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Summer brings with it the season of travel and adventure. For those hoping to explore the US, there are a number of popular destinations that offer gorgeous scenery and lively city life. Unfortunately, many of these destinations also come with thousands of visitors and sky-high prices during the peak months, making it hard to make the most of one's vacation.
Thankfully, there are a number of beautiful small towns in the US where travelers can find the same experiences while also enjoying a much less crowded and more affordable summer vacation. With bustling main streets and neighboring national parks or white sand beaches, many of these small towns are easily worthy of a place among the best US summer vacation destinations.
Each of these unique small towns has a population of under 30,000 residents, according to the 2022 census. But don’t worry; these beautiful small US towns are filled with enough culture, scenery, and activities to offer travelers a one-of-a-kind summer vacation.
10 Sedona, Arizona
Sedona, Arizona, is the perfect small-town vacation destination in the US for outdoor enthusiasts and luxury loungers alike. With over 200 hiking trails in the area, winding through the red buttes of Red Rock State Park and temperate pine forests, outdoor lovers of every kind can find their perfect trail.
In town, Sedona is well known for its thriving culture, which visitors can enjoy through the Sedona Cultural Museum or Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village. Sedona is especially perfect for those looking for a summer vacation in Arizona, thanks to its mild temperatures (relative to the triple digits of other Arizona cities).
- Things to Do in Sedona, Arizona: Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village, Chapel of the Holy Cross, Red Rock State Park, Slide Rock State Park, Cathedral Rock, Devil’s Bridge Trail
9 Telluride, Colorado
Colorado is filled with thrilling summer activities for US travelers. Those looking for the fun of Colorado in a smaller setting can enjoy Telluride, a small town of fewer than 3,000 residents more famous for its winter activities. Even without the snow-capped slopes, Telluride is a perfect Colorado summer destination for those looking to enjoy the outdoors.
Hiking trails, golf courses, and even zip lines lead to Colorado’s beautiful scenery. Telluride also hosts numerous festivals and cultural events throughout the year for those hoping for the big-city feel in this little Colorado town that's absolutely worthy of its place among the best small towns in the US in summer.
- Things to Do in Telluride, Colorado: Telluride Historical Museum, Town Park, Jud Wiebe Memorial Trail, Bridal Veil Falls, Bear Creek Trail, Black Bear Road
8 Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Any town that is also the gateway for a national park is a town worth exploring, and Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is no exception. Sitting near the entrance of Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park, Jackson Hole is a small mountain town of just over 22,000 that is popular in the winter months but often bypassed during the warm summer days.
There is, however, plenty of things to do in and around Jackson Hole, including hiking, mountain biking, paragliding, and whitewater rafting. The town itself has an Old West feel, with rustic storefronts and dude ranches for all to enjoy a laid-back summer vacation.
- Things to Do in Jackson Hole, Wyoming: Jackson Hole Town Square, National Elk Refuge, Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, Mormon Row Historic District, National Museum of Wildlife Art, Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park
7 Moab, Utah
A small town in southern Utah, Moab is centrally located near two of Utah’s “Mighty 5” national parks and offers incredible views of the region’s trademark red rock formation. Moab is one of the best small towns in the US to visit in summer as it's a perfect landing point for those hoping to vacation near the national parks of the Southwest, but the town itself has plenty to do as well.
Hiking and biking trails are plentiful, as are unique museums like the Moab Museum and Moab Giants. With the remnants of dinosaur tracks, delicate arches, and red buttes, the scenery of Moab is perfect for an outdoor summer vacation.
- Things to Do in Moab, Utah: Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Moab Giants, Moab Museum, Slickrock Bike Trail, Island in the Sky Visitor Center
6 St. Augustine, Florida
With a variety of historical attractions and the white sand beaches that Florida is famous for, St. Augustine offers a fulfilling Florida vacation wrapped in a small-town package. Visitors can go back in time as they walk down St. George Street and Colonial Quarter, visit the Lightner Museum, and explore the Old Jail Museum, among others.
