Wine, mountains and lakes: the best small towns in the USA for an unforgettable vacation

As inquisitive travelers, journalists of the publication Travel and Leisure visited bustling cities and huge countries around the world, and in each of them they found something they liked, but it was the smallest towns in the United States that captured their hearts the most. They may not have designer stores, popular restaurant chains or even traffic lights, but what they lack in cosmopolitan buzz they more than make up for in warm hospitality, creative small businesses and local flavor.

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America's Best Small Towns was launched to bring attention to less-visited places that you definitely can't miss.

To be considered one of America's Best Small Cities, a city must be located in the United States and have a resident population of less than 25, according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau data. In addition, it must be the best in its category and offer a variety of activities, accommodations and reason to visit - be it a new notable festival, hotel, restaurant, attraction or tourism initiative.

How the winners were chosen

Journalists interviewed colleagues and authors, trusted travel consultants and other experts from around the United States. Our team of travel editors then sifted through the many thoughtful responses and selected the very best.

Want to nominate a city for next year? Please submit an application to participate in the competition here.

America's Best Small Beach Town

Boca Grande, Gasparilla Island, Florida

Although the state of Florida attracts about 140 million visitors each year, only a fraction of them make it to the serene island of Gasparilla and its main city of Boca Grande, an upscale yet laid-back community on the Gulf of Mexico.

Returning to action after the devastation of Hurricane Ian in 2022, Boca Grande continues to be a draw - a tranquil respite from the frenetic pace of the modern world (and many other parts of Florida) with a beachy, small-town atmosphere.

Port Aransas, Texas

Port Aransas, located on the North Padre barrier island, has long been prized by Texans as a tranquil destination for beachgoers and fishermen. Hurricane Harvey hit the island in 2017, but six years later the city is back on track. The new spacious beachfront casitas at Palmilla Beach Resort & Golf Club offer all the amenities of a resort.

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The new Patton Center for Marine Science Education introduces visitors to local wildlife—admission is free. For the perfect getaway, take sand castle building lessons from the pros, head off the dock to secluded San Jose Island, and cruise the beach in your golf cart rental. On the weekends you can race the belt sanders at The Gaff.

America's Best Small Mountain Town

Highlands, North Carolina

According to legend, the city of Highlands was formed in 1875 after developers from Kansas took out a map and drew two lines: one from New Orleans to New York, the other from Chicago to Savannah. In their opinion, these routes will soon become the most important for trade, and the place where they intersect will serve as a center of commercial activity. The Highlands never became a vibrant hub, but initial projections weren't that far off—Atlanta is just over two hours away.

Located in the Nantahala National Forest, on the highest ridge of the Western North Carolina plateau, the area known today as the Highlands once served as hunting grounds for the Cherokee tribe.

However, in the late 1800s, pioneers from the North and South began to settle here, as well as Scots-Irish from the surrounding valleys and mountains. Just a short drive from major cities in the Southeast, including Charleston, Nashville and Charlotte, the modern Highlands is a summer haven for those looking to escape the humidity and a year-round destination for hiking, waterfall watching, and art. music, first-class restaurants and hotels.

Red Lodge, Montana

More than just a mountain town with no stoplights or Starbucks, Red Lodge is the gateway to Yellowstone's underrated northeast entrance.

Anyone who comes here to tackle the hairpin turns of the Beartooth Highway, one of the most scenic in the world, or to ski at a resort where lift tickets still cost less than $100, ends up looking at real estate , even if it's just curiosity.

Annual events include Renaissance fairs, rodeos, rallies and races, including America's Tallest Footrace. If you don't want to climb over 10 feet (000 km), rent an e-bike from the newly opened Red Lodge Adventure Center. Of course, you can simply stroll down the main street and enjoy the boutiques and restaurants owned and operated by the hospitable locals who are behind each amazing mountain town.

America's Best Small Lake Town

Grand Marais, Minnesota

Two hours north of Duluth seems like an unlikely place to find anything, much less the best small lake town in America. But if you decide to come to Grand Marais, this is exactly what you will find. Savvy travelers come here in search of increasingly rare vintage seaside ambiance, adventure on the state's famed Boundary Waters and world-class local art.

Situated along the forested edge of Lake Superior on the state's northern coast, this city is also Minnesota's most artistic.

There are far more food trucks and art galleries than there are traffic lights (there's only one in the entire area), and it proudly holds the title of best small lake town in the country.

Wolfeboro, New Hampshire

Picture wood-clad Chris Craft speedboats bobbing at their docks in the summer, colorful ice fishing shacks dotting the lake in the winter, trees illuminated gold and red against a quaint New England countryside landscape in the fall.

Located between Lakes Winnipesaukee and Lake Wentworth, Wolfeboro has been a vacation destination since New Hampshire's time as an English colony. Stay at the Pickering House Inn, an 1813 manor converted into a luxurious 10-room boutique hotel, head to the beach in the morning, and stroll down Main Street later.

The newly opened Burnt Timber Brewing and Tavern is a laid-back spot for brunch or lunch: try a Korean fried chicken sandwich and a pint of lime-infused Always Summer Saison. And don't leave town without dining at Pavilion, a three-year-old fine-dining restaurant now helmed by chef Chris Viaud, a Top Chef alum and James Beard semifinalist whose New England upbringing and Haitian roots inspire his vibrant, signature dishes. farm-to-table principle.

America's Best Small Desert Town

Kanab, Utah

The tiny town of Kanab is located within close proximity to some of the Southwest's most iconic landmarks. Three popular national parks—Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce Canyon—are all within 1 to 2 hours by car, and Kanab is the gateway to The Wave, a popular wave-like red rock formation in the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness.

