The United States is a big country, and even if you’ve done a fair bit of traveling around the country, there’s a good chance you still haven’t seen much of it. So Reddit user u/Ekaj__ asked, “What’s the coziest town in America you’ve ever visited?” Here are some small cities and quaint towns that Reddit users (and some members of the BuzzFeed Community) recommend you visit at least once in your lifetime.
1.
“Ouray, Colorado is a beautiful place tucked away in a rock canyon. I stayed at a lovely little inn with a private hot spring. It was very cozy.”
2.
“Cumberland Island in Georgia is like another world. It’s full of lush, moss-covered oak forests and pristine beaches. The scenery is absolutely stunning.”
3.
“Hermann, Missouri. I’m a Missouri native and Hermann is one of my favorite cozy places to spend the weekend. It’s a German town in the heart of Missouri’s wine country, rich in history and filled with great wineries, cute cottages and quaint hotels. There are plenty of shops and restaurants within walking distance of downtown, and you can take the trolley to get to the wineries.”
Four.
“St. Augustine, Florida is a lovely historic town that makes you feel like you’ve traveled back in time, but with all the modern amenities. If you love architecture, history and beautiful scenery, St. Augustine is a great choice. It also has beautiful beaches.”
Five.
“Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. They call it the Christmas City. In the winter, Christmas decorations are everywhere. The trees are wrapped in lights, and the street lights sparkle and reflect off the fresh snow.”
6.
“Duluth, Minnesota. The summer was absolutely beautiful. Lake Superior is a sight to behold.”
7.
“Escanaba, Michigan. Located about three hours from Milwaukee on the shores of Lake Michigan, it offers white sand beaches and almost turquoise water in the summer, and for those looking for some activity, there are plenty of winter sports to choose from.”
8.
“Dubuque, Iowa. I drove here from Chicago and was amazed by the town and the scenery. I thought the west side of Chicago was all cornfields, so this little town tucked away in the rolling hills was a pleasant surprise.”
9.
“Galena, Illinois. I grew up there so I may be biased, but it’s a really charming city. It has a walkable downtown, parks, a river and lots of history.”
Ten.
“Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. It’s a beautiful place. Big Sur nearby is also beautiful. If you go to Monterey in season, be sure to see the monarch butterflies take flight.”
11.
“Mendocino, California. I grew up here and it’s a beautiful town worth visiting. It’s a really cozy place. Stay in a cute bed and breakfast, soak in the hot springs, hike the local trails and pick mushrooms, stop in a little cafe and try Cowlicks local homemade ice cream. It’s idyllic.”
12.
“Anacortes, Washington, just north of Whidbey Island. We took a day trip to a brewery there. It was the best day ever for me. I was mesmerized by the views all day.”
13.
“Port Townsend, Washington is probably my favorite small town. Its Victorian architecture and location on Puget Sound with two mountain ranges makes it very special.”
14.
“I love Annapolis, Maryland, and the small historic towns near it on the eastern shore, like St. Michaels, Rock Hall and Chestertown.”
15.
“Terlingua, Texas. It’s impossible to describe its charm and quirkiness, but it’s a mix of hippies, hipsters, off-the-grid people, musicians and hikers. Off the beaten path, near Big Bend National Park and the Rio Grande. Surreal, friendly, wild Texas.”
16.
“Mackinac Island, Michigan. Cars have been banned on the island since 1898. The island is easy to navigate, beautiful and full of history.”
17.
“Burlington, Vermont. It’s a very small city so you can see most of it in a day. I recommend starting on Church Street and working your way down to the lakefront. There are great shops and restaurants everywhere. And if you want a change of pace, there are plenty of scenic drives to nearby towns.”
18.
“I love Leavenworth, Washington. It’s a beautiful place to visit, especially at Christmas time. There are sledding rides, lights, and cute little shops on every corner. 100/10 I recommend it.”
19.
“Troy, New York. The city hosts a huge weekly farmers market, vegan festivals, live music and other events almost every day of the week. There are also great restaurants and coffee shops. The city itself boasts beautiful historic architecture and old brownstones.”
20.
“Roanoke, Virginia has a really cute downtown area with lots of locally-owned restaurants and bars and a really fun atmosphere.”
What small American cities and quaint towns are often overlooked by travelers but worth visiting? Let us know in the comments, or submit your city in this anonymous form.
