American border towns used to count on one thing: Canadians crossing over for gas, groceries, or a good time. Not anymore. Who knows what’s causing it? Is it politics, rising tariffs, or just plain bad vibes? Who knows? But the thing is that Canadians are ditching U.S. visits, and local economies are feeling the burn.
From Washington State’s quirky Point Roberts (a town you literally have to drive through Canada to reach) to the Niagara Falls region, the downturn is sharp and very real.
Hotels are emptier. Duty-free stores are ghost towns. Some businesses are even calling it quits. The reason is a strange mix of policy shifts, rising tension, and a growing “Buy Canadian” movement that’s making the U.S. seem…well, less welcoming.
So, which towns are suffering most? We’ve rounded up nine U.S. hotspots that are taking the hardest hits… And trust us, it’s not just the big names. Let’s cross the border (figuratively) and take a look.
1. Point Roberts, Washington
Imagine living in a town so awkwardly placed, you need a passport just to buy milk. Welcome to Point Roberts, the U.S. exclave clinging to the tip of Canada like that one sock you always lose in the dryer. This five-square-mile oddity used to thrive on Canadian day-trippers filling up gas tanks and shopping carts. However, and unfortunately, it’s practically tumbleweeds and “For Lease” signs today. With fewer Canucks crossing over (thanks to politics and border hassles), local businesses are gasping for air. The town’s biggest export lately is practically more like existential dread…and maybe discounted hot dogs if you’re lucky.
2. Hyder, Alaska
Hyder is the kind of place that feels more Canadian than American, and honestly, it might prefer it that way. Tucked in southeastern Alaska and accessible only through British Columbia, this sleepy town relies on Canadian tourists like a diner relies on coffee. But with cross-border traffic drying up, Hyder is running on fumes. Once famous for bear sightings and its old-time saloon, the town now sees more empty barstools than visitors. Locals say business is way down. If Canada does not come back soon, Hyder might fade into the forest completely.
3. Whatcom County (incl. Blaine & Bellingham), Washington
Whatcom County used to be the unofficial Canadian playground. Blaine had gas and groceries, Bellingham had malls and cheap everything, and everyone went home happy. Now? Not so much. Canadians are staying put, and Whatcom is missing its favorite customers. Retail stores are hurting, hotels are seeing fewer bookings, and even Costco feels a little lonely. Locals say business feels like a snow day with no snow. The cross-border buzz has fizzled, and with fewer visitors clogging the checkout lines, some businesses are wondering how long they can hold out.
4. Niagara Falls, New York
Fun fact: the American side of Niagara Falls has always been the quieter cousin in the family photo. While the Canadian side got the better views and glitzy tourist traps, the New York side held its own thanks to cross-border visitors eager to double-dip the falls experience. But lately …crickets. Hotel bookings are down, gift shops are gathering dust, and even the Maid of the Mist feels a little lonely. The falls are roaring, but wallets are not.
5. Buffalo, New York (Peace Bridge Corridor)
Buffalo used to love its Canadian neighbors almost as much as it loves wings and football. The Peace Bridge was a steady stream of cross-border shoppers hunting for deals, seafood, and maybe a Target run or two. Now that stream has slowed to a trickle. Car traffic is way down, restaurants are seeing fewer tables filled, and outlet stores are starting to echo. Some locals joke that Buffalo now feels more peaceful than it should. Without that Canadian crowd bringing their credit cards and appetites, this busy border corridor is turning into a very quiet stretch of missed opportunity.
6. Thousand Islands / 1000 Islands Region (St. Lawrence River, NY)
The Thousand Islands region is famous for stunning views, charming boat tours, and that one salad dressing nobody can escape. It also used to be a summer magnet for Canadians looking to cruise the river and stock up on souvenirs. But now the docks are quieter, tour boats are emptier, and local shops are seeing fewer loonies and more lonely. Businesses along the St. Lawrence are reporting fewer bookings and less foot traffic, especially from their neighbors to the north. It is still a beautiful place to visit; just do not expect a crowd unless you bring one with you.
7. Haines, Alaska
Haines is a postcard town tucked between mountains and water with more eagles than people and exactly one road in from the rest of Alaska. The catch, though, is that the road runs through Canada. Which means when Canadians stop visiting, Haines feels it fast. Shops, galleries, and fishing charters that once buzzed with summer traffic are now eerily calm. Locals say the docks feel emptier and the espresso lines are suspiciously short. With fewer folks rolling in from the Yukon, this scenic town is suddenly very good at social distancing. Beautiful as ever, but the vibes are a little too quiet lately.
8. General Trend: US Border Cities + Duty‑Free and Retail Outposts
Across the northern border, American towns with duty-free shops and retail strips built for Canadian visitors are watching sales drop. These places once thrived on shoppers looking for cheap gas, bulk snacks, and those oversized tubs of vitamins. But with fewer Canadians making the trip, the parking lots are half full and the shelves are a little too organized. Towns that built entire mini-economies around cross-border traffic are now dealing with sluggish business and quiet weekends. The shopping carts are still there, but the Canadian accents and full trunks are noticeably missing.
9. Broader Latitudinal Sweep: From Washington to Maine
From the misty coast of Washington to the lobster-loving edges of Maine, border towns all along the northern line are feeling the chill of fewer Canadian visitors. This is not just one pocket of decline; it is a full stretch of economic side effects. Gas stations, outlet malls, diners, and motels built to catch cross-border traffic are now sitting in the slow lane. Seasonal towns are missing their regular rush, and local businesses are starting to wonder if those familiar Canadian plates will ever come back. One thing is clear across the map: the north is too quiet.
Conclusion
Border towns across the U.S. North are not just missing visitors; they are missing lifelines. From gas pumps to gift shops, the drop in Canadian traffic is hitting hard and wide. What used to be bustling little hubs of cross-border commerce now feel more like scenic rest stops with great views and too much inventory. Unless something shifts, these towns may keep waving across the border with fewer waves coming back. And that is one awkward long-distance relationship.
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