People appreciated small towns over the past couple of years. There is no denying the attraction of bustling cities. Even though travelers are returning to crowded areas, the appeal of a small town is still strong.
Each town has a year-round population under 100,000 and offers something special for visitors. The towns can be used as a base for outdoor adventures. Others are food and wine hot spots that are better than others. All deserve to be on your list of destinations.
No order is given for the entries. The picks were written by a number of people.
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If you are cruising into Port Angeles (or simply PA, as the town is known) on Washington's northern coast, chances are high you are either coming from Olympic National park or heading there. The Olympic peaks are visible from the south, while the Salish Sea crashes into the north shore. Port Angeles is more than a place to replenish and refuel before heading to the mountains. Harborview Park is located on the Ediz Hook peninsula and has a great view of the town and the mountains behind it. It would be hard to not wish this were your hometown even on a cloudy day.
If you just returned from the Olympics, you may want to post up at the Blackbird Coffeehouse. Downriggers is the place to go for fresh seafood and views of the Salish, and Barhop Brewing is next to the ferry connecting PA to Victoria, British Columbia.
Thanks to drive-on ferry access from the port, Port Angeles is an ideal jumping off point for vanlifers and road trippers on their way to the island. Access to surfing, skiing, and paddling can be found in the town. Hike the railroad trail before you leave town.
The photo was taken during Visit Utah.
There are many adventure towns in Utah. Park City has become a resort destination in the past. If you want to go on an adventure trip in Utah in 2023, you should base your stay in Kanab. Red rock canyons and sandy desert mountains surround one of the mostunderappreciated base camps in the Southwest. Capitol Reef is a bit further to the northeast and Zion National Park is a bit further to the northwest in the state. Before or after visiting Grand Canyon National Park, Kanab is a great place to post.
You don't need to go to a park to have an adventure in Kanab. You can hit the trail from the Tom's Canyon or K-Hill trails. A great way to spend an afternoon is to hike the wire pass. Kanab has easy access to some of Utah's best state parks, including the red sand dunes of Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. The red rock region is an excellent place to go for a winter national parks trip if you want to see a rainbow of colors in the sky.
The Grand Circle Lodge is located in the center of town. Hayduke's Hideout is a good place to post if you're an Ed Abbey fan. The Iron Horse Restaurant & Saloon is located in Kanab and serves great steak on order. At Sego you can get new age and trendy with craft beer and farm-to-table food. The western chuckwagon dinner at the Little Hollywood Museum is something to do while here.
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It's a coastal town in the Pacific Northwest. The mouth of one of America's most epic waterways spilling into the ocean is located in a quaint downtown lined with fresh seafood shops and cozy waterside pubs. The town is beautiful from its hilly downtown to the sun reflecting off the ocean, bay, and river that surround it on three sides.
Climb the 125-foot tall tower on top of a hill overlooking downtown and the ocean and you can get a beer and a basket of fish and chips at the brewery. There are more than a few places to grab a snack or a round of friends on the boardwalk. You can view the harbor from the public house on the Cathedral Tree Trail. There is a hub for rockhounding in the area.
It would be hard to leave a place that you love and want to stay in. The sound of the current hitting the boardwalk can be woken up by staying the night at the Riverwalk Inn. You can check into one of the uniqueAirbnbs in the area. If you travel north or south from here, the drive will be as beautiful as it is far away. You can jam to The Ataris as you cross the bridge.
Maine isn't called "Vacationland" for nothing by people. Camden is the epitome of everything that makes Maine appealing to travelers: small town coastal beauty, historic architecture, boating, and a slower pace of life. You don't need to go into Maine's deep wilderness to get there.
Camden is a great place to enjoy Maine's brilliant foliage. The Camden Hills State Park is the best place to take in the area's flavor, with scenic trails and panoramic views from the top of Mount Battie. Since the town is close to the ocean, you can rent kayaks, explore the bay, or take a tour of the lighthouse. The historic downtown has 19th century buildings you can stay at like the Blackberry Inn.
You have to eat seafood in Maine. Peter Ott's on the Water is the best place in Camden to get lobster rolls.
There are things to do in Camden no matter what time of year you visit. The year will include the annual Camden Winter Fest in February, the Art Walk in May, and the Windjammer Festival in the summer.
