The 7 Can't-Miss Towns In The United States
The best of America is not in its big cities but in the small towns that never bothered to become anything else. Each one kept its own strange, complete world intact. Sitka held onto Russian onion domes and Tlingit totem poles at the edge of the Pacific. Marfa turned an empty stretch of high desert into a place where artists and unexplained night lights share the horizon. Harpers Ferry grew up on the exact spot where two rivers collide and three states meet. Taos has kept the same adobe pueblo lived-in for over a thousand years. Visit these seven and you understand the country in a way no skyline ever teaches you.
Sitka, Alaska
Alaska is one of those states that gets people wide-eyed with awe, mainly because of its natural wonders and history. In Sitka, visitors can go boating or sea kayaking before heading to the Sitka National Historic Park to see the Totem Poles. There are around 18 poles throughout the park that can be seen via a guided tour. These tours provide information about the town's history, the poles, and their significance in Native Alaskan culture. Those who want to take in the views can tackle the 4.5-mile round-trip to the picnic rock overlook at Mount Verstovia. From the top, people can look out over Sitka and the mountains behind. In town, visitors can learn more about Sitka's Russian history and see the Sitka Pioneer Home and the grave of Princess Maksoutoff. The princess was the wife of Alaska's last Russian governor. The Sheldon Jackson Museum is filled with artifacts from Alaska Native cultures across the state, including those of the Inupiat, Yup'ik, and Alutiiq, while the Sitka area itself is the homeland of the Tlingit. And during November, the excitement rises throughout Sitka thanks to the WhaleFest, which includes whale-watching cruises and incredible lectures.
Marfa, Texas
Marfa feels like a whole world away from Sitka. Instead of boating and whale watching, visitors can experience contemporary art at Ballroom Marfa or catch a live music performance. There is more art to enjoy at the Chinati Foundation, where large-scale installations span 340 acres. Those who love old movies will enjoy stopping at Hotel Paisano, where Rock Hudson, James Dean, and Elizabeth Taylor stayed when filming Giant. Visitors can even stay in the rooms that the movie stars occupied while in town. Marfa is a great destination for foodies, too, with prosciutto di Parma sandwiches at Bordo Marfa and fine dining at Cochineal, which features a prix fixe menu. Marfa Spirit Co. offers the best after-dinner drink: Sotol, a spirit native to Texas. Those emboldened by the Sotol can head nine miles east of Marfa (as passengers, of course), to see if they can spot the infamous Marfa Lights. The lights are an unexplained phenomenon that appears along the horizon in Marfa, toward the Chinati Mountains.
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
West Virginia is home to the tiny but beautiful town of Harpers Ferry, known as the place where three states meet. Those who hike to The Point in town will see this for themselves at the place where the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers come together. The Blue Ridge Mountains are visible on three sides here, and Harpers Ferry sits in the middle. To the left lies Maryland and to the right, Virginia. The views are not the only attraction either, since the town lies at the symbolic halfway point of the hugely popular and rumored-to-be-haunted Appalachian Trail. Besides hiking, visitors can take the stone steps leading to Jefferson Rock or cross the pedestrian bridge to stroll along the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal towpath. History lovers will relish the chance to walk the streets of Harpers Ferry, seeking out the more than 20 small museums, each featuring a different part of the town's history. And those visiting the Harper House Museum might encounter the ghost of Rachel Harper looking out of a second-floor window.
Taos, New Mexico
Mountain towns are an integral part of America's landscape. Taos sits at 7,000 feet in the Sangre de Cristo mountain range, making it an ideal destination for hiking and skiing. The town is also home to the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, which spans the Rio Grande Gorge. The bridge is the seventh-highest in the country and offers unmatched views of the water and the canyon walls. In town, the area's natural beauty is celebrated through gorgeous works of art. The Sage Fine Art Gallery boasts landscape paintings created by local artists, and there are more awe-inspiring pieces at the well-known Taos Artist Collective. Around town, there are several historic sites to see, including Taos Pueblo, a National Historic Landmark and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The adobe dwellings here have been inhabited for more than 1,000 years. At the historic Taos Plaza, old mercantile stores now house modern stores and restaurants, perfect for a couple of lazy hours of shopping and dining. Visitors who want to pair their town tour with something truly unforgettable can head back to the gorge for a hot-air balloon ride at sunrise. The flight time is just over an hour long and includes a champagne toast.
Beaufort, South Carolina
People who want to experience the Carolinas can start in Beaufort, South Carolina, a town with access to the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway and close to the Atlantic Ocean. Beaufort is synonymous with Forrest Gump and the Beaufort River. The river park features a marina, promenade, and pavilion, and visitors can also opt for boat tours to see the dolphins. Those who prefer to stay on dry ground can take the kids to the on-site playground while enjoying a leisurely picnic. There are several hiking options too, with the Spanish Moss Trail being one of the most popular. The trail runs for about 10 miles and takes hikers through marshes and woods. Hunting Island State Park is 17 miles away and offers even more outdoor adventures in its maritime forest and saltwater lagoon. There is beach access here and the opportunity to see the Hunting Island Lighthouse. Back in town, visitors can take a walking tour to see the antebellum mansions or visit some of the bookstores, including Nevermore Books, to find new releases and classics.
Astoria, Oregon
Astoria is located at the point where the Columbia River meets the Pacific Ocean, creating a wild and wind-swept setting. Visitors will find some of the best beaches in America right here in this part of Oregon as well as the chance to see the Astoria Column near the western end of the Oregon Trail region. The column was built in 1926 with the original goal of rivaling Paris's Eiffel Tower. That goal was never reached, but the column is still a great historic structure to explore and commemorates the settlement of the Pacific Northwest. Visitors who want to explore other hiking trails in addition to the Oregon Trail can try the Cathedral Tree Trail, an easy 1.6-mile route that offers some of the best views in the area. Those heading to Fort Stevens State Park, nine miles away, will find a paved road that leads to a pretty beach. They will also find the Peter Iredale shipwreck here, which creates a memorable backdrop for watching the sun go down. Visitors who want to see more of the town itself can stop by the Oregon Film Museum, which also served as the working set for The Goonies. There is also the Heritage Museum, where people can see displays on local anthropology.
Galena, Illinois
Galena, one of Illinois' best-preserved historic destinations, is the last can't-miss town on this list. (Though really, this list is just the start of what could be a years-long trip through America). Galena is famous for its historic district, especially Main Street where visitors will find the Belvedere Mansion and Gardens. The mansion is an imposing structure, still considered the finest in town, and is surrounded by landscaped gardens filled with seasonal flowers and heirloom plants. Across the Galena River from Main Street visitors will find the home of Ulysses S. Grant, which is now a museum. Galena also offers several fun family activities, including hiking with goats courtesy of Hoof It. These hikes last up to an hour and are 1.25 miles long, taking hikers through the Galena forest, where goats are their companions. Those who want to get in a yoga session for the day can do so at Galena Goat Yoga, which also features goat companions. For water activities, there are plenty of kayaking opportunities on the Galena River. And, there is the gorgeous Thunder Bay Falls to see (and fishing spots to find) just 10 minutes outside of town.
Explore America's Best Can't Miss Towns
To be real, you could spend your life driving across the U.S., and still be surprised by some of the towns you come across. America's can't-miss towns are a mix of weird and wonderful and allow visitors to see places and buildings they never thought possible. The towns on this list are a great starting point for serious travelers who want to take in everything America has to offer. They have the history, the local flavor, and the natural wonders that simply do not translate to phone screens, so they must be experienced in person.
