12 Small Towns In The United States With Big Charm
The United States has several of the world’s most famous major cities, including the financial powerhouse of New York City, the industrious wonder of Chicago, and the entertaining genius of Los Angeles. At the same time, the U.S. also has a number of big and impressive features and attractions in its charming small towns. At these towns, travelers will find incredible mountains for winter sports, lovely beaches to escape the winter chills, fascinating landmarks that withstood the ultimate tests of time, and even some delightfully pleasant surprises here and there.
For a fuller view of all that the United States has to offer, we have a handy cheat sheet to help you get started. Take a closer look at these 12 small towns in the United States with big charm, and perhaps you will discover the perfect place for your next trip.
Stowe, Vermont
About 205 miles northwest of Boston (Massachusetts) is the Vermont town of Stowe, perhaps New England’s premier winter sports destination. Skiers and snowboarders flock to Stowe Mountain Resort for 126 trails across 545 acres that provide up to 2,360 feet in vertical, and they tend to keep coming back for that special Stowe charm that can’t be found anywhere else. In case that’s not exciting enough, Stowe is also within easy reach of Smugglers’ Notch Resort, a great ski resort for beginners and experts alike with its own award-winning ski school and a total of 78 trails across 1,000 acres that offer up to 2,610 feet in vertical.
Even for those who don’t ski much (if at all), Stowe offers a whole lot more to see and do. For those wanting more excitement, Snowmobile Vermont does guided tours through the beautiful winter wonderland that is Mount Mansfield State Forest. And for those seeking more soothing vibes, Topnotch Resort not only has effortlessly elegant guest rooms and suites, but also a full-service spa that provides relaxing massages, body treatments, facials, and year-round heated pools.
Montauk, New York
At the easternmost tip of New York’s Long Island lies Montauk, a luxurious playground for the jetset crowd that doubles as a serious surfer’s paradise. At Camp Hero State Park, experienced surfers can try their boards at navigating the massive swells at Turtle Cove. In addition, Ditch Plains Beach tends to provide consistently solid waves for surfing. And to the west of town, Hither Hills State Park not only has great beaches for surfing, but also trails on land suitable for wintertime cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Whether one’s in Montauk to ride the Atlantic Ocean waves or take advantage of the otherwise slower winter off-season, Gurney's Montauk provides a warm welcome. This oceanfront luxury resort has the 30,000 square-foot Seawater Spa, year-round heated pools, and the unique Igloos by the Sea dining experience.
Farmington, Pennsylvania
Nestled in the Laurel Highlands of Southwestern Pennsylvania, about 70 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, is the idyllic village of Farmington. Nearby is Ohiopyle State Park, a 20,000+ acre oasis of pristine Appalachian scenery that’s perfect for wintertime Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, and snowmobiling. Meanwhile, for visitors seeking something different, they will find not just one, but two Frank Lloyd Wright-designed historic estates in the area: Fallingwater, with its iconic integration of a natural waterfall into its design, and Kentuck Knob, with its tranquil hillside setting.
Perhaps the key highlight of Farmington is Nemacolin, the region’s top luxury resort. During winter, The Peak offers skiing, snow tubing, ice skating, and additional exhilarating snowy adventures. And all year, guests will find a wide variety of opulent rooms and suites, The Woodlands Spa, a full casino with slots and table games, and several delectable restaurants.
Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina
Kill Devil Hills might have a curious name, but this beach town in North Carolina’s Outer Banks also has an exceptional legacy of flying high and shredding waves like a pro. No trip here feels complete without a stop at the Wright Brothers National Memorial, which takes visitors back to the moment in 1903 when Orville and Wilbur Wright successfully flew their first airplane and kicked off the era of air travel. And a short drive north, the Kitty Hawk Woods Reserve provides an intimate and tranquil view of the natural environment as the Wright Brothers experienced it, with natural maritime swamp forest and freshwater wetlands growing on the remains of ancient sand dunes.
Then, there’s Avalon Pier: Just beyond the actual pier where visitors can walk and admire the illustrious ocean views, seasoned surfers can ride some of the Southeast’s gnarliest waves and live to tell their epic excursions at sea. Whatever one decides to do in and around town, Shutters on the Banks makes a great place to stay with its prime oceanfront location and comfortable, family-friendly accommodations.
