6 Best Northern United States Towns For A Weekend Trip

The Northern United States runs from Washington in the west to Maine in the east, and there is plenty to see between those borders. Some of the most popular weekend destinations in these states are New York City, Portland, Oregon, Boston, Massachusetts, and other major cities. However, there are small villages tucked away in the Northern United States that offer just the proper number of activities for a weekend getaway.

Visitors can, for example, explore a 235-foot-tall sea stack, see Abraham Lincoln’s boyhood home, stroll along a seaside cliff route past exquisite houses, hike to the edge of the Rocky Mountains, and much more. Continue reading to find more about the eight top weekend getaway locations in the Northern United States.

Lake George, New York

Nestled in the Adirondack Mountains, Lake George, New York claims to be the cradle of the American vacation. Whether true or not, Lake George is a breathtakingly gorgeous location in the state. Exploring the 32.6-square-mile lake yields several stunning views, including the Prospect Mountain Hiking Trail, which follows a historic cable line up 2,030 feet. Another popular walk is the Rush Pond walk, a 2.6-mile stone path that is ideal for hiking, running, and snowshoeing in the winter.

There are various ways to explore the water, like taking a boat tour with Adventure Boat Tours & Watersports or sitting by the lake and fishing for largemouth bass, salmon, and other species. Golfing is also popular, and Lake George is renowned as New York’s Mini Golf capital. Visitors can test their skills on one of the enjoyable courses, such as Goony Golf or Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf. The Georgian Lakeside Resort allows you to stay directly on the lake for your weekend excursion.

Newport, Rhode Island

Newport, Rhode Island, is an excellent location for exploring old buildings. During the Gilded Age, it became a popular destination for corporate magnates looking to build mansions. These include wealthy palaces such as the Marble House, a 50-room 1892 Beaux Arts style edifice built to resemble the White House from the front, and The Breakers, an 1890s Renaissance Revival style structure that sits atop the cliffs overlooking Easton Bay.

One excellent way to see these homes is to take the 3.5-mile Cliff Walk, which takes you straight along the roaring seas of the Atlantic, with many of the mansions visible along the way. Another historic structure is Fort Adams State Park, which retains the 1841 fortress and provides swimming on the Atlantic shore. Newport has numerous interesting lodging options, like the Rose Island Lighthouse B&B, which is a lighthouse that also serves as a bed and breakfast establishment.

Santa Claus, Indiana

For anyone visiting Indiana, Santa Claus is sure to make any holiday or weekend vacation memorable. Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari, a locally operated amusement park, makes it a holiday destination. This park offers complimentary soft beverages and sunscreen, in addition to large wooden roller coasters and a water park. Santa Claus also has cute Christmas attractions, such as the Santa Claus Christmas Store and the Santa Claus Museum & Village, which includes the 1880 Santa Claus Church, a 1935 Santa Statue, and an 1856 Post Office where tourists may drop off letters to St. Nick.

Lastly, history buffs can see Abraham Lincoln’s boyhood home via the nearby Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial, which features artifacts, historic sites and a living history pioneer village. Enjoy the festivities and history from the comfort of Santa’s Cottages or the Lincoln Pines Lakefront Resort.

Decorah, Iowa

Iowa is rarely included on vacation travel lists due to the common misperception that the state is uninteresting and flat. In truth, Iowa offers several attractive towns with steep scenery and rich culture, like Decorah. It is located in the Driftless Region, which is named after the lack of glaciers that flowed through the area during the Ice Age, leaving many cliffs and slopes surviving.

Many of these natural areas may be found in Decorah’s parks, including Barbara Barnhart Van Peenan Park, which winds through rocky ravines and pine forests. This park links to Dunning Springs Park’s 200-foot waterfall and the Decorah Ice Cave State Preserve, which is filled with ice practically all year. Decorah also has a rich cultural heritage that stems from its Norwegian immigrant population and famous residents, which you can learn about at the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum & Folk Art School or the Laura Ingalls Wilder Park and Museum, which is home to the author of the Little House on the Prairie books. For a place to stay, consider Hotel Winneshiek.

Cannon Beach, Oregon

Oregon is well known for its stylish capital of Portland, but there are many more beautiful sites to explore in the state, like Cannon Beach. This Pacific Coast hamlet is most known for Haystack Rock, a 235-foot-tall sea stack that can be approached by foot during low tide. There are several state beaches from which to see the rock, including Ecola State Park, which also provides views of the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse.

There are several cute museums and other attractions in town, including the Cannon Beach History Center & Museum, which is notable for its Native American Longhouse reproduction, and the DragonFire Gallery, which sells affordable arts and crafts such as paintings and ceramics. The Hallmark Resort & Spa Cannon Beach, which overlooks Haystack Rock, is the ideal spot to stay in Cannon Beach for a weekend getaway.

Whitefish, Montana

Whitefish, Montana is located in the northern Rocky Mountains. This town is one of the state’s best-kept secrets, thanks in large part to its closeness to Glacier National Park, a more than one million-acre wonderland known for its over 130 lakes, diverse fauna, including mountain goats, and steep topography. This park’s paths include the Rocky Point Nature Trail, which leads to a rocky peninsula on Lake McDonald’s shoreline, and Huckleberry observation, an observation post with a wonderful view of the Livingston Range.

Whitefish offers a variety of enjoyable activities, including the Alpine Theatre Project, which produces musicals, plays, and concerts, and the Cawdrey Gallery, which showcases the best in contemporary Western art. Spend the weekend away at the Bar W Guest Ranch on Spencer Lake.

Mystic, Connecticut

This historic town used to be the hub of the shipbuilding industry. From 1784 to the early 1900s, almost 600 ships were built in Mystic, Connecticut. Because of this tradition, Mystic is home to one of the top maritime museums in the United States: the Mystic Seaport Museum. You can witness the world’s last wooden whaleship, the Charles W. Morgan, take a trip on the Mystic River, or visit a recreated 19th-century beach village.

Other water activities in Mystic include the Mystic Aquarium and Williams Beach Park on the Atlantic. For visitors interested for a hike, Haley Farm State Park offers Colonia-era agriculture, while Pequot Woods Park has hiking trails. Consider staying at a local inn, such as the Taber Inn or the Inn at Mystic.

Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio

This Ohio town’s name is simple to understand. It is located on the southern side of Lake Erie, near Ohio’s northeastern border. This resort town is home to just over 900 inhabitants, yet they make it a friendly place for the numerous visitors who come through. Many people come here to obtain a great view of Lake Erie from the Breakwater Beach at Geneva State Park, which also has a dog-friendly section. Visitors can use the Geneva State Park Marina to launch a boat onto the lake.

This resort town provides dinner, a show at the Nobel Art Entertainment Dinner Theater, and exciting excursions in the Adventure Zone, which includes golf, zip lines, bumper boats, go-karts, and more. While touring this community, you can stay in a charming cottage from Abigail’s Lakeside Cottages or Ahoy Cottages.

In Summary

When planning a weekend trip, there are various variables to consider. You’ll need beautiful scenery, exciting attractions, and comfortable accommodations. These little communities in the northern United States all meet the criteria. Enjoy Lake Erie at Geneva-by-the-Lake while staying in a cottage, or learn about nautical life while relaxing at a local inn in Mystic, Connecticut. These are only a few examples of the tiny towns’ activities and lodging options. When planning a weekend trip in the Northern United States, consider these destinations.