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TOP 100 SMALL TOWNS & CITIES IN THE U.S.

Charming small cities and towns can be found across the United States. But which ones are widely considered to be the best? I have put together a highly-opinionated list of what I believe to be the top 100 small cities & towns in the United States. It is not an easy task to pick 100 top small cities & towns out of a pool of thousands, so this web-page will forever be a work in progress as my wife and I travel to visit more small cities & towns across the country.

This top 100 small cities & towns list is sorted alphabetically by state (and not by rating or quality). I have also intentionally excluded all cities with a population over 100,000 (i.e. Ann Arbor, Michigan; West Palm Beach, Florida; Boulder, Colorado; Savannah, Georgia; Chattanooga, Tennessee). Remember, though, this is just my opinionated & subjective list. There are hundreds of other fascinating small cities & towns in the United States.

With all that being said, you probably won't want to miss these wonderful small towns & cities. For a complete listing of all of my favorite towns and cities in the US (not just the top 100), read my Favorite Places in the U.S. guide.

STATE	SMALL TOWN / CITY	WHY IS THIS PLACE SO GREAT?	POPULATION AS OF 2020
Alabama	GULF SHORES	sugar-white Gulf of Mexico beaches; boat tours; Gulf State Park; fishing pier; Waterville USA	15,736
Alabama	ORANGE BEACH	sugar-white Gulf of Mexico beaches; boat tours; golfing; more upscale than nearby Gulf Shores	8,347
Alaska	GIRDWOOD	mountain scenery; skiing/snowboarding; hiking; fishing; glaciers; Alaska's largest city; Chugach Mtns	1,742
Alaska	HOMER	mountain scenery; art galleries; boutique shops; boat tours; "halibut fishing capital of the world"	5,719
Alaska	KETCHIKAN	art galleries; boutique shops; sea-kayaking; totem poles; "salmon capital of the world"; cruise ship stop	8,037
Alaska	SKAGWAY	mountain scenery; gold-rush history; boutique shops; tourist railroad; cruise ship stop	1,240
Alaska	TALKEETNA	mountain scenery; scenic flights; snowmobiling; gateway to Denali National Park	1,055
Arizona	FLAGSTAFF	mountain scenery; skiing/snowboarding; hiking trails; gateway to Grand Canyon National Park	76,989
Arizona	SEDONA	red rock desert scenery; New Age centers; vortexes; 4WD-ing; spas; hiking trails	9,763
Arizona	WILLIAMS	Route 66 history & attractions; various family attractions; gateway to Grand Canyon National Park	3,267
Arkansas	EUREKA SPRINGS	historic buildings; 50+ boutique shops; religious attractions; access to nearby outdoor activities	2,171
California	AVALON	island culture/lifestyle; Mediterranean-style architecture; beaches; boutique shops; boat tours	3,377
California	CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA	beaches; art galleries; boutique shops; gateway to U.S. 1 / Big Sur Highway	3,196
California	LAGUNA BEACH	beaches; art galleries; SCUBA diving; snorkeling; boutique shops	22,795
California	MALIBU	beaches; 27 miles of beach front; surfing; fishing pier; hangout of the rich & famous; hiking trails	10,429
California	NAPA	winery/vineyard capital of the U.S. (> 400 wineries); beautiful countrysides	78,818
California	PALM SPRINGS	desert scenery; boutique shops; golfing; spas; hiking trails; gateway to Joshua Tree National Park	45,019
California	SANTA BARBARA	beaches; surfing; Mediterranean architecture; gateway to Channel Islands National Park; water sports	88,255
California	SANTA CRUZ	beaches; youthful/hippy spirit; seaside amusements	61,950
California	SOLVANG	Bavarian-themed attractions, stores, and restaurants; "Danish capital of America"; boutique shops	6,048
California	SONOMA	100+ nearby wineries/vineyards; spas; historic downtown	10,644
Colorado	ASPEN	mountain scenery; world-class skiing/snowboarding skiing/snowboarding; art galleries; boutique shops	6,949
Colorado	BRECKENRIDGE	mountain scenery; historic/Victorian buildings; art galleries; boutique shops; skiing/snowboarding	5,024
Colorado	DURANGO	mountain scenery; skiing/snowboarding; hiking trails; rafting; mountain biking; scenic railroad	19,233
Colorado	ESTES PARK	mountain scenery; hiking trails; boutique shops; gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park	5,880
Colorado	STEAMBOAT SPRINGS	mountain scenery; world-class skiing/snowboarding; hot springs; hiking trails	13,390
