12 Of The Most Welcoming Towns In The United States
Although the press may lead you to think otherwise, Americans are among the nicest people in the world. To a large extent, folks here are still incredibly friendly, courteous, and downright open. Of course, some parts are more welcoming than others, but it rarely gets noticeably hostile. You will meet grinning faces, people who want to shake your hand, and residents who are ever willing to lend a helping hand. In many towns, neighbors meet together to enjoy each other’s company during fun-packed annual festivals. Starting from Bar Harbor, Maine, discover below the 12 most welcoming towns in the United States.
Bar Harbor, Maine
New Englanders may appear taciturn, but on a prolonged interaction, you will notice that communities are more authentic than you had imagined. Bar Harbour is a favourite summer destination, and thousands of visitors always troop to the town to enjoy its rhythm and explore the epic outdoor adventure opportunities around. The community here is friendly and close-knit and often gathers together for fun-filled events like outdoor movie nights, enjoyable art shows, and camping in Acadia. Residents enjoy free family-friendly movies every Wednesday night in Shaming Park, whose beautiful, seaside setting adds to the charm. And in the summer, the Dawnland Festival of Arts & Ideas, a July event at the College of the Atlantic, where people come together to celebrate the Wabanaki culture, and the epic Bar Harbor Music Festival, founded by violinist Francis Fortier in 1967.
Bay St. Louis, Mississippi
Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, is a resilient community, having been destroyed by hurricanes more than once, but always bouncing back better and brighter. The town is incredibly warm and welcoming, and quickly makes you feel like part of a family. The Bay St. Louis Little Theatre is a huge part of community life and is a previous recipient of the Governor’s Award for Excellence (the first and only community theater to be selected for this award), as well as the Hancock County Chamber of Commerce Award for Community Excellence. Residents always look forward to fun-filled events like Bridgefest, an annual celebration marking the opening of a new bridge that was previously destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, and the aptly named Second Saturday Art Walk in Old Town Bay St. Louis, where you'll find lots of cool deals, fresh meals and plenty of art and live music all day. Meanwhile, St Rose de Lima’s Annual Blues & BBQ Festival features authentic Mexican food, live music performances, and, as anyone would expect, mouthwatering BBQ.
Beaufort, South Carolina
Beaufort, or “Beautiful Fort,” epitomizes Southern hospitality at its best. This neighbourly eye candy is just 90 miles from Charleston and has a settlement history that goes back more than 300 years. The community morale here is high, especially with a culture that revolves around front-porch sittin’. On any sunny afternoon, many of the town’s 12,000 residents gather on a wraparound porch, drinking sweet tea or joining together for a laid-back block-wide crab boil.
But that's just one reason Beaufort is a special place. For example, in mid-summer of every year, the sea island that holds the town becomes a gigantic stage for one of the South's biggest outdoor events: The Annual Beaufort Water Festival. The event typically takes place at the swoon-worthy Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park and has the distinction of being the longest-running festival on the East Coast that is put on by an all-volunteer staff. For food lovers, Taste of Beaufort celebrates Low Country cuisine with amazing menu concoctions, music, and mind-rousing art.
Burlington, Vermont
There are only a handful of small cities in the United States that have as much going for them as Burlington, a neat little spot in New England that is astoundingly beautiful at just about every angle. There's no strip mall after strip mall, no billboards, no chaos. Instead, you will find a vibrant community of around 43,000 lucky souls who enjoy fun-filled community events, delicious farm-to-table dining, and an exceptionally picturesque downtown. You can enjoy a transformative moment at the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts, an adorable community space that hosts a variety of live performances, whether dance or readings. Also, the Festival of Fools in Burlington is a free, family-friendly summer event that has showcased world-class street performers and musicians for nearly two decades. It is known for its unique, quirky, and often humorous acts, and is known for filling the streets with energy, music, and acrobatics.
Then there's Summer in the City, which presents more than 80 free events in City Hall Park and on the Church Street Marketplace. The activities range from live music to art installations to enjoyable movie nights. Splash Dance, a DJ dance party on the park’s splash fountain, gives people a place to cool off on Fridays and Saturdays.
Burton, Ohio
It's bold for Burton to earn a spot among the most welcoming towns in the United States, especially considering how it's quite tiny and fairly under the radar. The small village east of Cleveland was founded in the 1790s and is Geauga County’s oldest settlement. There's nothing that welcomes a day like fluffy pancakes on a Sunday morning with maple syrup or bacon. No wonder Burton, known as Pancake Town U.S.A., is one of the friendliest places in the nation. It is within the Ohio Amish country, meaning things here are simple and genuine.
There is the Great Geauga County Fair, Ohio’s oldest county fair, held annually during the Labour Day Weekend, and the Apple Butter Festival & Ox Roast, a delightful annual event celebrating the time-honored tradition of making apple butter. Residents join in the fun of cooking apples in large copper kettles over an open flame, as the sweet aroma of simmering apples fills the air. Meanwhile, Village Viking Fest brings Viking history to life with thrilling combat reenactments, traditional Norse crafts, and a bustling Viking village.
Downers Grove, Illinois
Although Chicago likes hogging the limelight, Illinois is home to small, welcoming gems like Downers Grove, a best-kept secret 30 minutes west of the Windy City, with over 140 community events and festivals each year. And nothing speaks to the town's welcoming character than its active annual calendar of events. There's the Tivoli Theatre, a community staple that first opened on Christmas Day in 1928. It has the distinction of being the second theater in America (after the Brooklyn Paramount) designed and built for talking movies. There is Rotary Grove Fest, which regularly lights up the community with carnival rides, a beer garden, entertainment, and a car show. During the annual Ice Festival, residents enjoy strolling through the downtown area and admiring the over 60 ice sculptures lining the streets, most of which are sponsored by local businesses. The best part is that you don't have to part with a dime. On Friday evenings during the summer, car enthusiasts meet up in a local park for an informal car show, while Saturdays mean heading downtown for the farmers’ market.
