These 10 Towns In The United States Feel Like Home
Home, in this context, is a place where everything is tailored to offer comfort. A place where people are welcoming, the atmosphere is relaxing, and where travelers can let down their guard and feel safe while exploring. Across the US, such places exist in their hundreds, with many so captivating that they are worth getting on the next flight to visit. From Lake Geneva to Sedona, these small towns embody everything home stands for, while offering adventure in abundance. Here, travelers can be happily conversing with a local or savoring homemade food one moment, and thinking of the next step to take on a remote trail another. That’s just a snapshot of the hospitality and excitement these towns in the United States have to offer.
McCall, Idaho
McCall is a homey town on Payette Lake that can be hard to leave, as the 4,900-acre lake alone is enough to keep tourists happily stuck with a myriad of water adventures. From hot springs and spas to parks full of adventure, there is something for every traveler. Around 32 miles from town, visitors will find the Burgdorf Hot Springs, a resort offering relaxing soaks and rustic cabins for lodging. The Cove also offers a range of spa services, including massage and full-body treatments in a naturally alluring setting.
Those who prefer wandering in the outdoors will have Ponderosa State Park to enjoy, as it sits on the lake and offers a long list of recreational activities, including camping, wildlife watching, hiking, and kayaking. The renowned McCall Winter Carnival is also held in this town every January or February, featuring ice sculptures, parades, live music, and winter activities such as snow biking.
Sedona, Arizona
A desert town might not seem so hospitable at first glance, but Sedona has far more to offer than palm trees and cacti. Located in Coconino National Forest, this town is a semi-desert paradise characterized by red sandstone formations and unique attractions. Outdoor buffs will certainly feel at home here, especially with exciting trails like the 1.2-mile Cathedral Rock Trail and the 0.8-mile Bell Rock Trail always open for exploration. Both trails are challenging and lead to the area’s most stunning rock formations and scenery.
Visitors looking for a more laid-back forray into the wilds of Sedona will appreciate Slide Rock State Park with its short trails, swimming holes formed by Oak Creek, and a natural waterslide. Besides the rock-centric attractions, however, Sedona offers Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village where one can shop for everything from artworks and crafts to clothing, food, antiques, and jewelry in a Mexican-style village setting.
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Lake Geneva welcomes tourists with its friendly ambiance, accompanied by the shimmering blue waters of its namesake lake and historic landmarks. Here, the 21-mile Lakeshore Path offers an easy way to soak in the scenery and explore historic mansions, like the Queen-Anne style Black Point Estate, which was built in 1888. Near this shore path, Riviera Beach is a great place to walk barefoot on soft sand and swim or boat in the lake.
In the meantime, those who love history will appreciate the Geneva Lake Museum, as it features Native American artifacts and a brick-paved street dating back to the 19th Century. Lake Geneva further appeals with Studio Winery and Geneva Lake Distilling, where visitors are invited to enjoy delicious wine or spirits, light meals, art workshops, and live music.
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Carmel-by-the-Sea is a beautiful town on California’s Monterey Peninsula with a village-like appeal, storybook cottages, a vibrant art scene, and sugar-white beaches. Carmel Beach, in particular, is stunning as the relentless waves of the Pacific set the stage for surfing. Those who love wine will have several tasting rooms to explore, including De Tierra and Chalone Vineyards, the latter of which is the oldest-producing vineyard in Monterey County and offers a selection of four delicious wines, each paired with artisan cheese from the shop next door. With nearly 100 galleries in town, art enthusiasts also have much to explore, and the Karges Fine Art and Carmel Fine Art Gallery are great places to begin, as they both feature Early California paintings dating from 1870 to 1950.
Furthermore, Carmel-by-the-Sea hosts the Point Lobos State Marine Reserve, a beautiful coastal spot with trails along the Pacific Ocean, small beaches, wildlife, and a year-round population of birds. This coastal paradise also an underwater park for snorkeling and diving, plus it houses the historic Whalers Cabin Museum, which contains fishing relics and whaling artifacts dating back to the 1850s.
La Conner, Washington
It truly feels cozy in La Conner, a small town of just around 900 people nestled along the Swinomish Channel. Besides its laid-back surroundings, several attractions reinforce this town’s casual appeal, such as the La Conner Pub & Eatery, where waterfront scenery complements good food. The town’s Pioneer Park is another one of its welcoming attractions, where visitors can always enjoy quiet picnics with in a serene setting. Moreover, La Conner has a boardwalk, which is great for strolling and birdwatching, and a full-service marina for easy access to the Swinomish Channel.
As one of the oldest towns in Washington, La Conner has a rich history, which is on display at the Skagit County Historical Museum and the Museum of Northwest Art. While the latter contains a beautiful collection of contemporary art, the Skagit County Historical Museum features over 200,000 artifacts, including a vast collection of dolls, quilts, Native American items, clothing, and farm equipment.
