The United States is a fairly large country, and within the country, there are hundreds of cities and towns to be explored. Since there are so many towns in America, you can see a lot of different things in each, giving you variety wherever you go. You can find small nice historic towns or travel to towns where the population is in the tens of thousands and still have a great time. The United States really does have a wide range of variety when it comes to its cities and towns. In this list, we go through 10 small towns with populations ranging from the low hundreds to around 5,000.
These towns are littered all across America, and we made sure to add variety in the states we picked. Therefore, not all of the towns discussed on the list would be from one area. If you have wanted to go further into the United States than the obvious big cities or tourist traps and see what America is on a day-to-day basis, then this could be a great start!
10 Trinidad, California
The small town of Trinidad is famous for being the meeting place of the Red Woods and the ocean. According to the town's website, it is a great place to fish and serves primarily as a fishing village. The town also has one of the most diverse seabird environments, with many different species of seabirds, including tufted puffins or fork-tailed storm-petral. Another plus of Trinidad is the fact that it is a coastal town which means it is home to some great seafood restaurants that offer fresh food caught right off the coast. The total population of Trinidad is 311.
9 Oceanside, Oregon
Oregon has many small towns around the state, but the one that sticks out the most is Oceanside. While there are other small towns along the coast of Oregon, none are quite as beautiful as Oceanside. Not only does the small town have a great view of the ocean, but it is also built on a large hill that overlooks the ocean. There are many beautiful homes littering the side of the hill that overlook the beach, and many of them are actually Air BnB, so you can stay in a nice house overlooking an amazing beachfront. The population here is around 360.
8 Grafton, Vermont
The small town of Grafton, located in Vermont, is possibly one of the most beautiful towns on the east coast that you could visit. The town is known for being very historical, and several buildings, like the Grafton Inn, were built in the early 1800s. You can even still stay in the Grafton Inn if you decide to visit, as it is one of the oldest hotels to still be open to this day. The town is surrounded by mountains, and it stays pretty cold in Grafton so skiing is a popular pastime among visitors and locals. Grafton has slowly been on the rise as far as population, but it still sits at the low number of 679.
7 Ocracoke, North Carolina
This small town in North Carolina, known as Ocracoke, is known for the Blackbeard’s Pirate Jamboree, which it is actually famous for. The Blackbeard’s Pirate Jamboree is a festival in which the small town celebrates a festival with a pirate theme. There are other things to do in the small town, like visiting the lighthouse or visiting the brewery, which has been in operation since the 1700s. If you decide to visit the beaches, there is a lot of wildlife to see, and if you aren't a fan of the beach, there is a lot of history behind Ocracoke just waiting to be discovered. The small town has a population of 948.
6 Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Unlike other small towns on the list, Eureka Springs, located in Arkansas, has a surprisingly high number of things to do for such a low number of people living in it. The town offers things like zip lining through the Ozark mountains and wildlife refuges, and there are even over a hundred shops in the town itself, according to the town's website. The town has a little more than 2,000 people living in it. The town's name comes from the fact that all the water in the town is drawn from natural spring waters. There is even more when it comes to festivals that are held in the town. You really won't find a shortage of things to do in Eureka Springs.
5 North Conway, New Hampshire
This small town sits between the border of New Hampshire and Maine and has several attractions that are famous to tourists in that area. One of these areas is The White Mountain National Forest which gives great hiking trails for locals and visitors. The White Mountain National Forest isn't the only outdoor place to explore, as the town is also located near Echo Lake State Park and Mount Cranmore. The best times to visit the town are in the fall or winter due to the leaves changing color and the opportunity for skiing. If you are a fan of the outdoors, you should definitely visit this small town of only 2,349 people.
4 Pa'ia, Hawaii
Maui is an island in Hawaii that features several small towns, one of them being Pa'ia. Pa'ia is by far the most unique and beautiful of all the small towns and is worth the stay if you are visiting Hawaii. Pa'ia is a typical tropical island getaway and features things like small restaurants and shops. The food on Pa'ia is unique and definitely worth a try to anyone trying to expand their pallet. If you are a fan of beach fronts, then you will love Pa'ia. Pa'ia is the perfect getaway from the hectic cities and towns across other parts of Hawaii, and if you want to have a truly peaceful vacation, you should visit this small town with only 2,688 people living in it.
3 Chelan, Washington
Chelan has been claimed to be the best small town in the state of Washington by many people, and for good reason. For one, the town is built on top of a lake, and the town spans 50 miles, all of which is right on the lakefront. Chelan is also located near the Wenatchee National Forest, which offers many hiking opportunities to those interested. There are several things to do in Chelan, which include attending a wine tour since there are approximately 20 wineries near and in Chelan. If you want to go downtown, you will feel right at home as there are many restaurants and shops for you to explore!
2 Madison, Georgia
This historic small town in Georgia is known as Madison. The history there is currently trying to be restored by officials in the town, and a lot of focus is being put into making the town as historical as possible. One step in Madison, and you can tell that this is their prerogative, as much of the architecture can be described as 19th-century colonial buildings and houses. The town is also a part of Georgia’s Antebellum Train, which spans many of the small towns in Georgia. The town is a great place to go antiquing as there are over 150 antique shops in the small town.
1 Tucumcari, New Mexico
This is the last small town on the list as it almost barely qualifies as a small town, with its population sitting at just under 5,000. However, the town itself is quite small, even when considering the number of people in it. The area in New Mexico is rich in history that dates back to natives. The Tucumcari Mountains are located near the town giving the town its name. The small town is along Route 66 and is a great place to stop and visit if you are traveling down Route 66. Many people who have visited the town say it is like stepping back in time, according to reviews on Trip Advisor.