If you’re traveling in the United States and want to avoid the big cities, whether it’s because you hate the noise or simply want to explore something off the beaten path, it can sometimes be hard to plan your trip.
While many small towns don’t have much to offer in terms of tourism, there are some places that might surprise you with their charm and sheer number of things to see and do within them.
From Alaska to the Deep South, join us as we highlight these friendly communities that are ideal for both residents and visitors alike.
**Wallace, Idaho**
Wallace has a lot going for it, from its wacky roadside attractions to having some of the best scenery in the country.
Its incredible mountainous terrain deep in Idaho’s panhandle, mixed with its engaging community and storied past, add up to make Wallace one of America’s most sought-after small towns in recent years.
Surrounded by trail systems used for hiking, biking, and ATV access in the summer and cross-country skiing in the winter, it is no doubt a top spot for those who love the outdoors.
The Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, a 73-mile paved path, runs directly through town and connects to nearby lakes and former rail beds.
The entire downtown core is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Dozens of original brick buildings here remain in use, including the Northern Pacific Railroad Depot, now converted into a museum with exhibits on mining, labor, and the 1910 fire that reshaped the region.
You can also take underground tours at the Sierra Silver Mine, led by retired miners who explain the town’s industrial past firsthand.
Wallace hosts its biggest public event each August with the Huckleberry Festival, a weekend focused on regional food, mining tours, and live music in the central plaza.
The rest of the year, the town leans heavily on whimsical landmarks, like a manhole cover that has been deemed “the center of the universe” and access to mountain trails.
A few blocks in either direction lead to wildland access, making it possible to shift between history, recreation, and small-scale downtown activity without driving.
If you do have a car, however, nearby attractions like the Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area make the region a year-round draw for anyone who wants an active escape in the great outdoors.
**Lewisburg, West Virginia**
Lewisburg is a small town in southeastern West Virginia of around 4,000 residents.
It features a well-maintained historic downtown that anchors this longstanding community.
Here, you will find landmarks like Carnegie Hall, which was built in 1902 and operates as a regional arts center.
Furthermore, the Greenbrier Valley Theatre, a renowned professional theater, further contributes to the town’s calendar with regular shows playing all year.
Public events like the Lewisburg Chocolate Festival in April and the Taste of Our Towns (TOOT) food festival each fall bring residents and visitors together in the streets for a more culinary-focused outing.
For something to do in the area’s vast wildernesses, the nearby Greenbrier River Trail is a local favorite for outdoor recreation, as it provides an easy-to-get-to green space for walkers, cyclists, or picnickers looking for an idyllic spot to set up on the river’s banks.
While small, Lewisburg functions as a regional hub while maintaining a typical laid-back, neighborly pace in West Virginia’s quiet countryside, making it a top destination if you’re in search of a friendly spot for a weekend escape.
**Lanesboro, Minnesota**
Lanesboro hosts one of southern Minnesota’s most attended summer events: the Rhubarb Festival, a one-day gathering in June featuring cooking contests, games, and pop-up food stands.
During the rest of the year, the town serves as a practical base for outdoor activity.
The Root River State Trail, for example, runs through downtown and connects to over 40 miles of paved paths used for biking, walking, and even cross-country skiing in the winter.
The surrounding area includes access points for kayaking and tubing, also on the Root River.
Back in town, most points of interest are accessible on foot, and the town is designed to welcome visitors without heavy traffic or larger cities.
The downtown district is well worth exploring for this reason, with a historic stone dam on the Root River, a restored iron bridge, and a compact stretch of shops, galleries, and restaurants all within steps of each other.
For a deeper dive into the past, the Lanesboro History Museum is home to a collection of exhibits on the town’s agricultural and milling operations, past and present.
**Abingdon, Virginia**
Every summer, the Virginia Highlands Festival turns Abingdon into a regional marketplace, drawing collectors, vendors, and musicians alike into its quiet streets for over a week.
It’s one of the few events in the state where you’ll find bluegrass performances, Civil War relics, and contemporary art shows all in the same block, a truly unique experience that is especially a great time for history buffs.
Abingdon is defined by two other things: preserved historic infrastructure and wonderful nearby green spaces.
If this sounds good to you, check out the Barter Theatre.
Opened in 1933 with a “vegetables for admission” model during its early years in the Great Depression economy, it is still running live performances year-round for all to enjoy (although you can’t pay with carrots or milk anymore, besides one or two shows per year that run food drives).
Downtown also includes the Martha Washington Inn, a former women’s college turned historic hotel, along with bookstores, a whiskey bar, and several restaurants built into 19th-century brick storefronts.
The surrounding area includes Civil War sites, access to the famed Virginia Creeper Trail, and a handful of family-run orchards that are particularly scenic in the fall.
The local trailhead for the Virginia Creeper Trail puts hikers and cyclists on a 34-mile route through farmland and forest, with shuttle service available to reach the upper elevations at Whitetop Station.
**Eureka Springs, Arkansas**
With numerous Victorian-style buildings lining its narrow streets that wind through the steep hills of the Ozarks, Eureka Springs is a gorgeous and relaxing place to be.
