The 15 Best U.S. Small Towns for a Summer Vacation
These fetching towns will put you under their summertime spell.
There's just something about a small town in summer that hits a little differently. Perhaps it's the community festivals, the breezy nights walking down Main Street, or an ice cream truck rumbling down a suburban road blaring that all too familiar song. Whatever it is, we've got love for it. And we bet you do too. Here are the 15 best U.S. small towns for a summer vacation.
Narrowsburg, New York
The Western Catskills is the place to be when the mercury rises. Perched along the Delaware River, this hamlet of around 390 residents is one of the best small towns in New York and a hot spot for tubing, kayaking, and canoeing. Local tour operator Lander's River Trips offers a range of half-day and full-day river excursions. Just make sure to stop by Narrowsburg Proper general store for snacks and sundries before your outing. Refuel with pizza at The Laundrette, burgers at The Heron, or elevated comfort food cooked in a wood-burning oven at Cochecton Fire Station. For your accommodations, base yourself at the hip Hotel Darby, located on the other side of the river in Pennsylvania, just a 10-minute walk from Narrowsburg.
Related: The Perfect Three-Day Weekend in the Catskills
Buckeye Lake, Ohio
You'd be hard-pressed to find a village more classic Americana than Buckeye Lake. With a population of about 2,800, it's beloved for its serene lakefront atmosphere and seemingly endless water activities. For a home away from home, book a few nights in one of its beautiful lakefront cottages. Then, wake up refreshed and start the day with a jog or power walk along the four-mile-long Buckeye Lake Dam Walking & Biking Trail, preferably with a beverage from Millersport Coffee. Next, it's into the pristine water you go. Try 3XP Tours' kayak-biking-brewery expedition that guides you on the lake, trails, and into some of the best breweries (and wineries and restaurants) around town. Or, skip the formal tour and rent a kayak or pontoon for the day and embrace lake life on your own. Wind down with a glass of wine at Buckeye Lake Winery or head to Weldon's for ice cream.
Addison, Texas
Addison is a 4.4-square-mile town with just over 17,000 residents — but an impressive 200 restaurants (they claim to have more restaurants per capita than any city in the country). For summer fun, make sure to get there around Independence Day for the fireworks show called Addison Kaboom Town. The festivity draws in around 500,000 spectators and many restaurants and hotels host watch parties, converting the entire town into one big block party. Book a stay at either Home2Suites, which provides a stellar view of the fireworks, or the Marriott Addison Quorum, a modern retreat within walking distance of the town's delicious dining options.
Adairsville, Georgia
Welcome to Adairsville, Georgia, population 5,200. When you need a break from the dog days of summer in the Peach State, stop by the Adairsville Depot History Museum, housed in an old railroad depot, to learn about the town's role in the Civil War's Great Locomotive Chase. Then, retreat to Barnsley Resort, a paradise for outdoors enthusiasts with horseback riding, clay target shooting, archery, ax throwing, golf, disc golf, and more. The grounds are also home to a spa, fishing on the lake, and a saltwater pool. And don't miss the Savoy Automobile Museum in the nearby town of Cartersville, featuring exhibits of Art Deco cars, racing cars, and woodie wagons.
Coronado, California
With fewer than 20,000 residents, Coronado is the little sibling to San Diego. Though close in proximity, visiting this town will make you feel a universe away from the hustle and bustle of the Southern California city. Here you'll find gin-clear waters lapping the shores of pristine beaches and a quaint main street (Orange Avenue) that will have you happily distracted for hours with boutiques, eateries, galleries, theaters, and the Coronado Museum of History & Art. And given the town's compact size, you can walk or bike practically anywhere. During the summer months, visitors can listen to live music every weekend afternoon at the Ferry Landing.
Post up at Hotel del Coronado, built in 1888 and now a designated National Historic Landmark. If you don't see any ghosts, presidents, royalty, or celebrities during your stay, you can at least tell your friends back home that you stayed at the hotel that's widely believed to have been the inspiration for the Emerald City in L. Frank Baum's "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz."
