The United States is teeming with charming towns just waiting to be discovered. It’s a wonderful treat to get away from the ruckus of city life and to visit these small towns with picturesque landscapes and welcoming local folk. You can hike majestic mountains, canoe around quiet lakes, take a picture and write a poem about wildlife, or buy locally made products at county fairs. You will never run out of nice things to experience here. Many communities are naturally warm to visitors and the townsfolk are always willing and ready to provide travelers with stories and local legends connected to the local culture. In no time, you will start feeling like you’re not a tourist. Scroll down to read our list of the best beautiful towns in the United States.
1. Woodstock, Vermont
Woodstock is a quaint little town in New England that sits along Green Mountains and is surrounded by plenty of historic buildings. Tucked away in the mountains is Suicide Six, a ski resort with trails for every level of skiers. Also, a must-see here is the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, an outdoor historical park with a mansion built in the 1800s in a Queen Anne architectural style. Another attraction here is Billings Farm & Museum, a working dairy farm and a museum that exhibits life in Vermont during the 19th century. At your leisure, watch master glass artisans sculpt at Simon Pearce flagship. Before leaving, have a delightful dinner at one of Woodstock’s restaurants where fresh farm-to-table delicacies are always available.
2. Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
Harpers Ferry is a beautiful town with scenic natural parks where visitors can engage in various outdoor activities. Visitors can also visit Civil War museums and battlefields. A place where Potomac River and Shenandoah River converge, Harpers Ferry is an excellent place for river adventures. Go kayaking at River Rider or simply marvel at its rich foliage. Hike around town or ride a miniature train with your kids to Harpers Ferry Toy Train Museum. Those interested in the history of the American Civil War should visit Harpers Ferry National Historical Park where Civil War Living History Museum can be found. Enrich your knowledge about this period through photographs, artifacts, and records of events. Go where intense battles occurred such as the Battle of Bolivar Heights. Also, a notable place to see John Brown Wax Museum.
3. Camden, Maine
A splendid town in New England where the ocean kisses its lovely hills, Camden, Maine, is the perfect getaway for ocean lovers, outdoor adventurers, and jazz music enthusiasts. It is also a must-visit spot where foodies are eager to taste dishes prepared by some of Maine’s ace chefs. Camden’s sea coast offers a lovely refuge from city life: visitors can take a short and sweet tour on one of the elegant ships moored at the dock. Visit Camden’s scenic Curtis Island, famous for its 1830s lighthouse. If dipping into the salty sea is not for you, Barret Cove, a freshwater beach in Lake Megunticook, will be perfect. Every month of June, a musical retreat with Camden’s three-day Jazz Festival is held. Wrap up your tour with a meal made from freshly caught seafood at any of Camden’s restaurants by the bay.
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4. Telluride, Colorado
Telluride enthralls travelers with its enchanting mountain village and alluring scenery. Telluride Ski Resort, with its 2,000 acres (809.4 hectares) of ski slopes, 309 inches (784.9 centimeters) of snow, and 148 ski trails for all levels, is fast becoming a favorite ski spot. Once a cozy retreat from the slopes, Mountain Village is now a vibrant community bustling with shops, restaurants, and event venues. Ride a gondola to get a stunning view of the mountains from a 10,500-foot (3,200-meter) high altitude car. Rent or bring your all-terrain vehicle and go off-roading in Ophir Pass’ 10 miles (16.1 kilometers) of dirt road. During warm months, go on a hike and marvel at the scenic landscapes along the Bear Creek Trail and Jud Wiebe Trail.
5. Taos, New Mexico (from USD 30.0)
A scenic and historic desert town admired for its adobe architecture, Taos offers a wide range of activities for visitors. Visit Taos Pueblo with its structures dating back 1,000-1,450 years. It is the only Native American living community declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Take a stroll at Taos Plaza, a lovely 300-year structure teeming with shops, art galleries, and live concert venues. The town is also dotted with museums such as Harwood Museum of Art and Kit Carson Home to name a few. Tour Rio Grande del Norte National Monument’s stunning 800-foot (243.8-meter) gorge. You can also go river rafting down the Rio Grande River. Before leaving town, spend a night of music with beer at Taos Mesa Brewing.
