13 Nicest Small Towns In The United States
The United States consists of fifty states, with each state possessing anywhere from thirty to twelve hundred towns. From Carmel-by-the-Sea and Carmel River State Beach on the Pacific to Manchester-by-the-Sea and Singing Beach along the Atlantic, a vast number of these towns possess some attributes that are worthy of attention. Whether you choose a southern town like St. Francisville, with its historic plantations, or opt for a more mountainous region like Hood River in the Columbia River Gorge, there is a town out there for everyone. Here are thirteen of the nicest small towns across the magnificent landscape of the United States.
Breckenridge, Colorado
Just south of Dillon Reservoir, the quaint town of Breckenridge, Colorado, has one of those downtowns that welcomes people. Aptly labeled Main Street, this quaint thoroughfare offers guests a variety of dining options, including the Mountain Top Cookie Shop and Rootstalk Breckenridge. There are several historical tours to be enjoyed along Main Street as well, like Voices from the Grave, Ghostly Tales, and Strange but True.
The area around Breckenridge is also home to a plethora of outdoor activities. If you want excellent views of Dillon Reservoir, Sapphire Point Overlook is the place to check out. There are also several awesome lodging choices in Breckenridge. Fireside Inn, situated downtown, offers excellent service, comfy beds, and a tasty, free breakfast the next morning.
Mystic, Connecticut
Situated between Mystic River and Mystic Harbor, the small town of Mystic, Connecticut has a plethora of cultural attractions, making it one of the nicest small towns in the United States. Olde Mistick Village, first opened in 1973, brings together the community through numerous small-town shops and events. The annual Strawberry Festival, which takes place in June, has live music, a variety of exhibitors, and even homemade strawberry wine.
The town of Mystic is also home to the Mystic Seaport Museum and the Mystic Aquarium. While the aquarium features all sorts of marine animals, from Beluga Whales to Zebra Sharks, the museum showcases a seaport village, complete with a print shop, a woodcarving shop, and even a cooperage, which constructs barrels and casks.
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Picturesque Carmel-by-the-Sea, situated just south of Monterey Bay, is home to several natural attractions, like Point Lobos, Sea Otter View Point, and the Carmelo Meadow Trail. Sea Otter View Point is one of five of the best locations to watch sea otters in their natural habitat. Carmelo Meadow Trail leads to Whaler’s Cove and is considered one of the best hikes along the California coast.
Carmel-by-the-Sea is also home to several festivals and events, which provide a community connection. The Carmel Bach Festival occurs every July with a variety of concerts dedicated to classical music. For a historic stay, consider Carmel Cottage Inn, one of the oldest buildings in the town. Its Tradewinds cottage provides comfy accommodations for six people while Log Haven will allow up to ten.
Stowe, Vermont
Forty miles from Burlington, the quaint town of Stowe has several attributes that make it one of the nicest small towns in America. Home to Sterling Falls Gorge and Moss Glen Falls, the town of Stowe has several natural attractions. Sterling Falls Gorge features three different waterfalls and eight cascades, while Moss Glen Falls is considered to be one of the most picturesque waterfalls in Vermont.
The small town of Stowe is also home to a variety of attractions, which encourage visitors to return year after year. The Stowe Balloon Festival occurs at the end of June, with live music, great food, and lots of breath-taking hot-air balloons. There are also several top-tier dining and lodging choices in Stowe. The Stoweflake Mountain Resort offers both delicious dining and comfortable lodging.
St. Francisville, Louisiana
The tiny town of St. Francisville, with less than two thousand residents, situated along a bend in the Mississippi River, is home to several plantations, including the Greenwood, the Myrtles, and the 1835 Rosedown Plantation Historic Site. Oakley Plantation, the location where John James Audubon lived, also calls St. Francisville home.
St. Francisville is also the home of the St. Francisville Food and Wine Festival, which takes place every November with acclaimed chefs, live entertainment, a variety of delicious food and wine options, and even classes on the perfect pairings. There are also several great restaurants downtown, in case you miss the festival. The Field House serves phenomenal fare at a reasonable price, and Restaurant 1796 offers an upscale option.
Bar Harbor, Maine
On Mount Desert Island and off Frenchman Bay, the quaint town of Bar Harbor is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. With several great hiking trails and scenic spots nearby, like the Cadillac Mountain North Ridge Trail, Thunder Hole, and the Ocean Trail, Bar Harbor has an intimate connection to the ocean. There are several other parks and natural attractions around Bar Harbor as well, including Acadia National Park.
Downtown Bar Harbor has its own unique comforts as well. From eating delicious fare at Stewman’s Lobster Pound to staying overnight at Moseley Cottage Inn, dining and lodging in downtown Bar Harbor are well worth the visit. And, if you happen to be in town during the 4th of July, Bar Harbor, Maine, has one of the most fantastic festivals on the East Coast, complete with lobster races.
