7 Best Small Towns off the Beaten Path to Visit
The United States is as vast as it is beautiful. Between the bustling metropolises of New York and Los Angeles, you’ll come across quaint towns and small cities, each with its own unique culture and personality. Whether you’re planning a road trip or looking for a place to visit off the beaten path, add these seven best US small towns to your next holiday.
Sedona, Arizona
Known for its red-rock buttes, Sedona has become a popular destination for tourists looking to escape into nature according to Travel Awaits. The town has many secluded vacation rentals and wellness resorts with outstanding views of the canyons and rock formations. Hiking and jeep trips take you into the so-called “vortexes” that are considered energy healing spots. Downtown Sedona features lots of restaurants, jewelers, artisans, and new age shops.
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Salem, Massachusetts
Enjoy New England charm in this Massachusetts town. According to History, this early settlement has become infamous for the witch trials of 1692.. During Halloween especially, the town celebrates with lots of haunted happenings. Any time of year, visitors can enjoy the various museums, historic mansions, and cobblestone streets.
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Deadwood, South Dakota
Take a step back in time during a visit to this Wild West town. Made familiar by the popular HBO series, Deadwood drew its first residents back in the 1800s who came out hoping to strike it rich, according to Trips to Discover. Today, the town recreates the old days, with activities like panning for gold or shootout reenactments.
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Cape May, New Jersey
Nicknamed “America’s Original Seaside Resort”, this popular beach town sits on the tip of southern New Jersey’s Cape May Peninsula. Rent bikes and enjoy the ornate Victorian mansions. Year-round visitors can spot wildlife at the Cape May Bird Observatory. Cape May is also a popular destination for dolphin and whale watching, according to Capture the Atlas. Don’t forget to order some fresh seafood!
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Bend, Oregon
Featured on HBO’s Our Towns, this small city sits along the Deschutes River. Surrounded by lakes and mountain peaks, Bend offers ample activities outdoors, like ski resorts and hiking trails. Visit Bend recommends the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, where you can take stairs leading into the Lava River Cave, a large lava tube!
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Fish Creek, Wisconsin
Fish Creek, and its neighboring small town, Ephraim, both sit along the bookend Peninsula State Park in the Great Lakes region. Midwest Weekends recommends renting bicycles and riding along the coastline while exploring both towns. Make sure to try the town’s signature fish boil, a local stew made of whitefish, potatoes, and onion.
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Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Coeur d’Alene has something to do year-round, to enjoy the gorgeous surrounding landscape. This lake region of northwest Idaho is home to golf resorts, spas, and parks. Go Wander Wild recommends hikes, skiing, or cross country skiing in the winter. The warmer months have plenty of attractions by the water, like boating, parasail rides, zip-lining, boat cruises, and float planes. You might even spot a moose!
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