While there’s nothing quite like the energy of a bustling urban city, the hectic pace doesn’t suit everyone. Small towns in USA have their own appeal, offering unique and memorable experiences for weekend getaways.

From quaint downtowns to stunning natural scenery, these towns offer something for every type of traveler,

We’ve rounded up 20 of the best small towns in USA whose population is less than 25,000 and offer plenty of mom and pop restaurants, superb natural attractions, friendly locals, and unique character all their own. Take a look! Chances are, there’s one close to you!

20 Williamsburg, VA

• Elevation: 82′
• Area: 9.1 mi²
• Population: 14,927 (2019)

A visit to Colonial Williamsburg is a visit to a living history museum. The capital of the Virginia Colony from 1699 to 1780, Williamsburg played a significant role in the American Revolution. It forms the “Historic Triangle” together with Jamestown and Yorktown

You can get a unique American history lesson, with interpreters (actors) in authentically reproduced period costumes, depicting daily Colonial life in the streets, stores, and workshops. The whole site is extremely photogenic.

When the summer heat gets too intense, visitors can cool off with a cruise on the James River. And in addition to all the history, wander around the city’s museums, or take a hike in the surrounding nature.

19 Mackinac Island, MI

• Area: 3.776 mi²
• Elevation: 889′
• Population: 492 (2010)

Sitting on Lake Huron between Michigan’s Upper and Lower peninsulas, Mackinac is reachable from the mainland only by ferry or small airplane – no cars are allowed on the island. Because of the frigid air coming off the Great Lakes and the water freezing, the island is not easy to get to or highly visited in winter.

For couples looking for a relaxing summer weekend, here is the place. Even though it has certainly been discovered by tourists, the island lacks the frenzied pace you might expect. Settled in the 1600s by the French, the entire island is listed as a National Historic Landmark. 82% of the island is dedicated to the nation’s second-named national park (Yellowstone was the first).

Mackinac has a number of boutique hotels as well as the famous Grand Hotel, where the 1980 movie Somewhere in Time with Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour was filmed. Even if you choose not to stay there, the stunning Victorian Hotel can be visited (for a fee).

For explorers, there’s Fort Mackinac and Fort Holmes built in the late 1700s, stunning natural Arch Rock and Devil’s Kitchen, horseback riding on the Tranquil Bluff Trail, biking the Mackinac Island Outer Loop, the Lilac Festival, or swimming at the blue water and rocky beach of the Straits of Mackinac. For foodies, Mackinac is known for its scrumptious fudge and there are candy shops everywhere.

Strolling the historic downtown includes impressive sites such as the American Fur Company, Dr. Beaumont Museum, Benjamin Blacksmith Shop, and the McGulpin House.

18 Taos, NM

• Elevation: 6,969′
• Area: 6.01 mi²
• Population: 5,967 (2019)

It’s easy to see why this high-desert UNESCO World Heritage site in the Sangre de Christo Mountains has become a haven for artists. Taos is home to some of the most well-preserved Native American architecture and culture including the Taos Pueblo, a multistory adobe complex that was inhabited by Native Americans for centuries.

A longtime artist colony, Taos also offers many galleries and museums showcasing regional artwork, including the Harwood Museum of Art, the Taos Art Museum, and more than 80 other galleries. Tourists can also explore the historic Taos Plaza and the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge.

Nature abounds within the red-rock canyons and snow-tipped peaks and a plethora of outdoor activities like hot air ballooning, white-water rafting, and skiing.

17 Stowe, VT

• Elevation: 889′
• Area: 72.76 mi²
• Population: 201 (2019)
• Tallest mountain: Mount Mansfield

Nestled in the foothills of Mt. Mansfield in northern Vermont, Stowe is known for its Austrian-like charm and year-round appeal. Surrounding mountains, and Vermont’s tallest peak, provide excellent skiing in the winter or hiking trails in the summer.