Beaufort, South Carolina
You'll be hard-pressed to find a more naturally dazzling and historically alluring coastal town in the Carolinas after visiting Beaufort. Nestled on Port Royal Island and nicknamed America’s Happiest Seaside Town, this sweet spot is home to all, with a diverse and friendly population. Beaufort is full of adventures, especially as it is home to South Carolina’s most popular state park, Hunting Island. This park is a paradise for coastal adventures, featuring a 19th-century lighthouse, five miles of beach, dense maritime forests cut through by trails, a fishing pier, campgrounds, and interesting wildlife.
In downtown Beaufort, the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park is always open to delight visitors with its picnic tables, restaurants, art galleries, marina, and waterside walkway. Plus, bikers, hikers, and runners will love the 10-mile Spanish Moss Trail, which offers views of the area’s wildlife, wetlands, and historic attractions.
Munising, Michigan
Munising is a close-knit town with some of the most beloved natural draws in the US. For starters, the town borders Lake Superior, a known paradise for watersports, and is surrounded by waterfalls, such as Wagner Falls and the 140-foot Bridalveil Falls. Even more exciting, Munising is home to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, a 73,000-acre area on Lake Superior featuring stunning sandstone cliffs, waterfalls, dense forests, and dunes. Over 100 miles of trails are available to explore this park’s fascinating features, plus visitors can explore its lighthouse, relax on the picturesque Sand Point Beach, or kayak to get up close to the area’s brilliantly carved cliffs. Back in town, the Falling Rock Cafe & Bookstore is available to offer coffee, gourmet tea, and homemade food. It also has thousands of books, gifts, and local art exhibits.
Cannon Beach, Oregon
The Pacific Coast is peppered with lovely little towns, but Cannon Beach is in a league of its own. With a population of fewer than 1,500 inhabitants, this town is truly laid-back and full of unique features, including a massive sea stack on the beach. Known as Haystack Rock, this monolith towers over the ocean at 235 feet tall and is accessible by foot at low tides. The beach itself is a great place to relax and watch waves carving the rocks as they have for millions of years.
Nearby, the Tolovana Beach State Recreation Site is an oceanfront recreation site to picnic, catch stunning sunsets, and fly kites. Elsewhere, Ecola State Park offers more opportunities, with nine miles of coastline, trails leading to cliffside viewpoints, wildlife, and the secluded Indian Beach, which has tide pools. All of these natural attractions are complemented with a downtown area bustling with pubs, cafes, and classic hot spots like Tom’s Fish & Chips, a favourite among locals and tourists alike.
Bar Harbor, Maine
On Maine’s Mount Desert Island sits this beloved town, overlooking Frenchman Bay and framed by the intimidating Cadillac Mountains. As a resort town, the hospitality in Bar Harbor is unquestionable, which is one of the reasons why around 4 million people visit its most famous attraction every year. Acadia National Park is home to 49,000 acres of beaches, wetlands, forests, and the tallest mountain on the US Atlantic Coast. Everything from kayaking and canoeing to swimming, horseback riding, rock climbing, and fishing can be enjoyed in the park.
If you prefer to ride in the comfort of your own air-conditioned vehicle, the 27-mile Park Loop Road winds around the east side of Mount Desert Island and makes for a very scenic drive. Visitors to Bar Harbor will also want to savor some of the country’s best ice cream at Mount Desert Ice Cream and enjoy a variety of theatrical performances at the historic Criterion Theatre, which was built in 1932.
Telluride, Colorado
Telluride is a hospitable town in the San Juan Mountains, famous for its mountain scenery and popular attractions. Lovers of the outdoors will fall in love with this place, especially in winter, as Telluride Ski Resort has over 2,000 skiable acres and trails for all skill levels. In the sunny season, the town remains captivating thanks to the Town Park, with its public outdoor pool, sporting facilities, and fishing pond. This park is in the downtown area, where one can explore many 19th-century buildings and establishments like the Telluride Historical Museum, which highlights the town’s mining history.
From downtown, visitors can also easily hike to Bridal Veil Falls. Not to be confused with the falls of the same name in Munising, Michigan, these are the tallest in Colorado, standing at 365 feet. Of course, being surrounded by mountain peaks makes Telluride a paradise for hiking, featuring trails such as the 3.1-mile loop Jud Wiebe Trail, which offers stunning views of the town among the aspens.
Conclusion
Whether you’re in search of a place to reside, retire, or have fun outdoors, these small towns in the United States are ideal places to visit. From Cannon Beach to Beaufort, each town has its own unique appeal, yet they all feature laid-back atmospheres, friendly people, and gorgeous natural scenery. From modern comforts to good food, natural scenery, entertainment, and outdoor recreation, these towns feel so much like home you may just wish they were.