Hot Springs, Arkansas
The term “hot springs” usually evokes imagery of free-flowing healing water, and the town of Hot Springs, around 55 miles west of Little Rock, delivers all that and so much more. At the center is Hot Springs National Park, the United States’ oldest park in the National Park System. This park provides visitors opportunities to see the region’s geothermal springs at their natural state, and to soak in the spring-fed pools at Bathhouse Row. And for those wanting to experience more of Arkansas’ wondrous water in its natural state, the nearby Lake Ouachita State Park has some 40,000 acres of freshwater for boating, kayaking, and fishing.
While there are many ways to have a wet and wild time in Hot Springs, there’s also a lot to do on dry land. In particular, the Mid-America Science Museum is a grand, family-friendly space to cross the “Light Bridge,” discover a wealth of prehistoric artifacts, try various interactive workshop activities, and even see 13 meticulously designed replicas of dinosaurs (including the brachiosaurus, stegosaurus, and tyrannosaurus rex) at DinoTrek. And at the 1890 Williams House Inn, guests will find a graciously historic bed-and-breakfast with exquisitely appointed guest rooms and suites, some of which even have their own oversized and jetted tubs.
Silver Bay, Minnesota
Around 57 miles north of Duluth is Silver Bay, a uniquely scenic Minnesota village on the shore of Lake Superior. To the south of town lies Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, a stunning lakefront preserve complete with a lush birch and aspen forest and some eight miles of trails for winter hiking and fat biking. Meanwhile, to the north is Tettegouche State Park, where a tranquil gravel beach at the lakeshore leads up to a cliff-top forest that’s perfect for wildlife watching (including the local population of peregrine falcons), hiking, and cross-country skiing.
For even more wide-open spaces and pristine Minnesota-style natural beauty, there’s Finland State Forest, a vast outdoor lover’s paradise that’s perfect for hunting, fishing, ATV riding, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and camping. After a long day exploring the snowy forests and shore, one can retreat to the warm and welcoming Cove Point Lodge, where guests will find guest rooms with lovely lake views, comfy furnishings, and Keurig coffee makers.
Deadwood, South Dakota
Situated in the Black Hills of South Dakota is Deadwood, a notorious Old West town that still amazes with daring new thrills. Nearby is Terry Peak Ski Area, the ski resort with the highest lift service (with a 7,100-foot summit) between the Rocky Mountains and the Alps, and 30 beautiful trails across 450 skiable acres. Or, for another fun option to get wild on the snow, Mystic Hills Hideaway offers ATV and snowmobile rentals, as well as guided snowmobile tours.
Back in town, there’s plenty more to see and do in Historic Deadwood, including the Adams Museum with a host of exhibits and artifacts that take visitors back to the 19th-century gold rush days when the town quickly became one of the region’s most prosperous mining towns. Also in the neighborhood is the 1899 Inn, a charming bed-and-breakfast with a full breakfast every morning and rooms with lovely antique furnishings and state-of-the-art amenities like high-speed internet and streaming-ready smart TVs.
Aspen, Colorado
The United States may have all sorts of ski towns across the country, but there’s none quite like the illustrious village of Aspen in Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley. During the winter season, the top highlight is Aspen Snowmass, a truly massive expanse of 5,700 acres spanning four mountains with 366 trails that provide up to a staggering 4,406 feet in vertical. In addition, Ashcroft Adventures offers incredible opportunities to do Nordic skiing and snowshoeing at the turn-of-the-century ghost town of Ashcroft. And for something really special, T-Lazy-7 Ranch does scenic snowmobile tours that showcase iconic local landmarks like the Maroon Bells of the Elk Mountains and Independence Pass at the Continental Divide.
Once guests are ready for some of that legendary après-ski that Aspen is known for, it’s hard to beat The Little Nell right at the base of Aspen Mountain. This five-star luxury hotel has several enticing restaurants, its award-winning Wine Bar, the area’s only ski-in/ski-out spa with a full menu of treatments, and a stunning line-up of rooms and suites to stay in.