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The town of Sebastopol is two square miles in size. One of the most prolific wine regions in Northern California has that happening to it. The heritage of Gravenstein apples is still celebrated with an annual fair. Credit goes to the laid-back local community for preserving Sebastapol's bohemianism while making room for destination draws like global cuisine, trendy breweries, and refined taprooms.
The Barlow is a 220,000- square-foot open-air marketplace that is the focus of the downtown dining and drinking scene. Pax Wines and the Crooked Goat are two of the highlights. There are many places to eat outside of the town center, such as Ramen Gaijin, which is a great place to go for date night.
Walk around to get to know the person. In front of their homes on Florence Avenue, residents make art out of recycled trash. Hike, mountain bike, and kayak in the open space of the surrounding area, such as the Laguna Wetlands Preserve, Sonoma Coast State Park, and Ragle Ranch Regional park. You can plan your visit to the town on April 12 and 13 in 2023. An excellent base for your explorations can be found at Autocamp on the Russian River, but there are plenty of other places to stay nearby as well.
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If you are on the southern Utah national parks circuit, you can drive through Escalante to reach Capitol Reef. Canyonlands and Arches are four hours east of Zion. Escalante can be stopped on its own. The gateway to the Escalante-Grand Staircase National Monument is located along the scenic byway 12 and is just as beautiful as any of Utah's national parks.
One of the biggest advantages to visiting Escalante-Grand Staircase over other national parks is the ease of camping on Bureau of Land Management land. The irony is that Escalante is full of rustic yet luxurious lodging that will make you want to book a bed for the night.
Unlike its accommodations, Escalante's restaurants have no business being as delicious and varied as they are, from artisan pizza and craft beer at Escalante outfitters to smothered burritos at Georgie's outdoor Mexican Cafe. Hell's Backbone Grill is a James Beard Award-winning farm-to-table restaurant that makes you forget you're eating in the desert.
You are likely to participate in 90- to 100 degree heat in Escalante if you are not fed and hydrated. Escalante caters mostly to summer visitors. There are a number of slot canyons in the area. One of the most popular hikes is Lower Calf Creek Falls, which takes three miles to get to the waterfall. Driving through Devil's Garden will give you a good amount of scenery.
The opening of Escalante as a national monument makes it feel like a hideaway from the crowds at parks like Zion and Arches. The town has a dedicated following, though, and with the increase in vanlifers, glampers, road trippers, and general outdoor travelers over the past few years, Escalante's hidden vibe may not be the case for much longer.
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The new Old West is typified by the town of Bisbee. The artisans who sell goods like olive oil, honey, soap, jewelry, apparel, and pottery on Main Street are the ones who channel the town's work ethic into more creative endeavors. Thanks to its finely preserved early-20th century downtown, you can still see what old-town Bisbee might have looked like. Visitors will be happy with what's new. There is a food scene that includes vegan fare, Vietnamese noodles, and craft beers.
Hikes, off-roading, and bird watching can be done in the Mule Mountains. The best way to decide when you want to visit is through the events calendar. On the second Saturday of every month, there is a Bisbee After 5 Artwalk that brings artists together to paint the town. There is a soap box derby car parade at the BRATS Festival in October.
In Bisbee, holidays are as crazy as can be. Labor Day Weekend coincides with the Fourth of July and New Year's Eve, and Pride coincides with Father's Day, which spans three days in June. The Mariachi Festival that takes place in November and the Blues in Bisbee music festival that takes place in September are two good causes.
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Ernest Hemingway came to Sun Valley in 1939 as part of a campaign to boost tourism. Ketchum, a tiny town next to downtown, pulls in more business.
Ketchum has been around for more than 50 years, so it seems to have more character than Sun Valley. It began as a trapper settlement in the late 1800s and flourished into an Old West haven before the turn of the century. The Trailing of the Sheep Festival lasts five days and features lamb feasts, wool fests, and a parade featuring 1,500 sheep. One of the biggest non-motorized parades in the Pacific Northwest can be found at the Ketchum Wagon Days festival.
The base of Mount Bald is where Ketchum is located. Whether or not they save up to stay at the Sun Valley Resort, hikers, mountain bikers, skiers, and snowboarders have access to the same areas. The funky Hotel Ketchum motor lodge is one of the properties that can be found on Ketchum's Main Street.