Angola, Indiana
Angola is another welcoming town with several indoor and outdoor recreational opportunities, as well as epic events and festivals that bring the community together and foster a sense of camaraderie. For example, there's the annual Angola Balloons Aloft, an enjoyable summer carnival, when residents gather to watch hot-air balloons lighting up the sky, mingle with all kinds of food vendors, and take kids to the children’s fun zone. Also, Angola Art Fest features a wide variety of attractions and entertainment for the whole family to take part in. It is typically centered around the Public Square and runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Meanwhile, the town’s 4th of July Celebration is often packed with activities like a parade, live entertainment, and, like many towns in the United States, fireworks at night. Finally, residents also often gather at the historic Brokaw Movie House to enjoy shows, chat with friends, and catch up on the latest developments.
Fredericksburg, Texas
The Texas Hill Country certainly has one of the most welcoming landscapes in North America. From the lush, rolling hills to the beautiful vineyards and wineries, life is good in God's Own Country. Fredericksburg is best known as the “Little Germany of Texas” and the Bavarian feel is always palpable. Although you can swing by at any time, it's often epic during the town’s annual Oktoberfest, when local artisans, food vendors, and musicians are all on hand to demonstrate the meaning of community.
Keep in mind that Fredericksburg is also well-known for its juicy summer peaches and impressive culinary scene. No wonder it hosts dozens of food and wine events each year, including the Fredericksburg Food & Wine Fest, which regularly transforms Marktplatz into a foodie paradise with a celebration of all things Texas food and wine. On a slightly different note, the Texas Mesquite & Fine Arts brings together master artisans from near and far and offers breathtaking works in wood, whether the rich warmth of mesquite wood or the bold textures of other Texas-inspired creations.
Gig Harbor, Washington
Gig Harbor is a small, unpretentious town whose walkable downtown is loved for its maritime feel, scenic waterfronts, and, on a clear day, distant views of the majestic Mount Rainier. Just a few years ago, Gig Harbor was a sleepy fishing village with nothing much to inspire. Today, it has become a much sought-after eye candy with upscale restaurants and a booming tourism industry. During the summer, it hosts open-air movie nights at places like the Sehmel Homestead Park and PenMet Parks, chowder competitions, and jam-packed farmers’ markets. That said, the Maritime Gig Festival is the summer's biggest event in Gig Harbor. The festival's key highlights include the Grande Parade, Wheels on the Water car show, the Blessing of the Fleet, and line dancing.
Taking the cue, the Gig Harbor Film Festival, one of the fastest-growing independent film events in the Northwest, often runs the last full weekend every September. You can occasionally mingle with neighbours at the Galaxy Theatres Gig Harbor IMAX, an awesome space surrounded by tons of restaurants and shops. The theatre is incredibly comfortable and has a bar where you can order a glass of wine or a cocktail.
Hamilton, New York
Hamilton is home to Colgate University, a name that honours the life and work of celebrated entrepreneur and soapmaker William Colgate. People love Hamilton for its collegiate charm, natural beauty, and rich cultural heritage. The village greens host seasonal farmers' markets featuring local produce and crafts, while the nearby Earlville Opera House is a community get-together space for live performances and other well-organized shows. No wonder a decent percentage of the population owns homes. There's Thursdays on the Village Green, when families gather for free activities for kids and concerts for all ages. Artists of various genres, including rock and folk, entertain residents with concerts that typically start every evening at 7:00 pm, while the kids’ activities occur around 5:00 or 5:30 pm. Also, Village Artwalk features pop-up art galleries, live music, and storefront art displays.
Jackson, Wyoming
Jackson is another welcoming town with a unique town square famous for its elk-antler arches. You will find a vibrant arts scene with galleries, a performing arts center, and a decent number of local festivals. Western heritage is celebrated through rodeos and historic sites, while the surrounding scenery is defined by breathtaking views of the Teton Mountains. Old West Days is a major annual festival in Jackson that features shoot‑out reenactments in the Town Square, while the Teton County Fair, typically held late July each year at the Teton County Fairgrounds, features pig wrestling and many other family‑friendly activities. Music lovers always look forward to the Grand Teton Music Festival, a world‑class classical music festival held in summer (July‑August). It draws attendees from almost every corner of the region.
Kewanee, Illinois
Kewanee styles itself as the “Hotdog Capital of the World,” meaning it's a great place to satisfy one’s weenie craving, especially during their annual hotdog festival every Labour Day. Kewanee Hog Days features carnival rides, the world's largest outdoor pork barbecue, and a craft show and flea market that takes up an entire city park. The party often extends to lemonade shakeups, mud volleyball, and delicious onion rings. Kewanee’s adorable downtown is adorned with eye-catching murals that celebrate both civic and national pride. You will enjoy fun-filled annual events like a car show, an Independence Day celebration popular amongst families from all around the region, and a packed farmers’ market at Berrien Park every Wednesday and Saturday, May through October. Holiday events such as Olde Tyme Christmas and other seasonal gatherings promote communal tradition and local festive spirit.
So, although you may prefer a town with stunning Victorian architecture or heart-stirring outdoor beauty, don't overlook the human side. At the end of the day, you want to visit or live in a place where folks are warm and friendly, and where the community is close and tight-knit. You want a town where you genuinely feel at home, watching stars with neighbours or dancing to the tunes of Johnny Cash. If anything, life is not about what you see but how you feel.
