8 Of The Most Captivating Small Towns In The United States

Small towns across the United States each have their own personality, offering a slower pace of life; scenic, natural beauty, and a welcoming sense of community. What makes a small town captivating? The small towns featured here capture the heart and soul of the country in ways that cities often can't. From coast to coast, visiting any of these small towns across the nation will allow you to experience their genuine, local appeal and charm, and to discover the hidden treasures that exist within them. Here are eight of the most captivating small towns in the United States.

Magnolia Springs, Alabama

Exemplifying Southern charm, the small town of Magnolia Springs, Alabama (population about 800), combines history with Southern hospitality, all within a beautiful setting along the Magnolia River. This river is also the only year-round river route mail delivery in the continental US. Today, the river is a main focus of this town, its banks full of greenery and wildlife. Boathouses are found along the shores of the Magnolia, and water birds are frequent visitors to the area.

Often referred to as Alabama's prettiest town, the streets of Magnolia Springs are lined with magnolia, oak, and bald cypress trees and lush, well-tended gardens. Two wildlife preserves are within close driving distance to Magnolia Springs. Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, with 7,000 acres of coastal lands, is not far to the south near Gulf Shores. Even closer is Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, four miles west of Magnolia Springs. Both of these preserves offer hiking trails and opportunities to commune with nature, flora, and fauna alike.

Magnolia Springs is just a short drive from the larger cities of Pensacola, Florida, and Mobile, Alabama, but this town filled with both Old South and New South residents feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of a larger metropolitan area.

Port Townsend, Washington

Just two hours from Seattle (depending on route and if you choose to ferry across Puget Sound), Port Townsend, Washington (population about 10,000), is a welcome getaway from harried city life. This seaport, established in 1851, offers a mixture of historical landmarks and artistic and cultural sites. The south side of Port Townsend is full of Victorian homes as well as the 1892 historic City Hall housing the Jefferson County Historical Society's Museum of Art + History. Artifacts, art, and the heritage of Port Townsend are featured here.

The north side of Port Townsend is home to Fort Worden Historical State Park, an inactive military base featured in the 1982 movie "An Officer and a Gentleman." Today, a marine science center, arts festivals, and musical performances take place at the fort. One highly anticipated annual event, the Port Townsend Bay Kinetic Skulpture Race, is held here each October, featuring artistically enhanced vehicles going through sand, water, and neighborhoods. The race showcases creative marvels of engineering.

Those searching for art in Port Townsend will not have to look far. The Port Townsend Creative District covers both the uptown and downtown historic districts of the town and is home to art organizations such as the Port Townsend School of Woodworking. More traditional art galleries such as the Port Townsend Gallery, Northwind Art, and Gallery 9 North Olympic Artist can all be found on Water Street.

Taos, New Mexico

Although the population of Taos, New Mexico, is just about 6,400, thousands visit this small town each year, attracted by its art colony, spiritual traditions, and local culture. The Taos art colony was the first major art colony in the West, starting in the early 1900s. Today, Taos is home to over 70 art galleries, such as the R.C. Gorman Navajo Gallery, plus art and culture museums, including the Harwood Museum of Art.

Spiritually, Taos is home to practitioners of a kiva-based aboriginal religion, Catholicism, and Peyotism. This crossroads of religions, combined with the belief that a spiritual energy emanates from the land on which Taos sits, draws many to the small town.

Taos Pueblo, a World Heritage site, is a living Native American community at the base of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range that is open to visitors. The Annual San Geronimo Feast Day, held at the Pueblo in September, is a popular time for tourists to share in the community celebrating family, friends, and feasting.

Just west of Taos in Tres Piedras is Earthship Biotecture, a unique autonomous community built into the land. Visitors can take self-guided tours or book a stay at a rental home within this unusual village.

Bluffton, South Carolina

The beautiful coastal town of Bluffton, South Carolina (population about 28,000), is located in South Carolina's Lowcountry along the May River. A mixture of history, culture, and natural beauty attracts many visitors to this southern town each year. Walking tours of Bluffton's National Register Historic District enable you to see Old Town Bluffton up close. Many begin their tour at the Heyward House Museum and Welcome Center, a farmhouse built in 1841 by enslaved West Africans.

Nature abounds in Bluffton. The Palmetto Oaks Sculpture Garden contains one acre of live oak and native palm trees and showcases metal sculptures and artwork by artist Stephen Kishel. The Victoria Bluff Heritage Preserve is a wildlife refuge with four miles of trails and pine-saw palmettos, and birds including yellow-throated warblers and black-headed parakeets. The New River Linear Trail is a 3.4-mile hiking and biking trail running next to a railroad bed. It is a mixture of swampland and hardwood forest, with waterfowl, deer, and turkeys often visible.

Bluffton's residents stay busy year-round with cultural and community events. These include the annual Mayfest, the Historic Bluffton Arts & Seafood Festival in October, and the annual Bluffton Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting in December.

