5 Charming Small Towns Within a 2-hour Drive of Big Cities

Baileys Harbor and Fish Creek, Wisconsin

Near: Green Bay
Population: 1,036

Just an hour’s drive away from the airport in Green Bay and a short drive from each other across the peninsula, these two charming small towns are the perfect getaway to visit state parks, lighthouses, and observatories.

Peninsula State Park in Fish Creek offers you 4,000 acres of recreation, and the New Eagle Tower there is Wisconsin’s first accessible observation tower that has spectacular views of the area’s water. There’s no shortage of seasonal activities, either.

You can experience everything from snowshoeing to parasailing. If you’re a fan of camping under the stars, you’ll love getting lost in nature and vacationing with the whole family in an affordable way.

And if you venture across the peninsula to Baileys Harbor, you’ll be able to look out over Lake Michigan. While here, hop on a hay wagon, and it’ll take you to the Cana Island Lighthouse.

Nowadays, it has become an interesting museum, and you can even climb to the top. Nature lovers will also love this charming small town because they can go on a leisurely hike through The Ridges Sanctuary to learn all about the topography of this remarkable region.