Colorado	TELLURIDE	mountain scenery; world-class skiing/snowboarding; hiking trails; scenic driving	2,595
Connecticut	MYSTIC	waterfront reviews; maritime history/museums; boutique shops; Mystic Aquarium; Mystic Seaport	4,776
Delaware	BETHANY BEACH	beaches; beach boardwalk; family-friendly atmosphere	997
Delaware	REHOBOTH BEACH	beaches; beach boardwalk; nightlife; tourist shops	3,420
Florida	DESTIN	Gulf beaches; water sports, including para-sailing	13,956
Florida	KEY WEST	many boutique shops & art galleries; B&Bs; diving; sport-fishing; boating & other water sports; sunsets	26,527
Florida	ST. AUGUSTINE	Spanish colonial architecture; cobblestone streets; horse-drawn carriages; beaches; oldest city in US	15,065
Georgia	TYBEE ISLAND	beaches; barrier island; boating; water sports; lighthouse; fishing; civil war history; close to Savannah	3,091
Hawaii	HALEIWA	beaches; water sports; "social and artistic hub of the North Shore"; surfing culture	4,589
Hawaii	HANALEI	beaches; water sports; "hippest town in Kauai"; gateway to the Na Pali Coast; beautiful scenery	408
Hawaii	LAHAINA	art galleries; boutique shops; HI history museums; "West Maui’s most popping district"; whale watches	13,216
Idaho	COEUR D'ALENE	mountain scenery; golfing; boat tours; one of the best rail trails in the US (Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes)	51,491
Idaho	KETCHUM	mountain scenery; skiing/snowboarding; hot springs; outdoor activities; gateway to Sawtooth NRA	2,843
Illinois	GALENA	historic red-brick buildings; many boutique shops and art galleries; B&Bs; "best small town in IL"	3,168
Kentucky	BARDSTOWN	bourbon distilleries; "Bourbon Capital of the World"; historic downtown district	13,169
Kentucky	BEREA	art galleries; boutique shops; historic buildings; Berea Pinnacles; "folk arts and crafts capital of KY"	15,773
Maine	BAR HARBOR	many boutique shops; boat tours; family-friendly attractions; gateway to Acadia National Park	5,535
Maine	OGUNQUIT	beaches; boutique shops; playhouse; gay-friendly; artist colony; coastal walks (e.g. Marginal Way)	1,577
Maine	PORTLAND	historic buildings; innovative restaurants; many boutique shops; maritime history; TONS of breweries	68,313
Maryland	ANNAPOLIS	Colonial architecture; cobblestone streets; historic sites; "vibrant waterfront w/shops & restaurants"	39,321
Maryland	FREDERICK	historic buildings; Civil War history; many boutique shops and art galleries	71,843
Maryland	OCEAN CITY	beaches; beach boardwalk; family-fun attractions; seafood restaurants; fishing (e.g. marlin)	6,957
Massachusetts	EDGARTOWN	island culture/lifestyle on Martha's Vineyard (island); white-clapboard colonial homes; boutique shops	5,168
Massachusetts	OAK BLUFFS	upscale culture/lifestyle on Martha's Vineyard (island); boutique shops; "gingerbread" houses	5,341
Massachusetts	PROVINCETOWN	beaches; whale-watching; boutique shops; art galleries; drag shows; gay-friendly; nearby beaches	3,664
Massachusetts	STOCKBRIDGE	historic architecture; boutique shops; Norman Rockwell history; Red Lion Inn	2,018
Michigan	MACKINAC ISLAND	Victorian architecture; boutique shops; horse-drawn carriages; fudge shops; historic fort; bicycling	585
Michigan	TRAVERSE CITY	beaches; water sports; cherries; wineries/vineyards; golfing; gateway to Sleeping Bear Dunes NL	15,559
Minnesota	ELY	canoeing/kayaking; dog-sledding; gateway to Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness	3,233
Missouri	BRANSON	theatre/live shows; amusement parks, mountain coasters & dozens of other tourist attractions	11,526
Montana	BOZEMAN	historic buildings; mountain scenery; hip culture; fly-fishing; skiing/snowboarding; hiking trails	48,330
Montana	RED LODGE	historic buildings; mountain scenery; skiing/snowboarding; hiking trails	2,134
Montana	WEST YELLOWSTONE	fly-fishing; horseback riding; gateway to Yellowstone National Park	1,090
Montana	WHITEFISH	historic buildings; mountain scenery; skiing/snowboarding; gateway to Glacier National Park	8,032
New Hampshire	NORTH CONWAY	mountain scenery; hiking trails; skiing/snowboarding; gateway to White Mountain National Forest	10,266
New Hampshire	PORTSMOUTH	colonial buildings; boutique shops in historic downtown area (tax-free); Strawberry Banke Museum	21,418
New Jersey	CAPE MAY	Victorian architecture; boutique shops; B&Bs; golfing; whale-watching; bird-watching	3,446
New Jersey	OCEAN CITY	beaches; beach boardwalk; mini-golfing; family-friendly amusement parks & attractions; a "dry" town	11,065
