9 Nicest Small Towns In The United States
In Leavenworth, Washington, the whole town turns out to string half a million lights through the streets each December, and the carolers wave anyone passing into the song. That instinct, to make a stranger feel like a regular, is what separates a nice small town from a merely scenic one. The United States has no shortage of either, but the towns below earn the label for the way they treat the people who show up: a bourbon distiller in Weston pouring tastings on a Saturday, a Beaufort boat captain folding local history into a dolphin tour, a Woodstock farm handing kids the reins of a wagon ride. Each one rewards a visit for a different reason, and each makes that visit feel personal.
Leavenworth, Washington
The Bavarian-themed town of Leavenworth sits in the central Cascades, with lakes, rivers, and mountains in every direction. Hikers head for the Enchantments in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, roughly 15 miles away. This alpine region includes the Upper, Middle, and Lower Enchantments, each with its own peaks, lakes, meadows, and pools. Those who want to avoid the crowds can opt for the Icicle Ridge Trail instead, which climbs past snow-capped peaks and spring wildflowers. In Leavenworth itself, Argonaut Coffee & Biscuits provides the right sustenance for a day of exploring. An E-bike tour through downtown takes in the Bavarian architecture, and the German restaurants are the draw at mealtime. Anyone who finds themselves in Leavenworth during December will walk the streets under half a million lights, and the carolers welcome anyone who wants to join in.
Monterey, California
The seaside town of Monterey sits on the edge of Monterey Bay. A sense of calm runs through the place, and it starts at the Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa, where guests can look out over the water with a cup of coffee from the onsite Tidal Coffee. From there it is a short walk to Old Fisherman's Wharf and its pink and teal buildings. Plenty of spots serve a meal here, including the Fish & Chips Cafe, and the arts flea market sets up on Sundays. Animal lovers can take boat trips on the bay to watch whales and sea otters. The otters can still be heard from Cannery Row, where the gift shops and general stores line the street. For a proper beach day, McAbee Beach sits close to Cannery Row, with boulders along the sand and a clear view of the sunset.
Snowmass Village, Colorado
Snowmass Village sits in the Colorado Rockies, where skiing is a way of life and beginners and advanced skiers alike have plenty of options. Wide groomers near Fanny Hill suit those still finding their footing, while experts gravitate toward the steeper terrain in the Cirque and on the Hanging Valley Wall. Those who do not ski can visit during the summer and explore the aptly named Lost Forest. It is not all hiking, either: there is the Breathtaker Alpine Coaster for the adventurous and the chance to bike sections of the Rim Trail. The town is worth a return trip once the snow starts falling, especially over the holidays. The fall brings the Snowmass Balloon Festival, and winter brings Ullr Nights, an event held in honor of the Norse god associated with snow. Activities during the celebration include making s'mores, snow biking, sledding, and riding the coaster. Those who arrive at the start of December can also catch Snowmass Luminescence, when holiday lights and art installations fill the village.
Weston, Missouri
Weston is a town of hills and steep bluffs overlooking the Missouri River. Its history runs through its days as a busy river port shipping tobacco and whiskey. The distilleries are still going, and the historic downtown's cellars draw people from far and wide. One of the best things to do here is visit the Holladay Distillery on a weekend for a bourbon tasting. Afterward, the Avalon Cafe serves a menu that runs to the unexpected, including ostrich and quail. During October, the Weston Orchard and Vineyard opens its pumpkins for picking, and the on-site country store sells donuts, jams, and pie for a fall feast. The Weston Historical Museum covers local folklore and displays artifacts and historic photographs. For the water views that come with the river's proximity, Weston Bend State Park has picnic spots and a long look down the Missouri.
