Being by a body of water is always a relaxing time. But for some folks, the ocean can just be too much. That is, too many people, too much sand, too windy, etc.

That's where an abundance of lakes come in. The U.S. is blessed with a plethora of great lakes. In fact, we have five Great Lakes, 10,000 lakes in the state of Minnesota and even a professional basketball team named the Lakers.

So here are 25 great places to enjoy a lakeside vacation.

Once a playground of the rich and famous in upstate New York-and by upstate we mean above Albany-Lake George is now a playground for all in the shadow of the Adirondack Mountains. The requisite gorgeous scenery of the lake, dinner and sightseeing cruises, hiking, even a spectacular waterfall at Shelving Rock Falls. In the summer, the equally spectacular Saratoga Raceway is in session with great horse racing.

Welcome to NASCAR country. Mooresville, the main city on Lake Norman, is just north of Charlotte and serves as the unofficial home to NASCAR, with a plethora of car owners, drivers, mechanics and more living in the area. They settled here because Lake Norman is absolutely beautiful. Get in the boat and take a tour-you never know whose million-dollar home you might see on its shores-or just get a blanket and enjoy the day.

No matter which side you enter the lake, Tahoe is simply unbelievable. On the Nevada side, you have nearby Reno, a gaming mecca; on the California side, you have South Lake Tahoe, with its vibrant downtown. Lake Tahoe has great beaches and ski resorts all at once. How great is this place? It hosted a Winter Olympics.

One of the Great Lakes, Huron is also the home to Mackinac Island, a trip back in time. The stately Grand Hotel resides here, but you can also camp. One thing you can't do, however, is drive a car. Automobiles have been banned here since 1898, so you need to travel by ferry.

Didn't realize that this entertainment mecca was on a lake, didja? Well it is, and one of the great things to do is a cruise to see the town all lit up at night. Speaking of water, Branson is also the home to the Titanic Museum, a replica of the famous ship.

Rumored to be inhabited by a Loch Ness Monster-style creature, which of course makes it must-visit. In reality, this beautiful body of water in Burlington near the University of Vermont campus is a boating paradise. Dock and walk through the outdoor mall in the center of town to check out the great craft breweries and restaurants.

Real hard to replicate the setting of Mammoth Lakes, nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Boat and swim in the summer; ski in the winter; hike at any time. Be sure to check out Rainbow Falls.

Saugatuck, settled on the pristine shores of Lake Michigan, is often regarded as a hidden gem coastal getaway, making it a worthy addition to our list of best lake towns. One of Saugatuck's main attractions is Oval Beach, where the water is crystal clear and the sunsets are seemingly endless. For an adrenaline-pumping adventure, venture out on a Dune Ride on the lake's scenic sand dunes! Stroll down Saugatuck's main street, Butler Street, for great shopping and a delicious meal at one of the many local restaurants.

In the shadow of White Mountain, this is a throwback town that can be considered classic Old New England. The downtown seems like it's right out of a movie. The lake itself not only has everything kids love-docks in the middle of the water, rope swings, etc.-but is absolutely stunning in the fall with the foliage.

Another town with a throwback feel, only this one has a wild west/frontier vibe. And why not? The lake itself is surrounded by the mountains and the town of Grand Lake dates back to 1881. The incredible cabins around the lake are worth renting for a peaceful vacation.

There are 21 miles of shore path here and a long walk will reveal why some of the greatest, wealthiest old Chicago families built summer mansions here to vacation. One of the great highlights is the U.S. Mailboat Tour, where you'll see 'jumpers' go from boat to dock to deliver the mail and back to the boat again.

This is the largest lake in Idaho and the 38th-largest lake by area in the United States. At various points, the lake, located in northern Idaho, has views of both the Cabinet Mountains in Montana and the Selkirk Mountain Range, also in Montana. The town of Sandpoint is a great host for numerous festivals.

This place has a little bit of everything. White-water rafting from the river, connected to the lake, as well as hiking and boating. There's even skydiving. The town is a vibrant area with plenty of eclectic places.

Lake Greenwood State Park is a water rat's paradise, with virtually every single thing you can possibly do in the water available over more than 11,000 acres. The local advise to hit up the Cheeseburger House in town for a great meal.

Tiny Wasilla was put on the map when Republican presidential candidate tapped then-Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his vice presidential nominee in the 2008 election. Palin has touted Wasilla ever since and with good reason. The Independence Mine State Historical Park is here, as is the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Museum. Take a helicopter tour of nearby glaciers.

Welcome to the "Crawfish Capital of the World." If you're Cajun, or you love Cajun customs and foods, this is the place to enjoy the water, bird-watch and shop for antiques. And, of course, it's also the place for crawfish. It's a delicacy, and any self-respecting southerner, or would-be southerner, will suck the juiciest part from the head.

What a wonderful place. Bordered on one side by Lake Superior and the other by the Sawtooth Mountains, Grand Marais is an eclectic town of artists. If immersing yourself is more your speed as opposed to painting it, get ready for some great fishing-and to watch some playful otters near one of the great lighthouses in the country.

You know, not all of Florida is beaches. Lakeland, halfway between Tampa and Orlando, is a quaint old town that still has an old vaudeville palace as its movie theater. Check out Mirror Lake and all it offers.

Egg Harbor, Sister Bay, Fish Creek...these are just some of the great areas in Door County, where there are 300 miles of shoreline and 50 public beaches on Lake Michigan. Door County is one of the most diverse waterfront areas in the country, a place where you can grab a Swedish meal and 10 minutes up the road sink your teeth into a pizza.

The temperatures of this incredible hot spring can reach 143 amazing degrees, a soothing experience from the mineral waters. Hot Springs has been a popular resort town for decades-it is said that Babe Ruth loved relaxing here-and the town itself is a throw-back.

This is the most-visited lake in Texas, but at 65 miles long and nearly 19,000 acres there's plenty for everybody. You can fish and swim and boat and relax, but know that if you wander near Devil's Cove it's a haven for the younger crowd who tie up their boats and party like they're rock stars.

Nestled against the Blue Ridge Mountains, Lake Keowee remains one of great untouched bodies of water. Well, for the most part. Lake Keowee is close to Clemson University which, like Lake Travis, makes for a great party.

We'll keep this short and sweet. Come spring break time, Lake Havasu is the most legendary party lake in the country. Period.

In a state best known for its incredible deep blue ocean beaches, this lake is just a calm, relaxing return to yesteryear. Fishing, boating, hiking...moose safaris. Yep. In May and June, this is a spot to see moose and tour guides are available to help you.

This might be the ultimate throw-back area if you want a lake vacation. There's the lake. Incredible restaurants on the water. Live music. And Arnolds Park Amusement Park, whose wooden roller coaster is coming up on 90 years old.