Notable landmarks include the Thorncrown Chapel, an architectural gem set in the woodlands around the community, and the Crescent Hotel, which dates back to 1886 and is known for its ghost tours.
Moreover, the abundant natural springs here, which the town is named after, are scattered throughout the town’s municipal parks and are generally accessible for free.
Those who love nature and getting outside also flock here for the many hiking and biking trails nearby.
Beyond that, the town is a base for outdoor activities of all kinds, with access to hiking trails and campgrounds in the Ozark National Forest and nearby Beaver Lake for boating and fishing.
A smaller, yet just as pristine body of water just north of downtown is the Lake Leatherwood City Park, where campsites and various scenic viewpoints line the shores.
The town is just as inviting in the colder months, too.
The Ozark Mountain Music Festival, held each January, is the town’s main event, drawing music lovers for a weekend of performances.
**Madrid, New Mexico**
Madrid celebrates its history in the deserts of the Southwest with the popular Miner’s Day celebration, which offers a glimpse into its mining past every fall with a parade and craft booths, accompanied by live music events.
As you may be able to tell, this town once had an economy that thrived on mining, namely coal.
In modern times, Madrid has become a bit of an arts hub, being home to more than a dozen art galleries and studios, notably Mostly Madrid, with its eclectic collection of anything, from sculptures and paintings to handmade jewelry and antiques.
You may also run into Mine Shaft Tavern, New Mexico’s longest bar.
Not ‘longest running,’ but physically longest, with a 40-foot bartop, giving you tons of space to enjoy a cold drink with other patrons.
Nearby, the Santa Fe National Forest is the place to go for desert hiking trails and scenic drives along its highways, including the Turquoise Trail, a 50-mile route that connects Madrid with Santa Fe and offers sweeping views of the surrounding mountain ranges.
**Lusk, Wyoming**
Lusk offers a window into Wyoming’s deep-seated connection to the wild west, with the Oregon Trail ruts and the Fort Laramie National Historic Site nearby, providing a stark contrast to its otherwise quiet, rural setting.
Delve further into the story of this remote part of the country at the Stagecoach Museum.
Housed in a castle-like former armory and open from May to October, this free-to-visit locale in downtown Lusk showcases a plethora of stagecoaches found throughout the era of western expansion, pioneer relics, and exhibits about ranching from past to present.
Lusk further displays its community pride and storied history with the annual Legend of Rawhide, a celebration in which residents participate in live performances depicting the community’s past, dances, sports tournaments, pageants, and a wide variety of other fun activities.
Visually, this expansive region of Wyoming is exemplified by its open plains that are ideal for visitors simply looking to step outside and explore.
The area is perfect for off-road driving, hiking, and wildlife watching.
Moreover, about a 2-hour drive north will land you in the Black Hills, which is one of the most scenic and stunning regions in the country.
**Ferndale, California**
Ferndale rests just inland from Northern California’s Lost Coast.
The town’s old-timey architecture draws attention from many passersby, but its lush natural setting is easily just as attention-grabbing.
Less than five miles from the Pacific Ocean, and surrounded by a verdant countryside filled with dairy farms, Ferndale serves as a quiet gateway to remote stretches of coastline and towering redwood forest.
The nearby Lost Coast Headlands and Humboldt Redwoods State Park, for example, are both hotspots for exploring hiking trails, tidepools, and gaining close access to some of the tallest trees on Earth.
Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge is also worth a trip, just outside of town, where you can walk amongst a diverse wetland environment, important for pollinators and a number of other local species.
Each spring, the town hosts the Ferndale Concours on Main, a vintage car show that brings collectors from across the region.
It’s an event that fills practically every block, a contrast to most weekends in town that remain quiet otherwise.
Furthermore, Ferndale’s walkable core can be covered in an afternoon, and businesses like the Golden Gait Mercantile, which also hosts a museum on local history, are just one of many beautiful Victorian-era storefronts to visit downtown.
**Jefferson, Texas**
Jefferson is located near the Big Cypress Bayou in eastern Texas, making it a nice escape from the big city for dwellers of nearby Dallas.
You can begin your adventures here at the Jefferson Historical Museum or take a guided walking tour downtown to get oriented.
Attractions like the Jefferson Railway run seasonal rides along the bayou, and another notable landmark, the Excelsior House Hotel, still operates with much of its original interior, a perfect way to spend the night in this historic town.
In May, Jefferson holds the annual Pilgrimage event, which includes historical reenactments and tours of private homes.
The rest of the year, tourism is steady but not too crowded, with most activity concentrated around weekends by the water.
**Experience the Charm of these Small Towns Today**
These tiny towns offer you a wide variety of new and fun experiences, from top-notch parks to fascinating historic landmarks and unique community festivals.
Whether you’re in the remote reaches of coastal Alaska or the forested Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, it is clear that there is always somewhere friendly to visit all across America.
So what are you waiting for?
Any of these 9 welcoming destinations are open for you to discover.
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