Inspiration

The 28 Most Beautiful Towns in America

From coastal cities to southern gems, these idylls are worth a visit.

June 29, 2023

Lake Placid New York most beautiful small towns in America

While most travelers flock to New York and Los Angeles, the most beautiful small towns in America offer an entirely different—and, dare we say, better?—glimpse at what this country has to offer. You’ll find tiny enclaves filled with friendly locals, walkable downtown areas lined with mom-and-pop cafes, quiant boutique hotels, and incredible views of some of the best landscapes in the U.S.

Whether you’re looking for some over-the-top American charm (we’re looking at you, Stowe), a taste of the wild west (Deadwood, anyone?), or incredible ocean views (hello, Paia), these idyllic cities are well worth adding to your itineraries. And once you realize that the restaurant-to-people ratios lean way in your favor, you may never want to leave.

While wouldn’t dare tell you to avoid big cities altogether, we invite you to embrace the slower pace of life—and refreshing lack of crowds—in these amazing small towns.

All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

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Nantucket, Massachusetts
Population: 11,327
Long known as a quintessential summer getaway, travelers come to Nantucket every year to walk among the narrow rows of wood-paneled houses and bike out to the lighthouses that ring the island. Although crescent-shaped Nantucket may be small, it has a mix of terrains ranging from sand dunes and salt marshes to craggy bluffs. It's nearly impossible to take a bad photograph here.
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Taos, New Mexico
Population: 5,950
The lovely high-desert town of Taos has a long and fascinating history. The Taos Pueblo, which is three miles from the center of town, has been home to native people for nearly a millennium, making it one of the oldest continually occupied places in the U.S. (Taos is also a UNESCO World Heritage site). Today, the town is known for its culture: Painters, sculptors, and writers began flocking here in 1899, and Taos now has a thriving artists’ colony. The town’s natural beauty—with red-rock canyons, clear blue desert skies, and snow-capped mountains on the horizon—inspires creatives people of every stripe.

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Magnolia Springs, Alabama
Population: 1,129
Magnolia Springs is the epitome of Southern charm, with oak tree-lined streets, historical churches, and friendly locals. Located at the beginning of the Magnolia River, it also happens to be one of the only remaining towns in the U.S. that has mail delivered via riverboat. Book one of the five cozy rooms at Magnolia Springs Bed & Breakfast, which was built in 1897 and retains its original stained glass and woodwork.
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Bar Harbor, Maine
Population: 5,535
This picturesque town on Mount Desert Island is as pristine as small towns come. It’s hard to ignore the fact that Bar Harbor sits in the shadow of Acadia National Park, making it a great place to indulge in some outdoor fun: We’re talking bicycling, boating, hiking, fishing, climbing, bird-watching, swimming, horseback riding, and leaf peeping. (It also happens to be one of the country’s best spots for whale watching.) When you need to refuel, choose from one of the town’s dozens of great restaurants. We’re fans of the triple-stacked pancakes at 2 Cats Bar Harbor.

Courtesy Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce
Leavenworth, Washington
Population: 2,383
There are plenty of U.S. cities that are full of the same charm and culture you’d expect to find in Europe. Case in point: Leavenworth, a town deep in Washington’s Cascade Mountains that looks exactly like a Bavarian village. Visitors will find Alpine architecture, a nutcracker museum, and plenty of German-style food halls serving up brats and beer. The city even holds its own annual Oktoberfest celebration.
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Cannon Beach, Oregon
Population: 1,554
Drive about 80 miles northwest of Portland and you’ll wind up on one of the most beautiful stretches of sand in the country: Cannon Beach, The eponymous village on the shore was officially incorporated in 1957, and it's popular today for its cute chocolate shops, art galleries, microbreweries, and cozy vacation rentals. It's perhaps best known for Haystack Rock, a 235-foot monolith protruding out of the water—enjoy the views from nearby Ecola State Park or the guest rooms at Stephanie Inn.

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Sedona, Arizona
Population: 10,341
Set in the shadow of red-rock monoliths, Sedona benefits from its striking location—visitors often beeline for its buttes, canyons, and spires. On clear nights, take in the region’s dark skies and a dazzling display of stars. A must-stay here is L’Auberge de Sedona, a favorite of our readers. The hotel is set in the heart of Red Rock Country, which means beauty abounds everywhere you look.
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Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Population: 22,277
Less than 60 miles north of Boston, this coastal city is the perfect place to sample the best of New England. It has enough historic architecture and scenic landscapes to fill a camera roll, and a wealth of outdoor activities (like hiking and kayaking), museums, and kitschy restaurants. Don’t leave without checking out the Black Heritage Trail, an educational tour that chronicles the long and often untold history of Black and African Americans in New Hampshire.

