America truly is a melting pot — not only of people, but of places. And
while this beautiful country is made up of some of the most beloved
cities in the world — San Francisco, New York City, Chicago, and the
list goes on — you might be surprised to find out that there’s a whole
lot going on outside of these giant metropolises. Small and secret
American cities have an undeniable charm to them, and often a plethora
of history that goes hand-in-hand — and I’m about to tell you about some
of the best.
Small cities may be limited in size and population, but sometimes isn’t that just what you’re looking for? A weekend getaway to a tiny town can be refreshing, and with so many cool points of interest on the U.S. map, there’s really no excuse not to go exploring. The United States is a playground of landscapes, and there is no shortage of deserts, forests, beaches, mountains, and plateaus to back that up. From the Pacific Northwest to Southern California, the steep slopes of New England to the sunny beaches of Florida, it’s time to start experiencing America in all her glory, tiny towns and all.
Small cities may be limited in size and population, but sometimes isn’t that just what you’re looking for? A weekend getaway to a tiny town can be refreshing, and with so many cool points of interest on the U.S. map, there’s really no excuse not to go exploring. The United States is a playground of landscapes, and there is no shortage of deserts, forests, beaches, mountains, and plateaus to back that up. From the Pacific Northwest to Southern California, the steep slopes of New England to the sunny beaches of Florida, it’s time to start experiencing America in all her glory, tiny towns and all.
1. Telluride, CO
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| Population: 2,500 |
You may know about Telluride for its famous annual film festival and
steep slopes for skiing, or you may not know about Telluride at all.
While tourists tend to flock to the tiny town for the aforementioned
events, its resident population comes in at just under 2,500, making it
one of the tiniest cities on the grid. Nestled nicely in the Colorado
mountains, Telluride has an old-time feel and some of the cutest streets
you’ll ever walk. The breathtaking canyon views make for a picturesque
stay, especially for a town that is only one mile long.
2. Idyllwild, CA
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| Population: 4,000 |
Located in inland Southern California, about 20 minutes outside of Palm
Springs, Idyllwild can be found after a steep and winding drive up into
the mountainous landscape of Riverside. This small city, with a
population of 4,000, is the perfect getaway for those in need of a
little fresh air and a break from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Spend a day hiking up Suicide Rock, catching a flick in the town’s one
movie theater, or listening to some live, local jazz music.
3. Williamsburg, VA
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| Population: 15,000 |
Williamsburg may
not be the smallest town making this list, but with a population of
15,000, it still makes for a close-knit community. Known for “Colonial
Williamsburg,” the restored part of town that houses historic buildings,
frequent reenactments, and recent reconstruction, it can feel like
you’re stepping back in time to America’s earlier colonial roots. While
modern establishments have obviously made their way into the tiny town,
they’re hidden out of the street’s main line of sight, meaning
everywhere you look, you’ll be transported back in time.
4. Sedona, AZ
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| Population: 10,000 |
A
two-hour drive south of the Grand Canyon, Sedona provides a classic
Western feel, surrounded by astonishing canyons and colorful rock
formations that are hard to look away from. This town has a new age feel
to it, filled with mellow but eclectic residents who spend their
summers swimming in water holes and mountain biking their way through
the scenery.
5. Newport, RI
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| Population: 25,000 |
With
a population about the size of a large university, Newport, RI makes
for a seaside paradise that is as small as it is beautiful. Walk the
piers, check out the town’s mansions, or stroll down the
vintage-inspired streets. This little city is so lovely that it actually
served as a summer getaway for multiple presidents, including Dwight
Eisenhower and John Kennedy. Not too shabby.
6. Beaufort, SC
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| Population: 13,000 |
Beaufort,
SC is as southern a city as you’re going to find in the United States,
and there’s no denying the small town’s beautiful architecture and
crumbling ruins. Filled with marshes, blue heron, and 19th century
mansions, you might feel like you’re in some old-time Hollywood flick.
7. Ketchum, ID
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| Population: 3,000 |
Ketchum has a
couple claims to fame, including being home for some time to Ernest
Hemingway and, perhaps more famously, hosting the Trailing of the Sheep
Festival for four days every October. However, even if you can’t make it
to the well-known festival, Ketchum is still worth the trip, boasting
more than 20 different art galleries and numerous lectures, not to
mention it’s just a stone’s throw away from Bald Mountain,
affectionately known as Baldy.
8. St. Augustine, FL
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| Population: 14,000 |
Orlando
and The Keys tend to steal most of Florida’s tourist hype, keeping St.
Augustine a well kept secret from most. This gem of a city was the
oldest city that remained occupied by the Europeans in America, and you
can certainly tell when taking in the Spanish-influenced design. Filled
with old-world aesthetics and easy to travel by foot, this coastal city
is a true beauty and one worth exploring.
9. Gatlinburg, TN
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Population: 4,000 |
With
an aerial tramway providing a near perfect view of the small town,
Gatlinburg is truly a center of attention located just on the border of
the Great Smoky Mountains. Aside from having a great location, this city
is filled to the brim with wildflowers and lush green forest. On top of
that, it provides the perfect home base for whitewater rafting,
visiting one of the top U.S. aquariums, and mountain hiking. Oh, and did
I mention it has a haunted house?
10. Langley, WA
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| Population: 1,000 |
The least populated town on this list, Langley makes up in coastal
beauty what it lacks in people. Located on a bluff on Whidbey Island,
Langley truly encapsulates the wonder that is the Pacific Northwest.
Resting against Puget Sound, filled with seaside charm, and home to a
couple of wood-carved totem poles on the beachfront, there may be no
better destination for some fresh air and self-restoration.
