These are the most charming small towns you’ll want to visit this year!
We can all agree that the US is the land of adorable small towns, with so much community culture along the coasts and behind hidden hills. And for many travelers, getting away from the hustle and bustle of a big city to visit a charming small town is the perfect escape to enjoy some peace and quiet.
So if you’re looking to visit a place that feels like it was plucked directly from a Hallmark movie during your next trip or weekend getaway, consider checking out one of these places.
Full of culture, heritage, and cute things to see and do, the 14 charming small towns on this list will have you feeling like you’ve just stepped into a rom-com!
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Carmel-by-the-Sea is a little beach town in California with a captivating history and plenty of natural beauty. The origin of Carmel-by-the-Sea dates back to 1603, when Spanish explorer Sebastian Vizcaino accidently stumbled upon the sandy shores.
And nowadays, many quirky details about the charming small town still remain. For instance, no one in Carmel-by-the-Sea has a street address. So everyone gets their mail from a central post office instead. Also, you won’t find any street lights, parking meters, or chain restaurants when visiting this town.
Instead, travelers will be met with various outdoor adventures when looking for things to see and do in this charming small town. If you’re traveling by car, you can hop on the scenic 17-mile Drive, which is a 17-mile loop taking drivers past sparkling beaches, coastal cliffs, and densely forested areas.
The town also has a few parks, including Carmel River State Beach and Garrapata State Park, which offer swimming, fishing, hiking, and many incredible wildlife viewing opportunities.
Honesdale, Pennsylvania
This first one is a given! It’s easy to make the case for Honesdale’s appeal. This charming small town has been the headquarters for children’s magazine Highlights since back in 1946, and its adorable streets even inspired the Christmas carol “Winter Wonderland.”
But that’s all in the past, yet there’s plenty to sing about these days, too, with a new generation opening businesses in this area. And while Honesdale is progressive, it still maintains a slower pace of life and has a tight-knit community that welcomes you like a warm hug.
The spot’s Main Street is lined with historic buildings dating all the way back to the 1800s. The Stourbridge Line historic railroad here offers rides along the Lackawaxen River Valley in revitalized 1920s train cars. An expansive new trail system is also in the works along the soothing river.
This charming small town is also the perfect jumping point for day trips to other Poconos towns like Stroudsburg, Jim Thorpe, and Milford.
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
If you’re not all that into sandy beaches and would rather surround yourself with pristine mountain views, you’ll want to take a trip to Eureka Springs in Arkansas this year.
This charming small town is a haven for outdoor adventure in the Ozarks. Once you get here, you can explore a few naturally beautiful areas, including Lake Leatherwood City Park. The 1,610-acre park is home to cabins, 25 miles of hiking trails, boardwalks, playground equipment, and Lake Leatherwood.
Keep the exploration moving by heading underground at Onyx Cave Park. Praised as the state’s oldest toured cave, Onyx Cave offers a gift shop, audio-guided tours, axe throwing, and gem mining opportunities. Another lovely experience in town is the Eureka Springs and North Arkansas Railway.
You can enjoy dining cars, scenic train rides, and historic locomotive exhibits here. Historically, this charming small town was considered a place of healing when indigenous tribes believed the cold spring water could cure different illnesses.
Word got out quickly, and “Victorian-age health-seekers” flocked to Eureka Springs, hoping to find some sort of miracle cures. Nowadays, visitors can still admire the cold springs around town, including Harding Spring and Grotto Spring.
Moab, Utah
Even though this charming small town has a fascinating and rich history, it’s most known for its abundance of natural sandstone arches nowadays.
If you’re hoping to get up close and personal with the towering red arches, you should head to Arches National Park, where camping, hiking, canyoneering, rock climbing, and stargazing are all at your disposal.
And if you want to see Indigenous drawings, more desert landscapes, and picturesque overlooks, don’t forget to visit Dead Horse Point State Park and Canyonlands National Park. And after all your outdoor exploration, you’ll surely work up an appetite.
So, for a memorable dining experience in this charming small town, try the Moab Food Truck Park, which has 14 food trucks, ensuring something for the entire family’s taste.
Kennebunkport, Maine
Kennebunkport is well-known for having some of the best sailing, seafood, and sunsets in the state of Maine. Visitors hoping to get a taste of all this place has to offer will want to travel down to Ocean Avenue.