There are also very nice areas and trails through the lower forests for cross-country skiing if alpine skiing is not your thing. Autumn is a particularly beautiful time to visit this charming small town, as the leaves turn vivid shades of red, orange, and gold, making it one of the best places to see fall foliage in the United States.

While Stowe has certainly experienced growth over the years, the Normal Rockwell-like downtown maintains its old-fashioned character with a vibrant Main Street and spired Colonial church.

Accommodations in Stowe suit every kind of traveler, from the luxurious Von Trappe Lodge to smaller rustic chalets throughout, some of which come fitted out with a working fireplace and 4-poster bed in the room – a great place to watch the snow falling outside the sliding doors to the terrace.

16 Helen, GA

• Elevation: 1,447′
• Area: 2.09 mi²
• Population: 574 (2019)

Bavaria? No. Trade the Alps for the Appalachians, and you’ll find the tiny, charm-packed town of Helen, Georgia, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains along the Chattahoochee River.

Covering only 2.1 square miles and home to a mere 430 residents, this cozy re-creation of a Bavarian Alpine village lays claim to receiving the third-highest number of tourists in the state. And it’s no wonder. With its captivating cobblestone paths and a rustic German atmosphere, you’ll wonder if you’ve time-traveled to days gone by.

The town was originally founded by the Cherokee Native Americans and later became home to European homesteaders who immigrated to mine the gold and harvest the timber. In 1969, zoning was adopted to ensure that all building designs would be in the German Bavarian style.

Natural highlights include Unicoi State Park with a lake and campsites, Chattahoochee National Forest, and Anna Ruby and Raven Cliff waterfalls. One of the most fun summer activities is to go tubing down the Chattahoochee River.

15 Moab, UT

• Elevation: 4,026′
• Area: 4.795 mi²
• Population: 5,268 (2019)
• Settled: 1878

Moab, in eastern Utah, is a gateway to massive red rock formations in Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. With landscapes featuring mesas and buttes carved by the Green and Colorado rivers, Moab is easily one of the most beautiful small towns in USA.

In the city, collections at the Museum of Moab include dinosaur bones and archaeological artifacts.

There are other things to do in Moab besides these two national parks, but most of them are nature-related as well. Other hikes include Faux Falls and for swimming and water activities, head to Ken’s Lake.

14 Oak Bluffs, MA

• Area: 25.95 mi²
• Founded: 1880
• Elevation: 30′
• Population: 4,678 (2018)

Oak Bluffs is home to the largest marina on Martha’s Vineyard, a harbor-side village and downtown, and the whimsical candy-colored Victorian gingerbread cottages (officially known as the Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting Association) which are sometimes tricky to find.

Boarded by restaurants and bars on one side and the North Bluff seawall on the other, there are so many visual sights in this town, from the picturesque Ocean Park with its historic gazebo, open-air Tabernacle, Union Chapel, to Flying Horses Carousel, the oldest continuous carousel in the United States, not to mention the ubiquitous shops, restaurants, cafes and ice cream shops in the town center.

Of course, there’s also a long pristine beach to enjoy the sun and sea.

13 Harper’s Ferry, WV

• Elevation: 489′
• Area: 397 acres
• Population: 233 (2019)

Harpers Ferry is a village in West Virginia and home to historic 19th-century buildings, monuments, landmarks, and a charming little downtown district.

The town has a Civil War Museum and John Brown’s Fort, a key site in an 1859 abolitionist raid. Tourists can opt for a ranger-guided tour or sign-up for a living history workshop.

Many trails and paths wind through Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, and it makes for a great day trip or weekend destination. Fall foliage along the Potomac River is dazzling in fall, in the summer and it is a great jumping-off point for lots of great hiking, biking, and kayaking.

12 Telluride, CO

• Elevation: 8,750′
• Area: 2.224 mi²
• Population: 1,965 (2019)

Telluride is a former Victorian mining town in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. Nestled in a box canyon surrounded by forested contribute to it being a year-round destination perfect for active travelers.