Sedona, Arizona

In the heart of Red Rock Country, along Oak Creek, you will find Sedona, Arizona (population about 9,800). This small town with an elevation of about 4,350 feet is quite captivating, attracting 3 million visitors each year. An outdoor paradise, the Sedona area is filled with over 400 miles of trails for hiking or biking and is surrounded by 1.8 million acres of national forest land, four wilderness areas, and two state parks. The Sedona Shuttle provides convenient, free transportation to some of the most popular trails in town.

The majestic, scenic red rocks of Sedona, formed by the Schnebly Hill Formation sandstone, draw visitors to this unique town. Sedona has long been regarded as sacred by Native Americans, and many visit today seeking spiritual renewal and healing. While Sedona is spectacular to see in the daytime, the town is just as beautiful at night, as it is an International Dark Sky Community, meaning that it reduced light pollution to preserve views of the night sky.

Many who visit Sedona decide to relocate there, attracted by the panoramic views as well as the sense of community they discover in the town. Sedona experiences all four seasons, and is quite temperate, with lows in the winter usually not below 35 degrees Fahrenheit.

Palisade, Colorado

A fruit and wine lovers' delight, Palisade, Colorado (population about 2,500), is an agricultural retreat that is home to over 30 wineries and many orchards. It is also near Grand Mesa, the world's largest flat-top mountain. Grand Mesa can be explored by vehicle, as you stop along the way at Stoney Mesa Winery, landmarks like Pioneer Town Museum, and the Land's End Observatory, for panoramic views of the San Juan Mountains.

A unique wildlife experience can be had at Little Book Cliffs Wild Horse range, one of only three ranges in the US intended to protect wild horses. This 36,113-acre area has four major canyon systems and is filled with sagebrush, wild horses, elk, mule deer, mountain lions, black bears, and more. Hiking on the nine available trails, horseback riding, hunting, and wildlife viewing/photography are all popular pastimes here.

Peach lovers should not miss the Palisade Peach Festival each August. Music afficionados will enjoy the town's Bluegrass and Roots Festival in June. Wine enthusiasts who want to sample more vino should attend the Colorado Mountain Winefest, voted the Best Wine Festival in the US by USA Today, in September.

Clewiston, Florida

Called "America's Sweetest Town" because of its prominence in the sugar industry, Clewiston, Florida (population about 7,300), offers visitors a sweet experience. Located on the southwestern side of Lake Okeechobee, Florida's largest lake, the town is very popular with freshwater fishermen. Although Clewiston is known today for more than just sugar, the importance of the sugar industry to the town is still celebrated every March at the Clewiston Sugar Festival.

Travelers can enjoy the outdoors at Dinner Island Ranch Wildlife Management Area, just about 45 minutes away to the southwest of Clewiston. Barred owl, roseate spoonbill, white-tailed deer are just a few of the species you may see there. In addition to wildlife viewing, visitors may fish, hike, bike, horseback ride, take a scenic drive, and camp in the area.

Those interested in exploring the Native American history of the area may wish to visit the Seminole Tribe of Florida's Big Cypress Reservation in the Florida Everglades just south of Clewiston. The Ah-tah-Thi-Ki Museum, featuring Seminole art, crafts, and history, is also located there.

Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

Referred to as California's coastal gem, Carmel-by-the-Sea (population about 3,200), is just one square mile in area. However, this storybook village is filled with attractions that captivate visitors, such as a white-sand beach, historical landmarks, and cultural and artistic sites. The quaint town does not have streetlights, sidewalks, or parking meters. There is also no mail delivery, as town residents must go to the post office to collect their mail.

Carmel Beach entices those who wish to bask in the sunshine along the beautiful Pacific coastline. Swimming, sunbathing, surfing, and hiking on its scenic pathway are all popular pastimes here. A historic walking tour of the town will take you along pine tree-lined streets and homes such as the First Murphy House, Harrison Memorial Library, and Pine Inn. The Carmel Mission Basilica Museum, founded in 1771, is one of the most authentically restored Catholic missions in the state and is open to visitors.

Cultural and artistic activities abound in Carmel-by-the-Sea, as in the early 1900s, the town's population consisted mainly of artists. A Bohemian art scene still exists, and art is appreciated throughout the town. The Carmel Art Walk features 14 local artist-owned galleries that are open for touring the second Saturday of each month. For music lovers, the Carmel Bach Festival is held each July.

Experience the Enchantment of These Small Towns

Small towns offer tourists some of the most engaging and memorable travel experiences. The US contains a variety of landforms, such as mountains, lakes, canyons, and beaches. The natural beauty of these landforms is found in these captivating small towns. A visit to any of the eight most captivating small towns in the US means a slower pace, warm hospitality, natural beauty, local culture, and undeniable charm.