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Best Small Towns to Visit in the USA Bar Harbor Telluride Jackson Hole Lake Tahoe Sedona Moab St. Augustine Monterey Steamboat Springs Cannon Beach Breckenridge Sonoma . Jun 16,  · Check Out These 8 Up-and-Coming Small Cities Close to Major Metros 1. Castle Rock, Colorado (population, 70,). A southern suburb of Denver, residents in Castle Rock . Charming One-Stoplight Towns a Short Drive From the Big City. Leadville is near Denver, Colorado. Pop. 2, Blanco is near Austin, Texas. Brewster is near Estimated Reading Time: 6 mins.
 
 

5 Charming Small Towns Within a 2-hour Drive of Big Cities.The 25 Best Small Towns in America | Architectural Digest

 
7 Small Town Getaways We Love · Amangansett, New York · Ojai Valley, California · Round Top, Texas · Calistoga, California · Rehobeth Beach, Delaware. From New York and L.A. to Chicago and Miami, the United States is home to some of the best and buzziest big cities in the world. Ellicott City, MD. New Castle, DE. Middleburg, VA. Shepherdstown, WV. Harpers Ferry WV. Williamsburg, VA. New Hope, PA.

Best small towns near big cities. The 25 Best Small Towns in America

Search this Thread Advanced Search. Similar Threads What are vibrant walkable small cities and small towns? Which were your favorite? User Name. Remember Me. Advanced Search. View detailed profile Advanced or search site with. Search Forums Advanced. Page 1 of 2. Advertisements What are some awesome small towns near big cities in this country? Leavenworth, WA.

Location: Victoria TX 42, posts, read 82,, times Reputation: Quote: Originally Posted by jtur88 You don’t have to go more than a few miles out of Pittsburgh, to feel like you are in the middle of nowhere. Quote: Originally Posted by eschaton There’s places within Pittsburgh where you feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere.

Location: The canyon with my pistols and knife 13, posts, read 20,, times Reputation: While Napa may be the poster child for wine country, further north is the lesser-known gem of Calistoga. The town is built of Western-style buildings, all given new life thanks small-batch vintners. Wellness is also very popular in Calistoga, thanks to the area’s hot springs. One hour from Washington, D. Due east from the capital, quiet Rehoboth Beach in Delaware welcomes those looking to get out of Washington, D.

Whatever you do, make sure to sip a few locally-sourced brews from the Dogfish Head Brewery, Delaware’s greatest contribution to the beer world. Two hours from Chicago. Leave Chicago heading northeast up the coast of Lake Michigan, cross the state line and you’ll hit Saugatuck.

Or, tap into the local art scene at the Discovery Art Center, and the Center for the Arts’s garden and sculptures display. Time your visit right to catch outdoor shows and theater performances also put on by the center. One and a half hours from Atlanta. But Suches also has plenty to keep you busy, from hiking and camping along this southernmost stretch of the Appalachian Trail , to birdwatching, fishing, and rafting on the nearby Toccoa River.

Architectural wonders in small-town Pennsylvania Population: 4, Rounding out our list of the best small towns in America is the town named in honor of Olympic athlete Jim Thorpe. It’s nestled in the scenic Lehigh Gorge. The picturesque setting has been nicknamed the “Switzerland of America” and boasts 19th-century architecture and mountain views.

Whitewater rafting and hiking are popular activities for visitors. By Lauren Joseph. By Kelsey Borovinsky. By Rachel Fletcher. Decoration Renovation Conversation Shopping. Architectural Digest Clever. Lonely Planet Imageslpi lonelyplanet. Rights Managed. This content is subject to copyright. C Ken Wiedemann. Most Popular. How Millennials Killed the Guest Room.

Sean Pavone Copyright Lars Plougmann. Walter Bibikow. Stephen Saks. Explore Clever travel travel ideas. May all your cottagecore dreams come true. But while other towns have succumbed to the cliche of catering to tourists, Meredith has maintained its quiet and unassuming charm.

Fun fact: The illustrator of the popular Archie comics, Bob Montana, made Meredith his home until his untimely death in The high-end stores lining its “downtown” are mere steps from the ocean, where on any given day you will see the herd of seals that call this area home. Unfortunately, they also bring Great White sharks! Two beautiful resorts with water views and fine dining cater to the area. Its geographic location makes it the perfect spot for the oldest ski shop in the country. Come here for an unassuming yet superb ski getaway.