Related: A Guide to Vacationing on Coronado Island
Travelers Rest, South Carolina
As one of the most idyllic small towns in South Carolina, Travelers Rest is exactly as the name describes. For more than three centuries, this northwest South Carolina town has served as a stop for those driving over the Blue Ridge Mountains. Now an inviting town of around 8,400 inhabitants, "TR" is home to several popular restaurants like Top Soil, Monkey Wrench Smokehouse, and Tandem Creperie. There is plenty of lodging too, between hotels like Swamp Rabbit Inn TR, a quaint bed and breakfast, and Hotel Domestique, a boutique hotel owned by celebrated cyclist George Hincapie, which happens to come with jaw-dropping vistas of the mountains.
The active set can hike or mountain bike the 22-mile Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail or explore Paris Mountain State Park and Jones Gap State Park, which offer campsites. When you're ready to reward yourself for that wilderness romp, raise a glass during the free Music in the Park concert series, held each summer at the amphitheater in TR's Trailblazer Park, a delightful urban green space.
Bardstown, Kentucky
Bardstown is one of the most beautiful small towns in the U.S. and a perfect place to grab a dram. Billed as the "Bourbon Capital of the World," the community of around 13,700 people has nearly a dozen distilleries (Heaven Hill Distillery, Bardstown Bourbon Company, and Log Still Distillery are three favorites).
Take the time to explore the historic mansion and grounds at My Old Kentucky Home State Park and the hiking trails at the nearby Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest. Afterward, enjoy a drink at Old Talbott Tavern, the oldest Western Stagecoach stop in America, and the oldest Bourbon bar in the world (it's also an inn).
For a more curated experience, book My Old Kentucky Dinner Train's Bourbon Excursion. You'll cruise through central Kentucky in a restored 1940s vintage dining car and indulge in a bourbon tasting with a master distiller. To keep the theme rolling, stay at the Bourbon Manor Bed & Breakfast, or experience sleeping in a converted jail cell at the lovely Jailer's Inn Bed & Breakfast.
Abilene, Kansas
Home to around 6,500 people, Abilene is as charming as it is historical. While in town, check out the exhibits at the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum, which pays homage to the former president's hometown. Then, tour the Seelye Mansion, an "8 Wonders of Kansas'' winner in the architecture category, where you can knock down some pins on a bowling alley built in 1905. Keep the historical vibes going by hopping aboard a 100-year-old steam engine on the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad. Before you bid the town adieu, take a spin on a 1901 C.W. Parker Carousel, the oldest operating Parker carousel still in existence, at the Dickinson County Heritage Center. For a little rest, reserve a room at Abilene's Victorian Inn Bed & Breakfast or Engle House Bed & Breakfast.
St. Michaels, Maryland
If the Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michaels looks familiar, you might be a "Wedding Crashers" fan. It just so happens that the Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn classic was filmed right here. But, if that isn't enough to sway you to make the trek to St. Michaels, consider that this town of 1,020 residents is essentially the Hamptons of the mid-Atlantic.
Located on the Miles River, the town dazzles in the warmer months with ample opportunities to sail, kayak, and paddleboard. Pair that with the chance to gorge on Maryland crabs and oysters, chased with water views, and you've got a recipe for the perfect summer vacation.
For a stylish stay, book a room at The Wildset Hotel. The boutique property and on-site restaurant, Ruse, are well worth planning an entire trip around, as is a simple stroll down Talbot Street with historic homes from the 1600s or an outing to the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park, about 50 minutes outside of town.
Dewey Beach, Delaware
Though the year-round population of Dewey Beach hovers around 350 residents, its summer crowd is much, much larger. But, even with the throngs of beach-goers, this Southern Delaware destination deserves a spot atop your summertime vacation list. With the ocean on one side and the bay on the other, it's a watery paradise, making it the ideal spot to book a charter boat. Back on dry land, stay at Hyatt Place Dewey Beach, located about a mile off the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk, and feast at Woody's Dewey Beach, known for having some of the best crab cakes around.
