Travel

The 55 Most Beautiful Small Towns in America

From coast to coast, AD ranks the nation’s most visually stunning locales

By Kristine Hansen and Katherine McLaughlin

September 28, 2022

fall trees and a group of barns on a sleepy country road

The United States is full of beautiful small towns. Though large metropolises like New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, or Washington, DC, are often thought of as culture and beauty capitals, this doesn’t mean other locales can’t be beacons of these qualities too. All across the county, locals and tourists alike are drawn to these charming enclaves where beauty takes shape in the form of lakes, mountains, historic main streets, forests, architectural splendor, and beaches, among other picturesque qualities.

As the saying goes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so when developing this list, we looked at easy access to nature, the presence of historic or design districts, and topography that’s appealing in its own right—whether it’s beaches or mountains, or maybe a riverside perch. From a California community known for its celebrity residents to an indie-shopping hotbed in New York; from Washington’s San Juan Islands to plush inland communities along lakes and within forests—here are the 55 most beautiful small towns in America.

Photo: Marek Uliasz / Alamy Stock Photo
1/55
Rocheport, Missouri
Two hours from both Kansas City and St. Louis, this tiny town along the Katy Trail, and whose name means “rocky port” in French, was once a trading post for Native Americans. It boasts many B and Bs for a weekend getaway but also keeps locals engaged with many buildings on the National Register of Historic Places.
Photo: Holly Hildreth / Getty Images
2/55
Decorah, Iowa
Rooted in Norwegian culture, this town is home to the country’s largest museum about an immigrant group (Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum) and flaunts many beautiful spots in nature, including Dunning’s Springs Park. It’s also a college town, thanks to Luther College.

Photo: Getty Images
3/55
Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
Gorgeous scenery surrounds this small town, which has plenty of eye candy, from an 1861 Italianate museum (Asa Packer Mansion Museum) to hiking Glen Onoko Falls.
Photo: Brandon Musselman / EyeEm / Getty Images
4/55
Cape May, New Jersey
Known for its collection of well-restored Victorian gingerbread homes that hug the Atlantic Ocean where it meets the Delaware Bay, Cape May has a balanced mix of beach-town nostalgia (such as a boardwalk) and cutting-edge entertainment (like annual jazz and film fests).

Photo: Michael Connor / EyeEm / Getty Images
5/55
Yellow Springs, Ohio
Even in winter, this town—home to Antioch College—is stunning, with natural splendor that includes the 78-mile-long Little Miami Scenic Trail that connects to the 752-acre John Bryan State Park. Also, many residents are artists.
Photo: Scott Dunn / Getty Images
6/55
Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
While during summer this town along the Atlantic Ocean balloons to accommodate a high number of tourists, one of America’s most celebrated craft brewers—Dogfish Head—calls Rehoboth Beach home and recently opened an adorable inn in nearby Lewes (Dogfish Inn).

Photo: Getty Images
7/55
Pawleys Island, South Carolina
Travel 70 miles north of Charleston and across a causeway to find this barrier island, which claims only around 100 residents but can trace its roots back to the 1700s through historic buildings (including antebellum homes).
Photo: Getty Images
8/55
Houghton, Michigan
Among this Upper Peninsula town’s natural gems is Isle Royale National Park, accessible through Rock Harbor on Lake Superior. Home to Michigan Technological University, Houghton’s downtown is filled with cafes, outdoor-apparel boutiques, and eclectic dining.

Photo: Timothy Hearsum / Getty Images
9/55
St. Francisville, Louisiana
Part of the Baton Rouge region, and on the banks of the Mississippi River, St. Francisville has many plantations (including Rosedown Plantation) from the town’s founding in the early 1800s that still stand today.
Photo: Getty Images
10/55
Meredith, New Hampshire
Take your pick of nine lakes to explore in this White Mountains village, including Lake Winnipesaukee, which is the state’s largest.

Photo: John Wylie / EyeEm / Getty Images
11/55
Sewanee, Tennessee
Middle Tennessee includes Sewanee, home to the University of the South (a private liberal arts college) and also, as you might expect in a college town, chic dining and outdoor concerts.
Photo: Getty Images
12/55
Cashiers, North Carolina
Silver Run Falls, in the heart of this Blue Ridge Mountains town—63 miles southwest of Asheville and at about 3,500-feet elevation—is just one of the natural beauties.