Staying in one of the bucket list small towns in the US doesn’t mean sacrificing time at the beach, as St. Augustine provides direct access to Anastasia State Park (which is also a wildlife sanctuary), Vilano Beach, and St. Augustine Beach.
- Things to Do in St. Augustine, Florida: St. George Street, Colonial Quarter, Lightner Museum, Old Jail Museum, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archeological Park, St. Augustine Beach, Anastasia State Park. Vilano Beach
5 Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
While a majority of the coastal cities in California are packed to the brim with locals and tourists alike, there are still a few smaller beach towns hiding the perfect California summer vacation destination. Carmel-by-the-Sea, near Monterey, is one of the most beautiful small towns in California, and it offers plenty to do for those who make the trip.
This extremely walkable small town is a hotspot for parks and beautiful beaches, as well as picturesque buildings and small-town shops, providing all the necessary components for a west coast summer vacation.
- Things to Do in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California: Carmel River State Beach, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, Carmel Mission Basilica Museum, Carmel Beach, 17-mile Drive
4 Hood River, Oregon
Summer is an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, and just 60 miles from Portland lies the perfect small town to do just that. Known as the windsurfing capital of the world, Hood River in Oregon offers lots to do and see and is the perfect summer destination for those looking to get outside. Located along the Columbia River Highway, a National Scenic Highway, and a road trip worthy of its own vacation, Hood River is near major natural features like Multnomah Falls, Mount Hood, and the Columbia and Hood Rivers. The town itself also has a number of unique attractions, including the Mount Hood Railroad, multiple wineries and distilleries with their own tasting rooms, and art galleries.
- Things to Do in Hood River, Oregon: Mount Hood Railroad, Multnomah Falls, Columbia River Highway National Scenic Byway, Hood River Distillers Tasting Room, Stave & Stone Winery, Mount Hood
3 Gatlinburg, Tennessee
One of the gateways to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, is a hiker’s paradise. There are over 150 hiking trails in the park at all skill levels, ensuring everyone can enjoy the mountain views. In the town itself, visitors can enjoy even more unique views from the Gatlinburg Space Needle, Gatlinburg Scenic Overlook, or the Gatlinburg Skylift Park.
Modern attractions like Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies and Sugarlands Distilling Company create a perfect combination of activities to create the perfect summer vacation in the Smokies.
- Things to Do in Gatlinburg, Tennessee: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg Space Needle, Gatlinburg Skylift Park, Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Sugarlands Distilling Company, Ole Smoky Moonshine, Moonshine Mountain Coaster
2 Mystic, Connecticut
Mystic, Connecticut, easily earns its place among the best US small towns for a summer vacation. It's a small coastal town that is the definition of small but mighty. With just over 4,300 residents, Mystic may not look like much compared to many of the big East Coast cities. Thankfully, Mystic is absolutely filled with unique activities and attractions, entertaining every kind of vacationer.
Various museums, an aquarium, and a scenic downtown provide plenty to explore in the town itself. Meanwhile, there are numerous river activities for those hoping to get out on the water during their Connecticut summer vacation.
- Things to Do in Mystic, Connecticut: Mystic Seaport Museum, Mystic Aquarium, Olde Mistick Village, Mystic Museum of Art, Argia Mystic Cruises, Denison Homestead
1 Bar Harbor, Maine
Acadia National Park is one of the most popular national parks in the country, welcoming over four million visitors every year, so it’s no surprise that Bar Harbor, Maine, the gateway town to the park, is one of the best small towns in America for a summer vacation as well (or at any time of the year, actually).
Bar Harbor offers so many things to do and see; between enjoying the great outdoors in the park, travelers can enjoy the unique coastal food, including the famous Maine lobster, that Bar Harbor offers. The town also has several museums, like the Smithsonian Affiliated Abbe Museum and a Visitor’s Center for those looking for more background into the beautiful landscape that surrounds Bar Harbor.
- Things to Do in Bar Harbor, Maine: Acadia National Park, Thunder Hole, Abbe Museum, Hulls Cove Visitors Center, Atlantic Brewing Company, Mount Desert Island, Cadillac Museum