ecosystems in the Olympic National Park. In this park, one can explore mountains, rainforests, and a Pacific coastline. These include the windy peaks of Hurricane Ridge, the Third Beach on the shores of the Pacific, and the Hoh Rainforest. This rainforest has one of the quietest places on Earth, known as the One Square Inch of Silence. Even airplanes will make good efforts to avoid flying over this spot to not disturb its serenity. With so many environments, travelers can go swimming, hiking, climbing, or fishing without leaving the park. In Port Angeles proper, visitors can spend some time learning about Pacific Native American culture via the Elwha Klallam Carnegie Museum or enjoy more than 100 sculptures in the outdoor Webster's Woods Art Park.
West Yellowstone, Montana
First incorporated in 1966, West Yellowstone, Montana, is one of the best entry points to Yellowstone National Park. Visitors can spend some time learning in West Yellowstone before they head out to the park, such as at the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center. In this museum, one can see bears and wolves that live in the area up close, or they can get more in-depth information about the history of Yellowstone via the Museum of the Yellowstone, including stagecoach and railroad artifacts. Hikers can start their journey via the Yellowstone Shortline Trail that follows an old rail line right outside of town. In Yellowstone National Park, there are more than 1,100 miles of hiking trails, with such varied environments as the Mammoth Hot Springs, Old Faithful Geyser, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River.
Klamath Falls, Oregon
Klamath Falls, Oregon, is one of the sunniest towns in Oregon, with its average of 300 days of sunshine giving it the nickname Oregon's City of Sunshine. That's why one can find many sunny walks in Klamath Falls up to beautiful bodies of water. The Link River Trail connects downtown with Upper Klamath Lake and Lake Ewauna, passing by Link River Falls, a series of waterfalls from which Klamath Falls gets its name. The most beautiful body of water in the region is Crater Lake National Park. Sitting in the Cascade Mountain range in a volcanic caldera, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States, plunging to nearly 1,950 feet. Its most beautiful feature is its deep blue color, and the Wizard Island, which sits within the lake's boundaries. After exploring this lake, stop in at downtown Klamath Falls to see more than 100,000 Native American artifacts at the Favell Museum.
Jackson, Wyoming
Jackson, Wyoming, is a favorite winter trip due to its more than 450 inches of annual snowfall, providing grand skiing trails, especially at the Jackson Hole Ski Resort. The resort is open for summer experiences as well, such as the Aerial Tram, which ascends 4,139 feet for a view of the Tetons and Jackson Hole Valley, or the Via Ferrata climbing network with 20 routes for beginners and experts. To the north of Jackson is the Grand Teton National Park, with access to paddling and trout fishing on Jackson Lake and more than 250 miles of trails. The closest hike to Jackson is the Rendezvous Mountain Trailhead Park, with an elevation gain of more than 2,000 feet. Park authorities recommend purchasing bear spray, as both black and grizzly bears call this park home.
Grand Marais, Minnesota
Grand Marais, Minnesota, is considered the one Minnesota town everyone should visit at least once for several reasons. The first is that it shares a coastline with the largest of the Great Lakes, Lake Superior. The lake shore is accessible right from town at Harbor Park, with a beach, picnic areas, and views of the Grand Marais Lighthouse. Another is the town's deep connection to the arts. The Grand Marais Art Colony first opened in 1947 and has been providing classes, galleries, and events to this day, such as the Grand Marais Arts Festival annually in July. Lastly, by driving just outside of Grand Marais, visitors can see the remains of a ghost town called Chippewa City, which was a major lumber town in the late 1800s. Today, visitors can see the Chippewa City Church, which was built in 1895 out of dovetailed timber.
Amana Colonies, Iowa
The Amana Colonies are a network of villages that used to be a utopian community for German Pietists between the 1850s and the 1930s. Here, they lived, worked, and ate together in communal kitchens, until the Great Depression forced the town to end the experiment and open for tourism. Visitors today can get the full picture of what life was like for these colonists via the Amana Heritage Museum, which houses the textiles, needlework, paintings, lithographs, and other tools, or at the 1857 Amana General Store and the 1864 Communal Kitchen & Cooper Shop. The other reasons guests come here are for the German festivals hosted year-round, such as the summertime Wurst Festival and the fall Oktoberfest.