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Marfa, Texas
Population: 1,974
Marfa has become a bucket list trip for anyone who’s tapped into culture. Here, there are 16 galleries—one for every 124 residents of this isolated town—in addition to the Chinati Foundation, which holds hundreds of works by Dan Flavin, John Chamberlain, Donald Judd, and more. The town received its first full service hotel in 2017, the Hotel Saint George, though budget-conscious and adventurous travelers should look into glamping at El Cosmico. As for dining, try out Marpho, a Vietnamese bánh mì and pho emporium, or Planet Marfa, which serves up a mean plate of nachos.
Courtesy Grand Hotel
Mackinac Island, Michigan
Population: 992
The city of Mackinac Island encompasses the entire titular island, though most of the protected land is managed by the Mackinac Island State Park Commission. It's a long-beloved vacation spot for midwesterners, thanks to its famous fudge shops, horse-drawn carriages, and gorgeous natural surroundings. The town is perhaps most known, however, for the iconic Grand Hotel, with its sprawling, 660-foot front porch looking out to the water. If everything feels a little quieter and more peaceful than back on the mainland, that’s no illusion—the island has been car-free since 1898.

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Cape May, New Jersey
Population: 3,446
There’s lots to love about Cape May, all the way at the very tip of the Parkway: A perfect marriage of charm and history, the town’s historic Victorian district, and miles of intricate, candy-colored manses make for prime early-morning-stroll viewing. The tiny peninsula also offers some of the best birdwatching in the country—and, from March to December, fantastic whale watching. When it comes to accommodations, The Virginia Hotel is a favorite of our readers, thanks to super comfortable beds and a great in-house restaurant.
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Ketchikan, Alaska
Population: 8,037
Just a two-hour flight north of Seattle, Ketchikan deserves to be on every traveler’s radar. The town is surrounded by incredibly beautiful vistas and an abundance of wildlife—most famously, salmon. The town is known as the “salmon capital of the world," and summer is the season to witness Alaska’s annual salmon migration, in which millions of fish return to the state’s freshwater rivers from the ocean to spawn. It’s a natural event you really have to see to believe.

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Paia, Hawaii
Population: 2,285
It’s all about indulging your castaway fantasies in this small village on Maui’s North Coast. Sure, the town center is sweet, even a little hip: It boasts a tattoo parlor and boutiques selling stylish, locally made beachwear. However, insiders know that Paia is all about the beach—namely, Ho’okipa Beach Park, beloved by locals for its white sand and by surfers, wind-surfers, and kite-surfers for its near-perfect breaks. Tip: Grab a plate lunch at the Paia Fish Market to fortify you before a big day on the water.
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Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Population: 3,789
Voted one of the best cities in the U.S. by our readers—and easily one of the most beautiful towns in America—Carmel-by-the-Sea is dotted with European-style cottages that house art galleries and specialty boutiques, and serves as the perfect starting point to explore greater Monterey County. You probably already know about the town’s famous California beaches and drives on Highway 1, but there’s a lot more to Carmel than coastlines: think excellent local cuisine, boutique hotels, and a burgeoning wine scene. Retreat to L’Auberge Carmel, an intimate stucco inn built in 1929 and now run by Relais & Chateaux, with a beautiful central courtyard that feels straight out of a small town in France.

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Snowmass Village, Colorado
Population: 3,093
If we could get inside a snow globe, we imagine it would look a lot like Snowmass Village. This resort area outside of Aspen is a true winter wonderland with its varying ski slopes and snow-dusted chalets, but the town has plenty to offer in warmer seasons as well. Visit in the summer to enjoy hot-air ballooning and hiking, or in the fall to photograph the Maroon Bells in all their foliaged glory.
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Stowe, Vermont
Population: 600
Stowe is truly a year-round destination, though it has long been a favorite ski town for East Coasters, thanks to its mix of high-quality intermediate and black diamond runs. Home to two different mountains, Spruce Peak and Mount Mansfield, a lift connects the two, making it easy for visitors to ski both in the same day. And as with most other spots in Vermont, the city bursts with color during the fall months—best viewed from that aforementioned ski lift. There are also plenty of charming old-fashioned general stores, steepled churches, and some of the best accommodations in New England. (Plus the Ben & Jerry’s factory.)

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Jekyll Island, Georgia
Population: 1,182
One of the Golden Isles along Georgia’s Atlantic coast, Jekyll Island is a lovely seven-mile-long stretch of marshes and Spanish moss. The island has two main attractions: First is the prehistoric-looking Driftwood Beach, an appropriately named stretch of sand dotted with gnarled and weathered trees (visit at low tide for the best photo ops). Second is Jekyll Island Club Resort, a historic and exclusive property that once housed the likes of the Vanderbilts and the Rockefellers.
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Friday Harbor, Washington
Population: 2,406
This beautiful hamlet sits in the farthest northwest reaches of Washington, with a marina at Roche Harbor that serves as a jumping off point for cruising around small, uninhabited islands. Friday Harbor was once a major produce provider for the state, but these days, the economy is centered around tourism—sea kayaking and orca-watching are the biggest draws. Year-round ferries from Anacortes (on the mainland) make it easy to visit in every season.

