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When you plan a vacation, most people tend to go to more popular places, right? It's usually cities they've read about or towns and attractions that have been recommended by friends and family that make the bucket list. But that method might be short-sighted—after all, there are plenty of small towns in America that are worth traveling to, even if you didn't know they existed. These 65 small towns across the U.S. might not have made it onto your bucket list yet, but they absolutely deserve a spot.
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Alton, Illinois
Fun fact: Alton is the birthplace of jazz legend Miles Davis. The river town is also known for being one of the best places in America to spot a bald eagle. Every year, residents kick off eagle-watching season with the Alton-Audubon Eagle Ice Festival.
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Cooperstown, New York
Cooperstown is a must-visit destination for baseball fans, as it's best known for having the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. But the streets lined with cute shops and close proximity to outdoor activities, like camping, kayaking, and even skiing, is what keeps people coming back.
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Magnolia Springs, Alabama
The magnolia trees in the aptly named Magnolia Springs are the standout stars of the town, creating beautiful canopies on most streets. Fun fact: It's the only place in America that has mail delivered by boat year-round!
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Lindsborg, Kansas
Lindsborg, also known as "Little Sweden USA," is the perfect place to learn about Swedish culture. Between the art galleries, dining options, and folk dancing festivals, there's plenty to do. As you walk around, count how many colorful Dala horses you can find! The folk art tradition is just one of the many things that makes this town special.
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Marfa, Texas
This small, rural town is a surprising arts hub in the United States. High-profile figures have visited for its live music venues, art galleries, and unique restaurants. If the streets look familiar to you, it's because Giant and There Will Be Blood were both filmed here.
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Cape May, New Jersey
For a truly relaxing waterside vacation, it doesn't get better than Cape May. Stay at one of the quaint guest homes on the water and stroll along the endless rows of docks. While visiting "America's Original Seaside Resort," you can tour the local winery or even go whale watching.
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Cottage Grove, Oregon
Known as the "Covered Bridge Capital of Oregon," the town offers a trail studded with seven covered bridges that connect the village across rolling hillside and a series of waterfalls and rivers. The delightful setting is home to plenty of great hiking and bicycling spots, as well as several cozy B&B retreats.
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Springdale, Utah
Right at the edge of Zion National Park sits a small village where visitors can soak up the breathtaking mountain-scape as they enjoy dining at the local brewery or shopping at one of the many crystal and geode shops.
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Hilo, Hawaii
The town of Hilo is nestled along the Big Island's largest harbor and boasts beautiful waterfalls with stellar views. Just south of the tropical retreat is Volcanoes National Park, home to some of the most active volcanoes in the world.
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Stuart, Florida
Stuart is formally known as the Sailfish Capital of the World, thanks to its close proximity to the St. Lucie River and the Indian River Lagoon. The small town's tropical climate is perfect for snowbirds who enjoy getting away during the bitter winter months, but are looking for a less popular destination.
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Charlevoix, Michigan
From a legendary castle to mushroom houses to a stunning red lighthouse, the small town of Charlevoix has plenty to offer. And if you’re a fan of all things lavender, this is the ideal destination for you—Charlevoix is home to one of the largest Lavender Hill Farms, abundant with 29 varieties.
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Black Mountain, North Carolina
Black Mountain is nestled deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains with a population of a little more than 8,400. The town was voted 2016's Prettiest Small Town Vacation by TripAdvisor readers. Taking a stroll through the town square reveals stunning landscaping, the small town’s famous rocking chairs, and, of course, hiking trails, camping grounds, and waterfalls.
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Leavenworth, Washington
This town has a Bavarian village feel that makes it a must-visit during Oktoberfest and during the holiday season. Take in spectacular views of the Pacific Northwest on nearby hiking trails or just take it easy with some shopping and wine tasting.
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Skaneateles, New York
This picturesque village is located right on the edge of Skaneateles Lake in Upstate New York. With beautiful and serene surroundings, you can spend the days of summer relaxing in a kayak or hiking the trails. Plus, there are premium shopping outlets not far from town.
