12 Best Small Towns in the US for Your 2023 Bucket List

Can’t-Miss Charming Small Towns
From coast to coast and places in between, small-town USA still lures travelers to its destinations. Whether driving or flying, travelers can’t help but be drawn to these lovely enclaves that celebrate history, character, and a true sense of local culture.

And who can resist the beauty that takes shape in the magnificent mountains, verdant forests, stunning beaches, historic main streets, and architectural splendor of these charming communities?

Here are a few suggestions to help you plan your 2023 travel.

 

Taos, New Mexico
A kaleidoscope of diverse cultures, ancient history, world-class art and amazing New Mexican culture is all set amidst awe-inspiring landscapes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. This is just a small part of what makes Taos so special.

Ringed by soaring peaks and sagebrush plains, the sacred ground of the 1,000-plus-year-old Taos Pueblo is an authentic Native American community. With no electricity or running water, it is literally frozen in time. And there’s nothing like experiencing the immense natural beauty and spiritual energy of the region than a stay at El Monte Sagrado.

 

Bisbee, Arizona
Once a thriving Victorian copper mining town, Bisbee in southeastern Arizona transformed itself into a thriving art hamlet thanks to the influx of creative hippie spirits who were drawn to this once raucous wild west community. Old Brick buildings still line narrow winding streets, and miner’s shacks cling precariously on the sharp slopes overlooking downtown.

Visitors can still tour the authentic Copper Queen Mine, stay or dine at the ghostly Copper Queen Hotel, or shop the eclectic galleries and boutique shops of the historic district.

 

Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
One of the most beautiful collaborations between man and nature has to be the seaside bohemian artist village of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Located just five miles south of Monterey, Carmel’s groves of live oaks, pines and Monterey Cypress meet the white silky sands of its pristine beach.

You won’t find another town with such a quaint collection of whimsical thatch-roofed cottages that look like they were plucked from a Brothers Grimm fairy tale. Its streets are filled with cute artsy boutiques and storybook restaurants. And to this day, there are still no home or business addresses, neon signs, traffic lights, retail chains or fast-food venues.

 

New Hope, Pennsylvania
This small borough nestled upon the banks of the Delaware River in Bucks County, just 40 miles from Philadelphia, is an eclectic small-town gem celebrating more than 250 years of history.

The area is filled with charming bed and breakfast inns, scenic riverside dining, fascinating boutiques and our favorite, the New Hope Railroad – a magical transport that provides traditional excursions from the 1891 Witch’s Hat Train Station along with wintery Santa’s North Pole adventures.

 

Sitka, Alaska
Everyone who’s visited Sitka absolutely loves it. This remote and unique Alaskan town offers visitors a wonderful celebration of vibrant culture, a pristine landscape, wilderness that takes your breath away and serves up the freshest wild-caught seafood you’ll ever find.

As the only inside passage community fronting the Pacific Ocean, Downtown Sitka features numerous art galleries, historic sites, and amazing eateries. Hiking, whale watching and fishing are just some of the outdoor activities beloved by the locals and those who travel here, and the area absolutely teems with native wildlife.

 

Bryan, Texas
This delightful town is adjacent to College Station, home to Texas A&M. But Bryan is a destination unto itself – an absolute authentic Texas town on the Brazos with so many legendary stories to tell.

Walking through the charming downtown, you’ll be greeted with a “howdy” quite often. Flush with true Texan spirit and friendly locals, Bryan is also home to the renowned Messina Hof Winery and the premier custom cowboy hat maker Catalena Hatters, both true Texas legends.

 

Breckenridge, Colorado
Though Colorado is filled with amazing ski towns, our vote for our favorite small town goes to Breckenridge. Why? Because Breckenridge has it all.

It’s a tight-knit community that welcomes guests with open arms and it’s a stunning four-season destination that’s filled with history. Visitors can still tour one of the area’s gold mines, explore Breckenridge’s fascinating past at the Welcome Center Museum, get to know its many local artists, and stroll through a downtown area that’s a true eye-candy treat.

 

Helen, Georgia
Once a part of Georgia’s old gold-mining history and lumber industry, this North Georgia village reinvented itself as a German town right out of the Bavarian Alps, complete with gingerbread-style shops, beer gardens and German restaurants. Nestled within the North Georgia mountains, the locale couldn’t be more fitting. Of no surprise, its annual Octoberfest celebrations are extremely popular.

The wild and scenic Chattooga River cuts through the forest and part of the town offering some of the best whitewater rafting in the country, while the Chattahoochee River is perfect for tubing.

 

Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
Thomas Jefferson saw the convergence of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers at Harper’s Ferry as “perhaps one of the most stupendous scenes in nature.”

Today the town located smack dab in the middle of the Appalachian Mountains an hour from Washington, D.C. still has remarkably preserved narrow streets, storied taverns and charming restaurants. This scenic and legendary town was forged in a complex but fascinating part of early American history.

 

Bar Harbor, Maine
Picturesque harbors, scenic mountains and sheer seaside cliffs offer photography lovers idyllic photo ops. Bar Harbor creates the quintessential Americana setting with its boats docked at the pier and colorful homes dotting the rocky shoreline.

And to put the icing on the cake, the four-season destination town is the gateway to beautiful Acadia National Park, a favorite of hikers and outdoor enthusiasts nationwide.

 

Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Literally carved into the side of the Ozark Mountains tucked away in a remote, lush northwest corner of Arkansas, the tiny village of Eureka Springs is an unforgettable place to visit.

Surrounded by miles of lakes and rivers, this eclectic town was rediscovered by hippies in the 1970s, and today is filled with small shops, galleries, Victorian bed and breakfasts and higgledy-piggledy streets. But what makes this hamlet so unique is its numerous hot springs still sought out by health seekers for its their curative properties.

 

Stowe, Vermont
Nature and hospitality are big draws in this Vermont small village flanked by a lovely mountain range and sporting breathtaking views. And it’s the town best known for serving as the refuge for the Von Trapp family who escaped the Nazis prior to World War II.

Though the area is renowned for its outdoorsy activities from hiking and alpine skiing to rock climbing and zip lining, Stowe is home to a number of local breweries along with lots of family-owned boutique shops to explore. And if you’re into covered bridges, there are several Instagram-worthy ones you need to seek out in the surrounding countryside.

American country sinter Justin Moore croons “Give me a Sunday morning, that’s full of grace. A simple life and I’ll be okay, here in small town USA.”

How very poignant.