The 50 Most Beautiful Towns to Visit in Each US State
Whether you’re living in the States or just travelling through, here are 50 beautiful small towns – one in each state – which you really shouldn’t miss.
Alabama
Fairhope
Absolutely charming, Fairhope is labelled ‘the jewel of the Eastern Shore’ for a reason…
Alaska
Alaska
Sitka
It may not be the easiest town to get to (only accessible by air or sea), but it sure is worth the effort!
Arizona
Museum
Arizona
Prescott
Full of historic landmarks and home to The Phippen Museum, Prescott is perfect for any culture lover.
Arkansas
Arkansas
Eureka Springs
Eureka Springs has been named one of AmericanStyle magazine’s Top 25 Small Cities for art four years in a row. If you love music festivals, the town is a must-visit, as it hosts events such as the annual Opera in the Ozarks.
California
Easily explored by foot and home to the Carmel Bach Festival, Carmel is the ideal place to visit for a relaxing, cultured getaway. Find places to stay with our partner, Hotels.com
Colorado
Colorado
Crested Butte
From hiking to skiing and mountain biking to climbing, Crested Butte is the ultimate playground for the adventurous.
Find places to stay with our partner, Hotels.com
Connecticut
Restaurant
Connecticut
Mystic
This town is home to one of the country’s largest maritime museums, has a street full of Colonial period houses and is even famous for its Mystic Pizza restaurant!
Mystic, CT, USA
Delaware
Delaware
Rehoboth Beach
With plenty of shops, restaurants and hotels right by the beach, this is the perfect town for a relaxing seaside escape.
Florida
Florida
Crystal River
The ultimate destination for kayaking, snorkelling, and even swimming with manatees! A great destination for water sports, as temperatures are high all year round.
Find places to stay with our partner, Hotels.com
Georgia
Georgia
Canton
Canton’s location was once the heart of the Cherokee Nation. Explore the surrounding Heritage Trails and make the most of the beautiful nature and outdoors.
Canton, GA, USA
Find places to stay with our partner, Hotels.com
Hawaii
Hawaii
Haleiwa, Oahu
This town is known as the surfing capital of the world. The crystal clear water and local shops offer the ideal setting for any kind of traveller.
Idaho
Idaho Falls
This town is surrounded by beautiful forestland, but the most spectacular sight is the gushing waterfalls located on Snake River, which cuts through the area.
Illinois
Illinois
Galena
For those who prefer to sit back, relax, and enjoy stunning French colonial and Greek revival architecture, Galena is the town for you.
Indiana
A must-see for any food and art lover. Craft studios, galleries and farm-to-table dining establishments are dotted all around this town, known as the ‘Art Colony of the Midwest’.
Iowa
Museum
Iowa
Okoboji
Enjoy water sports, the Higgins Museum, shopping, and dining at this popular summertime destination!
Kansas
Kansas
Dodge City
This town, once known as ‘The Wickedest Town in the American West’ is an absolute must-see for any history lover.
Kentucky
Kentucky
Murray
There is no shortage of Southern hospitality in Murray, which has actually been voted the ‘Friendliest Small Town in America’ by Rand McNally and USA Today.
Louisiana
Louisiana
Natchitoches
This is one of the most popular destinations in Louisiana – maybe this has something to do with the famous Natchitoches meat pie?
Maine
Kennebunkport
See the most amazing views of the harbour from Dock Square and Cape Porpoise!
Maryland
Berlin
You can’t miss the town that was voted America’s ‘Coolest Small Town’ by Budget Travelin 2014. It was used as a set location for the 1999 film Runaway Bride, and is just as quaint in real life.
Massachusetts
Edgartown
The idyllic summer destination. Take a stroll along the rows of historic whaling captains’ houses, or just relax on the beautiful beaches.
Michigan
Michigan
Mackinac Island
Horse riding, kayaking, and biking are a few of the outdoor activities on offer at Mackinac Island. It is also well known for its delicious food, candy and fudge shops, perfect for a well balanced vacation!
Minnesota
Minnesota
Grand Marais
It’s close to the Sawtooth Mountains, Lake Superior, Gunflint Trail, and even has festivals all year round.
Mississippi
Mississippi
Ocean Springs
Wildlife, history, culture, galleries, and quaint cafes – there’s something for everyone in Ocean Springs.
Missouri
Florissant
Take a break from the big city and get a dose of fresh air. Florissant has 20 city parks, adding up to almost 400 acres of parkland.
