BEST Lake and River Waterfront Towns in America_Travel USA
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TravelTranscript
00:00Did you know that there are 250,000 rivers and over 3 million lakes in the U.S.?
00:06When we think of beach vacations or waterfront property, our minds tend to go to the ocean.
00:11And, in fact, the U.S. touches three of the world's four oceans, the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic.
00:17But the underrated heroes of this list are the towns that sit on the coast, but a different kind of coast.
00:23In this video, we'll look at the 10 most amazing waterfront towns situated on a lake or river.
00:29Forget large crashing waves and palm trees. These towns boast year-round activities and views as stunning as any ocean.
00:37We'll crisscross the country from sea to shining sea, checking out every lake to shining lake, or river to shining river.
00:44Number 10 is Salida, Colorado.
00:47You know you're going to get amazing scenery in Colorado, but Salida is a particularly great town for outdoor enthusiasts.
00:54Located about two hours west of Colorado Springs, the Arkansas River snakes through Salida,
01:00making way for kayakers, boogie boarding, and stand-up paddle boarders willing to take on the surf waves in Salida's Whitewater Play Park, located in the historic downtown.
01:10The oldest whitewater rafting company is based in Salida, and there's a whitewater rafting festival that has been going strong every year since 1949.
01:19If you want less water-centered adventure, take a haunted ghost tour of the town, or go ziplining.
01:25There are a few taphouses and taverns to unwind after a long day outdoors, so check out this amazing riverfront town.
01:32Number 9 is Big Bear Lake, California.
01:35Big Bear is pretty well-known, although not as iconic as Lake Tahoe.
01:39Unlike Tahoe, Big Bear is in Southern California, about two and a half hours east of Los Angeles.
01:45At Big Bear Lake, you'll forget you're in Southern California since it's situated in the San Bernardino Mountains and surrounded by the San Bernardino National Forest.
01:54This is a four-season mountain escape.
01:57Despite it being Southern California, there is plenty of skiing and snowboarding in the winter months.
02:02Take a stroll through Big Bear Village with over 120 local vendors.
02:07The village is perfect in all four seasons, as you can enjoy holiday festivities in winter, colorful flowers in the warmer months, and breathtaking colors in the fall.
02:16If you aren't there in the winter or prefer not to ski, check out the alpine slides and ziplines offering breathtaking views of the lake.
02:24You can also go kayaking and paddleboarding in the lake, and for those who love to ski but hate the snow, you can go water skiing and waterboarding as well.
02:33Number 8 is Talkeetna, Alaska.
02:35Though most of America's three million lakes are located in Alaska, this list features a river town in the Great North.
02:42Located 115 miles north of Anchorage, this is the quaint little town that many people think of when they imagine small-town Alaska.
02:49In fact, the town is so picturesque, it is said to be the inspiration for the fictional community of Sicily in the TV show Northern Exposure.
02:57It began as a turn-of-the-century mining town that maintained much of its Alaskan charm with log cabins, a roadhouse, and local storefronts dotting the main street.
03:07The town is situated at the convergence of three rivers, the Susitna, Chulitna, and Talkeetna.
03:13Despite it being a small town, there is an endless amount of things to do, starting with stunning views of the Northern Lights.
03:20Check out Alaska's native cultural centers, take a hike along the river, take a day cruise, or spend an afternoon fishing.
03:27Probably the most famous attraction in all of Alaska is Denali, formerly Mount McKinley.
03:32Only 30% of people who visit Alaska will lay eyes on Denali because unless you go to Denali Park, your views are dependent upon fickle weather.
03:41But Talkeetna offers the best chances to see it without having to go into the park.
03:46Number 7 is Lake Placid, New York.
03:48Nestled in the Adirondacks, Lake Placid, like many towns on this list, is perfect to visit year-round.
03:54Whether you want snowy ski slopes, fall foliage, or summer kayaking, this is one of the most amazing places in New York.
04:02It's the East Coast answer to Big Bear.
04:04Lake Placid is way upstate, about halfway between Albany and Montreal, Canada.
04:09Many visitors enjoy shopping on Main Street for a relaxing day that takes you back to a simpler time.
04:15Of course, there are mountains and ski slopes, lodges with fireplaces, and plenty of places to eat with stunning views of the lake.
04:22Visit the site of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics that were held in beautiful Lake Placid.
04:28Their Olympic legacy holds strong, and the town traditionally hosts major sporting events throughout the year, including the Empire State Winter Games and Ironman, among others.
04:38There is also live entertainment in the mountain town at one of the many local taverns and restaurants.
04:44Number 6 is Leavenworth, Washington.
04:46Two hours east of Seattle, in the Cascades, where the Icicle and Wenatchee Rivers meet, sits one of the most unique river towns in America.
04:54Leavenworth was modeled after a Bavarian village. Think Oktoberfest.
04:58Even their local McDonald's and Safeway don the gingerbread-style architecture typically found in the Alps.
05:04The Wenatchee River has some of the best whitewater rafting in the state, while the Icicle offers a more relaxing flow, perfect for canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding.
05:13After a day's adventure, check out one of the local wineries, or even better, a German beer house.
05:19In the winter, the town comes alive like something out of a Hallmark movie.
05:23Sledding in the main square adds to the lore of this Alpine-inspired village.