Landmarks in the town’s core Victorian historic district include the Sheridan Opera House, a performing-arts venue dating back to 1913, and the Telluride Historical Museum, which showcases local history in a converted hospital built in 1896.

In the town are plenty of galleries, restaurants, and boutique shops to peruse. Outdoor pursuits include skiing, hiking, and biking.

11 St. Augustine, FL

• Founded: September 1565
• Age: About 456 years
• Elevation: 0′
• Population: 14,515 (2019)

Proudly laying claim as America’s oldest city, the historical and charming St. Augustine was founded in 1565 by Spanish conquistadors. The brick-lined streets are reminiscent of the old town districts of European cities. Horse-drawn carriages carry tourists past grand historical architecture. The pleasant, sometimes humid, subtropical climate and coastal location combine to create an alluring, warm and sunny environment. Here are some reasons to visit St Augustine in November.

Sitting on the northeast coast of Florida, St. Augustine boasts sandy beaches like Atlantic Ocean Beach, St. Augustine Beach, and tranquil Crescent Beach.

Castillo de San Marcos National Park is a 17th-century Spanish stone fortress with views of the St. Augustine Inlet. The fortress was constructed to protect the settlers after a raid by the hands of the English.

Cultural highlights include Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth, historic George Street, and Aviles Street — which claims the title of the oldest street in the country.

10 Jackson Hole, WY

• Elevation: 6,237′
• Area: 2.99 mi²
• Population: 10,553 (2019)

Jackson Hole in Wyoming is known for its spectacular natural properties. It’s an outdoor enthusiast’s playground, with easy access to Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Park, and Granite Hot Springs. There are also three excellent ski areas: Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Snow King Mountain Resort, and Grand Targhee Resort.

The Town Square features arches made of shed antlers from the nearby National Elk Refuge.

Outdoor adventures include white-water rafting, hiking, biking, and skiing. The quaint little is a throw-back, exuding the vibe of the Wild West with a historic downtown, rodeos, and reenactments of shootouts.

9 Sitka, AK

• Area: 4,815 mi²
• Elevation: 26′
• Population: 8,640 (2019)

Accessible only by air or sea, Sitka is an Alaskan fishing village near the state capital, Juneau. It’s spread over Baranof Island, Chichagof Island, and others. Sitka was part of Russia until 1867 and to illustrate that point, St. Michael’s Orthodox Cathedral is topped with an onion dome. The 1842 Russian Bishop’s House is also in the small downtown.

Outdoor pursuits abound, from spectacular whale watching, sea, bushwhacking/hiking, responsible grizzly viewing, or strolling through towering spruce trees.   Bald eagles and totem poles are found at Sitka National Historic Park, the site of Russia’s defeat of the indigenous Tlingit people.

One of my most memorable journeys was my small ship cruise with AdventureSmith in Alaska’s Inside Passage which began in Sitka. On the 12-passenger wooden ship, we were able to enter coves, channels, inlets, and secluded bays too shallow for larger ships to safely navigate.

8 Gatlinburg, TN

• Elevation: 1,289′
• Area: 10.41 mi²
• Population: 4,004 (2019)

Gatlinburg, a mountain town in eastern Tennessee, is known as a gateway to the roughly 520,000-acre Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most-visited national park in the USA. Because of the mild(ish) climate, there are plenty of diversions year-round.

Many spots in Gatlinburg offer sweeping views, including a birds-eye view from the 407-foot observation deck of the Space Needle observation tower and the Sky Lift, a 2.1-mile aerial cable car that ascends from the downtown area to the Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort.

In the charming downtown, be sure to try a moonshine tasting, cocktail from a rooftop bar, and Appalachian arts for sale in the boutique shops.

