The Best Lake Towns In America

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, is a picturesque town home to a lake of the same name, as well as a historic resort that's the best hotel in the state. More than 55 other lakes are also located nearby.

Situated in New York's Adirondacks, Lake Placid is an amazing mountain town with breathtaking scenery that changes with every season.

A highly popular place year-round, Lake Tahoe is located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of Nevada and California. One of the lovely towns situated on North America's largest alpine lake is South Lake Tahoe, California.

Sandpoint is a popular skiing spot that is located in the middle of three different mountain ranges in northern Idaho's Lake Pend Oreille.

Near the border of California, Lake Havasu, Arizona, is a beachy spot in a landlocked state. It has 18 parks, more than 355 bird species and desert skies perfect for stargazing.

Situated on the Illinois River, specifically the part that is Upper Peoria Lake, the town of Peoria is known for being the home of Grandview Drive. The drive and park has scenic trails for hiking, biking and walking.

The town of Erie, Pennsylvania, was named after the Great Lake it sits on. Right off its shores lies the 3,200-acre peninsula known as Prequel Isle State Park, an underrated park that serves as the state's only so-called seashore.

Holland — the town in Michigan, not the country — absolutely comes to life in the spring, when its 6 million tulips come into bloom. Located on Lakes Michigan and Macatawa, the town feels like it's in Europe due to its strong Dutch heritage.

Lake Nottely provides more than 100 miles of shoreline to the town of Blairsville, Georgia, which is also surrounded by mountains and has numerous hiking and horseback riding trails, as well as wineries and farms selling fresh produce.

Branson, Missouri, is a town located in the Ozarks, with forests, parks and campgrounds, as well as three lakes. When available, scenic train rides on the Branson Scenic Railway wind through the area's bridges, tunnels and natural landscapes.

The underrated town of Burlington, Vermont, sits on the shores of Lake Champlain, with a 12.5-mile bike and hike path and lakeside parks all on the Vermont waterfront.

Laconia, New Hampshire, is home to an old-school boardwalk and five beaches, as well as multiple parks. Located next to Lake Winnisquam, the town also surrounds the smaller Paugus Bay.

Grand Lake is considered the "Western Gateway" to Rocky Mountain National Park, one of the best national parks in America. Sitting at an elevation of more than 8,000 feet, the Colorado town is also home to one of the west's oldest yacht clubs.

There's a lot more to Florida than just beaches and Disney resorts, and Lakeland is home to an art museum, botanical garden and Florida Southern College, which has the largest on-site collection of architecture by the legendary Frank Lloyd Wright.

Mackinac Island is a town that looks like it's stuck in time thanks to its Victorian architecture and use of horse and buggy rather than cars throughout the island.

Located on the edge of Glacier National Park, Whitefish, Montana, has been known to be a celebrity hotspot. In addition to skiing, it's a great place for hiking, fishing, biking, kayaking and more.

Bayfield is the gateway to the Apostle Islands, one of the most underrated places in America. A top kayaking spot, Bayfield is a lovely town with orchards, lighthouses and scenic hiking trails.

The village of Marblehead, Ohio, has sandy beaches from the shores of Lake Erie, as well as a nature preserve dedicated to the protection of the Lakeside Daisy, a native, threatened beautiful species of flower.

Known as the "oldest summer resort in America," Wolfeboro has three lakes: Lake Winnipesaukee, Crescent Lake and Lake Wentworth. Beautiful houses on the waterfront and sugar shacks making maple syrup give it an authentic New England vibe.

Part of Michigan's so-called "art coast," Saugatuck is one of the most underrated beach towns in America.