8 Eclectic Small Towns In The United States

The United States of America may be a big country with several of the world’s most famous big cities, yet this massive North American country also has plenty of unique, charming, and eclectic small towns. Whether you’re looking for a college town nestled in the New England mountains, a surprising town at the heart of country music culture, or a Danish-inspired village in the heart of California’s Central Coast wine country, the US abounds in funky and fascinating small towns with big quirks.

From coast to coast, here are eight eclectic small towns in the United States with wonderfully weird local treasures that you simply have to see to believe.

Middlebury, Vermont

Nestled by the Green Mountains of Vermont, about 35 miles south of Burlington, the town of Middlebury is no ordinary college town. Sure, this town is home to the prestigious Middlebury College, yet this college also has the Middlebury College Snow Bowl and Rikert Outdoor Center for easy and convenient access to prime ski and snowboard trails. It has the Ralph Myhre Golf Course for incredible golfing during the summer season as well. At the same time, the Middlebury campus also has a highly esteemed Museum of Art with a vast collection of works ranging from ancient wonders to contemporary creations.

Beyond the Middlebury campus, the town offers plenty more to see and do, including the Town Hall Theater, which hosts a variety of original productions. The interactive and family-friendly maker space at the Henry Sheldon Museum offers workshops on everything from woodworking to pixel art. After a long and busy day exploring Middlebury’s great outdoors and cool indoor art spaces, check into a soothing and restful space at the Swift House Inn.

Bristol, Virginia

Located about 114 miles northeast of Knoxville (Tennessee), the town of Bristol anchors Southwest Virginia’s Crooked Road of country music heritage. In 1927, Victor music producer Ralph Peer came to Bristol in search of talent, and he discovered a plethora of artists with unique sounds that would form the foundation of what we call country music today. You can discover more of the backstories of the 1927 Bristol Sessions (and their lasting legacy) at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum. You can also catch plenty of current acts at the Paramount Center for the Arts and the Sessions Hotel’s performance spaces.

For an even more immersive Crooked Road country music experience, take a short road trip out to the Carter Family Fold for weekend concerts featuring local country, bluegrass, and folk talent at the family farm that played a pivotal role in the Bristol Sessions. For a relaxing retreat in the countryside, book a stay at Nicewonder Farm, a beautiful working farm and winery that also has its own gourmet restaurant, full-service spa, and access to The Virginian private golf and tennis club.

Solvang, California

What is a Danish-style village doing in this sunny corner of California’s Santa Ynez Valley? Basically, a group of enterprising Danish-Americans began buying land in 1911, and they proceeded to develop a charming town that combines the aesthetics of their ancestors’ Scandinavian homeland with the pleasant and fertile Southern California climate. For a closer look at Solvang’s uniquely Danish-American stories, head over to Elverhøj Museum of History and Art for a wealth of original and local Danish-American art, and check out The Book Loft for a cool independent bookstore that also houses the Hans Christian Andersen Museum that honors the famed children’s book author.

In the early 21st century, the reputation of Solvang and the Santa Ynez Valley began to change when the 2004 film Sideways introduced the local wine scene to a larger audience. For the ultimate Sideways-style wine-and-dine extravaganza, book a table at the Hitching Post for house-made barbeque and wines. For more incredible Santa Ynez Valley wines, enjoy a scenic drive (with a designated driver) to the Brave & Maiden vineyard estate and Kalyra Winery. Once it’s time to settle down, kick back and enjoy wine country-style casual luxury at the Corque Hotel.

Marfa, Texas

Situated about 194 miles southeast of El Paso, Marfa is a Chihuahuan Desert town that looks and feels out of this world. This West Texas town may be best known for the Marfa Lights or a series of seemingly sourceless nighttime lights that have drawn UFO enthusiasts and other curious onlookers since the 19th century. You can catch a prime viewing spot for the Marfa Lights at the official viewing area of the U.S. 90 Highway.

Beyond the bright lights of the night sky, Marfa also shines as a quirky artists’ village, and key highlights include Marfa Invitational’s Sculpture Park, The Chinati Foundation’s 340-acre contemporary art compound, the Marfa Open that has studio and workshop space available for visiting artists, and the world-famous Prada Marfa installation that’s modeled after a real Prada boutique. To complete your Marfa getaway, book a stay at Hotel Paisano, a historic boutique hotel that served as the operating base during the filming of the 1956 film Giant starring Elizabeth Taylor and James Dean.

