These places have all the character without all the crowds.
America is full of small towns that are just as beautiful, historic, and charming as the famous ones that grace the covers of travel magazines, but without the tour buses and the crowds. These are the places that have managed to fly under the radar, preserving their unique character and offering a more authentic and relaxed travel experience. They are the true hidden gems of the American landscape.
A visit to one of these towns feels like discovering a well-kept secret, a place that reminds you of the quiet beauty that exists off the main highway.
1. Thomas, West Virginia is an artsy mountain hideaway.
Tucked away in the mountains of West Virginia’s Canaan Valley, the tiny town of Thomas is a surprising hub of art and music. This former coal-mining town has been revitalized by a wave of artists, musicians, and creative entrepreneurs. Its main street is lined with funky art galleries, antique shops, and the famous Purple Fiddle, a live music venue that is the heart and soul of the town.
The surrounding area offers incredible natural beauty, with Blackwater Falls State Park just a few miles away, as mentioned at BuzzFeed. Thomas has a cool, bohemian vibe that feels completely unexpected in this remote corner of Appalachia.
2. Astoria, Oregon is a historic port town with a moody vibe.
Located at the mouth of the Columbia River where it meets the Pacific Ocean, Astoria is the oldest American settlement west of the Rockies. It’s a town with a rich maritime history, a gritty, working-waterfront feel, and a stunning natural setting. The steep, hillside streets are lined with beautiful Victorian homes, and the iconic Goonies house is a major pilgrimage site for fans of the movie.
The town has a moody, atmospheric charm, often shrouded in fog, and a fantastic food and craft beer scene. It feels a world away from the trendy vibe of Portland, as stated by Bill On The Road.
3. Galena, Illinois is a preserved 19th-century boomtown.
Stepping into Galena, Illinois, is like stepping back in time. This former lead-mining boomtown is famous for its perfectly preserved 19th-century architecture, with over 85% of the town listed on the National Register of Historic Places, according to The Detour Effect. Its Main Street, often called the “Helluva Half Mile,” is a beautiful collection of historic brick storefronts that now house antique shops, boutiques, and restaurants.
The town is nestled among the rolling hills of northwestern Illinois, a surprisingly beautiful and un-flat part of the state. It’s a charming and historic escape that feels completely hidden away.
4. Apalachicola, Florida is the forgotten coast’s hidden gem.
While most tourists flock to the crowded beaches of South Florida or the Panhandle, the small town of Apalachicola on the “Forgotten Coast” has a quiet, old-Florida charm that is hard to find anywhere else. This historic fishing town is known for its world-famous oysters, its beautifully preserved 19th-century homes, and its working waterfront.
There are no high-rise condos or tacky souvenir shops here. It’s a slow-paced, authentic town where you can enjoy some of the best seafood in the state and explore the pristine, undeveloped beaches of nearby St. George Island.
5. Bisbee, Arizona is a quirky, mile-high artist colony.
Nestled in the Mule Mountains of southeastern Arizona, Bisbee is a former copper-mining town that has been reborn as a quirky and fiercely independent artist colony. The town is built into the sides of a steep canyon, with winding, narrow streets and staircases connecting the beautifully preserved Victorian and Art Deco buildings. The creative, bohemian spirit of the town is infectious.
It’s a place with a funky, libertarian vibe, filled with art galleries, saloons, and unique characters. It feels like a small slice of San Francisco from a bygone era, hidden away a mile high in the desert.
6. Beaufort, South Carolina is the lowcountry’s quiet charmer.
While Charleston and Savannah get all the attention, the smaller town of Beaufort, South Carolina, offers an equally beautiful but much more relaxed Lowcountry experience. The entire downtown is a historic district, filled with stunning antebellum mansions, beautiful live oaks draped in Spanish moss, and a charming waterfront park that looks out over the Intracoastal Waterway.
The town has been the backdrop for numerous films, including “Forrest Gump.” It’s a place that is steeped in history and natural beauty, but it has managed to maintain a quiet, small-town feel that is often lost in its more famous neighbors.
7. Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania is the “Switzerland of America”.