Sheridan, Wyoming
Wyoming is the least populated state in the nation, so it's no surprise it's home to more than its fair share of spectacular small towns. Sheridan (with a population of around 19,700) just so happens to be one of its best. Stop into town to catch a show at the WYO Theater, watch a polo match at the Big Horn Equestrian Center, or see the cowboys and cowgirls show off their moves at the Sheridan County Rodeo. During your time here, brush up on Sheridan's history and cowboy culture at the Don King Museum and Fort Phil Kearny. And, take in the sounds of summer at Concerts in the Park, which puts on a show every Tuesday. You can also partake in the fun and games at the 3rd Thursday street festival, and load up your tote bags at the weekly farmers market.
When you're ready to hang up your cowboy hat, get a room at Sheridan Inn, built in 1892 and conceptualized by Buffalo Bill Cody. Or, head to the Mill Inn, a former flour mill at the foot of the Big Horn Mountains.
Hermann, Missouri
Willkommen to Hermann, the Missouri River Valley's crown jewel, which comes with plenty of picturesque German architecture. The spot to be amongst the region's rolling hills is at The Cottage or, more specifically, in one of the property's three tree houses that provide stunning views of the lush landscape. This community of approximately 2,400 people, originally established in 1837 by German immigrants, is the heart of the state's wine country. A few of our top picks for local wineries include Stone Hill Winery, Adam Puchta Winery, Black Shire Distillery, and Martin Brothers Mead.
Other worthwhile pit stops in town include the Deutschheim State Historic Site for a guided tour of two wonderfully preserved homes and Hermann Farm for the grand tram tour, which includes a guided experience to the 1847 Teubner-Husmann home.
New Paltz, New York
New Paltz, a town of less than 10,000 residents, delivers on the picture-perfect summer escape. Wander along the boutique-lined Main Street and stop at the Water Street Market, an open-air shopping village filled with antiques, art, and many unique finds. You can also choose to either pump up your adrenaline hiking the River-to-Ridge Trail or sit back and be served at one of the 12 wineries along the Shawangunk Wine Trail.
When you're ready for a rest, head to Mohonk Mountain House, a Victorian castle-style resort that's been owned and operated by the Smiley family since its founding in 1869. You could easily spend an entire vacation on the property playing tennis, horseback riding, or relaxing at the spa.
Bretton Woods, New Hampshire
Surround yourself in summer's glory with a visit to the picturesque New Hampshire town of Bretton Woods. The village sits in the "larger" town of Caroll (with a population of around 820 people), with the Omni Mount Washington Resort serving as the center of the action. During your stay, you'll enjoy award-winning dining and recreational pursuits ranging from a classic Donald Ross-designed golf course to taking to the sky via nine high-flying zip lines.
Other must-see attractions close by include hopping on the Mount Washington Cog Railway, the world's first mountain-climbing cog railway that carries thrill-seekers to the top of the Northeast's highest peak, Mount Washington, at 6,288 feet. There's also Crawford Notch State Park, an ideal place for fishing, wildlife viewing, waterfall chasing, and otherworldly mountain vistas.
McCall, Idaho
It's important to keep your mind open to the possibilities during a visit to McCall. That's because, in this small town of around 3,100 residents, you'll find Payette Lake, which is reportedly home to Sharlie, a lake monster, described as a creature "...at least 35 feet long, with a dinosaur-type head, pronounced jaw, humps like a camel, and shell-like skin."
Lake monsters aside, McCall is a pretty welcoming place. Located in the awe-inspiring West Central Mountains of Idaho, this is a place to bring your activewear, as you'll likely spend your days hiking and horseback riding or mountain biking and waterskiing until the sun goes down. Bird-watching, dinner cruises, whitewater rafting, and paddleboarding are all big draws, too. After a long day of working up a sweat, kick back at Salmon River Brewery's rooftop beer garden, which offers the best view of Payette Lake from downtown. Have dinner at the Clubhouse Restaurant at Jug Mountain Ranch, which has an ideal patio for sunset dining. Then, lay your head at the upmarket Shore Lodge or Hotel McCall, both of which will keep you safe from lake monsters all night long.
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