The Sun Valley Art Gallery organizes several art walks throughout the year in downtown Ketchum, as well as an annual Ketchum Arts Festival that is free to attend in July.
The crescent shaped bay on California's coast is an ideal spot for a weekend or day trip. Half Moon Bay is a small town with a population of 11,000 and a town center built in the 1800's. It is the epitome of charming. That doesn't mean that's boring.
A stroll down Main Street in Half Moon Bay is a must for window shoppers. You can get provisions for a beach picnic at Half Moon Bay Wine and Cheese Company. HMB Coffee Co. is a great place to eat breakfast. You can get a lobster roll at Sam's Chowder House and enjoy a beer at Half Moon Bay Brewing Company. The Art and Pumpkin Festival is held in Half Moon Bay.
Half Moon Bay is a place where people like to spend most of their time outside. Visitors can kayak at Pillar Point Harbor with Half Moon Bay Kayaking Company, or take in the salty sea air on a walk along the four mile stretch of Half Moon Bay State Beach. The beaches of Half Moon Bay are well known for their tide pools, which are filled with sea life.
The Half Moon Bay Coastside Trail is an alternative to the California Coastside Trail that hikers can use. You will be able to see the Pacific Ocean and the famous surfing spot the Mavericks. There are equestrian trails along the 7.5 mile trail. There is a 1.3 mile paved cliffside walkway called Devil's Slide that is open to bikers as well as walkers.
The Ritz-Carlton is located on top of one of the bay's cliffs and overlooks the beach. The hotel is a great place to stay. The Half Moon Bay Lodge is a good choice for a cozier atmosphere.
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Located in dry, hilly, and mountainous Eastern Washington, Chelan is a 4,000 person lake town that is similar in atmosphere and appeal to Lake George in New York. Swimming, boating, and water sports offer endless opportunities for adventure until you get tired, which is one of the main reasons why the lake is often the center of the vacation. The lake is the center of activity in the area, but there are many other things to do here.
There are many wineries around the lake and the area is an official wine region. Wine tasting is a great way to see the lake from a different perspective. There are several top rated wineries for tasting and vineyard tours.
If you want to be out on the water but you don't want to relax, Lake Chelan is a great place to go fishing. Anyone who likes to spend most of their vacations outside is going to love it here. If you want to be close to the water, you can book your spot in advance, but they get crowded in the summer.
The lagoon and beach at Lake Chelan State Park are popular with swimmers. Kayaks, pontoon boats, and jet skis can be rented by vacationers. One of the few safe places to swim in the Columbia River is the Beebe Bridge Park. The Chelan River is known for its legendary white water rafting trips.
If you can't leave the lake, a hike in Chelan is worth the trip. The reward is amazing views of the mountain range.
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When visiting southwest Utah, St. George is often overlooked as a place to stay because of its close proximity to Springdale. The fact that most people don't stay there makes it all the more compelling, as the town's nearby state parks are not as crowded. It certainly doesn't hurt that St. George is home to some of Utah's best mountain biking, as well as the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve, which is home to America's indigenous "monster": the bright-orange, two-.
It's a great time to visit St. George if you want to avoid the crowds of national parks. St. George has its own airport which makes it easy to travel there on a weekend. St. George hotels are more affordable and there is never a long wait at area restaurants. There is ash in the air. There is a restaurant at the hotel.
Snow Canyon State Park is known for its red rocks, explorable lava tubes and narrow canyons. The views from 5,200 feet above sea level can be enjoyed by mountain bikers. There are bike rentals at stores. The gila monster, the US's only poisonous lizard, is found in the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve.
Station II Bar by Zion Brewery is a good place to go for post hike drinks. The famous brews of Zion National Park can be found at the bar inside a firehouse.
A photo of a person.
The first time I saw Homer was after an eight-hour drive through the National Wildlife refuge, where I failed to see moose, caribou, or gryphon bears. I knew it was worth the trip when I passed vivid red, waist-high fireweed with the backdrop of the Aleutian Range in the distance.
