Small towns across the U.S. offer quaint destinations, packed with individuality and charm. From tree-lined streets with boutiques and public art to museums dedicated to unique collections to parks and historic sites, small towns offer travelers the chance to discover a lesser-known area. From the East Coast to the West Coast, find the best small towns in America.
Best Small Towns in America
Eastport, Maine
Woodstock, Vermont
Annandale-On-Hudson, New York
Rhinebeck, New York
Lake Placid, New York
Village of Boston, Ohio
Shipshewana, Indiana
Elkhart, Indiana
Middlebury, Indiana
Fredericksburg Texas
Fort Davis, Texas
Salado, Texas
Truckee, California
Tahoe City, California
Solvang, California
Leavenworth, Washington
Eastport, Maine
The easternmost city in the U.S., Eastport, is an eclectic mix of the arts and maritime history. Positioned along the Canadian border, it is home to lobster boats and whale excursions.
Visitors will find a colorful 12-foot-tall Eastport Fisherman Statue and a bronze mermaid. Meandered into one of its art galleries. Or grab a fried fish sandwich at WaCo Diner, the oldest in Maine.
Woodstock, Vermont
The rolling landscape of the Green Mountains, Woodstock offers a picturesque getaway. Dotted with covered bridges, it offers small-town boutiques, perfect for holiday shopping.
I recommend booking a quaint inn. For some outdoor recreation, consider Killington Resort.
Annandale-On-Hudson, New York
The Richard R. Fisher Center, designed by famed architect Frank Gehry, is located at Bard College. In Gehry’s signature titanium sheathing, this intimate performance center resembles Gehry’s Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.
The Fisher Center offers a full lineup of performances, from theater and dance productions to opera and orchestra performances. It also hosts an engaging speaker series.
Located on Manor Ave. on the Bard College campus, Annandale-On-Hudson. Admission is required to performances, though it is easy to drive by and see the building.
Rhinebeck, New York
In Upstate New York, this hamlet benefits from the Hudson River Valley’s strong culinary scene. Home to farms and the Culinary Institute of America students and alumni, travelers will find bistros brimming with farm-to-table goodness.
The Catskill Mountains offer a stunning backdrop. Rhinebeck offers inns to further explore the area, like Wilderstein Historic Site.
Top Things to Do in the Hudson Valley
Lake Placid, New York
Nestled in the Adirondack Mountains, outdoor enthusiasts flock to Lake Placid for its winter venues. As the location of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics, many boast Olympic heritage, like Whiteface Mountain, a premier mountain resort.
Lake Placid features a walkable downtown with independently owned boutiques and restaurants. During the winter, the downtown features white lights, and the outdoor skating oval is open for public skate.
Top 9 Things to Do in Lake Placid
Village of Boston, Ohio
Boston is one of the larger villages inside Cuyahoga National Park. In its early years, it offered boatyards, a lumber mill, a brickyard and warehouses along the Ohio and Erie Towpath.
It is home to the Boston Mill Visitor Center, and the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad stops at the Boston Mill Station. The area includes several hiking paths with interpretive signs. Lock 32 is located in the area, one of the 44 locks along the Ohio & Erie Canal between Cleveland and Akron.
Top Things to Do in Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Shipshewana, Indiana
In the heart of Northern Indiana, Shipshewana is a hub for Amish Culture. Settled in 1831, the town of less than 1,000 people attracts more than 2 million visitors a year.
Named after the Potawatomi Chief, it is home to a large population of Amish and Mennonites, the third largest population in the U.S. Located in LaGrange County, visitors will see horse-drawn buggies riding down the road, can sample Amish favorites and shop for Amish-made goods from roadside huts.
The Best of Shipshewana Indiana
Elkhart, Indiana
Located in Northern Indiana, Elkhart is a cultural oasis, celebrating the arts and the outdoors. From the Midwest Museum of American Art to the Lerner Theater to the public art up-and-down Main Street, the arts are alive.
If the outdoors are your jam, then the RV Hall of Fame is a must. The nearby Pumpkinvine Hike and Bike trail is another.
Middlebury, Indiana
Cute and quaint, Middlebury lies in Northern Indiana with a Main Street with restored storefronts, boasting coffee shops and cafes. Each summer, Middlebury hosts quilt gardens, gardens that resemble quilt squares.
Top Things to Do in Elkhart Indiana
Fredericksburg, Texas
Located in the Texas Hill Country, it started as a German settlement in the 1840s. Visitors will find German food, like sausages, German bakeries and a pie shop.
As part of the Texas Wine Country, travelers will find locally produced beer and wine. Save time for the National Museum of the Pacific War or one of the historic sites.
A Girlfriend Getaway Guide to Fredericksburg
Fort Davis, Texas
Fort Davis is a tiny mountain getaway packed with activities out in West Texas. South of Interstate 10, it boasts the Fort Davis National Historical Park, the Davis Mountains State Park, an observatory and wide-open spaces for hiking and exploring.
While in West Texas, make time for scenic drives and sunsets. Part of the Chihuahuan Desert, travelers will enjoy sunny days and cool nights.
Top Things to Do in Fort Davis
Salado, Texas
The Village of Salado is an oasis for artists and artisans along the fertile banks of Salado Creek in Central Texas. Between Waco and Austin, it features a walkable downtown, where visitors can find a glass-blowing studio, shopping and dining.
It offers a brewery and the Historic Stagecoach Inn. There are numerous pieces of public art along its Main Street as well.
Truckee, California
In the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Truckee is a gateway community in the Lake Tahoe region. For outdoor sports enthusiasts, the area offers several ski resorts and is a popular base for winter trips.
Named after a Paiute Indian chief, its historic downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Most notably, this is where the ill-fated Donner Party ran into trouble.
Top Things to Do in Truckee CA
Tahoe City, California
On the western shore of Lake Tahoe, Tahoe City offers travelers outdoor activities galore. From hiking and biking to river rafting, visitors can enjoy a glorious day at Tahoe.
During the winter, travelers will find ski resorts, sledding and snowshoeing. Visitors will find dining, shopping and a movie theater.
Solvang, California
Solvang offers a quaint small town to explore with Danish roots in the Santa Ynez Valley, inland from Santa Barbara. An easy trip from Southern California, it features Old World architecture, Danish food and festivals, paired with a small-town feel. The best of the Central California wine region, it’s a favorite weekend getaway, no matter the season.
Top Things to Do in Solvang
Leavenworth, Washington
This Bavarian hamlet is charming with its horse-drawn sleighs, strolling carolers and half a million lights dancing across the town. Located in Washington, Leavenworth keeps the holiday glow until February.
With Bavarian details across downtown, Leavenworth is reminiscent of Germany. And don’t forget the snow, it adds its Christmas-ness.
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