The bright lights and towering skyscrapers of LA, New York, and Chicago are undeniably enticing – but they can also be exhausting. In cities that never sleep, finding a moment to pause isn't easy. That’s why we've ranked the most charming small city in every state – places that offer the culture, charm, and character of the big hitters, but at a far more laid-back pace.
Click through this gallery to discover our ranking of the 50 best small cities in America – one from every state...
Close to the Ozarks, Branson is packed with attractions, including the 1880s-themed Silver Dollar City, with rides, shows, and craft demonstrations. From March to December, visitors can also ride the Branson Scenic Railway through the foothills. For a quieter escape, Top of the Rock offers stunning views across the Ozark Mountains.
The former capital of Oklahoma, Guthrie is now a small city known for its Victorian buildings and 19th-century stone façades. Its historic downtown is packed with old-style architecture, antique shops, and quirky attractions, including ghost tours. It’s also home to the Scottish Rite Temple, one of the world’s largest Masonic centers.
Lanesboro, set along the scenic Root River State Trail, feels more like a charming town than a city. The 60-mile trail can be explored on foot, by bike or from the water in kayaks and tubes. Its quaint downtown is lined with independent shops and bars, refreshingly free of chain stores and fast-food outlets.
Surrounded by three mountain ranges, Sandpoint offers year-round adventure, from skiing at Schweitzer Mountain Resort to summer biking trails. Just 30 minutes south, Silverwood Theme Park and Boulder Beach Water Park add thrills, with haunted houses taking over for Halloween.
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Tucked deep in the Rockies, Missoula is a rugged, forested city with a strong creative streak, shaped in part by the University of Montana. The Missoula Art Museum is known for its cutting-edge exhibitions, while the surrounding wilderness offers mountain biking in summer and cross-country skiing in winter.
Abilene is best known as the hometown of President Eisenhower, whose former house and burial site can be visited at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Library and Museum.
Other popular attractions include the Georgian-style Seelye Mansion and the Greyhound Hall of Fame – fitting for a city that's considered the greyhound capital of the world.
While many visit Gatlinburg, Tennessee, to explore the Great Smoky Mountains, the city itself is well worth discovering. For sweeping views, head to the Gatlinburg Space Needle or ride the Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway. The area also boasts plenty of cozy restaurants, breweries, wineries, and distilleries.
Iowa’s oldest city, dubbed the Masterpiece on the Mississippi for its stunning riverfront, has plenty to offer. The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium features interactive exhibits, while snowy winters here once inspired Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin during his time teaching at Clarke College.
With no cities beyond Honolulu, we've picked Hawaii’s prettiest town: Paia. This surfers' paradise offers beautiful beaches, colorful cafés, surf shacks, yoga studios, street art, and the popular Paia Fish Market, all wrapped in a laid-back, bohemian vibe.
Full of traditional charm, Galena is defined by rolling hills, cobbled streets, 19th-century architecture, and antique shops. Highlights include the P.T. Murphy Magic Theater and the well-preserved 1826 Dowling House, gifted to Civil War general and future president Ulysses S. Grant.
America has no shortage of quirky roadside attractions, but few are as unusual as Carhenge. In the small city of Alliance, 39 silver-painted cars are stacked to mirror England’s Stonehenge. Created by artist Jim Reinders, the structure matches the original’s proportions.
Danville is a quaint little city with a close-knit community and charming neighborhoods to explore. Centre College was founded here in 1819 and is known for its ranking in liberal arts.
Off-campus, residents have gone to great lengths to preserve the buildings in historic downtown, where bakeries, coffee houses, and snug delis pop up all the time.
Frederick has led the farm-to-table movement for over a decade, thanks to Bryan Voltaggio’s restaurant Volt, drawing chefs, distillers, and craft brewers in its wake.
Surrounded by mountains, orchards, and wineries, the city also offers outdoor adventures, from hiking the Appalachian Trail to touring battlefields and visiting Maryland’s largest brewery.
Salem is best known for the witch trials of the 17th century, but this 1626-founded city was once a major East Coast seaport. Historic downtown highlights include the Salem Maritime National Historic Site, Salem Witch Village, and the Charter Street Historic District. The Witch House, now a museum, is the only building directly linked to the trials.
Although Cheyenne is Wyoming’s capital, it’s often overshadowed by glitzy Jackson and cowboy-famous Cody. Still, it has plenty to offer, from exciting eateries to the imposing Wyoming State Capitol and the Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum. A highlight is the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens, with a multi-story conservatory that houses thousands of tropical plants.
The Lewes Historic District is the charming heart of this small city, lined with Victorian buildings, churches, museums, boutiques, and restaurants. Still, its peaceful, laid-back beaches are the main draw. For a scenic 4.6-mile walk, follow the Cape Henlopen trail along the coast and spot the old military bunkers hidden in the sand dunes.