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Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
This tiny town is located on the Shenandoah River and the ideal getaway for nature lovers. There are eight (yes, eight) national parks and heritage sites to visit in the area.
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St. Simons Island, Georgia
History buffs and beach lovers alike will love this small island town off the Georgia coast. There, you can golf, fish, and visit plenty of historical monuments, and you can't miss climbing to the top of the St. Simons Lighthouse to see the view of the entire island.
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Bisbee, Arizona
Back in the day, Bisbee was a major silver and copper mining hub, but now it's a quaint small town home to artists and retirees. With houses on cliffs' edges and a mine cavern that you can still explore, it's pretty picturesque.
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Perdido Key, Florida
In this town, you can skip the touristy parts of the state and relax by the (much less crowded) beach. With fishing, boating, snorkeling, multiple golf courses, and more, there's a little something for everyone.
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Bardstown, Kentucky
If you like whiskey, Bardstown is basically a can't-miss stop — you might not be familiar with it, but it is the bourbon capital of the world, after all. It's home to several distilleries, including Jim Beam and Maker's Mark.
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Frenchtown, New Jersey
A visit to this charming, serene town might be just what you need. It's a great spot for biking and hiking as well as browsing the local shops. If you visit in July, be sure to check out their Bastille Day festival.
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Trinidad, California
With a population of less than 400 people, calling this town small is an understatement. That said, Trinidad is home to some beautiful public beaches and picturesque offshore rocks, and it has a rich Native American historic heritage.
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Put-In-Bay, Ohio
You'll need to take a ferry to make it to this quaint little island, but once you get there, you'll be instantly charmed. Relax at the beach, go sailing, or head to one of its many attractions, like the Antique Car Museum or Butterfly House.
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Astoria, Oregon
Astoria is actually the oldest settlement west of the Rocky Mountains, so if you love history, you'll love exploring this interesting town and its many museums, like the Columbia River Maritime Museum.
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Dorset, Vermont
For a peaceful visit, head to this quiet town and enjoy beautiful walking trails and an abundance of maple trees. Take a wildlife tour, head to a local music festival, or even check out a museum, like the American Museum of Fly Fishing.
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Eureka Springs, Arkansas
In the heart of the Ozark Mountains is this charming Victorian village, known for both its Historic District and its natural springs. Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, which is home to big cats, is also in Eureka Springs.
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Damariscotta, Maine
This boating and fishing community located on the salty Damariscotta River will have you wondering why river towns aren't more popular. The shores are lined with oyster shells that historians say are from Native American gatherings between 2,200 and 1,000 years ago. Cool, no?
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Galena, Illinois
The historic charm of this mining town's six-block Main Street will make you feel like you took a time machine to a different decade. After you conquer downtown, must-see attractions include the Old Market House and the Historical Society and Museum.
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Pella, Iowa
Even though this Midwest town is quaint and quiet during the majority of the year, it totally transforms in May for the annual Tulip Time Festival. To honor their Dutch culture, they transform the streets into the Netherlands and host an epic parade.
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Welch, West Virginia
This town used to be all about coal mining, but today it's rich in history thanks to the Kimball War Memorial. We recommend grabbing a bite and sitting next to the nearby Elkhorn Creek that flows through the town and into the Tug Fort.
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Wolfeboro, New Hampshire
This town's motto is "The Oldest Summer Resort in America," and its prime location on Lake Winnipesaukee proves why. People from all over New Hampshire, Boston, and even Hollywood (Drew Barrymore visited!) vacation here during warm summer months.
FAQs
What is the best small town to visit? ›
- Bar Harbor.
- Telluride.
- Jackson Hole.
- Lake Tahoe.
- Sedona.
- Moab.
- St. Augustine.
- Monterey.
- Visit the Historic Downtown Area.
- Visit a Historic Landmark.
- Try Out a New Sport.
- Go On a Nature Hike at a Nearby State Park.
- Try Out Local Cuisine.
- Have Some Time at a Local Café
- Take a Class at an Art Center.
- Enjoy Some Local Live Music.