05:27Bavarian food reigns supreme, and you can't stay in this town without sampling the local, albeit not so local, German food.
05:35And of course, the German-inspired town would not be complete without its very own Oktoberfest.
05:41If you don't want to fly across the Atlantic, then head to Leavenworth in October and experience the endless flowing beer.
05:47No. 5 is Traverse City, Michigan.
05:50Located on the banks of Lake Michigan, this town has more of a traditional beach feeling with sand, waves, and swimming.
05:57Traverse City is famous for its annual cherry festival, scenic highway, and vineyards.
06:02Not many people think of ordering a fine vintage Michigan wine, but there are over 40 wineries in the area.
06:09While there, be sure to head to Moomer's Homemade Ice Cream, where you can get a variety of flavors, with many featuring none other than cherry,
06:16such as Berry Cherry, Black Cherry, Cherry Praline Pecan, Cherry Pie a la Mode, and Cherry Explosion.
06:23When in Traverse, you have to try cherry-flavored everything.
06:27After a long day of cherries and wineries, scale a dune at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and enjoy the sunset over the lake.
06:35As with any lakefront town, there are plenty of water activities.
06:39Or just lay a towel out on the sand and work on your tan while reading the next bestseller.
06:44No. 4 is Tallulah Falls, Georgia.
06:47Tallulah Falls is actually a series of six waterfalls cascading down through the ancient Tallulah Gorge.
06:53The town is about an hour and a half northeast of Atlanta in the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains.
06:58This river town is unique because of all of its waterfalls.
07:01The town is a Victorian-era resort town and starting point to visit Tallulah Gorge State Park.
07:07Go whitewater rafting or check out a bluegrass music jam, hike to Hurricane Falls, stop by the general store, scope out the Tallulah Falls Dam, or explore along the gorge.
07:18One unique place to visit is the Tallulah Opry House, where guests are encouraged to bring a lawn chair, an instrument, and play music as they feel so inspired.
07:27And for those seeking a real adventure, the gorge and waterfalls make for Class 5 rapids.
07:33For context, Class 5 is considered expert only, and Class 6, the highest class, is unrunnable by most people and presents an extreme level of danger.
07:43No. 3 is Laconia, New Hampshire.
07:46Laconia is situated between the iconic Lake Winnipesaukee and Lake Winnesquam, giving the town a double dose of lake activities.
07:54One of the things locals and visitors love to do is ice skate.
07:58While skating on the two big lakes can be risky, there are plenty of smaller lakes and ponds that freeze in the winter, creating the perfect environment for outdoor ice skating fun.
08:08There are also many ice rinks for those who don't trust the lake.
08:11Since it's New England, Laconia is particularly beautiful in the fall, when the leaves show off their vibrant colors.
08:18In the summer, check out some of the small sandy beaches and go for a swim.
08:23There's a go-kart track, classic arcade museum, plenty of art galleries and museums.
08:28If you want to get out on the lake, book a day cruise and sail around while enjoying a sunset dinner.
08:33For some history, check out Endicott Rock State Historic Site or the Native American Heritage Learning Site.
08:40This town has something for everyone, every time of year.
08:43No. 2 is Fayetteville, West Virginia.
08:46When thinking of a watery vacation, West Virginia is as far down on my mind as Iowa.
08:52But Fayetteville is a riverfront town with a lot to offer.
08:55The mountain state gets a bad reputation and hardly pops up on people's must-see-before-I-die list.
09:01But here we are at No. 2.
09:03The town prides itself on offering the warm embrace of a small town that still has a vibrant shopping district, a thriving food scene, and charming accommodations.
09:13One of its main landmarks is the New River Gorge Bridge.
09:16This bridge was the world's longest single-span arch bridge for 26 years and is still today the fifth longest and longest outside of China.
09:25It's worth seeing for sure.
09:27In fact, you can walk on a suspension platform underneath the bridge for those who don't have a fear of heights and want unparalleled views of the gorge below.
09:36Of course, there's rafting, kayaking, hiking, biking, and nature walks.
09:40The town has its share of breweries and eateries to cater to all tastes.
09:45In the winter, the town becomes a cozy hideout in the Appalachian Mountains with plenty of meet-up groups like Trivia and Knitting.
09:52So get over your West Virginia stereotypes and head to Fayetteville.
09:56And No. 1 is Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.
09:59Idaho is known for its low crime, natural beauty, and of course, potatoes.
10:03Coeur d'Alene Lake is the second-largest lake in northern Idaho and is fed by two rivers.
10:08So it's basically a lakefront and riverfront town.
10:11It's located in the northern part of Idaho in the Panhandle, about seven hours north of Boise, and just under 40 minutes from Spokane, Washington.
10:20The town boasts four fabulous seasons.
10:23The Silverwood theme park is open in the warmer months and has the roller coaster Tremors,
10:28which is consistently ranked as one of the best coasters in the U.S. since the ride was unveiled in 1999.
10:34In winter, hit the ski slopes at one of the nearby ski resorts.
10:38Check out the lake's many scenic points.
10:40And for those who like adventure, you can go parasailing on the lake or ziplining through the forest.
10:46There's also plenty of arts, culture, and food for those who want to enjoy the lake without an adrenaline rush.
10:52Try your hand at fishing and catch your dinner if you want something local.
10:56All of these beachfront towns will have you rethinking the ocean the next time you plan a beach getaway any time of year.