New Jersey	WILDWOOD	beaches; beach boardwalk; amusement parks; water parks	4,985
New Mexico	SANTA FE	adobe architecture; baroque churches; art galleries; one of U.S.'s oldest cities; Native American culture	84,418
New Mexico	TAOS	art galleries; boutique shops; skiing/snowboarding; Native American culture	5,950
New York	LAKE GEORGE	lake beaches; water sports; boat tours; family-fun attractions; Six Flags Great Escape	1,028
New York	LAKE PLACID	Olympic history; mountain scenery & hiking (Adirondack Park); skiing/snowboarding; boutique shops	2,229
New York	SARATOGA SPRINGS	premier horse-racing events & history; boutique shops; spas; mineral springs	28,056
North Carolina	ASHEVILLE	awesome BBQ; many, many breweries; ghost/haunted tours; Biltmore mansion; gateway to Pisgah NF	92,328
North Carolina	BLOWING ROCK	"crown of the Blue Ridge"; historic downtown; close to Grandfather Mountain SP; Tweetsie Railroad	1,149
North Carolina	BOONE	mountain scenery; Appalachian music heritage; access to Blue Ridge Parkway; attractive downtown	19,466
Ohio	SANDUSKY	amusement parks; water parks; other family-friendly attractions	24,651
Oregon	ASHLAND	Victorian architecture; B&Bs; Shakespearean theatre	21,607
Oregon	BEND	hiking & mountain biking trails; waterfalls; microbreweries; skiing/snowboarding	102,059
Oregon	CANNON BEACH	beaches; sea stacks (e.g. Haystack Rock); art galleries; boutique shops	1,547
Pennsylvania	INTERCOURSE	Amish culture; boutique shops; horse-carriage rides; "shoofly pies" and other Dutch treats	1,899
Rhode Island	NEWPORT	mansion tours; beaches; boutique shops; coastal walk (e.g. Cliff Walk); "sailing capital of the World"	24,697
South Carolina	BEAUFORT	antebellum architecture/mansions; boutique shops; B&Bs; historic district	13,417
South Carolina	HILTON HEAD ISLAND	beaches; golfing; water sports; boat tours; paved bicycling paths	37,661
South Carolina	MYRTLE BEACH	beaches; golfing; water sports; boat tours; arcades; amusement parks; mini-golfing	33,638
South Dakota	DEADWOOD	historic buildings; gambling parlors; wild-west history; one of best rail trails in the US (Mickelson)	1,584
South Dakota	KEYSTONE	gateway to Black Hills attractions, including Mt. Rushmore & Custer State Park; tourist shops	542
Tennessee	GATLINBURG	tourist attractions; mini-golf; moonshine distilleries; gateway to Great Smoky Mtns NP	3,944
Tennessee	PIGEON FORGE	tourist attractions; live theater; amusement parks; gateway to Great Smoky Mtns	6,247
Texas	FREDERICKSBURG	boutique shops; historical museums; "German heritage with Texan hospitality"	11,341
Texas	GALVESTON	beaches; boutique shops; cruise-ship destination; boardwalk entertainment	50,307
Utah	MOAB	desert scenery; hiking, mtn biking, & off-road trails; gateway to two national parks & BLM land	5,303
Utah	PARK CITY	mountain scenery; skiing/snowboarding; hiking and mountain biking trails; boutique shops	8,467
Utah	SPRINGDALE	desert scenery; boutique shops and art galleries; off-roading tours; gateway to Zion National Park	489
Vermont	BURLINGTON	hip/eclectic college-town atmosphere; skiing/snowboarding; breweries; bike paths; Lake Champlain	42,645
Vermont	STOWE	mountain scenery; hiking trails; skiing/snowboarding; waterfalls and swimming holes; Mt. Mansfield	5,223
Vermont	WOODSTOCK	Federal and Georgian-style homes; boutique shops; art galleries; close to Quechee Gorge	3,005
Virginia	CHINCOTEAGUE	beaches; wild horses; boat tours; bird-watching; oyster beds; clamming	2,885
Washington	LEAVENWORTH	Bavarian-themed attractions, stores & restaurants; gateway to Alpine Wilderness (e.g. hiking)	2,489
Washington	PORT TOWNSEND	Victorian architecture; art galleries; boutique stores; gateway to Olympic National Park	9,710
Wisconsin	WISCONSIN DELLS	"water park capital of the world"; family-fun attractions and museums; quirky roadside attractions	2,907
Wyoming	CODY	western themed attractions & museums; nightly rodeos; gateway to Yellowstone National Park	9,810
Wyoming	JACKSON	skiing/snowshoeing; whitewater rafting; boutique shops; gateway to Grand Teton National Park	17,938

For a complete listing of my favorite towns and cities in the US, read my Favorite Places in the U.S. guide.

Gatlinburg, Tennessee

downtown Park City, Utah

Town Square in Jackson, Wyoming

beach boardwalk at Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

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