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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), click here.

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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, click here.

Gatlinburg, Tennessee

downtown Park City, Utah

Town Square in Jackson, Wyoming

beach boardwalk at Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

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