Tucked into a deep gorge in the Pocono Mountains, the town of Jim Thorpe has a stunning setting and a wealth of Victorian architecture that has earned it the nickname the “Switzerland of America.” This former coal and railroad boomtown is now a popular destination for its historic charm and its access to outdoor recreation, including whitewater rafting on the Lehigh River.
The town is a beautiful collection of ornate, 19th-century buildings that seem to climb the steep hillside. It’s a surprisingly dramatic and beautiful town that feels like a hidden European village.
8. Nevada City, California is a perfectly preserved gold rush town.
While many of California’s gold rush towns feel like tourist traps, Nevada City, in the Sierra Nevada foothills, feels like the real deal. The entire downtown is a historic landmark, with beautifully preserved Victorian buildings, gas-lit streets, and one of the oldest operating theaters in California. The town is surrounded by the beautiful pines of the Tahoe National Forest.
It has a vibrant arts and culture scene and a strong sense of community, which has helped it to avoid becoming overly commercialized. It’s one of the most beautiful and authentic gold rush towns in the state.
9. Wallace, Idaho is the “center of the universe”.
Wallace is a tiny, historic silver-mining town in northern Idaho with a fiercely independent and quirky personality. The entire town is on the National Register of Historic Places, and it has a beautiful collection of turn-of-the-century brick buildings. In a bizarre and humorous dispute with the government, the mayor once officially declared the town the “Center of the Universe.”
The town is also the gateway to incredible outdoor recreation, including the Route of the Hiawatha bike trail. It’s a charming and fun-loving town with a unique story that is completely off the beaten path.
10. Deadwood, South Dakota is a walk through the wild west.
While not exactly hidden, Deadwood offers a much more authentic and gritty Wild West experience than many more famous towns. The entire town is a National Historic Landmark, and it has done a fantastic job of preserving its rough-and-tumble gold rush heritage. The spirits of Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane still feel very much alive in the town’s historic saloons and on its Main Street.
It’s a place that fully embraces its history, with historic reenactments and beautifully preserved 19th-century architecture. It feels less like a theme park and more like a living museum of the American West.
11. Madrid, New Mexico is a quirky stop on the Turquoise Trail.
Located on the scenic Turquoise Trail between Santa Fe and Albuquerque, Madrid (pronounced MAD-rid) is a former ghost town that has been reborn as a quirky artist community. This old coal-mining town is now a funky and colorful collection of art galleries, studios, and shops housed in the original company homes. It has a creative, bohemian vibe that is completely unique.
The town has a rich history and a laid-back, artistic atmosphere that makes it a fascinating stop. It’s a small but vibrant community that offers a very different taste of New Mexico than the more famous destinations of Santa Fe and Taos.
12. Eureka Springs, Arkansas is a Victorian town in the Ozarks.
Built entirely into the steep hillsides of the Ozark Mountains, Eureka Springs is a town with a unique and winding character. The entire downtown is on the National Register of Historic Places, and it is a beautiful collection of well-preserved Victorian architecture. The city’s streets are so steep and convoluted that there are no traffic lights.
The town has a long history as a spa and resort destination and has a tolerant, bohemian vibe that has made it a popular haven for artists and creatives. It’s a beautiful and one-of-a-kind town hidden away in the Ozarks.
13. Stockbridge, Massachusetts is a Norman Rockwell painting come to life.
The small town of Stockbridge, in the beautiful Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts, is so quintessentially charming that it was the subject of one of Norman Rockwell’s most famous paintings. The town’s Main Street has changed very little since Rockwell painted it, and a visit here feels like stepping directly into that iconic image of small-town America.
The town is also home to the Norman Rockwell Museum, which houses the world’s largest collection of his work. It is a peaceful and beautiful town that is steeped in art, history, and a timeless, nostalgic charm.
14. Abingdon, Virginia is a historic town with a world-class theater.
Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of southwest Virginia, Abingdon is a charming and surprisingly sophisticated small town. It is the starting point for the famous Virginia Creeper Trail, a beautiful 34-mile bike path. The town’s historic Main Street is beautifully preserved and is home to the Barter Theatre, the State Theatre of Virginia.
The Barter Theatre is one of the oldest professional theaters in the country and has a rich history, attracting world-class talent. This combination of incredible outdoor recreation and a high level of arts and culture makes Abingdon a true hidden gem.