Photo: Getty Images
13/55
Marfa, Texas
Within the last decade, artists and designers began to flock to this wide-open landscape three hours south of El Paso, opening galleries, hotels, and shops, but not without compromising the swathes of nature and iconic buildings like the Italianate-style Presidio County Courthouse, built in 1886.
Photo: Barry Winiker / Getty Images
14/55
Rhinebeck, New York
This darling Dutchess County village along the Hudson River affords views of the Catskill Mountains, plus it has a vibrant indie-shopping scene in its downtown. An observation tower in the 200-acre Ferncliff Forest is a favorite hiking spot (with a view).

Photo: Getty Images
15/55
Mystic, Connecticut
With the Mystic Seaport’s tall ships and schooners, plus the country’s largest maritime museum, this village along the Atlantic Ocean shoreline truly celebrates maritime life. It also boasts three historic districts.
Photo: Getty Images
16/55
Galena, Illinois
Chicagoans like to book romantic weekends in this town along the Mississippi River where the state’s flatlands are replaced by river bluffs. Between April and November, a popular attraction is the funicular, affording a bird’s-eye view of the town.

Photo: Getty Images
17/55
Madison, Georgia
When you think of a quaint Southern town with magnolia trees and antebellum homes, Madison—60 miles east of Atlanta—is just that. One of Georgia’s largest historic districts lies in Madison, and it is a stop on the state’s Antebellum Trail.
Photo: Getty Images
18/55
Boonville, California
Part of the Anderson Valley wine-growing region, the town’s bucolic-meets-boho-chic vibe extends to the Boonville Hotel and Pennyroyal Farm, a creamery that also makes wine.

Photo: Getty Images
19/55
Nashville, Indiana
Anchoring the arts community in this Southern Indiana town is the Brown County Art Colony, established in 1907. Lots of antiques shopping, along with hikes through Brown County State Park, provide visual stimulation.
Photo: Steve Smith / Getty Images
20/55
Ketchum, Idaho
In the heart of Idaho’s Sun Valley, this town is an outdoors utopia, with snow sports, fishing, rock-climbing, and more. Four gorgeous alfresco hot springs are nearby and open for soaking.

Photo: Getty Images
21/55
Leadville, Colorado
At around 10,000 feet, the country’s highest-elevation incorporated city—a former mining town that during the late 19th century had Colorado's second largest population behind Denver—boasts all the goods for foodies and beverage snobs (including a brewery) and is a popular training spot for runners.
Photo: Courtesy of Magnolia Springs Bed and Breakfast
22/55
Magnolia Springs, Alabama
Mature magnolia trees create a canopy in this small town along the Magnolia River where mail is still delivered by boat. Magnolia Springs Bed and Breakfast is the only lodging option in this Gulf Coast town—but it’s very stylish.

Photo: Kevin Reid / Getty Images
23/55
Sitka, Alaska
Near both Juneau and the Tongass National Forest, and in a mecca for world-class king salmon and halibut fishing, Sitka boasts 22 buildings and sites on the National Register of Historic Places.
Photo: Andrew Prodoehl / EyeEm / Getty Images
24/55
Snowmass, Colorado
Skiers and mountain bikers love this tiny town but so do spa and dining enthusiasts, who can be kept busy for days thanks to resorts like the Westin Snowmass Resort and Viceroy Snowmass. Anderson Ranch Arts Center is an enclave for artists through its artist-in-residence program and hosted workshops, programs, and events.

Photo: Carolyn Hebbard / Getty Images
25/55
Deadwood, South Dakota
This Black Hills town’s Main Street appears to be trapped in a time where life stands still (that’s a good thing). While many decades removed from the gold rush, the somewhat recent HBO series Deadwood renewed interest in the town’s National Historic Landmark status.
Photo: Kayla Stevenson Photography / Getty Images
26/55
Stowe, Vermont
One of the Northeast’s premier ski towns, Stowe’s amenities—in addition to the ski hills—include spas, boutique shopping at indie retailers (including Shaw’s General Store, in business since 1895), and year-round outdoor recreation, thanks to its location at the foot of Mount Mansfield.

Photo: William Sherman / Getty Images
27/55
Berkeley Springs, West Virginia
Home to natural beauty, a castle dating back to 1885, and tons of spas and art galleries, this community is only a 90-minute drive from the nation’s capital.
Photo: Bryan Mullennix / Getty Images
28/55
Chimayó, New Mexico
A beloved getaway for residents of Taos and Santa Fe, this Northern New Mexico town is just as artsy with unique events like the country’s most important Catholic pilgrimage each Easter and dozens of galleries selling native rugs and more. El Santuario de Chimayó is thought to be a healing spot.