It was simply easier to copy what neighboring places did. And so, standard codes were transcribed from one municipality to the next. This is the origin of our places beginning to look the same, at least from an urban design perspective.
What is the friendliest small town? ›You may have heard Murray, Kentucky is considered the Friendliest Small Town in America. Even if you agreed, you may not know how that title was given to the town.
Where is the nicest place to live in America? ›Its 2022 ranking for the best places to live looked at five metrics: job market, value, quality of life, desirability, and net migration. The best place to live in America is Huntsville, Alabama, followed by Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Why small towns are the best? ›Everything in a small town costs less, from houses and utilities to groceries. You can often buy a house in a small town for the same price that you would pay for a studio apartment in a big city. Small towns also typically have lower property taxes, which makes owning a home much more affordable.
Do small towns like Virgin River exist? ›Unfortunately, the answer is no. The author of the Virgin River book series, Robyn Carr, told Entertainment Weekly that the town from her successful novels (now brought to life on the show) wasn't necessarily inspired by just one single place.
Do small towns still exist? ›Thankfully, the United States boasts some incredible small towns. Whether you want to brush up on history or go where everyone will know your name, these charming towns offer residents plenty to love (and visitors plenty to enjoy).
What do you do when you live in a boring town? ›- Venture out at dawn. ...
- Check Wikipedia. ...
- Find the local ice cream place. ...
- Stop in at the library, post office and local stores. ...
- Read the paper. ...
- Get outside. ...
- Check out the nearest downtown. ...
- Do something you've been too busy or afraid to do at home.
The Census defines small towns as incorporated areas with 5,000 residents or fewer, and big cities as having populations of 50,000 or more.
Why do cities look the way they do? ›
This book is the story of dramatic but unforeseen urban sights: how financial capital spawns empty towering skyscrapers and hollowed-out ghettoes; how the zoning of once-illicit sexual practices in marginal areas of the city results in the reinvention of culturally vibrant gay villages; how abandoned factories have ...
Why do people live in cities? ›People always tend to choose cities to live in. This is due to the presence of a larger scope for enjoying services and improved facilities and, therefore, enjoying a better quality of living. The benefits of cities are innumerable and are always plus points.
Why do modern buildings look similar? ›Mass production of building materials. The widespread availability of concrete, drywall, steel and glass means building designers and contractors can make easy use of them, deploying them in cost effective and "mind-numbingly similar ways across the planet," Chakrabarti says. Building codes.
What state has the nicest people in the US? ›- Minnesota. The term “Minnesota nice” lives up to its name. ...
- Tennessee. Tennessee is full of the famous southern charm and hospitality. ...
- South Carolina. South Carolina is another southern state upholding the southern hospitality reputation. ...
- Texas. ...
- Wyoming. ...
- Indiana. ...
- Colorado. ...
- Kansas.
Glasgow, Montana Is America's Most Isolated Town.
Where is the kindest place to live? ›Matera, Italy—the friendliest city in the world in 2022.
What is the most quiet state in USA? ›The most quiet state in the U.S. is Montana, with only 7 people per square mile and 3 cars per square mile.
What state has the most crime in America? ›Both property crime and violent crime were 22% higher in these states than the national average. Washington, DC had the highest property crime rate in 2020, at 3,493 crimes per 100,000 residents. This was 21% higher than Louisiana, the state with the next-highest property crime rate.
What is the safest state to live in 2022? ›- Vermont - 69.49.
- Maine - 66.24.
- New Hampshire - 65.35.
- Minnesota - 64.02.
- Utah - 62.54.
- Connecticut - 62.12.
- Massachusetts - 61.83.
- Rhode Island - 60.19.
According to the report, the best state to live in the U.S. is Massachusetts. That isn't the only northern state to appear near the top of the rankings.
Where is the cheapest place to live in the United States 2022? ›
Above you'll see that Sioux Falls, SD is the big winner in 2022, with the best total score and the top ranking among all US cities. Reno, NV, Provo, UT, Madison, WI, and Huntsville, AL round out the top five.
