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. Telluride, Colorado is tucked into a stunning box canyon.
While it is famous as a world-class ski resort and film festival destination, the sheer, jaw-dropping beauty of Telluride’s setting is something that has to be seen to be believed. The historic town is nestled at the end of a stunning box canyon, surrounded on three sides by the towering, 13,000-foot peaks of the San Juan Mountains, as mentioned by World’s Best Cities. A beautiful, free gondola connects the historic town with the modern mountain village.
Unlike many other ski towns, Telluride has managed to maintain a sense of its authentic, old-west soul. It is arguably the most beautiful mountain town in all of North America.
2. Camden, Maine is where the mountains meet the sea.
The coast of Maine is dotted with beautiful towns, but Camden has a uniquely beautiful setting. It is a classic, picturesque New England harbor town that is filled with historic homes and a fleet of beautiful old schooners. What makes it so special is that it is located right at the foot of the Camden Hills, a small mountain range that rises directly from the sea, as stated in Time Out Worldwide.
You can hike to the top of Mount Battie, in Camden Hills State Park, and be rewarded with a breathtaking, panoramic view of the harbor, the town, and the dozens of beautiful, pine-covered islands that dot Penobscot Bay.
3. Carmel-by-the-Sea, California is a real-life fairytale village.
Nestled on one of the most beautiful stretches of the California coast, Carmel-by-the-Sea is a town that looks like it was plucked straight from a fairytale. The entire one-square-mile village is a charming and whimsical collection of storybook cottages, secret courtyards, and beautiful gardens, according to Celebrity Cruises. There are no street addresses, and the town has a host of quirky local laws that have preserved its unique character.
The town is also home to a beautiful, white-sand beach and is just a few miles from the iconic scenery of Point Lobos and the Big Sur coast, making it a truly magical destination.
4. Leavenworth, Washington is a Bavarian village in the mountains.
Nestled in the Cascade Mountains, the town of Leavenworth is a full-blown Bavarian village in the middle of Washington state. In the 1960s, the town completely remodeled itself to attract tourists, and the result is a stunningly authentic-feeling dupe for a trip to Germany. The architecture is all traditional Bavarian, complete with flower boxes and murals.
The town is famous for its massive Oktoberfest celebration and its magical Christmas Lighting Festival, where the entire village is covered in millions of twinkling lights. It offers a festive and fun taste of German culture in a spectacular mountain setting.
5. Ouray, Colorado is the “Switzerland of America”.
Tucked into a tight, narrow valley and surrounded on all sides by the dramatic, snow-capped peaks of the San Juan Mountains, the tiny town of Ouray has rightfully earned its nickname as the “Switzerland of America.” The setting is so stunning and so dramatic that it almost looks unreal. The town’s Victorian-era Main Street is beautifully preserved, and it is a hub for a variety of rugged outdoor adventures.
The town is the starting point for the famous Million Dollar Highway and is a world-class destination for ice climbing in the winter. It is a true gem of the Rocky Mountains.
6. Stowe, Vermont is the quintessential New England town.
The village of Stowe, Vermont, with its iconic, white-steepled church, is the very picture of New England charm. The town is nestled in a beautiful valley at the foot of Mount Mansfield, the highest peak in Vermont. In the fall, the surrounding hills explode in a spectacular display of foliage, making it one of the most beautiful autumn destinations in the entire country.
In the winter, it is a classic ski town, home to the famous Stowe Mountain Resort. It is a town that is beautiful in every season, a perfect and idyllic escape.
7. Holland, Michigan is a slice of the Netherlands in the Midwest.
The city of Holland, Michigan, located on the shores of Lake Michigan, is famous for its deep and authentic Dutch heritage. The town is home to a real, 250-year-old Dutch windmill that was imported from the Netherlands, as well as beautiful Dutch-style architecture and canals. The town’s biggest claim to fame is its annual Tulip Time Festival in the spring.
During the festival, the entire city is a riot of color, with millions of tulips blooming in the city’s parks and along its streets. It is a beautiful and charming celebration of the city’s unique culture.
8. Paia, Hawaii is a charming, old-school surf town.
While Maui is famous for its massive, luxury resorts, the small town of Paia, on the island’s North Shore, offers a much more authentic, old-school Hawaiian vibe. This is a classic, laid-back surf town with a collection of colorful, plantation-era wooden buildings that now house funky boutiques, art galleries, and fantastic, casual restaurants.
The town is the last stop before the famous, winding Road to Hana and is a hub for the local surfing and windsurfing community. It has a cool, bohemian energy that feels like a world away from the manicured lawns of the big resorts.
9. Whitefish, Montana is a gateway to Glacier National Park.
Located in the stunning Flathead Valley, the town of Whitefish is a charming and authentic western town that serves as the gateway to the incredible beauty of Glacier National Park. The town has a historic Main Street with a number of great restaurants and bars, and it is located on the shores of the beautiful Whitefish Lake.
In the winter, the town is home to the excellent Whitefish Mountain Resort. It is a much more laid-back and less pretentious alternative to some of the more famous resort towns in the Rockies, and it offers access to some of the most spectacular scenery in North America.
10. Saugatuck, Michigan is a creative and beautiful beach town.
The town of Saugatuck, on the shores of Lake Michigan, has been a popular and progressive art colony and resort destination for over a century. The town is known for its beautiful, Oval Beach, which has been ranked as one of the best in the country, and for its charming, walkable downtown, which is filled with art galleries, boutiques, and excellent restaurants.
The town has a tolerant, creative, and welcoming atmosphere that has made it a particularly popular destination for the LGBTQ community. It is a beautiful and sophisticated beach town with a deep appreciation for the arts.
11. Woodstock, Vermont is a perfectly preserved village.
Often cited as one of the most beautiful and well-preserved small towns in America, Woodstock, Vermont, is the very definition of quaint. The town is centered around a classic village green, and it is home to a beautiful covered bridge and a collection of stunning, historic homes. The entire town feels like a perfectly preserved museum of New England charm.
The surrounding area is a landscape of rolling hills and beautiful farms. A visit here, especially during the fall foliage season or under a blanket of winter snow, feels like stepping directly into a Norman Rockwell painting.