7 Newport, RI

• Area: 11.38 mi²
• Elevation: 30′
• Population: 24,663 (2019)

With Newport comes the vision of a harbor filled with luxurious yachts and the annual world-famous America’s Cup sailing regatta which was hosted there for many years. It’s also known for Bellevue Avenue, a charming tree-lined boulevard containing Gilded Age mansions that were once the summer homes of the Vanderbilt’s, the Rockefeller’s, and other elite American families.

Having been born and raised in Rhode Island, I visited Newport many times. Two areas offer the best experiences. The first is the Cliff Walk. With the Atlantic on one side, this ocean pathway meanders past the fascinating ostentatious mansions, wild waves crashing onto huge boulders, and eventually to Easton’s Beach, a calm beach loved by tourists.

The other highly recommended area is on the waterfront, filled with boutique shops and world-class seafood and cuisine from fine dining to ice cream stands. Do not leave without eating one of Newport’s famous lobster rolls.

6 Cooperstown, NY

• Elevation: 1,227′
• Area: 1.84 mi²
• Population: 1,926 (2019)
• Founding: 1786 innatcooperstown.com

Sometimes known by the moniker “America’s Perfect Village,” Cooperstown is a village in central New York State, at the southern tip of Otsego Lake. Its claim to fame is the National Baseball Hall of Fame Museum.

The Farmers’ Museum depicts 19th-century farm life and includes craft demonstrations and a hand-carved carousel.

Cooperstown was once known as the “Village of Museums.” In addition to the Baseball Museum, there’s also the Indian Museum, the Farmer’s Museum, and the Fenimore Art Museum which features American fine art and folk art, plus a garden with lake views.

Other Cooperstown amusements include wineries, distilleries, breweries, Hyde Hall, and the Glimmerglass Festival Opera House.

The charming village of Cooperstown also overlooks nine-mile-long Otsego Lake that James Fenimore Cooper dubbed Glimmerglass in his famous book, “The Last of the Mohicans.”

5 Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

• Elevation: 223′
• Area: 1.06 mi²
• Population: 3,830 (2019)
• Incorporated: October 31, 1916

Carmel-by-the-Sea is an idyllic beach town on California’s Monterey Peninsula, located just two hours south of the bustling city of San Francisco. This coastal destination combines a picturesque downtown area with a stunning craggy shoreline.

The Scenic Bluff Path runs from beautiful Carmel Beach, a mile-long swath of white sand from which you can view dolphins and sea lions as well as catch a kaleidoscope sunset.

The enchanting village is filled with whimsical fairytale cottages, secret passageways, blooming gardens, and quirky boutiques. There’s also the historic Carmel Mission.

This little oasis is perfect for a weekend getaway.

4 Sedona, AZ

• Elevation: 4,350′
• Area: 18.31 mi²
• Population: 10,322 (2019)

The red-rock buttes and steep canyon walls make Sedona one of the most striking areas in the United States. In addition, the mild climate, colorful and quirky New Age arts shops, and unique art galleries all add to the city’s touristic appeal.

One of the best ways to see the jaw-dropping natural beauty of the red rocks is via an adventurous Pink Jeep Tour. From mellow canyons to cliff-hanging summits, the jeep tours traverse the diverse terrain that would either take too much time or be too difficult to hike. Knowledgeable guides/drivers also provide history, geography, and entertaining stories along the way.

Visit the breathtaking Church of the Holy Cross, wander through the ancient Palatki Ruins, and take a drive on the Red Rock Scenic Byway. Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village is a must-do for souvenir shopping.

Sedona’s location is about two hours from Grand Canyon National Park and under an hour from Flagstaff, making it an ideal stop on a southwestern road trip.

3 Pensacola Beach, FL

• Area: 11.56 mi²
• Population: 9,925
• Length: eight miles
• Founder: Tristán de Luna y Arellano

Nicknamed “World’s Whitest Beaches,” the beaches in Pensacola, Florida draw tourists to its shores year after year. A humid subtropical climate combined with shimmering turquoise water lapping onto impossibly white sand makes it one of the prettiest beaches in the U.S.