Where's the cheapest place to live in the US? ›- Fort Wayne, Indiana.
- Wichita Falls, Texas.
- Brownsville, Texas.
- South Bend, Indiana.
- Dayton, Ohio.
- Toledo, Ohio.
- Evansville, Indiana.
- Buffalo, New York.
- Be a Local Guide. ...
- Retail Arbitrage. ...
- Rideshare Driver or Grocery Deliverer. ...
- Take Up Local Photography. ...
- Farm Hand Help. ...
- Snow Plowing. ...
- Pet Care. ...
- House/Garage/Pole Barn Cleaning/Organization.
You might think small towns are safer because they're quieter and less crowded. However, a study by the University of Pennsylvania found that the risk of injury-related death is 20% higher in a small town than in a large city. This may be because of the limited access to immediate medical care.
Is it better to live in a big city or a small village? ›Convenience is one of the most beneficial factors to living in a big city. Larger cities are more industrial and advanced and everything can be found with the least effort and time. Big cities also usually have better schools and universities than a small town.
Are there any towns like Mystic Falls? ›Although Mystic Falls is pretty much just a fictional town, the real town behind the name isn't. Located 35-miles east of Atlanta, in the beautiful state of Georgia, you'll find the cozy town of Covington - AKA, the real Mystic Falls.
Where is Mel's cabin in Virgin River? ›North Vancouver The Virgin River crew also filmed at Murdo Frazer Cabin in North Vancouver, which plays Melinda's new home in Virgin River; the cabin has formerly appeared in Facebook's thrilling Sacred Lies, as well as Once Upon a Time, The Flash and Supernatural.
Where is the best country living? ›- Sweden. #1 in Quality of Life. #5 in Best Countries Overall. ...
- Denmark. #2 in Quality of Life. #10 in Best Countries Overall. ...
- Canada. #3 in Quality of Life. ...
- Switzerland. #4 in Quality of Life. ...
- Norway. #5 in Quality of Life. ...
- Finland. #6 in Quality of Life. ...
- Germany. #7 in Quality of Life. ...
- Netherlands. #8 in Quality of Life.
A small (typically rural) area with residential districts, shops, and amenities. village. hamlet.
What is the most country place in USA? ›Fort Worth is the "Most Country City in America" according to a new survey, but really ... was there any doubt? Estately, a national real estate search site, bestowed Cowtown with the honor.
Where is there a town like Virgin River? ›
But before you pack your bags, you're probably wondering: Is Virgin River even a real town? Unfortunately, the answer is no. According to the author of the Virgin River book series, the idyllic place where all of Mel (Alexandra Breckenridge) and Jack's (Martin Henderson) drama unfolds is totally made up.
How do I get a social life in a small town? ›- Introduce yourself to your neighbors.
- Join a group or club.
- Volunteer in the community.
- Attend local events.
- Walk your dog around town.
- Go to a sports game in your town.
- Join a gym.
- Strike up conversations whenever you can.
- 1) Take charge of your daily routine. ...
- 2) Utilize the power of music and laughter. ...
- 3) Get out into nature. ...
- 4) Think outside the box. ...
- 5) Actively seek adventure. ...
- 6) Love yourself.
- Travel somewhere new. Traveling is one of the most underrated yet joyful experiences in life. ...
- Play with kids. ...
- Find a new hobby. ...
- Read self-development books. ...
- Sign up for a class. ...
- Go to the beach with your loved ones. ...
- Find a side income. ...
- Do an act of selflessness.
According to a common factoid, there's a community called Springfield in all 50 states, but the U.S. Board on Geographic Names says that's not true: only 34 states have a Springfield. The real champ is Riverside. Unless you live in Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, or Oklahoma, there's at least one Riverside in your state.
Why are people moving to small towns? ›An increasing number of people are moving to small towns in rural America to, in part, take advantage of cheaper housing. But some local residents and long-term renters are being forced out. A MARTINEZ, HOST: In small towns all across the country, there's a shift underway, and it's rattling the status quo.
What is the fastest growing city on the planet? ›...
Full Speed Ahead.