At the far southern tip of Alaska's Kenai Peninsula, Homer is a town of two parts: the mainland town of around 6,000 people, which is the starting point for wildlife tours and fishing trips and is full of artists, eccentrics, and free-spirited Alaskans, and the Homer
For many visitors to Alaska, Homer is just a place to stay while they wait for their water taxis to get them to island resorts. I recommend spending an extra day in Homer to visit the interactive Alaska Islands & Ocean Visitor Center, take a grizzly bear helicopter tour, paddle your way along the town's rocky mainland coastline, or wet your whistle at a local stop.
The best time to visit is in the summer. One of Alaska's biggest music festivals takes place in the northern part of the state in the middle of August. The most diverse event is the Alaska World Arts Festival in September, which features comedy shows and concerts, performances, art classes, workshops, and dance performances.
The photo was taken by Jesse Adams.
Kentucky is known for horse races, Bourbon and fried chicken. None of those elements apply to Paducah. This small town of 25,000 people has a single word that characterizes it. It's a great place to explore on foot because of the abundance of art in all shapes and sizes.
The floodwall is meant to protect the city from the waters of the Ohio River. The slabs of concrete have been turned into giant canvases that tell the story of the town and you can easily spend a couple of hours enjoying the painting and story telling skills of the artists. You can buy funky local creations at the Bricolage Art Collective on Market House Square. Market House Square is full of art galleries, artisan jewelers, ceramic tile art, and more that make the downtown area a new level of charm. You can take in the atmosphere by walking around with a pastry from the old bakery. The National Quilt Museum is located across the street from Market House Square. The American Quilter's Society QuiltWeek will take place from April 26 to 29 in the year 2023. Art lovers of all persuasions will have a great time at the event.
Don't just stay in the downtown area, it's the heart of the artistic quality. You can take a stroll along the main street and look at the local architecture. The Lower Town Arts District is home to many art galleries and mansions. You can stop by the small shop on Sixth and Madison for a drink and a bite to eat.
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The oldest European city in America is located in northeast Florida. Few people outside of the state of Florida are aware of how much it has to offer.
The Castillo de San Marcos is one of the oldest structures in the city. The Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse is said to be haunted, as is the Stogies cigar bar, where poker players who died in a fire haunt the bathroom. The best time to go on a haunted tour is on your first night in town.
The Old Jail Museum gives a sad look at how inmates were kept in the days before air conditioning. You can zipline over alligator pits at Crocodile Crossing. One of the state's mostunderappreciated beaches is located just south of town at the Guana River Preserve. Most days, the golden sand and grassy dunes feel like a remote coast of Africa, and you will have it all to yourself.
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Rapid City is located in the Black Hills of South Dakota and is a great starting point for a visit to Mt. Hood. It is referred to as the "greatest mountain in the world." The famous monument is probably the least impressive thing you will find in the city.
The Black Hills can be reached via Rapid City. That includes Mt.. It is referred to as the "greatest mountain in the world." It is also where you will find one of America's prettiest roads along the Needles Highway in the state park. Buffalo are abundant around Rapid City, and you can often find them on the side of the highway, or at Wall Drug.
College town creativity collides with rugged independence in a small mountain city. Firehouse Brewing is a great place to enjoy a beer and a burger, as well as a varied music scene. You can play vintage video games at Press Start or ice skate in Main Street Square in Downtown Rapid City.
You can find everything from first-generation Nepalese cuisine at Kathmandu Bistro to the best waffles in the state in Rapid City. Rapid City is a place where you stop for a night and think, "I really want to stay here more." If you are going to go to Mt.. Take a few more days to explore.
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Set along the shores of Lake Superior, this iron shipping hub has evolved far past its maritime history and has become an enjoyable place to post up while exploring the wilderness of northern Minnesota. It is the starting point for the most scenic road trips in America, the North Shore scenic drive which runs from just north of the city to the Canadian border.
The city isn't just a point on the road. You can learn about the art and culture at the downtown Train depot before taking a train ride on the North Shore Scenic Railroad. The oldest brewery in the city is located at Fitger's and it looks like a castle on the lake. You can take a stroll through the private cemetery at the Glensheen Mansion if you enjoy the lakeside views from the patio.
You can make a day trip up to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area if you choose to. You can explore the 42 miles of biking and hiking trails in the area. There is a regular after-ride spot for the city's active locals. You can eat gourmet pizza at Lulu's.
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Are there reindeer yoga and night skies? Please.
