10 Most Peaceful Small Towns In The United States
In America's most peaceful towns, lazy beach days or catching fish along the local riverbank are the rule. No rush and no stress, just rest and relaxation. Townsend, Tennessee, for instance, is all about watching the sunrise over the Smokies. In Bayfield, Wisconsin, the Apostle Islands wait to be explored at Lake Superior. Boats dot the water in Sea Bright on weekends, and the fall foliage creates an insanely beautiful backdrop for those enjoying the Mount Mansfield Gondola SkyRide in Stowe, Vermont. In a country where the race for more money and technology seems to take precedence, raising blood pressure and increasing worries, the towns listed below are the best places to unwind.
Rutherfordton, North Carolina
Proudly holding the title of North Carolina's Small Town of the Year, Rutherfordton is one of the best places to live in the state. It is also a preferred town for seniors who love the greenways and historic buildings framed by the Blue Ridge Mountains. A typical day in Rutherfordton includes grabbing a fragrant coffee or ice cream at Main Street Coffee & Ice Cream and people-watching for a bit. Families often head to the KidSenses Children's interACTIVE Museum, also on Main Street, for a day of fun. Those who want to soak up a bit of sun take the Thermal Belt Rail Trail, stopping along the way to eat lunch or see historic sites. In December, the community comes together for the Spindale-Rutherfordton Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting event. The parade links both towns, followed by the lighting of the state's largest living cedar Christmas tree on the courthouse lawn. The event has a touch of festive magic about it, reinforcing the peaceful atmosphere palpable throughout the town.
Stockbridge, Massachusetts
The rural Berkshires of Massachusetts are home to the tranquil town of Stockbridge, where artists are drawn to the Norman Rockwell Museum and history buffs to The Mission House. History can also be explored at Naumkeag, a 19th-century mansion that shows off the Gilded Age. The gardens surrounding the mansion are ideal for a walk among the roses before heading to the Blue Steps. The Blue Steps is an outdoor feature, added to the gardens in 1938, that has been restored to its former glory. Stockbridge also houses the Berkshire Botanical Garden, where 24 acres hold more than 3,000 species and varieties of plants. Locals often enjoy yoga and tai chi classes in this garden setting laid out in 1934. Four miles away, Lake Mahkeenac, also known as Stockbridge Bowl, offers a day of fishing, swimming, kayaking, and boating.
Townsend, Tennessee
Known as the "peaceful side of the Smokies," Townsend is a quiet town minutes from the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where the sunrises and sunsets are major attractions. There is a single traffic light to look out for on the way to the Little River Railroad and Lumber Company Museum. The museum's displays center around life in the Smokies long before it became the most visited national park in the country. In the summer, people take yellow floats to Little River at Outpost A, with its small rapids, or Outpost B, with rougher rapids and swimming holes. In winter, the Abrams Falls hiking trail in the Smokies, off the Cades Cove Loop, leads to icy falls along the calm waters of Abrams Creek. Townsend also offers horseback riding courtesy of Davy Crockett Riding Stables. Riders get to experience forests and meadows as their horses trot along at a steady pace.
Mendocino, California
The calm atmosphere in Mendocino extends to the Mendocino Woodlands State Park, where towering redwoods stand tall. The 720-acre park houses historic cabins and space for group camping under the stars. Several hiking trails run through the trees and along the creeks, including the Big Tree Trail. The coast is only a short drive from the forest, where beach sand and lapping waters await. Five miles north lies Jug Handle State Natural Reserve with its quiet beach and the 2.5-mile Ecological Staircase nature trail. In town, the Mendocino Inn and Farm/Terra Farm Kitchen provides Swedish full-body massages and meals made with fresh produce from its garden. There is also Patterson's Pub, where people enjoy fish and chips after a day of diving in Mendocino Bay.
Stowe, Vermont
Stowe will probably always make a list like this, because it has so many spaces where people can unwind. When it is misty, the mysterious Smugglers' Notch mountain pass beckons to anyone in the mood for a solo hike. The pass takes hikers through the Green Mountains, where the silence hugs the 1,000-foot-tall cliffs on either side. Those who make running or hiking part of their day typically take the Stowe Recreation Path from town, especially in the fall, to see the leaves change color and take in the views. Before it gets too cold, carriage rides take people right into the forest where the leaves hang low enough to touch. When it does get too cold, the Trapp Family Lodge has Austrian-style accommodation for a relaxing weekend among the foliage and with unbeatable mountain views. And, to see Vermont from a different perspective, while still enjoying the peaceful environment, people take the Gondola SkyRide at Stowe Mountain Resort. The gondola takes people up the slopes of Mount Mansfield, the highest peak in Vermont.
