As a country ages and technology advances, many places lose their historic feel and small-town charm.
Luckily, there are still many small towns in America that haven’t. If those are the kinds of places you enjoy visiting (or want to live in), you’re bound to love some of the small towns in this article.
Unalaska, Alaska
Image Credit: jet 67/Shutterstock.
Accessible only by boat or plane, this small town in the Aleutian Islands has hiking, boating, and whale watching among its many attractions. You can also learn about the region’s important role during World War II at the Museum of the Aleutians and the Aleutian WWII Visitor Center.
Winslow, Arizona
Image Credit: Janet Murrill/Shutterstock.
Made famous by the Eagles in their song “Take It Easy,” Winslow was an important stop for the Santa Fe Railroad and for motorists traveling legendary Route 66. Even if a girl (or guy) in a flatbed Ford doesn’t slow down to take a look at you, you can still enjoy the town’s historic charm and outdoor recreation at nearby Homolovi State Park and Petrified Forest National Park.
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Image Credit: Albert Pego/Shutterstock.
Just one square mile in size, this seaside village is renowned for its charming cottages and surrounding natural beauty. It’s also known for its boutiques and thriving art scene. Iconic actor Clint Eastwood was once the mayor here.
Mancos, Colorado
Image Credit: Ian Dewar Photography/Shutterstock.
Once home to famed Western author Louis L’Amour, Mancos still has an Old West character and largely remains a ranching-based community. There’s also an active artist community, and because the town is just east of Mesa Verde National Park, it’s an excellent base for exploring the wonders there.
Essex, Connecticut
Image Credit: Rachel Rose Boucher/Shutterstock.
An historic seaport town on the Connecticut River, Essex has a downtown featuring boutique shops, art galleries, and the restored homes of sea captains who once lived here. The Connecticut River Museum is located in an old steamboat warehouse included on the National Register of Historic Places, and Essex is the only place in the country where you can go on a ride from a steam train to a riverboat.
Fairhope, Alabama
Image Credit: Wirestock Creators/Shutterstock.
On Mobile Bay off the Gulf of Mexico, this historic town goes back to the Antebellum days. In fact, the hotel at Grand Hotel Golf Resort and Spa was attacked during the Civil War and has recently been renovated. The town also has its own French Quarter, allowing you to get a little taste of New Orleans without all the crowds and noise.
Abilene, Kansas
Image Credit: spoonphol/Shutterstock.
The Old West is still alive in this legendary cowtown that was Dwight Eisenhower’s hometown. While here, take a ride on Kansas’s Official Heritage Railroad and the only remaining working Parker Carousel.
Astoria, Oregon
Image Credit: Victoria Ditkovsky/Shutterstock.
Founded in 1811, Astoria is America’s oldest settlement west of the Rockies. Lewis and Clark were the first white people to use the site at the Columbia River’s mouth where the town now stands, and the Astoria Column commemorates their expedition. Don’t miss the Maritime Museum, devoted to the area’s naval history.
Georgetown, Colorado
Image Credit: Bob Pool/Shutterstock.
Called the Silver Queen of the Rockies, two brothers struck it rich here in 1859, and so the town was born. Many buildings including banks, homes, and saloons remain from the days of the Colorado Silver Boom. The busy mining industry led to the construction of the Georgetown Loop Railroad, which you can still ride today.
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Image Credit: melissamn/Shutterstock.
The site of one of the bloodiest and most critical turning points of the Civil War and Abraham Lincoln’s legendary address, Gettysburg needs little introduction. Many buildings from those days remain preserved, and in the national historical park here, you can learn more about the battle and the area’s history and take guided tours as well.
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
Image Credit: Firepphotography1/Shutterstock.
Another town steeped in the history of the Civil War, control of strategically located Harpers Ferry changed hands several times during the war. It’s best-known for abolitionist John Brown’s violent and failed raid in 1859 that helped fuel the start of the Civil War. The historical downtown area is remarkably well preserved. One must-not-miss is a ghost tour after dark.
Mackinac Island, Michigan
Image Credit: Dennis MacDonald/Shutterstock.
Through the 1600s, this island was home to the Anishinaabek People. Starting in the 1700s, the island fell under control of the French, the British, and finally the Americans. Today, this car-free town is filled with historic buildings, and much of the island remains undeveloped as a state park and nature reserve.
Leave a Reply