City | Bunia |
---|---|
Country | Democratic Republic of Congo |
Continent | Africa |
Annual Growth (2020-2025p) | 5.63% |
Living in the country generally means you'll have a better sense of community, less pollution, and more privacy. Living in the city can be cheaper than living in rural areas, but they come with their own set of disadvantages- increased crime rates, higher levels of pollution, and expensive prices on everything.
Where do elderly people prefer to live in the city or in the countryside? ›In short, young people are moving to cities where jobs are in abundance because their priority is their career. Seniors, on the other hand, are looking to spend their retirement life in peaceful surroundings and hence they choose to live in the countryside.
What is a 5 over 2 building? ›Typical mid-rise five stories of wood framing over the two-story concrete podium.
What is a 5 over 1 building? ›
5-over-1, also known as a one-plus-five, or a podium building, is a type of multi-family residential building commonly found in urban areas of North America. The mid-rise buildings are normally constructed with four or five wood-frame stories above a concrete podium (usually for retail or resident amenity space).
Why does every American town look the same? ›It was simply easier to copy what neighboring places did. And so, standard codes were transcribed from one municipality to the next. This is the origin of our places beginning to look the same, at least from an urban design perspective.
Where is the nicest place to live in America? ›Its 2022 ranking for the best places to live looked at five metrics: job market, value, quality of life, desirability, and net migration. The best place to live in America is Huntsville, Alabama, followed by Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Where is the best country living? ›- Sweden. #1 in Quality of Life. #5 in Best Countries Overall. ...
- Denmark. #2 in Quality of Life. #10 in Best Countries Overall. ...
- Canada. #3 in Quality of Life. ...
- Switzerland. #4 in Quality of Life. ...
- Norway. #5 in Quality of Life. ...
- Finland. #6 in Quality of Life. ...
- Germany. #7 in Quality of Life. ...
- Netherlands. #8 in Quality of Life.
According to the report, the best state to live in the U.S. is Massachusetts. That isn't the only northern state to appear near the top of the rankings.
Where is the cheapest place to live in the United States 2022? ›Above you'll see that Sioux Falls, SD is the big winner in 2022, with the best total score and the top ranking among all US cities. Reno, NV, Provo, UT, Madison, WI, and Huntsville, AL round out the top five.
Where's the cheapest place to live in the US? ›- Fort Wayne, Indiana.
- Wichita Falls, Texas.
- Brownsville, Texas.
- South Bend, Indiana.
- Dayton, Ohio.
- Toledo, Ohio.
- Evansville, Indiana.
- Buffalo, New York.
- Tucson, Arizona. Read.
- Greenville, South Carolina. Read.
- Montpelier, Vermont. Read.
- Logan, Utah. Read.
- Ames, Iowa. Read.
The top spot on our list goes to Raleigh, North Carolina. As one of the anchors of the Research Triangle, the city continues to attract young employees and major companies to plant roots in The Tar Heel State.
What are the quietest cities in the US? ›- 8- Manchester, New Hampshire. ...
- 7- Pensacola, Florida. ...
- 6- Albany, New York. Population: 96,460. ...
- 5- Sarasota, Florida. Population: 58,285. ...
- 4- Hartford, Connecticut. Population: 122,105. ...
- 3- Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Population: 59,265. ...
- 2- Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Population: 49,271. ...
- 1- Portland, Maine. Population: 66,215.
What is the hippest town in North Carolina? ›
Asheville. This list wouldn't be complete without mentioning Asheville, the most popular “cool” city in North Carolina.
Where is the best place to move to start over? ›- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Anyone looking for a fresh start will find a kindred spirit in Pittsburgh itself. ...
- Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. ...
- Salt Lake City, Utah. ...
- Jacksonville, Florida. ...
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. ...
- Cleveland, Ohio. ...
- Denver, Colorado. ...
- Nashville, Tennessee.
- Vietnam.
- South Africa.
- Ecuador.
- Costa Rica.
- Malaysia.
- Mexico.
- Indonesia.
- Bulgaria.
...
The World's Best Countries For Women, 2021.