Galena, Illinois
Close to the banks of the Mississippi River, as well as the borders of Wisconsin and Iowa, the quaint town of Galena is home to the American Civil War general, Ulysses S. Grant. Home to the Galena & U.S. Grant History Museum, housed in a historic mansion from 1858, the town of Galena has a strong thread of history running through its roots.
Galena is also known for its festivals. Visitors can experience the Fields of Gold Pro Rodeo in July at the Jo Daviess County Fairgrounds, and then enjoy the fireworks display on the evening of the 4th of July at Galena River Levee. And, in August, downtown Galena presents the Galena Main Street Sidewalk Sale, offering discounted wares and vintage treasures.
Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts
Known for fabulous beaches, as is visible through its name, Manchester-by-the-Sea is a jewel situated along the northern coast of the Atlantic Ocean. Singing Beach is known for the illusion that the sand is “singing” when it is walked upon. There are also several great lodging choices in the area. Stay at the Castle Manor Inn in Gloucester, only five miles from Singing Beach.
Manchester-by-the-Sea also celebrates several festivals every year, including an Independence Day parade on the 4th of July and a festival dedicated to art, music, and food at the beginning of August. Named Festival by the Sea, a play off the town’s name, this awesome festival has over a hundred artists and food vendors spread out through three different parks in town.
Taos, New Mexico
A hundred miles north of Albuquerque, the picturesque small town of Taos is home to several great attributes, like Taos Plaza, which is located downtown, and Taos Pueblo, which is situated just ten minutes northeast. Taos Plaza represents the town’s connection with its artists and craftspeople, while Taos Pueblo is a collection of adobe buildings built over a thousand years ago by indigenous people.
The town of Taos is also home to the Enchanted Circle Drive and the High Road to Taos. Either one of these fabulous scenic drives are well worth the time invested. While the 105-mile High Road to Taos begins in Santa Fe and concludes in Taos, the 83-mile Enchanted Circle Drive circles Wheeler Peak, the highest peak in New Mexico. Either one is sure to dazzle.
Sedona, Arizona
Thirty miles south of Flagstaff, the quaint town of Sedona is home to a plethora of outdoor activities, including several awesome hiking trails. From the Huckaby Trail to the west of town, past Devil’s Bridge north of town, and around to Broken Arrow Trail to the east of town, there are more trails in this area of Arizona than anywhere else.
Sedona is also famous for several attractions downtown. Tlaquepaque Village has over fifty different specialty shops to check out. There are also several great dining and lodging choices, including the Sedona Springs Resort, which offers everything from informational classes to movie nights, everything from great service to tasty food and comfortable beds.
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Hidden close to the border of Missouri and on the opposite side of Arkansas from Memphis, the town of Eureka Springs is best known for Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, which is just south of town. Turpentine Creek provides an up-close look at the cats of the wild - lions, tigers, bobcats, and leopards. Plus, you can stay overnight in an actual treehouse.
Lovers of the outdoors will enjoy visiting this charming town. Eureka Springs is close to several scenic lakes, including Lake Leatherwood and Beaver Lake, as well as Onyx Cave Park. This tourist attraction provides guests with some fabulous views of stalactites and stalagmites. Blue Spring Heritage Center, featuring a botanical garden, offers miles of scenic trails.
Winterset, Iowa
Home to five covered bridges, the Cutler-Donahoe, the Roseman, the Holliwell, the Cedar, and the Hogback, the small town of Winterset, Iowa is an excellent place to enjoy a slower pace. While the 1870 Cutler-Donahoe, the 1893 Cedar, and the 1884 Hogback are all close to downtown, the 1883 Roseman is a few miles further away, by the town of Webster, and the 1880 Holliwell is above the town of Scott.
Winterset also has a Covered Bridge Festival every October. This awesome fall festival honors all six covered bridges, and offers food and drink vendors and demonstrations of skills like blacksmithing, sewing, weaving, and sawing wood. Consider staying at the Covered Bridge Inn to complete your themed trip.
Hood River, Oregon
Along the banks of the Columbia River and in the Columbia River Gorge, the picturesque town of Hood River has a multitude of natural attractions. Go hiking at the Coyote Wall trailhead, or venture out of town to the Mirror Lake Trail or the Tamanawas Falls Trail. No matter what you choose, you will be rewarded with scenic views.
There are also plenty of activities in downtown Hood River, including dining at Mesquitery Restaurant, staying overnight at the Inn at the Gorge, or attending one of the many annual festivals. The Hood River Hops Fest, occurring every October, showcases more than thirty breweries. The Hood River Valley Harvest Fest, also in October, honors the change of seasons with music and local produce.
Conclusion
From the state of Maine on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean to the state of California on the coast of the Pacific, there is a wealth of small towns worthy of visiting across the United States. From Carmel-by-the-Sea on the western seaboard to Manchester-by-the-Sea on the eastern seaboard, these small towns possess special attributes that make them a cut above the rest. We hope you consider these thirteen towns for your next getaway!
