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Ephraim, Wis., on Lake Michigan: Anderson Dock at sunset, near Ephraim, Wis. (Courtesy Door County Visitor Bureau)
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Ephraim, Wis., on Lake Michigan: In a nod to the area's Scandinavian roots, many lakefront restaurants host nightly fish boils. (Courtesy Door County Visitor Bureau)
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Ephraim, Wis., on Lake Michigan: The annual Fyr Bal Festival has music, fish boils, and beachfront bonfires intended to rid the lake of the "winter witch. (Courtesy Door County Visitor Bureau)
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Joseph, Ore., near Wallowa Lake: The town of Joseph, Ore., is a mecca for artists working in bronze. There's a series of 15 bronze sculptures along Main Street. (Courtesy Jeff Baird)
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Joseph, Ore., near Wallowa Lake: The rocky peaks ringing Wallowa Lake, not far from Joseph, Ore., are covered with Douglas fir and ponderosa pinetrees. (Courtesy cheryl.dudley/Flickr)
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Joseph, Ore., near Wallowa Lake: The sky blue waters of Wallowa Lake bear more than a passing resemblance to Lake Geneva, hence the nickname "the Switzerland of America." (Courtesy Jeff Baird)
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Watkins Glen, N.Y, on Seneca Lake: 35 wineries surround Seneca Lake—they produce some impressive Rieslings and chardonnays. Watkins Glen is a great place to start the wine trail. (Courtesy Watkins Glen Chamber of Commerce)
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Watkins Glen, N.Y., on Seneca Lake: Seneca Lake is one of the Finger Lakes—long, narrow bodies of water carved out a millennium ago by retreating glaciers. (Courtesy Watkins Glen Chamber of Commerce)
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Watkins Glen, N.Y., on Seneca Lake: Watkins Glen International track hosts a NASCAR race every August, and in September there's a crowd-pleasing classic-car grand prix featuring racers dating back to the 1930s. (Courtesy Watkins Glen Chamber of Commerce)
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Wolfeboro, N.H., on Lake Winnipesaukee: Wolfeboro, N.H., bills itself as "the oldest summer resort in America. (Courtesy Bob Ness images LLC)
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Wolfeboro, N.H., on Lake Winnipesaukee: Take a sightseeing excursion across the lake to Weirs Beach. (Courtesy Bob Ness images LLC)
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Lake Lure, N.C., on Lake Lure: The glass-smooth waters of Lake Lure are ideal for kayaking. (Courtesy Vicki Dameron)
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Lake Lure, N.C., on Lake Lure: The scenery around Lake Lure, N.C., is spectacular, with the Blue Ridge Mountains in the distance. (Courtesy Vicki Dameron)
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The Village of Chimney Rock, in Chimney Rock Park, two miles from Lake Lure, N.C. The park is a favorite of hikers, with a trail that leads to Hickory Nut Falls. (Courtesy Rutherford County Tourism Development Authority)
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Celina, Ohio, on Grand Lake: There are dozens of fishing tournaments held on Grand Lake every year; largemouth bass, bluegills, and crappies are the trophy fish. (Courtesy Danielle Lipp)
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Mammoth Lakes, near Mammoth Lakes Basin: Twin Lake, one of five lakes in the Mammoth Lakes Basin. For a stunning aerial view of the area, try a hot air balloon excursion. (Courtesy Mammoth Lakes Tourism and Recreation Department)
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Mammoth Lakes, near Mammoth Lakes Basin: Lake Mary, near the town of Mammoth Lakes, is surrounded by the Sierra Nevada mountains. (Courtesy Mammoth Lakes Tourism and Recreation Department)
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Mammoth Lakes, near Mammoth Lakes Basin: Anglers go to Lake Mary for rainbow, brook, and brown trout. (Courtesy Mammoth Lakes Tourism and Recreation Department)
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Mammoth Lakes, near Mammoth Lakes Basin: A shot of bustling streets in the town of Mammoth Lakes, Calif. (Courtesy Mammoth Lakes Tourism and Recreation Department)
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Lake Placid, Fla., on Lake Placid: The lake is a convenient jumping-off point for exploring wildlife preserves and state parks, like Highlands Hammock State Park, 20 miles to the north. (Courtesy Tully\'s Silver Sands Cottages)
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Lake Placid, Fla., on Lake Placid: Jet-skiing on Lake Placid. (Courtesy Lake Placid)
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