15 Best Lake Towns in America – Travel + Leisure

There are few things more relaxing than a quintessentially American lake vacation. This country is chock-full of picturesque bodies of water, from Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire and Rangeley Lake in Maine, all the way to Southern California’s Big Bear Lake. For a getaway that combines a tranquil setting with vibrant culture and exciting restaurants, look to America’s best lake towns.

These charming waterfront communities boast bustling town centers and lively arts scenes. Hit the water for swimming, boating, and paddleboarding, then hit the town for tasty dining, shopping, and cultural activities.

Whether you’re renting a lakefront house for the summer or looking for a low-key long weekend getaway, these are the 15 best lake towns in America.

Wolfeboro, New Hampshire

Wolfeboro’s town center is perched right on the shore of Lake Winnipesaukee, which offers an expansive 72 square miles of water. About a two-hour drive from Boston, this laid-back resort town is perfect for a quick Northeast escape. Take sunset swims at Brewster Beach and try ice cream cones at Wolfeboro Dockside Grille & Dairy Bar or beers at Lone Wolfe Brewing Company. Treat yourself to a boat tour aboard the M/S Mount Washington, which has been cruising the lake for more than 150 years. If you’re looking for a charming hotel, the landmark Pickering House Inn is just the place.

Greensboro, Georgia

About 85 miles southeast of Atlanta sits one of the most charming lake destinations in the South: Lake Oconee. Greensboro is situated right on the 19,000-acre reservoir and is home to a posh golf community (there are six courses within Reynolds Lake Oconee). Scout a rental property to live out your Southern lake dream sequence, or stay at The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee in Greensboro for waterfront five-star accommodations.

Bayview, Idaho

Bayview, Idaho, is a floating village — yes, that’s a real thing — on the southern shores of Lake Pend Oreille. On the other side of the water are the Coeur d’Alene Mountains. The area is also home to the 4,000-acre Farragut State Park. In Bayview, you have the best of land and water activities in the area, from hiking trails and wildlife-spotting opportunities to boating and swimming along 42 miles of shoreline. You can rent a cabin with a private dock and a boat at MacDonald’s Resort in Bayview.

Aurora, New York

In upstate New York’s Finger Lakes region, these 11 glistening bodies of water are lined with distinctive towns and villages. Aurora sits on Cayuga Lake, where you’re close to wineries and easy day trips to Seneca Lake for a different perspective. The beauty of Aurora, apart from the gorgeous sunsets on Cayuga Lake, is the abundance of culture, incredible food and wine, and water activities at your fingertips. Drive a half-hour up the highway to Ithaca, New York, for dinner at Maxie’s Supper Club, visit Heart & Hands Wine Company in nearby Union Springs, and stay at Inns of Aurora for a luxurious lakeside escape at one of its five beautifully curated establishments.

Bigfork, Montana

Flathead Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. Along the 185-mile shoreline, you’ll find the town of Bigfork, Montana, which has old Western resort energy, not unlike the ski towns you’d find in Colorado mining country. Bigfork has a growing arts scene — with an impressive array of galleries, a notable theater presence, and a Festival of the Arts every August — and it’s known for great hiking, with many trails offering unique views of the water. Rent a house right on the lakeshore or book a cabin at the all-inclusive Flathead Lake Lodge for a memorable dude ranch experience.

Clermont, Florida

The Clermont chain of lakes is a system of interconnected bodies of water about 30 miles west of Orlando, Florida. Clermont is the heart of this multilake community, nestled along Lake Minneola and close to Lake Louisa, the largest in the chain. Enjoy small-town charms, from shopping in the boutiques along Montrose Street and the Sunday Downtown Clermont Farmers Market to wandering through the Historic Village, which features buildings from the late 1800s to the mid-1940s.

South Lake Tahoe, California

Lake Tahoe is one of the most popular year-round destinations in California — and when you see the sunshine ricochet off the lake in the summer months, you’ll see why it’s just as enticing in June as it is at the height of ski season. From summer to fall, the weather is perfect for renting a boat, hiking the scenic Rubicon Trail, dining alfresco at Boathouse on the Pier, and savoring sunsets with a bottle of wine. Rent a house along the water or stay at Edgewood Tahoe, the only resort right on the water, with gorgeous architecture, golfing, and an idyllic pool overlooking the lake.