Photo: Highlywood Photography / Getty Images
29/55
Big Sky, Montana
This Southern Montana community in the Rocky Mountains is not called Big Sky for nothing: Stargazing is among the country’s best because of no light pollution and the absence of any metropolis. Skiing—both Nordic and downhill—is a huge draw.
Photo: Getty Images
30/55
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Historic buildings dating as far back as the late 1880s line the streets of the tiny, artsy downtown of Eureka Springs, tucked into the Ozark Mountains. The entire downtown is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Photo: Henryk Sadura / Alamy Stock Photo
31/55
Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin
Near the top of the Door County peninsula, and along Lake Michigan, this harbor town boasts a cute A-frame coffee shop, a microbrewery’s taproom, a nature sanctuary with hiking trails, and adorable inns.
Photo: Getty Images
32/55
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Sugar-white sands along the Pacific Ocean—with a shoreline of stunning cliffs and wispy cypress trees—and a Spanish Mission–style downtown anchor this community, which is tucked into a wine region (Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs are the main thrust). Actor Clint Eastwood is a former mayor.

Photo: Dukas Presseagentur GmbH / Alamy Stock Photo
33/55
Seaside, Florida
So darling is this New Urbanism town—hugging the Gulf of Mexico—that it starred as the setting in a Jim Carrey film (The Truman Show). Brightly colored cottages are a short walk to the downtown, with Airstream food trucks, an indie bookstore, art galleries, and seafood eateries.
Photo: Anna Gorin / Getty Images
34/55
McCall, Idaho
Its outdoor activities year-round ranging from fly fishing to cross-country skiing, this resort town (home to quite a few wellness properties) on the southern shore of Payette Lake also hosts an annual Winter Carnival and, in 2018, launched its first sled-dog race.

Photo: Getty Images
35/55
Kennebunkport, Maine
Long a playground for presidential families such as the Bushes and the Kennedys, this coastal community thrives come summer when its resort status ratchets into motion. Sailboats cruise along the shore and a trolley runs through local streets.
Photo: Getty Images
36/55
Woodstock, Vermont
A quintessential town for glimpsing peak foliage each autumn, one of Woodstock’s most charming traits are its covered bridges, including the apple-red Taftsville bridge.

Photo: Putt Sakdhnagool / Getty Images
37/55
Seward, Alaska
This coastal town in the Final Frontier state is a gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park and also a mecca for sailing, sport fishing, and kayaking with its stunning glaciers (around 40).
Photo: Matt Anderson Photography / Getty Images
38/55
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Considered “the Newport of the Midwest,” this lake community two hours north of Chicago is rimmed with opulent mansions once belonging to wealthy Chicago families (Sears, Wrigleys, etc.) and, even today, are rich in affluence and design. Mail is still delivered by boat during the summer months.

Photo: Getty Images
39/55
Friday Harbor, Washington
The delightfully moody setting (cue fog and rain) of Friday Harbor, part of the San Juan Islands, is iconic to the Pacific Northwest but without the noise of an urban locale. Whale watching is a huge draw here, and the arts thrive at places like the San Juan Islands Museum of Art.
Photo: Getty Images
40/55
Jekyll Island, Georgia
Part of the Sea Islands, this island off the coast of Georgia was established in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a vacation-home destination for the wealthy. Today’s visitors enjoy a mix of nature (such as marshlands and beaches) and architecture (a 240-acre historic district on the island’s north side includes the Jekyll Island Club Hotel).

Photo: Getty Images
41/55
Manzanita, Oregon
Along the Pacific Ocean shoreline in far western Oregon are miles of sparsely populated beaches, the town of Manzanita included. With Neahkahnie Mountain off in the distance, you get beach dunes and mountains in one view.
Photo: Stephen Saks Photography / Alamy Stock Photo / Getty Images
42/55
Incline Village, Nevada
Along the north shore of North America’s largest alpine lake (Lake Tahoe), and named for the incline loggers built here in 1878, Incline Village’s residents include tech billionaires and musicians. Sand Harbor, inside Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park, is a great swimming and kayaking spot on warm days.