Metropolis, Illinois

Where is Superman’s hometown? According to Southern Illinois locals (and, since 1972, DC Comics), it’s their town of Metropolis. Come for the larger-than-life (as in, 15-foot-tall) painted bronze Superman sculpture, and stay for the Superman Museum and Superman Stuff store that’s chock full of Superman memorabilia and additional goodies from the DC Comics cinematic universe.

For even more superhero-worthy adventures, make the journey to the Kincaid Mounds State Historic Site, which contains the remains of a grand Mississippian indigenous city that existed here from about 1050 to 1400 CE, and head over to Fort Massac State Park for prime hiking, biking, fishing, boating, hunting, and even disc golf along the Ohio River. If that’s not enough action, there’s always more fun and games (and hotel lodging) at the Harrah’s Metropolis casino.

Frankenmuth, Michigan

There may be a few Bavarian-style villages across the US, but this village in Michigan might be as close as you can get to the real deal without taking a transatlantic flight. First settled by Lutheran German immigrants in 1945, Frankenmuth continues to provide a slice of Bavarian life in the Midwest. The Frankenmuth Museum has ten galleries full of artifacts and exhibits that share the stories of this community. To experience more Frankenmuth history and heritage, go to Grandpa Tiny’s Farm, a working farm and petting zoo that’s operated for over eight decades, and stop at Frankenmuth Woolen Mill and tour this local business that’s been making high-quality wool bedding products for over 130 years.

Whether you’re traveling solo or bringing the whole family together, the Bavarian Inn is the ultimate one-stop shop for all sorts of fun and games. Come for the restaurant and its world-famous German chicken dinners, stay for the full-service hotel with all the contemporary amenities you need, and make time to experience the Bavarian Inn’s expansive indoor waterpark, miniature golf course, video game arcade, and more special surprises at the family fun center.

Mount Airy, North Carolina

This North Carolina town may have begun to develop as a stopover point by the road connecting Winston-Salem to Virginia in the 1750s, yet Mount Airy itself began to draw worldwide attention some two centuries later when a certain hometown hero based his new TV show on life in Mount Airy. To learn more of the backstory behind Andy Griffith and how the real-life Mount Airy inspired the fictional Mayberry, head to the Andy Griffith Museum for the world’s largest collection of artifacts and memorabilia related to the actor and his long career in movies, TV, theater, and music. To recreate the magic of The Andy Griffith Show for yourself, check out the Mayberry Replica Courthouse, which’s been artfully designed to bring the cherished Mayberry jail back to life.

For a better understanding of the town beyond Hollywood lore, check out the Mount Airy Museum of Regional History for a wide variety of exhibits that share the stories of local life from pre-colonization Native American times to today. When you’re in the mood to stretch out and enjoy some fresh air, go to HB Rowe Environmental Park for a beautiful and quiet space to take pleasant walks on the trails and do some fly fishing at the Ararat River. And when it's time for some more rest and relaxation, check into Bee’s Bed and Breakfast to experience an 1880s Victorian home in the heart of town.

Steamboat Springs, Colorado

At first glance, this mountain town might seem like “just another Colorado ski town.” Yet upon closer examination, Steamboat Springs comes to life as a more well-rounded town that blends Old West heritage with contemporary style. At the Tread of Pioneers Museum, do a tour of the historic 1901 Zimmerman House. This museum now houses exhibits and collections showcasing history, such as Steamboat Springs’ growing roster of Olympic athletes. Just a couple blocks away, the Steamboat Art Museum showcases plenty of original works by local artists and hosts interactive art classes and workshops.

For even more uniquely Steamboat experiences, check out the Steamboat Creates Depot Art Center to tour a 1909 vintage train station that’s been converted into a dynamic community art space, and hit Old Town Hot Springs and Strawberry Park Hot Springs for soaks in the hot springs that gave Steamboat its name. For even more adventures year-round, Steamboat Ski Resort has over 3,700 acres of skiable terrain with over 170 trails, as well as prime hiking and biking trails during the summer season. After a long day of trekking up, down, and around the mountains, check into a comfy and classy stay just steps from the ski slopes at the Steamboat Grand resort.

These Eclectic Small Towns Excel at Unique Beauty and Charm

These small towns may be eclectic, and their eclectic nature just adds to their appeal. At Middlebury, discover a sporty college town that preserves homegrown creative energy and an adventurous spirit. At Marfa, you can find an artists’ village that’s always on the cutting edge of cool. At Solvang, experience everything from old-school Danish-American heritage to new-world wine country flavors and flair. No matter how you like to go off the beaten path, feel free to chart a new path forward in these uniquely eclectic American small towns.