Sleepy Lancaster, one of America’s oldest inland towns, is home to Franklin & Marshall College and its scenic campus. Art-lovers can explore Gallery Row and the stylish Lancaster Arts Hotel, set in a former tobacco warehouse. Foodies shouldn’t miss Lancaster Central Market, one of the oldest farmers' markets in the country.
During the Gold Rush of the late 1800s, thousands flocked to Deadwood, South Dakota, including figures like Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok, both buried at Mount Moriah Cemetery. Today, visitors can still catch shoot-out reenactments along its historic main streets and saloons.
About 20 miles south of Indianapolis, Franklin boasts a beautiful downtown with nearly 300 historic buildings, including the ornate Johnson County Courthouse. It also offers outdoor attractions like Blue Heron Park and Wetland, a haven for birds, otters, and even alligators.
Charleston, the capital of West Virginia, is a university city tucked beneath the Appalachian Mountains and surrounded by dense forest. Alongside its natural beauty, including the Elk and Kanawha Rivers, the city boasts striking man-made landmarks like the gold-domed State Capitol and Capitol Market, an indoor market housed in a former freight station.
In the heart of the Ozarks, Eureka Springs charms with Victorian architecture, indie shops, and a small-town feel. It’s also home to two major landmarks: Thorncrown Chapel and the 66-foot Christ of the Ozarks statue.
New Hampshire’s capital blends New England charm with rich history. Its gold-domed State House is the oldest continuously occupied in the country, home to the Hall of Flags with 115 Civil War-era banners. For a taste of nature, head to Carter Hill Orchard, where you can pick your own fruit in season.
Despite hosting the annual Sundance Film Festival and the 2002 Winter Olympics, Park City is a surprisingly quaint city. Once a famous silver mining town, the area is surrounded by lush mountains and centered around the historic Main Street, which has over 100 independent boutiques, restaurants, and bars.
North Dakota’s capital, Bismarck, is best known for its towering Art Deco state capitol, but it’s the state museum that truly stands out. Packed with relics from early settlers to local women's contributions in World War I, it showcases everything from artwork to antique weaponry, preserving the fabric of North Dakota’s history.
Boulder is a magnet for outdoor enthusiasts and art lovers, framed by the dramatic Flatirons that rise behind its lively downtown. The slanted sandstone formations are visible across the city, constantly tempting visitors to lace up their boots and explore the trails.
Set on the Mississippi River, the elegant city of Natchez has everything you might want from a Southern spot – historic antebellum homes, beautiful scenery, and traditional cuisine. Here you can walk along the riverbank, hitch a ride on a horse-drawn carriage, or visit the town’s galleries and museums.
Perched on the shore of Lake Superior, Bayfield is a charming escape surrounded by apple orchards, and lavender and strawberry fields. It draws thousands of visitors each summer for its scenic waters, galleries, and access to the nearby Apostle Islands.
Known for its Bavarian-style architecture, Frankenmuth is a celebration of the area’s German roots. Settled in 1845 by German Lutheran immigrants, the city is now filled with Bavarian-themed bakeries, restaurants, and hotels.
The most famous attraction? Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland without a doubt – a Christmas shop that began trading in 1945 and is open 361 days a year.
Alabama’s Gulf Coast is a hidden gem, with alabaster beaches, seafood spots, and quirky bars that surprise first-time visitors. Its pristine sand and outdoor attractions, like the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, make it a favorite for family getaways.
New Haven, a classic New England city, is home to Ivy League university Yale and its historic Gothic and Victorian architecture. Top attractions include the Peabody Museum, the Yale University Art Gallery, and the Center for British Art, while Wooster Square tempts with pizza and pastries.
Historic Natchitoches (pronounced nah-codish), founded as a French colony in 1714, is Louisiana’s oldest permanent settlement. Set along the Cane River, it preserves its French Creole charm with elegant townhouses, wrought-iron balconies, and brick paths. It’s also famously where Steel Magnolias was filmed.
Best known for its elite college campuses, Ithaca has much more to offer. Just an hour south of Syracuse, the city buzzes with concerts, festivals, nightlife, and a downtown packed with independent shops and restaurants. Its biggest draw, though, is the great outdoors, with hikeable gorges and waterfalls lining the south shore of Cayuga Lake.
This lively Midwestern city is home to Miami University, founded in 1809, with a scenic campus of red-brick buildings and leafy spots perfect for reading. Downtown, boutiques, and cafés line the quaint high street, which hosts a popular wine festival each spring. Woodlands and trails around the city also make it a great base for hikers and bikers.