Photo: Jesse Kraft / EyeEm / Getty Images
43/55
Springdale, Utah
Despite its size, this gateway to Zion National Park is brimming with an emerging restaurant scene (King’s Landing Bistro is a locals’ favorite), boutique shopping, and art galleries. But the natural surroundings—sandstone cliffs and splendid hiking trails—nearly trump all of that.
Photo: Barbara Rich / Getty Images
44/55
Mendocino, California
Victorians housing a mix of residences and retailers such as indie bookstores and art galleries line Main Street across from Mendocino Headlands State Park, perched above the Pacific Ocean. Most of this former logging community’s town is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Photo: Donovan Reese / Getty Images
45/55
Grand Marais, Minnesota
This gateway to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness—which spans Minnesota’s Superior National Forest and Quetico Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada—is rich in the arts, which are quite robust for a tiny harbor town along the deepest Great Lake (Lake Superior). This includes the North House Folk School, offering classes in crafts like lace- and soap-making.
Photo: Getty Images
46/55
Hanaeli, Hawaii
Kauai’s blissful North Shore—including the town of Hanalei—is known for its shaved ice at Wishing Well (don’t knock it if you haven’t had it) and beaches, but also the relaxed and colorful vibe. From “the little green church” to the beach where South Pacific was filmed in 1957 (Haena Beach), this is a popular vacation spot for a reason.

Photo: B.E. Butler / Getty Images
47/55
Jackson, Wyoming
A cultural mecca for innovative food, the arts (spot a Warhol at the National Museum of Wildlife Art) and, of course, downhill skiing in this town a half hour south of Grand Teton National Park keeps throngs of visitors coming. Locals enamored with the great outdoors love it here, too.
Photo: Courtesy of Alys Beach
48/55
Alys Beach, Florida
This design-centric, New Urbanism village along the Gulf of Mexico in Florida’s Panhandle region debuted in 2003, with whitewashed buildings and Bermuda-style architecture with courtyards, fountains, pools, and popped-out shutters.

Photo: Getty Images
49/55
Sedona, Arizona
Red-rock formations such as Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock rim this mystic Northern Arizona town where locals believe the natural vortexes have healing qualities. Dining, lodging, and spa jaunts are top-notch, too, including Auberge de Sedona’s creekside cottages and apothecary-tinged spa.
Photo: John Greim / Getty Images
50/55
Stockbridge, Massachusetts
If this Berkshires town looks familiar, then you’ve probably seen it depicted in Norman Rockwell paintings. A canal (the Housatonic River) runs through downtown, where shops and galleries along Main Street (the subject of Rockwell’s 1967 painting Main Street, Stockbridge at Christmas) feature everything from Victorian-era antique jewelry to contemporary glass. This town hits all three indicators of beauty: architecture, nature, and culture, including the Norman Rockwell Museum. And, most importantly, for a small town (the population is just under 2,000), there are cultural events year-round ranging from America's longest-running international dance festival (Jacob's Pillow, from mid June to late August) and Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas (a full weekend in early December that includes vintage cars and house tours). It's quintessential small-town America at its peak.

Photo: Wolfgang Kaehler/Getty Images
51/55
St. Augustine, Florida
Traveling to St. Augustine in Florida, in many ways, is like stepping back in time. Regarded as the oldest continuously inhabited European-founded city in the continental US, the Florida enclave is full of Spanish-style architecture. Though many of the original structures are no longer standing, the city was rebuilt in the same style with the original urban plan—giving both the look and layout of the town a distinctly European feel. Now the Florida city may be best known as a tourist destination and the location of Flagler College, located within the old Ponce De León Hotel.
Photo: Elizabeth W. Kearley/Getty
52/55
Whitefish, Montana
Near Glacier National Park along the Continental Divide, the Rocky Mountains frame this idyllic part of Montana. The city is known for its environmentalism, and many trails and forests remain protected to purify the local water. SKI Magazine ranked the city as one of the best places to ski in the west, though even those averse to snow sports can admire the mountains’ beauty. Many local arts and culture events take place yearly, including Huckleberry Days Arts Festival, The Whitefish Winter Carnival, and Under the Big Sky Music Festival.