Pensacola is the largest metropolitan area between New Orleans and Tampa, yet still maintains a small-town vibe, especially around the beach area. It’s home to several annual festivals, events, historic tours, and landmarks.

Pensacola, originally inhabited by the Muskogean-speaking indigenous people, is the site of the first Spanish settlement within the borders of the continental United States. In 1559, predating the establishment of St. Augustine by 6 years, Spanish sailor Tristán de Luna led America’s first settlement attempt here. The settlement was abandoned due to a hurricane and not re-established until 1698 when the Spanish established a presidio in the area, from which the modern city gradually developed.

2 Manteo, NC

• Elevation: 7′
• Land area: 1.919 mi²
• Population: 1,950 (2019)
• Founded: 1865

Nestled on the waterfront in the heart of Roanoke Island – one of the four barrier islands that make up the Outer Banks – the beautiful town of Manteo just couldn’t be any more appealing.

Picturesque boardwalk, a historic lighthouse, colorful gardens, outdoor activities, high concentration of activities and restaurants, and the literal birthplace of English colonization in America, Manteo is an alluring weekend getaway.

Historically significant, the town was named for a Native American Croatan Chief named Manteo, who helped the first 16th century colonists survive their initial winter, and later became a goodwill ambassador and liaison between the Roanoke Colony settlers and the Indians; the first American-born English child, Virginia Dare, was born in Manteo and it’s one of the first English settlements in the New World. The Colonists disappeared after supplies from England were delayed for three years, creating the ongoing mystery of “The Lost Colony.”

1 Beaufort, SC

• Elevation: 10′
• Founded: 1711
• Population: 13,404 (2019)

Beaufort (pronounced “byoo-furt,” not “bo-fort”), on the South Carolina coast, is called the “Queen of the Carolina Sea Islands” for good reason. Ranked by Livability as one of the Top 100 Small Towns in 2015, Beaufort has everything needed to attract couples, families, or solo travelers – pristine beaches, charming antebellum downtown, rich history, Gullah culture, and famous Lowcountry dining. Outdoor and nature activities abound – you will not run out of things to do in Beaufort SC!

Nestled on Port Royal Island on the South Carolina coast, Beaufort is one of those destinations you’ll want to return to time and time again. The ocean and intercostal waterways provide opportunities for all kinds of water activities. Combine that with the stunning visual of the old Spanish moss oaks and its undeniable place in the history of America, and it’s kind of like combining the best of Charleston (1.5 hours away) with the best of Savannah (one hour away) – but with a more laid-back vibe. Add to that the stunning deadwood beach at Hunting Island State Park, and you have a small town that is impossible to top.

Did I mention that Beaufort was a filming site for movies such as Forrest Gump, The Big Chill, and The Prince of Tides?

You may not realize it, but Beaufort arguably ranks as the most significant city in American history. I’m not kidding. For a better understanding, read my article Beaufort SC: ALL US History Began HERE.

Conclusion

Did you find inspiration to visit these small towns in USA? These tucked-away gems will not disappoint you with their charm and unique personalities! We have loved our exploration of small towns in USA and look forward to discovering more!

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About the Author

Patti Morrow is a freelance travel writer and founder of the award-winning international blog Luggage and Lipstick and southern travel blog Gone to Carolinas. TripAdvisor called her one of “20 Baby Boomer Travel Bloggers Having More Fun Than Millennials” and she was named one of the “Top 35 Travel Blogs” in the world.

She is also the star of the upcoming TV series “Destination Takeover” which is scheduled to premiere in the new few months.

Patti is the author of the book “Girls Go Solo: Tips for Women Traveling Alone,” and has over 150 bylines in 40 print and online publications, including The Huffington Post, International Living Magazine, Washington Post Sunday Travel, Travel Girl, Travel Play Live Magazine, and Ladies Home Journal. She has traveled extensively through six continents looking for fabulous destinations, exotic beaches, and adventure activities for her Baby Boomer tribe.