Egg Harbor, Wisconsin
Egg Harbor is a small lakeside town with a sand beach on Green Bay, which extends off Lake Michigan. The water is ideal for paddleboarding and kayaking, and the Sunset Paddleboard cruise is a local favorite. The town is also known for its sunsets, best taken in from Harbor View Park. The park regularly hosts concerts, Fourth of July celebrations, and the Pumpkin Patch Festival. Summer visitors can watch the Saturday regatta, with sailboats racing off the marina. There is fishing from the marina pier, or a bench and an ice cream while watching the boats. About 10 miles away, Peninsula State Park offers more water views at Nicolet Beach, the Eagle Trail, and the Peninsula State Park Golf Course.
Lake Placid, New York
Lake Placid sits in the Adirondacks, where the fall foliage is a sight as the Cloudsplitter Gondola carries riders to the summit of Little Whiteface Mountain. Hikers can choose among the trails of the 46 High Peaks within Adirondack Park, which covers about six million acres. Beginners favor the Cobble Lookout Trail, which runs just 1.2 miles to a wide view of the surrounding hills and mountains. Mirror Lake offers canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding right in town, and the sunrise over the water rewards the early risers who beat the crowds. Sports fans can visit the town's Olympic legacy sites, including the Olympic Center and the Olympic Jumping Complex. Lake Placid hosted the Winter Olympics twice, in 1932 and 1980, and the Olympic Center still holds the arena where the United States hockey team pulled off the 1980 "Miracle on Ice." At the jumping complex there are 90- and 120-meter ski jumps, a zipline, and a gondola, and an elevator carries visitors to the sky deck atop the 120-meter tower for a view of the town from above.
Woodstock, Vermont
Woodstock sits in the Green Mountains, its historic district laid out around the village green where U.S. Route 4 and Vermont Route 106 cross. The green offers access to the Middle Covered Bridge, one of the longest covered bridges in the state. The bridge stretches 139 feet across the Ottauquechee River and makes a fine spot for a photo. A mile from the town center, the Billings Farm & Museum welcomes visitors to its working dairy farm, with animals to see and wagon rides to take. The Farmhouse Cafe serves ice cream and snacks and sells homemade cheese and butter. For a bit of adventure, the hike up Mount Tom starts at the trailhead in the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, and the top of the trail opens onto wide views of the town and the surrounding hills.
Asbury Park, New Jersey
Asbury Park offers Jersey Shore summers along with a run of unusual attractions. Known as the place where Bruce Springsteen got his start, the town is home to the Silver Ball Museum, where rows of vintage pinball machines and old arcade games are set up for play. Music fans can visit Convention Hall, where names like Springsteen, Elton John, and the Rolling Stones have performed. The nearby Stone Pony is another well-known music venue where rock, punk, and indie acts hold the stage. The town has outdoor options, too, with swan pedal boats that carry visitors across Wesley Lake. Anyone who wants to see more of the place after time outdoors can rent a bike and follow the paths past the shops and buildings.
Beaufort, South Carolina
Beaufort is a town of antebellum homes and a riverfront park. Waterfront Park sits on the shores of the Beaufort River, with a promenade, a pavilion, and a marina to enjoy. Boat tours take visitors out to look for dolphins and to learn the town's history, and they can be booked through the Dolphin & History Boat Cruise. The park also has a playground for children. Hiking is popular too, with the Spanish Moss Trail running 10.2 miles through marshes and moss-draped trees. The historic district is the place to see the antebellum mansions and take a carriage ride. Literary visitors should make time for the Pat Conroy Literary Center and browse through the Nevermore Books bookstore. For more time outdoors, Hunting Island State Park lies about 17 miles away, with marshes, a saltwater lagoon, a maritime forest, and the historic Hunting Island Lighthouse.
The Reach Of America's Small Towns
The towns gathered here run the gamut of what a small American town can be, and that is the point: a Bavarian village in the Cascades, a bourbon port on the Missouri, an Olympic host in the Adirondacks, and a boardwalk town that launched a rock career. Each one rewards a visit for a different reason, and each one rewards it on its own terms rather than as a stop on someone else's itinerary. The list could run far longer, since every state holds towns worth the same attention.
