55 Beautiful Small Towns in America | Architectural Digest

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On the other side sits the storied Arlington Hotel. Then, take advantage of the Natural State. Beyond the national park, nearby Lake Catherine and Lake Ouachita State Parks offer hiking, waterfalls, houseboating, and all the usual water sport suspects. The acre Garvan Woodland Gardens throws an annual tulip festival extravaganza. Try your luck at Crater of Diamonds State Park ; as of the beginning of May, diamonds had already been found this year.

Pair it with a burger and top off with a root beer float, also made with the hot springs. Population: 33, So much more than the Myrtle Beach of your debaucherous high school senior trip memories, this South Carolina vacation hub has been keeping visitors of all ages on their toes since , when the final stretch of the 2, mile-long Intracoastal Waterway linked to Horry County.

Today the coastal playground attracts thousands of visitors, thanks to its blend of flashy attractions, diverse bars and restaurants, pro golf courses, jaw-dropping natural areas, and, of course, 60 full miles of shoreline bliss. Aquatically inclined? Retro boardwalk fixture Peaches Corner grills up the best foot-long hot dogs in town with vibes to match. For barbecue— this is South Carolina, after all —pop over to Little Pigs Bar-B-Q for some hickory-smoked pork butts laced with a tangy mustard sauce.

The population hovers around 30, at any given time, representing a healthy mix of mainland expats and local lifers raking in a household income that falls within the top 10 for small American cities. Don’t leave without: Cruising Hana Highway , a Population: 30, Home to three universities, Ithaca may seem like just another college town—but there’s a lot more to it than Andy Bernard would have you believe.

You can enjoy bars and farm-to-table restaurants, catch a theatrical performance or a live outdoor concert, and shop to your heart’s content without feeling like you’ve put 30 miles on your legs.

Admire the antique houses in historic neighborhoods like East Hill and Cornell Heights, then stroll down colorful, tree-lined streets downtown. Lazy afternoons can be spent following lush trails and crossing historic bridges leading to gorges and lakeside views not far from the city center. Take in the sunset over Cayuga Lake from Stewart Park , where you will inevitably wonder why you didn’t come to Ithaca sooner. Meanwhile, you’re smack in the middle of Finger Lakes Wine Country , which boasts over wineries, distilleries, and breweries.

Don’t leave without: A hike through Taughannock Falls State Park leads to a foot waterfall roaring off cliffs that tower nearly feet above the gorge. Yes, you heard that right: Snow. In the desert.

Population: 97, Separated from hipper-than-thou Portland by three hours and a snowy mountain range, Bend is a city of contradictions.

Grab a pint of Mirror Pond Pale or jet-black rarity the Abyss, if you’re lucky at its downtown taproom. Stave off any after-effects with Peruvian steak stir-fry and catfish tacos at Spork , or go old-school at downtown’s The Drake.

The fancy diner vibes belie gut-busters like a Hot-honey Fried Chicken and a locally sourced Ribeye doused in succulent bone-marrow butter. There are few more refreshing ways to shock the toxins out of your body after a long day of getting to know the city. Just under two hours down the road from Asheville, NC, the city of Greenville quietly boasts an active arts community, burgeoning culinary scene, and easy access to some downright spectacular natural beauty. Let your first impression be Falls Park on the Reedy , a acre park smack in the middle of downtown that includes a foot waterfall and the foot Liberty Bridge.

This is also the best jumping-off point to the Swamp Rabbit Trail more on that momentarily. Depending on when you visit, you might find yourself mingling with creative types at Artisphere , Euphoria , or Fall for Greenville. Population: 48, Bozeman has long flown under the radar—but not for much longer. It’s an immediate charmer thanks to its gorgeous mountain setting and walkable downtown district.

Did we mention the outdoors? There’s skiing, with Bridger Bowl 30 minutes away and the larger Big Sky resort just an hour from town.

That place with all the cheese? And there’s no shortage of good eating, from the sticky buns at Sweet Somethings bakery to crawfish etouffee at Cafe LaFleur. It’s also downright friendly see the “Greetings from” and “Welcome to” murals. As Mayor Johnny Magee says, “You’re here, you’re family.