Fun fact: Local shop Chutters has the longest candy counter in the world. In this small town, which looks like it may have generations ago, locals celebrate its history with the Fur Trade Days festival held every year. The festival features a full fur traders’ market where you may find some unusual trinkets.

Fun facts: The town is named for fur trapper Louis Charton, who opened the Bordeaux Creek trading post in Why it’s a great small town: Moab itself is charming, featuring laid-back shops, hotels and dining establishments in a desert setting. But what really makes it sing is its proximity to Arches National Park, marked by sandstone rocks shaped like arches hence the name scattered across a vast desert landscape. Why it’s a great small town: Mountains, harbors and sheer seaside cliffs make Bar Harbor a place where bringing the camera is mandatory.

Colorful houses line the shore and boats dot the pier to create the quintessential picture of seaside Americana.

Even better, the town is an entry point to Acadia National Park, where hikers come to conquer rocky trails that lead to views of neighboring islands. Bar Harbor is a town for any season, with mild summer for swimming and boating, spring and fall for hiking, and winter for skiing.

Fun fact: Until , the town was named Eden, an apt moniker considering the idyllic setting. Art galleries and homemade craft shops abound. The harbor commands attention, as people head out to enjoy days in the water or simply delight in the views from land.

To nourish your mind and soul, catch a show at the Camden Opera House. Why it’s a great small town: If someone were to tell you to visit a former coal-mining town, you might imagine a drab block of houses in the middle of nowhere.

The town is colorful and quaint, with locals who treat visitors like family. Its location in the Lehigh Gorge State Park guarantees unbelievable views of mountains that change colors throughout the seasons, and Victorian houses are complemented by old trains that still operate for tourists, a thoroughly charming throwback touch.

Walk downtown to see typical Midwestern architecture, or stop at a cafe to admire the majestic Bighorn Mountains that adorn the town. Hiking, whale watching and visiting museums are favorite local pastimes — and you can do them all while being surrounded by the best of Alaskan nature. This valley town is flanked by mountains including the largest in Vermont, Mount Mansfield.

Not surprisingly, outdoorsy activities, from hiking and skiing to rock-climbing and even zip-lining, fill many tourist itineraries. Looking to explore the town instead? Stowe has a variety of local breweries and numerous family-owned shops to pop into.

Stowe is perhaps best known, though, for serving as refuge for the Von Trapp family. Fun fact: Randomly and delightfully, Stowe plays host each fall to the British Invasion, a British car show and culture fest.

Why it’s a great small town: As the name suggests, Sainte Genevieve was originally a French Canadian town, and history is its major draw. As the oldest town in all of Missouri, it touts an interesting historical museum and houses dating back years. Catch a show at the Columbian Theater , learn about state history at the Wamego Historical Museum, or enjoy urban nature at the City Park.

Lined with waterfront houses, the town boasts miles of beaches, numerous scenic bike paths and wooden piers just waiting to be Instagrammed.

There are also abundant recreational activities, sports centers, and places to shop and dine. What more could you want? Fun fact: According to legend, the island contains hidden pirate treasures. Yes, there really is a pizza place that provided the backdrop to the New England story that blended its hardworking maritime workers with the preppy, upperclass, just like much of Connecticut’s Long Island Sound communities. Here, waterfront living is key, with boating and fishing being popular pastimes.

On land, moss-draped trees keep residents shaded from the heat until the sun sets and families enjoy waterfront dining along the town’s boardwalk. Fun fact: The famous pirate, Blackbeard, crashed here and was caught in nearby waters. Not too into huffing your way through the mountains? The surfing capital of the world offers giant waves and a culture of wave riding that is deeply rooted in native Hawaii.

Why it’s a great small town: Almost impossibly charming, Carmel-by-the-Sea features cottages that look like they were plucked from a Brothers Grimm tale, tree-lined streets, urban wineries, seafood restaurants and art galleries, all set against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean. Fun fact: Clint Eastwood loves this town so much, he spent two years as its mayor. Ranches dot the expansive prairies, intertwining with vineyards and creating a Texas that rarely gets publicity.

Pro tip: Visit in the fall for amazing foliage without the crowds. Besides its activist past, the town is brimming with natural beauty, scenic trails and cultural events. On the contrary, its Victorian houses are just as glamorous as when they were built, while its more modern offerings include pedestrian-friendly shops and restaurants, as well as annual jazz and film festivals.

Fun fact: Because of its impressive number of maintained Victorian buildings, the entire town is a National Historic Landmark.