Filled with charm and plenty of friendly locals, small towns are synonymous with American life. To help you decide which destinations are the best small towns to visit in the USA, U.S. News evaluated places with a population of less than 50,000 people that offer plenty of restaurants and attractions, plus boast picture-perfect natural beauty and a unique character all their own.
Bar Harbor
#1 in Best Small Towns to Visit in the USA
Bar Harbor is small-town Maine at its finest. This relaxing East Coast retreat is filled with charming bed-and-breakfast accommodations and plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun. Boat tours, history tours and culinary tours are just a few ways travelers can get better acquainted with Bar Harbor. What’s more, the town is a gateway to Maine’s top attraction, Acadia National Park, where visitors can hike, bike, kayak and explore tide pools. Travelers should come hungry: Lobstering is still an important contributor to Bar Harbor’s economy, which means local restaurants have plenty of fresh lobster and other seafood on their menus.
Telluride
#2 in Best Small Towns to Visit in the USA
This Colorado town woos visitors with its captivating scenery and delightful Mountain Village, a European-style resort town filled with restaurants, shops, accommodations and more. Skiers flock to Telluride’s slopes for more than 2,000 acres of terrain, plus ample après-ski spots, more than 300 inches of snow and 300 days of sun annually. Year-round, the town hosts numerous festivals and cultural events, and travelers can hike, go zip lining and golf when the weather warms. Plan to set aside a day to hop in the car for a road trip along the San Juan Skyway, too.
Monterey
#3 in Best Small Towns to Visit in the USA
A popular California vacation destination, Monterey is known for its stunning coastal setting. The best ways to enjoy the region’s geography are to ride along the 17-Mile Drive (keep your eyes peeled for Monterey’s famous Lone Cypress) and hike through the beautiful Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. If you’re a golfer, don’t miss the chance to hit the links at Pebble Beach, which is widely considered one of the most beautiful courses in the country. You’ll also want to check out the Monterey Bay Aquarium (one of the best aquariums in the country) and explore Old Fisherman’s Wharf’s candy shops if you’re traveling with kids.
Nantucket
#4 in Best Small Towns to Visit in the USA
If your ideal getaway includes tranquil beach days in an exclusive locale, look no further than Nantucket. This tiny island off the coast of Massachusetts is beloved by travelers for its quaint small-town atmosphere and three photogenic lighthouses. Although you’ll likely want to spend most of your time with your toes in the sand (Surfside and Jetties Beach are two popular shorelines), if you do tire of the sun, head to Nantucket’s Whaling Museum to delve into the island’s unique whaling history. Other activities include strolling along the Sconset Bluff Walk and birdwatching at the Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge.
Jackson Hole
#5 in Best Small Towns to Visit in the USA
Jackson Hole has made a name for itself thanks to its roughly 400 inches of annual snowfall and 2,500 acres of skiable terrain. But this must-visit mountain town is more than a top ski spot: Visitors return to this Wyoming valley year after year for its picturesque scenery, cozy lodging and proximity to Grand Teton National Park. As such, expect outdoor activities galore, including mountain biking, paragliding and whitewater rafting in the warmer months. What’s more, you can even view wild elk at the nearby National Elk Refuge.