Case in point: a slew of new businesses opening their doors in this Hudson Valley hamlet. Among them: The Maker , an room boutique hotel spread across three historic buildings, founded by the owners of Fresh beauty products , Lev Glazman and Alina Roytberg. Shoe-and-lifestyle boutique Intentionally Blank and Nikki Chasin ‘s eponymous clothing store both offer new shopping options, while Breadfolks bakery and Sonder natural wine bar provide new spots to dine and drink along Hudson’s commercial strip, Warren Street.

Factor in longtime draws like excellent antiquing, a top-notch farmers’ market, and easy access to outdoor adventure, and it’s easy to see why more folks are calling Hudson home.

This Central Coast town has plenty to boast about, with more than wineries and award-winning restaurants. Yet “it is completely unpretentious,” says Alexis Negranti, founder of Negranti Creamery. It’s fine to wear boots and a hat to a five-star spot.

A vibrant Arts District, green spaces, and annual festivals, including Mule Day which celebrates the town’s history as a mule-trading center , add to the appeal. For country escapes, visit Kindred Farm , which hosts dinners on its acre property, or nearby Natchez Hills vineyard. Founded by Dutch settlers in , this town along Lake Macatawa celebrates its heritage with attractions typical of the Netherlands. The town is also home to the long-running annual Fiesta , a celebration of West Michigan’s Latino culture and community.

Stroll Holland’s downtown shopping district for a mix of longtime, family-run businesses rooted in the town’s Dutch heritage, like DeBoer’s Bakery , and newer offerings like garden and home-goods shop Gezellig.

Holland is also on the water, so there’s beach time, too, at spots like Holland Beach State Park , home to the iconic Big Red Lighthouse. Country Life. Design Ideas. Home Maintenance. Country Living Shop. Shopping Guides. United States.

Type keyword s to search. Today’s Top Stories. Easy, Cheap, Minute or Faster! Dinner Recipes. The Best Small Towns for Halloween. Apple Cider Donut Bundt Cake. 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.

Gorgeous scenery surrounds this small town, which has plenty of eye candy, from an Italianate museum Asa Packer Mansion Museum to hiking Glen Onoko Falls. 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.

Even in winter, this town—home to Antioch College—is stunning, with natural splendor that includes the mile-long Little Miami Scenic Trail that connects to the acre John Bryan State Park. Also, many residents are artists. By Rachel Wallace. By Stefanie Waldek. By Laura May Todd. Travel 70 miles north of Charleston and across a causeway to find this barrier island, which claims only around residents but can trace its roots back to the s through historic buildings including antebellum homes.

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. Silver Run Falls, in the heart of this Blue Ridge Mountains town—63 miles southwest of Asheville and at about 3,feet elevation—is just one of the natural beauties.

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 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 acre Ferncliff Forest is a favorite hiking spot with a view.

It also boasts three historic districts. When you think of a quaint Southern town with magnolia trees and antebellum homes, Madison—60 miles east of Atlanta—is just that. Lots of antiques shopping, along with hikes through Brown County State Park, provide visual stimulation. Four gorgeous alfresco hot springs are nearby and open for soaking. Mature magnolia trees create a canopy in this small town along the Magnolia River where mail is still delivered by boat.

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. 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. Skiing—both Nordic and downhill—is a huge draw. Historic buildings dating as far back as the late s 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.

Best small towns near big cities – best small towns near big cities.5 small-town destinations you can access from big-city airports

Here are five small or smaller towns you can visit just outside the big cities. While you could spend your entire trip hanging out by and in the water, the tiny town of Saugatuck has plenty more to offer, from boutique shopping to incredible art galleries.

John C. And, of course, no Arizona trip would be complete without some quality time exploring the great outdoors — and Prescott is a perfect setting to do so. Travelers who want to to experience a Belgian destination a bit more intimate than Brussels often head to the medieval city of Bruges — but you can go even further off the beaten path without straying too far from the airport.

You can relax on its shores, have amazing food and take in the lively vibe of the town. The city is rife with breweries , so you can fuel up with a different brew everyday; and on Sundays, as Primm noted, you can class it up by enjoying oysters and cava while you stroll through the local flower market.

While the actual Falls in Niagara Falls are well worth a visit, Niagara-on-the-Lake offers a bit more of a variety for your itinerary — all in a beautiful Victorian setting. There are countless ways to delve into that history while in town, including seeing a live trial reenactment with History Alive Salem and visiting the 17th century home of trial judge Jonathan Corwin and the Salem Witch Museum. By Emma Sarran Webster.

Best small towns near big cities – best small towns near big cities –

 
 
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