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Avalon, California
Population: 3,738
With its colorful buildings and bright blue water, Avalon could almost pass for a town on the Amalfi Coast. In reality, it’s the only city on Catalina Island (in the California Channel Islands), which is pretty cool in its own right. When they aren’t sailing off the coast or cycling around the island in search of bison, residents and visitors can be seen shopping along Front Street, watching old movies at the Avalon Theater, and visiting the iconic Art Deco rotunda, Catalina Casino.
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Beaufort, South Carolina
Population: 13,417
Located on Port Royal Island, Beaufort is famed for its Antebellum mansions and architecture, some of which date to the early 18th century. The town is the second oldest in the state and combines a rich history with beautiful coastal backdrops. Check out the Beaufort Historic District, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1969, to snap a photo of those gorgeous mansions framed by drooping oaks. And, because this is Lowcountry territory, you should come ready to eat. A lot. Try the wasabi deviled eggs at Old Bull Tavern, shrimp n’ grits at Saltus River Grill, and lamb meatloaf at Breakwater Restaurant & Bar.

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Whitefish, Montana
Population: 8,032
Whitefish may be most famous for its ski resort, but the Rocky Mountain town has a lot to offer in every season. Warm-weather activities include hiking, biking, and zip-lining, plus strolling along Central Avenue—the wood awnings and locally-owned shops will make you think you’ve stepped onto the set of a classic Western remake. Another perk: The town is located near Glacier National Park, making it an excellent access point for travelers wanting to experience some seriously beautiful lakes, glaciers, and mountains.
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Lake Placid, New York
Population: 2,245
This small village in the Adirondacks is stunning year-round, thanks to its combination of rolling mountains and a clear, spring-fed, 2,173-acre lake. Home to just over 2,500 people, it is a rustic getaway that's popular with hikers, fishermen, and skiers (it was also home to two Winter Olympics, in 1932 and 1980). But it excels on the luxury front, and three of Lake Placid’s hotels have previously landed on Condé Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards list of the top resorts in the region: Whiteface Lodge, Lake Placid Lodge, and Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa.

Visit Florida/Danny Fulgencio
St. Augustine, Florida
Population: 15,065
St. Augustine is the oldest city in the United States, as evidenced by its brick streets, Spanish colonial architecture, and historic structures like the 17th-century Castillo de San Marcos. If you’re a surfer, catch some waves at Vilano Beach before sunset cocktails at The Reef; for dinner, you can’t beat the oysters and extensive wine list at Preserved Restaurant. For a good night’s sleep paired with deep history, book a room at Casa Monica Resort & Spa. Built in 1888, it’s one of the buildings that put St. Augustine on the map as a vacation destination in the 19th century.
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Block Island, Rhode Island
Population: 1,051
A one-hour ferry ride from mainland Rhode Island, Block Island is a New England getaway at its best, complete with lighthouses, seagrass-lined beaches, and 30 miles of hiking trails. The island’s only town, New Shoreham, is filled with boutiques and restaurants worth exploring, though it won’t take you very long. Spend the rest of your time at Block Island Beach House. With its floral wallpapers, decorative surfboards, white-washed rooms, and rentable bikes, the hotel is like the coolest version of your own beach house—with none of the upkeep.

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Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
Population: 334
Harpers Ferry has a lot going on, geographically speaking. After all, it’s where West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland meet, and where the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers combine. The scenic junction and surrounding Harpers Ferry National Historical Park make for one very picturesque townscape, especially during those leafy autumn months. Meanwhile, the town offers constant historical tours (it was the site of John Brown’s raid) and the occasional ghost tour. There’s more than enough here for adventurers, as well, like kayaking, rafting, zip lining, rock climbing, and hiking on the Appalachian Trail.
Courtesy Inn at Perry Cabin
St. Michaels, Maryland
Population: 1,066
The charming towns and countryside of the Chesapeake Bay are pretty glorious, and you can't do much better than St. Michaels (about a 90-minute drive from Washington, D.C.). Maritime life looms large at the town's namesake museum and gorgeous harbor, while the assemblage of brightly colored shops and Victorian homes make the downtown area feel like a movie set. We wouldn’t blame you, however, if you spent your entire stay at the Inn at Perry Cabin, a nautically-themed hotel with upholstered sleigh beds, a brick-walled garden, and fresh seafood served right on the grounds.

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Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Population: 2,397
Tucked away in Arkansas’s Ozark Mountains (it’s an easy drive from Kansas City, St. Louis, and Tulsa), the tiny town is full of so many juxtapositions that they start to blur together: Churches and Christian bookstores line one street, while New Age crystal shops and self-proclaimed haunted hotels line the other. Passing bikers dressed in camouflage and leather throw back drinks at bars adorned with rainbow Pride flags. Busy Victorian homes and B&Bs hug the sides of cliffs, the views from which will make you feel like you’re miles away from civilization. It’s that “can’t quite pin it down” quality—not to mention incredible views of the Ozarks—that makes us love this tiny town so much.
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Deadwood, South Dakota
Population: 1,201
Few towns give a frozen-in-time glimpse at the Old West as much as Deadwood. Even if you weren’t a huge fan of the HBO series of the same name, you’ll feel a tingle of excitement as you stroll down the town’s main street, complete with saloons, casinos, and brick restaurants. You can also visit the graves of Wild West icons like Calamity Jane at Mount Moriah Cemetery, then venture out to explore the Black Hills.