Taos Historic Downtown Guided Walking Tour in New Mexico
Duration: 1 hour
6. Cordova, Alaska
A quaint town nestled between Lake Eyak and Hawkings Island, Cordova is a seaside paradise with breathtaking landscapes. Visitors can engage in a wide array of outdoor activities. Sail the majestic Copper River and marvel at the Childs Glacier and Copper River Highway located just along its path. Take photos of flocks of migratory birds and waterfowl who live along the Copper River during spring and fall. Have a road trip to the scenic Sheridan Glacier, which is surrounded by peaks and a lake with icebergs. In the warmer months, go kayaking at the Orca Inlet. Also, enjoy angling in one of Cordova’s salmon-and-trout-rich creeks or at Eyak River. To catch your favorite saltwater fish, charter a fishing boat and cast a line in the ocean. Enrich your knowledge of the town’s history and culture at Cordova Historical Museum.
7. McCloud, California
Nestled in the slopes of Mount Shasta, McCloud is a town of beautiful falls and scenic nature parks where you will find a diverse range of things to do. Middle McCloud Falls — a 46-foot (14 meters) tall and 100-foot (30 meters) wide waterfall — is a majestic landscape that shows the expanse of this former logging town. When in McCloud, one must explore the outback to experience Mount Shasta’s glorious scenery. With summits to suit every kind of hiker, trails range from simple day hikes to difficult glacier expeditions. Visit Lake Shasta Cavern and be amazed at its immensity. Considered a National Natural Landmark, the cavern sits 900 feet (274.3 meters) above Shasta Lake. McCloud is also a haven for anglers obsessed with fly fishing — an activity that never goes out of season in McCloud.
8. Haleiwa, Hawaii
Ride the waves or simply have a pleasant time in the island town of Haleiwa. Its unmatched surfing environment and pristine natural parks make Haleiwa the perfect island getaway. Dubbed as the “Surfing Capital on the World,” Haleiwa Beach Park has waves perfect for all skill levels of wave riders. Just north of Haleiwa is Waimea Beach Park that offers big waves and captivating beach scenery. For a spectacular yet serene landscape, tour Waimea Valley. Aside from its picturesque scenery, the valley holds an important place in the sacred Hawaiian mythology. A must-see when in town is Haleiwa Art Gallery. The gallery exhibits the work of artists inspired by the idyllic Haleiwa.
9. Chautauqua, New York
New York’s best-kept secret is the charming town of Chautauqua. This idyllic town and its surrounding attractions have been favorite destinations of New Yorkers for a century. Its beautiful Chautauqua Lake offers plenty of lakeside recreational activities such as kayaking, sailing, boating, and other water activities. Cast a line in Chautauqua Lake to catch walleye, bass, muskellunge, and several species of panfish. Appreciate the art of laughter in National Comedy Center — a cultural institution and museum devoted to comedy. Elevate your mind and soul at Chautauqua Institute, a Victorian lakeside village that stirs up summer with musical extravaganzas, symphonies, operas, films, and dance performances. Also, inside the community is Strohl Art Center that highlights historical and contemporary artwork.
10. Tellico Plains, Tennessee
Found in the foothills of Great Smoky Mountains, Tellico Plains has breathtaking landscapes and rich history. Drive to the scenic route of Cherohala Skyway and experience the breathtaking 100-foot (30 meters) high Bald River Falls. This unique waterfall has water flowing down among its rocks instead of a free fall. Enjoy Cherokee Forest’s panoramic views while a hike on Bald River Falls Trail, a mid-difficult hiking terrain. Just 22 minutes from Tellico Plains, go on a guided boat tour to the stunning underground lake, The Lost Sea. Beautiful and cavernous, it is uniquely abundant with “cave flowers” and rare anthodites. Charles Hall Museum has an impressive collection of 8,000 historical artifacts of Appalachian and Tellico Plains history such as Native American tools, vintage guns, and 1880s phones.
Visit the unforgettable and beautiful towns of the US
America’s panoramic countryside, elegant lakes and seashores, wonderful people, and historic locations await. Plan your trip and pack your luggage now and get ready for unforgettable adventures in the most beautiful towns of the US.
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