The historic city of Williamsburg is best known for the Colonial Williamsburg Historic Area, a sprawling living history museum recreating 18th-century life. But there’s more to the city too, including Busch Gardens Williamsburg, a theme park with roller coasters for all ages, and a popular food and wine festival.
In the far south of Alaska lies Ketchikan, a city built around colorful stilt houses over Ketchikan Creek. Known for its Tlingit and Haida heritage, it's the best place in the US to see totem poles in their natural setting, surrounded by lush forests, glacier-carved valleys, and towering mountains.
Set on the southern tip of Aquidneck Island, Newport is a city of mansions, museums, and rich maritime history. It shines in summer, ideal for coastal walks and strolling the manicured grounds of its grand estates.
The most famous mansion, The Breakers, was completed in 1895 for Cornelius Vanderbilt II and features a soaring 45-foot Great Hall with hanging chandeliers and carved ceilings.
South Carolina’s second-oldest city after Charleston, Beaufort is known for its classic Southern charm, with beautiful antebellum architecture and moss-draped oak trees. Walking tours and horse-drawn carriages are a popular way to explore, and the Beaufort History Museum offers a fascinating look into the area's past.
A stroll along the seafront is a must when visiting this charming coastal city. Admired for its pristine beaches, the waterfront is lined with pretty, colorful Victorian buildings. The preservation of these eye-catching structures helped the city earn National Historic Landmark status in 1976.
Just an hour from Houston, Galveston Island is home to the beach city of Galveston, offering 32 miles of clean shoreline perfect for families. The Pleasure Pier on South Beach serves up classic seaside fun with carousels, roller coasters, and a Ferris wheel, while downtown’s historic homes are well worth exploring.
Elko is the opposite of Las Vegas' glitz, set in Nevada’s Cowboy Country and bordered by the snow-capped Ruby Mountains. Its quaint shops, restaurants, and hotels make it the perfect base for outdoor adventures like rock climbing, mountain biking, and hiking.
With its German-style shops, beer gardens, and horse-drawn carriages, Helen is a charming recreation of a Bavarian Alpine village. With flowing beer and plenty of bratwursts, the city also holds one of the largest Oktoberfest celebrations in the country.
Sedona is a vibrant city of shops, spas, and galleries, but its main draw is Red Rock State Park, where towering sandstone formations glow at sunrise and sunset. Countless trails lead from the city into this stunning landscape.
Despite being Maine’s capital, Augusta moves at a refreshingly slow pace, with no skyscrapers or traffic jams. History buffs can explore landmarks like the domed 19th-century State House, Old Fort Western, and the governor’s residence, Blaine House.
The beautiful port of Hood River sits at the base of snow-capped Mount Hood in Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge. Surrounded by stunning landscapes, it’s a hotspot for hiking, snowshoeing, mountain biking, and sailing. The city also boasts five breweries, making it a great place for craft beer lovers.
Asheville blends a lively arts scene – brimming with galleries, studios, and museums – with striking architecture and a thriving food and craft beer culture. But city life is only half the story.
Set amid the stunning Blue Ridge Mountains, with over acres of wilderness, waterfalls, and rugged trails, outdoor adventure feels practically mandatory.
While Seattle often steals the spotlight, relaxed Olympia has plenty to offer, including an impressive music scene. A tour of the Washington State Capitol is a great way to dive into local history, while outdoor adventures like hiking Mount Rainier, spotting dolphins at Puget Sound, and sampling craft beers round out the experience.
The University of Vermont sprawls across little Burlington, set on the shores of Lake Champlain. But there’s more to this small city than its attractive campus. Downtown, the pedestrianized Church Street Marketplace is packed with shops and restaurants, while weekly farmers’ markets and an annual brewers’ festival add to the buzz.
Halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, San Luis Obispo (or SLO, as the locals call it) is a walkable city popular with Pacific Coast Highway road-trippers.
Highlights include the 18th-century mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, quirky Bubblegum Alley, and easy access to Edna Valley and Paso Robles wine country.
The capital of New Mexico, Santa Fe stands out with its Pueblo-style architecture and winding streets. Culturally rich, the city boasts more than 250 galleries, over 25 museums, and several major art markets, including the Santa Fe Indian Market.
Outdoor lovers are equally spoiled: sitting at 7,199 feet in the southern Rockies, Santa Fe is surrounded by 1.5 million acres of unspoiled national forest.
Often called America’s oldest city, St Augustine is our pick for the most charming small city in America. Founded by the Spanish in 1565, its Old City charms with narrow streets, museums, and 18th- and 19th-century buildings – some said to be haunted. Beyond the historic center, residents and visitors enjoy tranquil beaches and nearby Anastasia State Park.
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