Santa Claus, Indiana
Santa Claus, Indiana has been called the quirkiest little town in the U.S. It's decorated with Santa Claus statues throughout its public spaces, even in its historic center, with a 22-foot-tall granite statue of St. Nick at the Santa Claus Museum & Village. The entire town has a holiday theme. The Santa Claus Christmas Store sells Christmas treats and ornaments, and the Holiday World & Splashin' Safari amusement park is one of the most popular places to visit among thrill seekers. The amusement park itself offers free soft drinks and sunblock to help guests save money. It's not all just holiday attractions in Santa Claus. It's also just a short drive away from Lincoln City, where Abraham Lincoln lived between the ages of 7 and 21 at the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial.
Kelleys Island, Ohio
Kelleys Island is the largest Ohio island on Lake Erie. It provides a much different vibe than the rest of Ohio, including prehistoric sites that tell the story of the geology of the Great Lakes. At the Glacial Grooves, one can take a look at the 400 feet long by 15 feet deep features which were created by the glacier that formed both the Great Lakes and the islands of Lake Erie. This island was inhabited by Native Americans as well, which is visible at the Inscription Rock Petroglyphs, where Natives left behind inscriptions dating back to between 1200 and 1600 A.D. Visitors can enjoy a day out on Lake Erie at the Kelleys Island State Park's beach. During the summer, Lake Erie's water temperature reaches the low to mid 70s, making for a warmer swim. Don't forget to stop into the Kelleys Island History Museum to learn about how this island has been bringing in visitors since the 1860s.
Ticonderoga, New York
For those who enjoy learning about the American Revolutionary War, Ticonderoga offers keen insight into the early days of the conflict, before the Declaration of Independence was signed. Here in 1775, the Green Mountain Boys captured the British-held Fort Ticonderoga without firing a shot by surprising the garrison in the night. Today, the fort is open for tours and Revolutionary War reenactments. The town is located in the Adirondack Mountains of New York, and there are plenty of scenic spots to go to around the fort. Hikers can enjoy an overlook at Mt. Defiance while beachgoers can get out to the Queen of American Lakes, Lake George, via Black Point Beach. Star Trek fans have a special love for this city since downtown Ticonderoga hosts the Original Star Trek Series Set, the most accurate recreation of the first show set in the world.
Montpelier, Vermont
Vermont doesn't have a single settlement with more than 50,000 residents, even in its capital of Montpelier, with just over 8,000 residents. It's the least populous state capital in the U.S., which gives it a much quieter vibe. Visitors can take their time diving into this naturally beautiful capital city, such as climbing up the Hubbard Park Tower in the hills above the city, offering beautiful views of the capital and Green Mountains, or going birdwatching at the North Branch River Park. In downtown Montpelier, there is a treasure trove of art galleries and performance theaters, such as Lost Nation Theater, which performs both contemporary and classical plays, and the T.W. Wood Gallery, which displays both local and international artists.
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport, Rhode Island, was one of the most popular summer destinations for wealthy magnates during the Gilded Age. In fact, they even established several summer cottages here, which in reality are some of the most luxurious mansions in the U.S. Of these mansions, some of the grandest are the Marble House, built in the Beaux Arts style with a temple front portico, and the 1895 The Breakers, a 70-room home built in the Neo-Italian Renaissance style. One reason they set up their summer cottages here was for the beautiful Atlantic views, which visitors can check out via the Cliff Walk, which follows the Atlantic cliffs for 3.5 miles. Another historic site in Newport is the Fort Adams State Park, first opened in 1824 as a military installation. It is open for tours and has access to an Atlantic beach.
These Northern US Towns Are Worth Visiting at Least Once
All of these towns offer something unique that is worth visiting at least once. West Yellowstone provides expert insights into the Yellowstone ecosystem via its museum and access to the magnificent landmarks within the park. Klamath Falls, Oregon, sits beside the deepest, bluest lake in the United States, while Santa Claus enraptures guests in a festive Christmas vibe no matter the season. Visitors can find a little utopia of their own by going to these towns, whether that's the historic utopian community of the Amana Colonies or the serene One Square Inch of Silence set deep in the Olympic National Park.