Montana
Whitefish
A must-visit location, especially for those who love to ski, due to its location near the Glacier National Park.
Whitefish, MT, USA
Nebraska
Nebraska
Aurora
Full of local history, culture, and beautiful scenery, Aurora is often ranked as one of the best places to live in Nebraska.
Nevada
Bar
Nevada
Genoa
During your visit here, make sure to stop by the Genoa Bar – the oldest Saloon in Nevada.
New Hampshire
Museum
New Hampshire
Keene
During your visit, go back in time at the Horatio Colony House Museum and Nature Preserve – here you’ll find furniture and interior decor dating back to 1806.
New Jersey
New Jersey
Lambertville
Nicknamed the ‘Antiques Capital of New Jersey’, this town showcases beautiful Victorian houses, quaint antique stores, and hosts plenty of craft festivals and food fairs.
Lambertville, NJ, USA
Find places to stay with our partner, Hotels.com
New Mexico
New Mexico
Taos
Artists such as Ansel Adams and Georgia O’Keeffe have visited this beautiful town to admire its spectacular scenery.
New York
New York
Saratoga Springs
Visit the town ranked one of the top 10 places to live in the New York State, known for its horse races and picturesque views.
Saratoga Springs, NY, USA
Find places to stay with our partner, Hotels.com
North Carolina
New Bern
Aside from its rich cultural background as the second town to be founded by European immigrants, New Bern is also the birth place of Pepsi Cola…
New Bern, NC, USA
North Dakota
North Dakota
Garrison
It may be mostly known for it’s fishing, but Garrison is also home to amazing museums and events, such as the Dickens Village Festival, which transforms the town into a Victorian parade, complete with horse-drawn carriages.
Ohio
Yellow Springs
Charming, arty and colourful, Yellow Springs is a paradise for creatives and free thinkers.
Yellow Springs, OH, USA
Oklahoma
Medicine Park
Visitors to Medicine Park quickly fall for the charms of the cobblestone streets, which are considered a phenomenon in the town.
Oregon
Oregon
Hood River
Indulge in Hood River’s award-winning craft breweries, restaurants, and insanely photographic views!
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
New Hope
A great location for antique shops, beautiful stores, wildflower preserves, and sightseeing tours.
New Hope, PA, USA
Find places to stay with our partner, Hotels.com
Rhode Island
Rhode Island
Block Island
A travel destination bound to please the whole family, Block Island offers hiking, fishing, biking, sailing, swimming, and relaxing on its beautiful beaches.
South Carolina
Greenville
Located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, the area is forested and hilly – perfect for enjoying the beautiful landscapes.
Greenville, SC, USA
South Dakota
Park
South Dakota
Custer
As the area’s oldest town, Custer is full of activities for adventure seekers and history buffs alike. Due to its surrounding landscape, you can even find free-roaming buffalo and other wildlife at the Custer State Park.
Custer, SD, USA
Tennessee
Knoxville
This campus town bustles with restaurants, galleries and festivals, amid the beautiful natural environment of the Great Valley of East Tennessee.
Texas
Texas
Port Isabel
Take part in a variety of water sports including kayaking, parasailing and boating tours. You might even catch a glimpse of dolphins if you’re lucky.
Find places to stay with our partner, Hotels.com
Utah
Springdale
The famous red rocks you’ll find here are a haven for adventure-seekers and scenery enthusiasts.
Vermont
Vermont
Dorset
The perfect place for a relaxing vacation. Enjoy the peaceful landscape, explore the historical scenery, swim in the quarry, and partake in the Dorset Theatre Festival.
Dorset, VT, USA
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Virginia
Virginia
Abingdon
The beautiful streets lined with homes dating back to 1779 make Abingdon the ideal spot for a weekend getaway.
Washington
Washington
Prosser
This is a must-visit destination for any wine lover! Known as ‘the birthplace of the Washington wine industry’, you’ll be spoiled with lush vineyards to sample wine, and delicious food to go with it.
Find places to stay with our partner, Hotels.com
West Virginia
Shepherdstown
History buffs cannot miss out on visiting what is likely the oldest town in the entire state, founded all the way back in 1762.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Fish Creek
Find some peace and quiet in a town that has less than one thousand inhabitants…
Fish Creek, Wisconsin, USA
Wyoming
Wyoming
Lander
Be sure to stop by the dude ranches, where they host year-round events including the Pioneer Days Rodeo, the world’s oldest paid rodeo, and the Wyoming State Winter Fair. Immerse yourself in the culture of the West!
Lander, WY, USA
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
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Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
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