Explore the Most Picturesque Small Towns in the US
The United States is packed with countless small towns that will take your breath away. However, if you want a list of the towns you have to visit, here are a few of the best that offer everything from history to picturesque views and unforgettable experiences.
Paia
Starting on the island of Hawaii, Paia, in Maui, is easily one of the best seaside towns to visit. With perfect temperatures almost year-round, warm water, and seemingly endless beaches, it is the ideal place for a beach getaway.
Surrounded by beaches and palms, Paia is a hidden gem of sorts, considering many choose to spend their time in the main areas of Maui. Slip on your Melissa platform loafers and take a drive to this exceptional slice of heaven; the only thing you will struggle with is finding the will to leave.
Harbor Springs
Heading to Michigan, this list wouldn’t be complete without a town on the edge of a Great Lake. Harbor Springs is home to a little over 1,000 people, and measures 1.3 square miles; it is the definition of a small town.
While it doesn’t have a ton to offer, that isn’t why you visit. It is absolutely beautiful, secluded, quiet, and the perfect spot to watch the sun pass by on the deck of a yacht or a lounger on the lakeside.
Bisbee
Taking a trip through the deserts of Arizona, it is fairly easy to miss Bisbee. With a downtown area that looks like something out of a movie, this walkable town is packed with shops, restaurants, and everything in between.
Bisbee was a mining town, and many of the miner’s homes can still be found in nearby Tombstone Canyon. There are plenty of exploration opportunities available, and the chance to tour one of the old copper mines in the area.
Nantucket
As one of the most famous towns on this list, Nantucket needs little introduction. It is the quintessential Summer town, which welcomes countless visitors every year. With a population of just over 11,000 people, it doesn’t stay a small town once the weather starts to warm up.
Once again, there isn’t an abundance to do, but that isn’t the point of visiting here. If you want to disconnect from reality for a while, ride your bike to the famous Nantucket lighthouse, or simply sit on your porch and watch the sunrise with a coffee, you can’t go wrong visiting here.
Taos
Found in New Mexico, Taos has a long and rich history. The Taos Pueblo, located just outside the center of town, has been home to native people for close to a millennium. This makes it one of the oldest continually populated areas in the United States.
It is widely regarded as a center for art and culture, as artists, painters, and sculptors began making their way to the town since 1899. Nowadays, Taos is packed with natural beauty, which adds to its magic and will certainly make you feel as creative and inspired as those who have come before you.
Magnolia Springs
Found in Alabama, Magnolia Springs is home to around 1,000 people and is widely regarded as the epitome of Southern Charm. Filled with historic churches and roads lined with hundreds of oak trees, the charm is taken to the next level when you realize it is one of the only towns that still delivers mail via riverboat.
Much like many of the small towns in the US, there isn’t much to do per se, but you can walk, explore, stay at the local B&B, which was first opened in 1897, and enjoy days upon days of the famed Southern hospitality.
Leavenworth
When you think of the US, you don’t often imagine old European charm, but Leavenworth most definitely bucks that trend. Found in Washington, from the moment you arrive, you will almost forget you’re even in the States, as the town looks more old-world Bavarian than anything else.
Winter is the best time to visit, especially when the Christmas lights and decorations come out, as you will think you have stepped inside a storybook. With snow, German-style food halls, warm drinks, and friendly locals, Leavenworth is an unforgettable place to spend the festive season.
Carmel-by-the-Sea
If you head to sunny California, and take a short drive out of Monterey, you will find yourself in the glorious town of Carmel-by-the-Sea. With European-inspired architecture, Carmel is regularly voted as one of the best holiday destinations on the West Coast.
It is filled with amazing restaurants, art galleries, boutiques, and some of the most beautiful stretches of coastline and beaches you will ever see. There is also a burgeoning wine scene, which has seen a change in architecture, with some taking inspiration from French chateaus.
In conclusion, these are only a few of the best small towns in the United States, but if you want a mix of culture, history, good food, and even better, than they are certainly the ones that offer it all. No matter when you visit, or for how long, you won’t regret spending some time in a few of these gems.
Amélie is a health and wellness junky. Certified yoga instructor with Yoga Alliance in the Vinyasa and Ashtanga styles, she has a Yoga Instructor Certification – Level I (300 hours) and Yoga Instructor Certification – Level II (200 hours) under her belt. She also has a certified Open Water Diver certification with PADI and SSI Scuba Schools International Freediving Level I certification with SSI Scuba Schools International. She’s been vegan for over 15 years and is obsessed with anything wellness-related.