You probably know this already, but the West is by far the most charming and scenic place in the country. Don’t agree? Tell us why in the comment section! All in all, let’s face it: the small towns you will visit there are like no other.
You will get to attend the most amazing art communities, tons of outdoor adventurous opportunities, and, of course, a wide array of dining options that will leave you craving for more. These small but charming towns, each with a small population of 25,000 people, have been carefully curated by an expert panel and voted by readers as the best ones in the region for their diverse offerings.
Ashland, Oregon
Located somewhere in southern Oregon, Ashland naturally attracts both thespians and theater lovers from all corners of the world with its incomparable and amazing Oregon Shakespeare Festival. The festival has been going since 1935, and each year it seems to get better and better.
However, if theater is not really your thing (which would be totally understandable), North Mountain Park and other green spaces also offer tons of opportunities to enjoy a peaceful time outdoors. As for top-notch dining, shopping, and crafts fairs and markets, they’re also worth taking into consideration.
Durango, Colorado
Located deep in southwestern Colorado is the one and only mountain town of Durango, a wonderful place so beautiful it’s been used as the backdrop for countless films such as “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” “City Slickers,” and, of course, “National Lampoon’s Vacation.”
And since we’re talking about natural beauties, you can easily enjoy the great outdoors in various ways here. If you’re into rafting, then you’ll be happy to know that down the Animas River, you can go skiing and snowboarding at their nearby ski resorts. Moreover, visitors can easily explore over a dozen historic sites and even Mesa Verde National Park.
Williams, Arizona
Williams is a wonderful place, ideal for grand adventures and escapes. If you’re looking for a much-needed getaway, there’s truly nothing Williams won’t offer, especially since it is so close to the one and only Grand Canyon (which can be easily accessed via the Grand Canyon Railway, built-in 1901).
However, this is not everything: there’s still plenty of American charm to discover here, too, and this is all due to the town’s connections to the historic Route 66. You will manage to see all the neon signs beckoning visitors to stop in for tasty diner food, milkshakes, and, of course, kitschy souvenirs.
Bainbridge Island, Washington
Well, would you believe that the only thing standing between you and Bainbridge Island is a short ferry ride? The minute you decide to “bridge the gap” between you two, you will tap into a harmonious respite from the hectic city life we’ve honestly had enough of already.
You can try a yoga glass at Dayaalu Yoga and Wellness Center, or even spend some quiet, quality time inside one of the local museums, such as the Bainbridge Island Historical Museum, the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, or, if you’ve got young ones, KiDiMu.
Moreover, the Bloedel Reserve is a huge attraction for visitors, no matter their age, especially because you get to explore 140 acres of meadows, forests, and gardens.
Gig Harbor, Washington
Located somewhere along the South Puget Sound, this wonderful little town has plenty of activities for a wonderful time in the Pacific Northwest. There’s a myriad of bed-and-breakfast options there. If you ask me, you will look for something close to the scenic walking areas, such as the Chalet in the Woods and Crescent Creek Park.
If you love a well-deserved dose of history, there’s a museum you should definitely visit, multiple breweries and distilleries, and, of course, eateries. Do you prefer fine dining? Well, good for you, because Gig Harbor has a bit of everything, from five-star restaurants to more casual grab-and-go spots. On top of that, you also have plenty of boat tours and gondola rides at your disposal.
Manitou Springs, Colorado
Right outside Colorado Springs, you can’t help but let yourself be charmed by Manitou Springs, where you will find everything from art galleries and ice cream shops to an old-school penny arcade. But what about the bigger draws?
Well, you can visit Winds Mountain Park, where you have plenty of tours to try and enjoy all those thrilling adventures, but also the Manitou Incline, where the fittest of locals and visitors alike try to climb up 2,000 vertical feet via 2,744 steps.
Cody, Wyoming
The name of the place was given to Colonel William Frederick Cody, also known as Buffalo Bill. This wonderful but small northwestern Wyoming town is ideal for a Wild West-style getaway. There are many ways to entertain, from wild Mustang tours where you can learn about local wildlife to a re-creation of an old frontier town and even the outdoors of Buffalo Bill State Park.
As for history buffs, there are many museums in close proximity, including the Draper Natural History Museum, the Buffalo Bill Museum, and the Plains Indian Museum.
Grants, New Mexico
Only an hour west of Albuquerque, you will easily find Grants, which is a small town that offers proximity to a wide variety of unique and interesting experiences. After taking the mandatory photo of a Route 66 sign, you will easily find plenty of things to do here, including exploring the volcanic landscape of El Malpais National Monument and enjoying a drink and a bite to eat at Junkyard on 66 Brewery, a functioning auto salvage yard.
Solvang, California
Sometimes you find a small U.S. town that makes you feel as if you’ve been transported to a completely different country, and Solvang is exactly that. And since it’s loaded with Danish history and heritage, you will be able to find Danish-inspired architecture, including some truly amazing windmills, Scandinavian eateries such as the Red Viking, and even the Elverhøj Museum of History & Art.
Seward, Alaska
Commonly known as the gateway to the majestic Kenai Fjords National Park, this amazing port city has a wide array of excursions for all the folks out there who hope to see glaciers up close, spot orcas, and any other types of wildlife.
If you’re looking to be immersed in the vast culture of the indigenous people of the area, you will love it here. Moreover, probably the best part is that there are a lot of ways to do all these things, whether it’s going for dog sledding, enjoying a tour via kayak, or even visiting the Alaska SeaLife Center and checking the puffins and sea lions all the way up close.
Astoria, Oregon
Astoria is a beautiful stop on the Oregon Coast road trip. You can take a ride on the historic trolley, visit Lewis and Clark National Park, and then grab a tasty lunch at one of the delicious restaurants in town. If you prefer extending your visit, you can enjoy the ocean at the Clatsop Spit or even take a hike on a nearby trail.
San Luis Obispo, California
The NorCal and SoCal rivalries have quite a history, but savvy people are fully aware that the Central Coast is probably one of the best parts of the Golden State. Moreover, San Louis Obispo makes a wonderful base. You can wander the quaint college town, shop a little bit, eat and drink as much as you like, then head to the nearby Morro Bay, Pismo Beach, and the beautiful Fisherman’s Beach.
And when you decide to visit any of these locations, make sure you take photographs! For that, you might need a Fujifilm Instax Mini 11!
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