And while Kanab makes an ideal base for exploring these famous destinations (and more), it still remains relatively uncrowded, even if its tagline says so: “Magically untouched.” This tiny town of about 5 people is home to athletes and outdoor enthusiasts who can't get enough of the adventures waiting right outside their door.

Yucca Valley, California

Desert towns don't always conjure up images, but Yucca Valley is an oasis of whimsy, history and art. Over the years, a thriving arts community drawn to the mystical mountains and dusty desert roads has produced eccentric art galleries such as the Noah Purifoy Museum of Desert Art, which features more than 10 sculptures on 4 acres just 10 minutes from the city. , and annual art tours along Route 100, where visitors can purchase works by local artists. Tiny Pony Café, which recently opened in the city, has a vintage Western feel with velvet cat paintings, a pool table and gourmet bar food, while the newly renovated Copper Room, first opened in 62, serves classic cocktails and Asian cuisine. . The Yucca Valley Film Festival will celebrate its fifth anniversary this November, and a new aquatics and recreation center will be built in 1957 in response to climate change and drought.

America's Best Small Town with Unforgettable Food and Culture

Los Olivos, California

Los Olivos doesn't wake up until 06:00. This year, when the Inn at Mattei's Tavern, Auberge Resorts Collection, opened a cafe that starts making espresso every morning at 06:00, the whole city started talking about the Felix Coffee Shop.

There are 27 wineries in Los Olivos, meaning there is a tasting room in every 0,01 square mile. But don't worry, you won't have to drive. The main street of Los Olivos, Grand Avenue, is located two blocks from the new hotel. And to help travelers enjoy wine (mostly pinot noir and chardonnay), there are some fantastic new restaurants that have opened Los Olivos as the very first best city in the United States for food and culture.

McCook, Nebraska

McCook's population is only 7, but this small prairie town boasts a culinary and cultural scene that punches well above its weight class. It's home to the state's only James Beard Award-winning eatery, Sehnert's Bakery. In 500, this cozy spot was named an "American Classic" for its tags (a hot pocket of German-style pastry stuffed with meatballs or cabbage).

McCook's contemporary art is another highlight. But perhaps the most striking thing about McCook is the 6th Floor project, a purpose-driven gallery located on the top floor of the Keystone Business Center that offers a rare bird's-eye view of the city. This innovative initiative aims to elevate the art of underappreciated creators from around the world while revitalizing rural Nebraska. When it comes to festivals, the Buffalo Commons Story and Music Festival just celebrated its 26th year.

America's Best Small Town for Wine, Beer and Spirits

Dalonega, Georgia

A small Georgia town nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains hides a tantalizing secret: award-winning wineries and tasting rooms offering local, regional and international wines and spirits. With a thriving wine culture and a picturesque backdrop of mountains and foothills, Dahlonega is always a pleasant trip.

Dahlonega is home to eight wineries, a dozen tasting rooms, and a new wave of craft breweries and distilleries, making Dahlonega a thriving destination for wine and spirits-savvy drinkers without all the pomp and ceremony. And while Dahlonega's wineries are a big draw, recent hotel renovations and renovations of local businesses, coupled with unrivaled views of the North Georgia Mountains, show visitors that this unassuming town can easily boast big-city amenities.

Greenport, New York

Situated on the bucolic North Fork Peninsula of Long Island, Greenport is a charming seaside town with historic architecture, chic restaurants and a thriving beer, wine and spirits industry.

It attracts tourists looking for a more casual alternative to the affluent, bayside Hamptons, and is also known as a destination for wine lovers, with more than 60 unique vineyards.

Greenport is home to Kontokosta Winery, which serves some great wines. One Woman Wines, run by Italian immigrant Claudia Purita, has a tasting room in nearby Southold and also pours wine at First & South, a restaurant located in Greenport. Equally popular are the many craft breweries and small-batch distilleries located nearby, with beer lovers visiting Greenport Harbor Brewing Co.'s tasting room and cocktail connoisseurs turning to Greenport Distilling's spiced rum, vodka and grappa. The hotel industry is also booming, with three hotels opening this season alone, including Hotel Moraine, Silver Sands and the ZEY Hotel, owned by restaurateur and reality TV star Zack Erdem.

The best small town with spas and wellness centers in America

Aurora, New York

When it comes to small towns with big reputations, Lakeside Aurora is one of the best in its class. This community of 724 people, located on the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake, is perhaps best known as the headquarters of home goods retailer MacKenzie-Childs, which still hand-paints its signature glassware in the peace and quiet of Cayuga County.

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But it's also becoming a destination for wellness thanks to the Inns of Aurora Resort & Spa, a collection of six small cabins and one stunning hilltop home that has been voted one of the best resorts in New York state. When you add in the fact that this stretch of the Finger Lakes is home to hiking-friendly gorges, breweries, farm stands, and quiet beaches, Aurora looks like not only a top health town, but just about any idea. about what a calm and good life should be like.

Girdwood, Alaska

With the opening of the Alyeska Nordic Spa last September, the small Alaskan village of Girdwood suddenly became a mountain retreat for wellness. The old mining town was famous for its winter adventures at Alyeska Resort.

Now skiers can combine outdoor recreation with rejuvenation at the Nordic Spa, located just a few minutes' walk from the European-style Alyeska Hotel, located on the slope. The spa features a range of outdoor hot and cold pools designed to maximize the benefits of hydrotherapy, as well as a peeling cabin, essential oil steam room, traditional Finnish sauna and salt-lined halotherapeutic sauna. Indoor massage rooms and a bistro serving local cuisine complete the rejuvenation offer.

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