Homer, Alaska
It is hard to beat the unspoiled vibe of Alaskan towns. Homer, in particular, is as beautiful as it is serene. Even before getting into town, people gape at the mountains and glaciers, whether they have seen them hundreds of times before or not. One of the most awe-inspiring sights is the Homer Spit, a finger of sand and gravel that stretches into Kachemak Bay. The spit is visited by incredible wildlife, including otters and eagles, and is also the place where people love taking photos at "Land's End." Visitors have reported picking up "End of the Road" certificates at the Visitor Center, a quirky souvenir for first-timers. Anglers take to the waters around Homer for halibut fishing. Tours can be booked in advance to enjoy a day out on the water, waiting for the fish to bite. Those who prefer to see bears fishing instead often book floatplane trips to watch the bears as they roam and fish for salmon, not too far from town in Katmai National Park and Lake Clark National Park.
Creede, Colorado
Solitude is a way of life in Creede, where cliffs enclose the town's borders and the upper Rio Grande is open for water activities. Creede sits in a caldera and is surrounded by the Rio Grande National Forest, making it a hiker's paradise. Hikers gravitate towards the Up and Over Trail, which is exceptionally steep at the start but then rewards them with unmatched views of Creede. The Big Meadows Campground is also popular with those who want to get away for a bit and just relax in nature. The river is full of rainbow trout, which is ideal for anyone who wants to cast a line and let the hours slip away. There are also waterfalls to see in the area, including North Clear Creek Falls. The waterfall sits along the Silver Thread Scenic Byway and is approximately 100 feet tall. A picnic site at the observation area provides just the right excuse to stay longer.
Bayfield, Wisconsin
Near Bayfield, the Meyers Beach Sea Caves Lakeshore Trail is a great way to get away from real life for a while. The trail snakes over uphills and through tall trees to overlooks of the Apostle Islands Sea Caves. It is also possible to explore the caves via paddle as part of a guided tour. The national lakeshore covers about 70,000 acres, including 21 islands and a strip of mainland shore. It sits along Lake Superior, and along with the sea caves, there are historic lighthouses and old-growth forests to see. Downtown Bayfield has its own draws with Sweet & Salty's ice cream and popcorn for a lazy day and a caffeine fix at Wonderstate Coffee. Berry picking is a popular activity in the summer, with people picking both berries and apples in orchards throughout the area. Afterwards, sailing on the lake means incredible views, especially during sunset.
Kennebunkport, Maine
Maine means horror for some book lovers, but towns like Kennebunkport leave any potential darkness behind for sunshine and tranquility. Goose Rocks Beach is a three-mile stretch of sand in a crescent shape, with calm waters and seaside cottages. Lobster boat tours get people up close to the water and to the crustaceans that have made Maine the top lobster state in the US. Those more interested in cocktails than lobster can enjoy them aboard the Spirit of Massachusetts, a historic schooner now docked in town as a restaurant and bar. Kayak tours go out to Cape Porpoise Lighthouse when the weather allows. After exploring the lighthouse, dinner at Pier 77 in Cape Porpoise hits just the right spot. The Clam Shack sorts out those still in the mood for a snack after dinner.
Sea Bright, New Jersey
Beaches and water activities are the main attractions in Sea Bright, where the waves lap just steps from the houses. Sunrises are spectacular from the sand on the public beach and sunsets from the Shrewsbury River. When the day is at its hottest, the library provides shelter, ocean views, and great reads at the Beach Pavilion. By the river, Eventide Grille cooks up crab cake sandwiches, while Woody's Ocean Grille comes to the party with fish tacos and burgers. People can stroll along the riverbank or get out on the water in a boat. There are also plenty of fishing spots and places to set up an easel for a painting. And during July and August, Bands on the Beach brings the music to match the serene vibe of this seaside town.
Exploring America At A Peaceful Pace
Life is hectic and will always be. Fortunately, America's serene towns offer a break from life and the noise that comes with it. Instead of deadlines and stress, you can focus on mountaintop sunrises and solo walks on a secluded beach. Taking a break does not mean wasting time, either. Instead, it could be just the thing to find a little peace of mind.