Photo: Universal History Archive/Getty Images
53/55
Columbus, Indiana
With just over 50,000 residents, Columbus, Indiana, is one of the biggest small towns included here, but no list of this type would be complete without it. Best known for its impressive collection of modernist buildings, the city is an architectural gem in the midwest. Many of the most notable architects from middle of the century—think I.M. Pei, Eero and Eliel Saarinen, Harry Weese, Kevin Roche, and Robert Venturi, to name a few—helped shape the design of the town. Walking through the downtown area, strollers will also find plenty of public artwork from makers like Dale Chihuly, Henry Moore, and Jean Tinguely. Columbus’s repertoire of architecture is largely credited to a man named J. Irwin Miller, the president of the Cummins Engine Company, who offered to pay architects fees for civic buildings so long as the designer was on a list compiled by the Cummins Foundation.
Photo: Ramin Talaie/Getty Images
54/55
Cold Spring, New York
In the Cold Spring Historic District, which is on the National Register of Historic Place, you’ll find many charming and well-preserved 19th-century buildings. The downtown area contains a good collection of antique and vintage stores in addition to other local shops and restaurants. Nearby hiking opportunities through the Hudson Highlands make Cold Spring a popular weekend escape for New Yorkers, many of whom trek Breakneck Ridge, a mountain between Cold Spring and nearby Beacon. Other popular attractions include Magazzino Italian Art, a 20,000-square-foot art museum free to the public.

Photo: Xinhua News Agency/Getty Images
55/55
Holland, Michigan
With a name like Holland, it’s not surprising this Michigan city mirrors its European counterpart in many ways. The area was settled by the Dutch in 1846, and this heritage remains a big part of the city’s current culture. Each May, the Tulip Time Festival brings vistors to the area to see the colorful flowers in bloom. On Windmill Island, you’ll find De Zwaan, a 250-year-old, 125-foot-tall windmill. The city’s proximity to the shores of Lake Michigan only further its appeal. Besides AD’s classification as a beautiful small town, the Michigan community is no stranger to receiving praise and appreciation: CNN Money ranked the town as one of the top five places to retire in 2006, and the Well-Being Index recognized the town for being the second healthiest/happiest town in the nation.

culture & travel

Miami's Best New Restaurant Serves a Peruvian Grandma’s Recipes

“We use traditional Peruvian techniques, but elevated with influences from Miami.” Spend a day on the line with prep chef Giuliana Intriago at Maty’s–Miami’s best new restaurant and a 2024 Conde Nast Traveler Hot List Restaurant Winner.

culture & travel

3 New Hotels To Build A Trip Around In 2024 From Hawaii To Paris

Every year, Condé Nast Traveler reveals its annual Hot List spotlighting the best new hotels, restaurants, and more around the world. In our first edition of 2024, we’re visiting NoMad in the city that never sleeps to check into The Fifth Avenue Hotel, heading west to the Big Island for a stop at Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort in Hawaii and finishing up with an exclusive look at 1 Place Vendome in Paris. Presented by Capital One.

Magazine

Venture Inside This Eco-Conscious Home in Costa Rica

Tyler Polich and Jessica Jimenez Keenan of Years crafted the jungle sanctuary for a young family seeking a closer connection to nature

By Mayer Rus

Culture + Lifestyle

These 9 Picturesque Towns Look Like They Are From a Disney Movie

From locales that inspired animators to those that look like they could, fairytales come to life in these stunning places

By Katherine McLaughlin

Rocheport, Missouri

Decorah, Iowa

Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania

Cape May, New Jersey

Yellow Springs, Ohio

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Pawleys Island, South Carolina

Houghton, Michigan

St. Francisville, Louisiana

Meredith, New Hampshire

Sewanee, Tennessee

Cashiers, North Carolina

Marfa, Texas

Rhinebeck, New York

Mystic, Connecticut

Galena, Illinois

Madison, Georgia

Boonville, California

Nashville, Indiana

Ketchum, Idaho

Leadville, Colorado

Magnolia Springs, Alabama

Sitka, Alaska

Snowmass, Colorado

Deadwood, South Dakota

Stowe, Vermont

Berkeley Springs, West Virginia

Chimayó, New Mexico

Big Sky, Montana

Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin

Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

Seaside, Florida

McCall, Idaho

Kennebunkport, Maine

Woodstock, Vermont

Seward, Alaska

Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

Friday Harbor, Washington

Jekyll Island, Georgia

Manzanita, Oregon

Incline Village, Nevada

Springdale, Utah

Mendocino, California

Grand Marais, Minnesota

Hanaeli, Hawaii

Jackson, Wyoming

Alys Beach, Florida

Sedona, Arizona

Stockbridge, Massachusetts

St. Augustine, Florida

Whitefish, Montana

Columbus, Indiana

Cold Spring, New York

Holland, Michigan