Once you reach Cape Porpoise, the approximately 2-mile route features incredible sunset views, marinas, and delicious seafood. Another fantastic way to take in this charming small town’s vista is with a sightseeing trolly tour offered by Intown Trolley.
Or, if you want something different and prefer to travel by water, you can also book yourself a whale-watching tour with First Chance Whale Watch. Other spots you can’t miss in Kennebunkport include the beautiful Goat Island Lighthouse and Gooch’s Beach.
Laurel, Mississippi
It’s pretty much impossible not to fall in love with the oak-lined streets of this south Mississippi hamlet, which also happens to be the setting for HGTV’s Home Town.
The show stars Laurel locals Ben and Erin Napier, who’ve helped revive this charming small town’s businesses and homes. They’ve stated that when they moved back home from college, there was almost nothing in the downtown area, and now you’ll have a hard time finding parking!
While visiting, you’ll find lots to explore, including the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, which is the oldest art museum in Mississippi. And there’s no shortage of good food, either, from crawfish etouffee at Cafe LaFleur to the sticky buns at Sweet Somethings bakery.
This charming small town is also incredibly friendly, which you’ll notice right when you get to know on the “Greetings from” and “Welcome to” murals. As the mayor declares, “You’re here, you’re family.”
Highlands, North Carolina
Highlands has long been a favorite escape for antique hunters and Southern city dwellers. But more and more young families seem to be moving here to live full-time, as well. Nantahala National Forest envelops the town in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
This charming small town has become a year-round vacation for many. Locals are a dynamic bunch who are big on Southern hospitality, and they’re very welcoming. And even though it has gone through some changes, cherished parts of Highlands, like its many antique shops, remain the same.
There’s a vibrant arts community fostered through local institutions like The Bascom Visual Arts Center and outdoor adventure aplenty to enjoy in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Overall, this charming small town is idyllic, like a throwback to simpler times.
Columbia, Tennessee
Columbia locals Bryson and Susan Leach hadn’t expected to ever move back to their hometown. Still, when they decided to buy a home and open their homewares shop Needle and Grain and kids boutique Little Neighbors, they discovered that Columbia was everything they wanted.
It has lots going on culturally, and it’s affordable, plus there’s a revamped downtown area. Lots of fantastic small businesses surround Public Square, including Bleu 32 Vintage Marketplace, Hattie Jane’s Creamery, Duck River Books, and Trek Bicycle Shop, co-owned by American Pickers’s Mike Wolfe in a circa 1857 structure.
This charming small town is focused on maintaining its history and architecture while at the same time supporting new enterprises.
Lots of green spaces, a vibrant Arts District, and annual festivals, such as Mule Day, which celebrates the area’s history as a mule-trading hub, add to the allure. For country getaways, check out Kindred Farm, which hosts dinners on its 17-acre property, or the nearby Natchez Hills vineyard.
Cannon Beach, Oregon
Cannon Beach is pretty much a postcard-perfect place along the Pacific coast. This charming small town, which is home to less than 2,000 people, features some of the most picturesque parks and beaches in the nation.
It’s so beautiful that National Geographic included it on its list of the 100 Most Beautiful Places in the World. One of the town’s most notable draws is Haystack Rock. Featured in a handful of novels and movies, Haystack Rock towers at 235 feet tall and is often shrouded in seabirds.
When you visit, you can access the rock by foot, but only when the tide is low. Other worthwhile stops in this charming small town include the Tillamook Lighthouse, the Cannon Beach Farmers Market, and the nearby Oswald West State Park.
Ecola State Park is another can’t-miss and offers visitors opportunities for lighthouse viewing, hiking, and swimming.
Wilson, Arkansas
Who doesn’t love a good comeback, right? Well, Wilson’s is one for the ages! Established in 1886 as a cotton and timber production hub, the charming small town fell into ruin in the 1950s as agricultural work decreased and residents moved to other places.
Then, in 2010, the Lawrence Group attained it as part of a larger land purchase. It was the perfect opportunity to revitalize Wilson to its former glory and make it a hub of culture and food in the Delta while still remaining true to its roots.
The past couple of years have seen a big renovation of Wilson Square’s Tudor Revival buildings, home to stylish shops like Wilson Cafe, White’s Mercantile, and the Hampson Archeological Museum.
