To capitalize on the hikers passing through, the National Park Service offers exhibits on the town's history and the Civil War events that took place in the hills. Don’t miss the most charming small towns in every state. Fun fact: The town’s nickname is “The Village Between the Lakes” because it stands between Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake. Why it’s a great small town: Tennessee is blessed with natural beauty, a love of music and a sense of community. With a population of only three people, most people in South Dakota don't even know that Hillsview exists. Why it’s a great small town: Central New York's Finger Lakes provide numerous ways to enjoy the water, not to mention the dozens of wineries that spread across the landscape. Why it’s a great small town: Big cities get all the credit for art events and alternative lifestyles, but Sedona proves small towns have just as much to offer. From spring to fall, you can go up the funicular to get views of Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa. Outside this cultural allure, the city’s mountain location makes for beautiful foliage trips, great skiing in the winter and outdoor activities year-round.
If you can’t decide between culture and active traveling, Chester is the place to go. Why it’s a great small town: Rehoboth Beach is the perfect place to sit back, relax and feel time slow down. Why it's a great small town: Mountains, harbors and sheer seaside cliffs make Bar Harbor a place where bringing the camera is mandatory. Fun fact: Nagley's General Store dates back to the early 1900s. This cozy town is almost too scenic to bear. There are also several Victorian-style homes, built by the various Jews who took refuge in the town during WWII. Visit the Wichita Mountains and their wildlife refuge for incredible and expansive natural landscapes. Fun fact: The town hosts the American Birkebeiner cross country ski race, the World Lumberjack Championship and the Chequamegon Fat Tire bicycle race. The town's location is also smack dab in middle of the Appalachian Mountains, with the trail running right through town. The town center has pedestrian streets and ample shopping locations as well. Besides the bucket list opportunities, though, you might be wondering why you should bother taking a trip to any of these places. And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: With an incorporation date of November 16, 1818, this town is actually older than the state of Alabama. Georgetown has more than 50 different sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Fun fact: Hanapepe was the inspiration for the Hawaiian town in the Disney animated flick, “Lilo & Stitch.”.

We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. In fact, Hyder uses Canadian currency and runs on B.C. Now, the population has dwindled to five. As in much of the old South, St. Francisville is known for its numerous plantations, where visitors today can learn about a painful part of the nation’s history. Aiming to inject new life, the town reinvented itself as Little Bavaria and transformed its downtown into a German-themed town at the base of the Appalachians. You can walk around boardwalks to see them from a distance or get in the water in a kayak or a boat to encounter them along your journey. The great outdoors always beacons with its varying and exciting landscapes. Why it's a great small town: This town in the Adirondacks was put on the world map when it hosted the 1980 Winter Olympic Games. Why it’s a great small town: If you’re looking for a peaceful beach vacation away from crowds and noise, this South Carolinian barrier island is just the place for you. Sparta may be home to only 262 people, but it can claim the famous Kentucky Speedway as its own. The harbor commands attention, as people head out to enjoy days in the water or simply delight in the views from land. Fun fact: The town is home to St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, which you enter through its bell tower — a feature so unique and bizarre, it’s been featured by Ripley’s Believe It or Not. Located on Nantucket island, the town of Chilmark only has 866 permanent residents. Why it’s a great small town: Merely an hour away from New York, Clinton has nothing of the city’s traffic or noise. Hyder gets its electricity from a Canadian utility provider, uses a Canadian postal code, and Hyder's students attend school in Canada. Stay at a ranch, enjoy outdoor activities at Mesa Verde National Park or stroll through the town’s Creative District. Not surprisingly, outdoorsy activities, from hiking and skiing to rock-climbing and even zip-lining, fill many tourist itineraries. Sanibel Island is the definition of relaxed, but it still takes wildlife conservation seriously: There are several refuges in town, with the J.N. Fun fact: Although roads now exist, Magnolia Springs is the only town in the U.S. that has year-round full mail service by boat. Why it’s a great small town: Fairfield was built to honor and follow the teachings of Indian guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.
Indeed, to follow you here, your worries will have to either take a ferry or a plane, both of which are subject to the mercy of the weather. Why it’s a great small town: Considered "Where Wisconsin Began," Mineral Point was built with limestone the English settlers brought with them. Besides the gorgeous springtime blooms, this former mining town is loaded with history and friendly residents. Fun fact: To protect its uniqueness, the town has banned national franchises from opening branches within its limits. Why it’s a great small town: Located on Massachusetts' other cape, Cape Ann, Rockport is so quintessentially New England that film crews often set up shop here to capture the waterfront town's idyllic beaches, charming town center and lighthouses. It is also a sort of congregation point for neo-hippies and the spiritually inclined.

The Virginia Gold Cup steeplechase horse race is held here every year and brings over 50,000 visitors to The Plains each May. Be sure to visit during the Florida Seafood Festival if you want to see the town come alive for its visitors.

Fun facts: It is rumored the first Europeans settled here in 1526.

The town’s tourism scene revolves around this beloved stretch of wilderness, and there are plenty of hotels, shops and restaurants (serving Southern staples, naturally) to cater to the park-going throngs. Why it’s a great small town: A small town with a giant reputation, Aspen’s ski slopes bring in the masses as soon as the snow starts falling. As its name suggests, the town is lined with majestic magnolia trees and is surrounded by natural springs. Fun fact: Chester’s Rockingham Meeting House is the oldest in the country. Fun fact: The town has been featured in “My Giant,” “In and Out” and “One True Thing.”. Fun fact: The Watch Hill Inn is the only Five-Diamond hotel in Rhode Island and has hosted celebrities. Fun fact: Keystone is less than 3 square miles in size. Bonanza was founded in 1888 after miners discovered extensive deposits of gilsonite, a natural asphalt, there. As you might expect, there are brightly colored murals almost everywhere you look. The whole town was actually purchased by a Texas folklorist for $30,000 in 1970. Fun fact: Harrisville is the only New England 19th-century industrial community that remains in its original form. Why it’s a great small town: Considered the first American spa, Berkley Springs has attracted people with its mineral springs since before the arrival of the Europeans, with Native Americans originally taking advantage of the area’s restorative benefits. This is a scenic, walkable small town – there are plenty of river walks, nearby hiking trails, and wildlife watching spots. Fun fact: Helen is the third most-visited town in the state. — as well as Southern hospitality and gorgeous walks along the Mississippi River. Come here for an unassuming yet superb ski getaway.