One of the most interesting natural phenomena on the planet is the northern lights. Solar storms on the sun cause the green and pink in the sky to dance. Particles are sent towards the Earth by those storms. They are pulled into the atmosphere near the poles and created a particle gas reaction that lights up the sky. The best way to see the northern lights is to take a long, expensive trip to the north.
You can't go to the other side of the country.
It's a four-hour flight from Seattle that's selling point is that it's an entry point for a longer trip to Alaska. It is one of the most accessible places in North America to see the northern lights. It's time to realize that you can do Alaska in a weekend.
Fairbank is an inland location that gives it a leg up for viewing the Aurora. It's easy to find silence and darkness in the town. The clear domes bubble and romantic, glass-walled cubes of the luxe Borealis Basecamp are just two of the hotel options in the city that leans into this fact.
Daylight activities are some of the most compelling in the world and draw many winter visitors to the area. Travelers can visit a dog mushing camp and learn to steer dogs through the woods, hike with reindeer through a forest, or take a helicopter across the Alaskan wilderness before landing at a private hot spring. The Land of the Midnight Sun is as beautiful in the summer as it is in the winter, and it's a good place to start for a hiking trip or wildlife viewing drive.
You can see the northern lights almost year-round in Fairbanks. It is possible to see the sky on clear nights from mid-August to mid-April in Alaska. The best time to visit is in February, when the Festival of Native Arts and the Alaska ice carving world championship are held. You can take the Alaska Railroad's Aurora Train, which offers a spectacular view of snow-covered Denali as it zooms toward Fairbanks.
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There are many small towns with charm in Oregon, ranging from small towns near springs and waterfalls to coastal villages with towering trees. If you want to go on a year-long road trip through the state, you need to base yourself there. Hood River is a quirky small town located near the best of the Pacific Northwest.
The small city is located in the shadow of Mount Hood on a beautiful bend of the Columbia river. First developed as a hub for timber and agricultural shipping, the brick storefronts that once housed canning facilities and warehouses are now home to artisan craft shops, distilleries and brewery.
The town is located close to the Columbia River Gorge and has a world-class windsurfing destination. Sailing tours, whitewater rafting, and stand-up paddleboard tours are some of the activities on the water. There are a lot of things to do on land, from winery-to-winery cycling tours to mountain biking, fly fishing, hiking, and pedaling rail bikes.
Hood River has a lot more going on than you might think. Annual events include a huge food, harvest, and music festival every October to the April Cider Fest and weekly street fairs with live music.
The Hood River Hotel and Westcliff Lodge are both on the National Register of Historic Places. Murder mystery dinners are held in the lobby, as well as live jazz nights.
There is a chance to eat at Solstice Hood River after hiking, waterfall jumping, or orchard touring. At Camp 1805 distillery and tasting room, the current favorite is the "David Bowie," with serrano vodka and passionfruit. The marionberry pastries are a must-try if you want to get breakfast the next day.
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There are many small California wine towns. There are certain small towns that provide more than the world-class wine alone. One of those places is located just inland off of California's central coast at the cross section of Highway 101.
The town is seen in the film Sideways. The movie makes it out to be that the pinot noir is all it is. Warm days and cool nights are just as enjoyable for people as they are for grapes.
Babcock Winery is a long time staple in the area and has an eclectic tasting room with award winning wines. Ken Brown Wines is a regional favorite with a tasting room in town. It would take weeks to visit all of the tasting rooms and wineries in the area. It is easy to find something you like, but most wineries require reservations for tasting.
Good food can be found with good wine. The Hitching Post II should be on your list of places to eat food made with local ingredients. It is possible to get a taste of Buellton's cattle ranching roots with steak and ranch beans at a restaurant. Ellen's Danish Pancake House has been open since 1947 and serves all day Swedish pancakes and sausages.
It is easy to spend a lot of time eating and drinking. You can hike to waterfalls and hot springs in the area. If you want to get up close and personal with animals, you can visit the Museum of Gas Pumps & Petroliana. The Chumash Casino has a variety of table games and slots.
When you're staying, choose boutique accommodations. The Hotelhygge is a motel that is perfect for comfort. The Sideways Inn is a renovated motel that was named after the movie and is perfect for anyone who is interested in wine. Flying Flags has glamping tents, vintage airstreams, and cottages with communal entertainment like bocce ball, horseshoes, and Santa Marie barbecues.
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