Lakeway, Texas

Lakeway sits about 40 minutes by car from Austin near the southern shores of Lake Travis. The light turquoise waters attract vacationers from all over the country looking to unwind in this quiet suburb, where you’ll also find great barbecue and Tex-Mex. Lakeway Resort & Spa is the place to be, whether you want to stay by the water or simply book a relaxing spa day or dinner at the resort.

Charlevoix, Michigan

Charlevoix, on the shores of Lake Michigan, offers both waterfront attractions and inland charms. Beachgoers will love the six miles of shoreline at Fisherman’s Island State Park and Beach. For those who want to experience more than just sinking their toes into soft white sand, Charlevoix has other draws, such as Lavender Hill Farm, with idyllic fields packed with 30 lavender varieties. Castle Farms is a French-style stone property built in 1918 that has served as everything from a dairy farm to a wedding venue. This lake town is brimming with charming accommodations, too, from the modern Hotel Earl to the waterfront Edgewater Inn & Suites.

White Lake, North Carolina

Supported by rainwater and natural springs, the 1,200-acre White Lake in North Carolina welcomes 200,000 tourists each summer. It’s all about the water sports in this town, and tourists come to swim, boat, tube, Jet Ski, wakeboard, and more. You’ll also find a water park in town and a picturesque 18-hole golf course in Elizabethtown, less than 15 minutes away by car. Come for the entire summer or just for the annual White Lake Water Festival in May.

Rangeley, Maine

Maine is home to thousands of lakes, from its largest, Moosehead, to Portland-adjacent Sebago Lake. Rangeley Lake, near the northwest corner of the state, is known for terrific fishing — it’s a trout and salmon hub — as well as swimming, canoeing, and kayaking. Rangeley Lake State Park boasts 869 acres of mountainous terrain, making the area a perfect hiking destination as well. Beyond water sports, Rangeley itself is a tiny lake town, but you can find fabulous cabins in the surroundings and fun shops to peruse, like the lovely bookstore Books, Lines, and Thinkers. Don’t leave without dining at Parkside & Main.

Osage Beach, Missouri

Osage Beach, on the famously human-made Lake of the Ozarks, is known for speed boating and waterfront resorts, but its shorefront is particularly inviting for families. While the town of Osage Beach has only about 5,000 residents, a variety of restaurants, bars, and parks attract visitors every summer. In addition to grown-up attractions like a restaurant, a marina, and a spa, the Margaritaville Lake Resort in Osage Beach offers an indoor water park, a kiddie pool, and an arcade.

Chelan, Washington

Chelan is one of the best waterfront enclaves in the Pacific Northwest. On the southeast shore of the glacier-fed Lake Chelan, this resort town is nestled on the water about 190 miles from Spokane. There’s something for every travel palate in this town, from the boutique shops to locally owned restaurants and a farmers market. Adventurers can stick to clear-blue Lake Chelan for water sports galore or head to the nearby mountains for hiking and mountain biking trails.

Vergennes, Vermont

Billed as Vermont’s first city and America’s smallest at two square miles, Vergennes is just over a half-hour by car from both Burlington and Middlebury. Vergennes and the area bordering Lake Champlain have an old-time New England feel, which stands to reason, as Vergennes was founded in 1788. Those looking for history and a well-preserved downtown will enjoy exploring the heart of this quaint mini city, while those keen on a lake vacation can head straight to Basin Harbor, a resort on Lake Champlain with roots in the late 19th century.

Big Bear Lake, California

Big Bear Lake is a year-round California destination because, much like Tahoe in Northern California, it doubles as a ski town in the winter and a lake town in the summer. Big Bear is less of a hotel town, and the name of the game here is renting a house on the water and spending your days fishing, hiking, swimming, and mountain biking. Visitors will find endless entertainment within the village of Big Bear, from brunch at Teddy Bear Restaurant to midday microbrews at Big Bear Lake Brewing Company.

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