Moab, Utah
Tucked into the arid Colorado Plateau of eastern Utah is Moab, a natural wonderland that abounds in vibrant and colorful landscapes. To the north of town is Arches National Park, the famed 73,234-acre preserve full of fascinating sandstone rock formations, including its namesake natural arches. To the south, there’s Canyonlands National Park, a 527 square-mile expanse with a multitude of canyons and buttes carved by the Colorado and Green Rivers. And right by Canyonlands is Dead Horse Point State Park, one of the world’s most photographed places thanks to its incredible daytime red rock vistas, and a great place to do some stargazing thanks to its clear dark skies at night.
Once travelers are ready to call it a day after traversing the area’s blessed landscapes, they can check into Moab Springs Ranch and enjoy a refreshing oasis of stand-alone luxury bungalows, a private park and vineyard on site, and even a gourmet coffee shop located inside their historic Ranch House.
Incline Village, Nevada
With a name like Incline Village, it makes sense that this Northern Nevada town on the north shore of Lake Tahoe makes an idyllic Sierra Nevada winter wonderland. Right in town is Diamond Peak, a dazzling boutique ski resort with 28 developed trails offering up to 1,840 feet in vertical and a balanced mix of beginner-friendly, intermediate, and more advanced ski runs. Also nearby is Mt. Rose-Ski Tahoe, a larger ski resort with Tahoe’s highest base elevation (at 8,260 feet above sea level) that makes for fantastic powder skiing.
For a more tranquil space at the lake, it’s a short drive down to Sand Harbor State Park, a lovely place to admire the snow on the beach, and to even do a horse-drawn sleigh ride. And for those wanting some more quality time at the lake, they can stay in town at the Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe, a full-service resort complete with recently refreshed guest rooms and suites, the soothing Stillwater Spa, and multiple tasty restaurants on site.
Lincoln City, Oregon
It’s a roughly 98-mile journey from Portland to Lincoln City, a uniquely creative and colorful town on the Oregon Coast. At Lincoln City Glass Center, visitors can try their hand at creating wondrous glass art while also perusing their in-house gallery full of finished works by local artists. Meanwhile, at Lincoln City Beach, folks can go on the ultimate scavenger hunt for artist-made glass floats while also admiring the picture-perfect natural scenery. And a short drive south leads to Fogarty Creek State Recreation Area, where a leafy Sitka spruce forest meets a rugged cliff-lined beach adorned with vibrant tide pools.
To cap off the perfect time in Lincoln City, one can check into The Coho Oceanfront Lodge, an incredibly charming boutique resort with a prime oceanfront location, contemporary chic rooms and suites, an indoor heated pool complex, and board and video games available for guests to play.
Montecito, California
Right next to Santa Barbara is the smaller village of Montecito, a California coastal town that truly goes big in natural beauty and world-class luxury. At Gould Park on the north end of town, the Cold Spring Trail is a solid option for hikers hoping to discover perennial streams and waterfalls flowing down, and to ascend the verdant foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains. But for anyone preferring an easier journey, they can make a reservation to visit Casa del Herrero, a century-old estate designed by George Washington Smith with a wealth of intricate details inside and lovely Mediterranean-style landscaping outside.
Down at the coast, Butterfly Beach serves as an inviting stretch of sandy shore for surfing, swimming, and sunbathing. And a short drive east of Butterfly Beach leads to Rosewood Miramar Beach, a lavish luxury resort with several top-tier restaurants, the award-winning Sense spa, and opulent rooms and suites that serve as guests’ own “front-row seat to the Pacific Ocean.”
These Small Towns Have a Whole Lot of Beauty, Character, and Charm
The United States may have several big and flashy major cities, but there’s far more of the U.S. to explore beyond these big cities. At mountain towns like Vermont’s Stowe and Colorado’s Aspen, travelers can ski down some exceptional slopes and partake in some top-tier après off the slopes. Then, there are beach towns like Montauk in New York and Kill Devil Hills in North Carolina, where surfers will find some huge waves worth riding. And for those who just need a pretty place to escape to, Pennsylvania’s Farmington and California’s Montecito are glorious resort towns that make it oh-so easy for guests to take it easy. These and other U.S. towns might have their own special qualities, but they’re all wonderfully charming places to visit and enjoy.