Wilson Grange, which is this charming small town’s culinary and agricultural venue, even hosts a weekly farmers’ market and wine tastings. The word is that a new 16-room boutique hotel has also been in the works.
Skaneateles, New York
If you choose to visit, you’ll be able to see for yourself why everyone calls Skaneateles the “Jewel of the Finger Lakes.” Home to one of the most pristine lakes in the nation, this charming small town has a handful of waterfalls, stunning parks, shops, and historical sites.
For a day of sun and fun, make sure you check out Clift Park. You’ll be able to access perfectly landscaped grounds and a small but immaculate swimming area. The park sits in the heart of this town’s downtown area. So local boutiques and restaurants are always nearby.
And if you’re interested in doing some vacation shopping while here, you might want to check out Skaneateles Antique Center. It has two floors of used goodies to dig through. Next, plan to take a leisurely hike along the Charlie Major Nature Trail.
It’s a panoramic 1-mile trail offering views of the creek, dams, footbridges, and abandoned rail sections. And since you’re already in the area, don’t forget to stop and visit the Carpenter Falls Unique Area, featuring an observation platform, an elevated boardwalk, and a stone staircase leading to a stunning rushing waterfall.
Holland, Michigan
Established by Dutch settlers back in 1847, this place that’s situated along Lake Macatawa celebrates its heritage with attractions you’d also find in the Netherlands.
There are Windmill Island Gardens, Nelis’ Dutch Village, which features the most famous, annual Tulip Time Festival at the beginning of May when this charming small town is teeming with millions of blooms, and is loaded with fun rides for the kiddos.
It also has the long-running annual Fiesta, which celebrates West Michigan’s Latino community and culture. So what else can you do here?
Take a leisurely stroll through Holland’s downtown shopping district for a mix of family-run, longtime businesses deeply rooted in the town’s Dutch heritage, like DeBoer’s Bakery, and newer offerings like home goods and garden shop Gezellig.
Holland is also on the water. So, if you visit in the summer, there are lots of relaxing opportunities on the beach at spots like Holland Beach State Park, which is home to the iconic Big Red Lighthouse.
Cape May, New Jersey
This charming small town sits at the very tip of the Cape May Peninsula and will offer you sensational views of the Atlantic Ocean and amazing fishing opportunities. Home to sunny beaches and bustling boardwalks, the “Jersey Cape” is considered a classic beach town by everyone who’s ever been here.
Naturally, spending a couple of hours at Cape May Beach is a must, but you’ll also want to explore a few other places like the Cape May Lighthouse and Cape May State Park while on this trip. If you’re a history buff, you’ll love the local spots like the Historic Cold Spring Village and the Emlen Physick Estate.
Speaking of which, you should also know that Cape May has a long history of being the “Lima Bean Capital of the World.” This record dates back to the Great Depression when many local farms had up to 1,000 acres dedicated exclusively to lima beans. Nowadays, they still celebrate their farming roots with an annual Lima Bean Festival.
Woodstock, Vermont
More than 3,000 miles from the white sand beaches of Carmel-by-the-Sea, you can find Woodstock, Vermont. It’s a romantic little town chock full of classic New England charm. Once dubbed the “Shire Town of Windsor County,” Woodstock has historically been an epicenter for artists, entrepreneurs, and craftspeople.
That artisan culture is still strong to this day, with farmers’ markets, theaters, and small boutiques lining the adorable streets. If you’re planning a weekend trip to this charming small town, you might want to book a night or two at the Woodstock Inn and Resort.
Here, you’ll get easy access to both the downtown area and the beautiful surrounding wilderness, making indulging in different activities easy. One nearby site I recommend visiting is the Billings Farm and Museum, where you can bond with animals and learn about some local history.
Next, head over to Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park for an afternoon of education and hiking. And obviously, no trip in the area is complete without checking out the town’s four covered bridges: The Lincoln, the Taftsville, the Quechee, and the Middle Covered Bridge.
Each one has its own story to tell, and they all make for a fantastic photo op. So don’t forget to pack your camera if you visit!
So what’s your take on these charming small towns? Have you ever been to any of them? If you have, be sure to leave a comment to share your experiences with Must Have Adventures! But don’t leave yet!
This site has so many more fantastic ideas for your next trip. For example I highly recommend also reading: 8 Affordable Beach Towns in the US You’ll Love