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If you're looking to travel somewhere a little different this summer, National Geographic says it's time to think small. The media company that's all about exploration released a new book, Small Towns U.S.A., that highlights storied American icons and lesser-known gems along the open road that hold the promise of discovery and out-of-the-ordinary experiences. From the historic streets of towns like Berlin, Maryland, to the Danish windmills of Solvang, California, these small but mighty destinations prove that grandeur is not a matter of population. Here are a handful of the towns that National Geographic has named the country's most charming. Find the full list, and inspiration for your next trip, here.
For those craving the sea, Camden, Maine offers a laid-back alternative to bustling Bar Harbor. Located on Penobscot Bay, Camden embodies the state’s tranquil "vacationland" identity. It uniquely boasts the East Coast’s only ocean-view ski area—the Camden Snow Bowl—alongside a historic opera house hosting international artists.
Further south, Amelia Island, Florida pairs its coastal breeze with deep-rooted heritage. Its historic downtown district, Fernandina Beach, spans fifty blocks of cobblestone sidewalks and vibrant Victorian-era homes listed on the National Register of Historic Places, where shrimp boats bob peacefully in the marina.
If your tastes lean more toward rolling hills and spirits, Bardstown, Kentucky reigns as the "Bourbon Capital of the World." Beyond hosting industry titans like Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark, it features intimate craft experiences like the female-owned Preservation Distillery, where longhorn cattle roam past tasting rooms housed in refurbished tobacco barns.
In the mountains, Highlands, North Carolina serves as a lush retreat nestled within the Nantahala National Forest. As one of the highest-elevation towns east of the Mississippi, this unique region is classified as one of the nation's few temperate rainforests.
Out West, Bisbee, Arizona provides a striking visual contrast. This former mining town turned eccentric artist enclave features yellow, red and turquoise Victorian storefronts set against the orange peaks of the Mule Mountains, benefiting from a remarkably temperate year-round climate.
For the ultimate frontier escape, Talkeetna, Alaska sits as the authentic gateway to Denali State Park. Its entire downtown is historically preserved, allowing visitors to walk past 1917 institutions like Nagley’s Store, sip wild chaga mushroom tea and look out over the vast Alaskan wilderness.
Most charming U.S. small towns according to National Geographic
- Camden, Maine
- Berlin, Maryland
- Bardstown, Kentucky
- Amelia Island, Florida
- Highlands, North Carolina
- Middleburg, Virginia
- Bisbee, Arizona
- Fredericksburg, Texas
- Galena, Illinois
- Mackinac Island, Michigan
- Deadwood, South Dakota
- Egg Harbor, Wisconsin
- Talkeetna, Alaska
- Solvang, California
- Salida, Colorado
- Garden City, Utah
- La Conner, Washington