20 Adorable Small Towns In The US That You've Probably Never Heard Of (But Should Seriously Visit)

The US is a big country, and even if you've done your fair share of domestic traveling, chances are you still haven't seen much of it. So redditor u/Ekaj__ asked, "What's the coziest town in the US you've been to?" Here are some small cities and quaint towns that belong on your bucket list, according to those Redditors (and some members of the BuzzFeed Community).

1."Ouray, Colorado is a beautiful place tucked into a rock canyon. I stayed at a delightful little inn with a private hot spring, which was incredibly cozy."

A quaint mountain town features a row of colorful storefronts and shops along a street with parked cars, with a snow-capped mountain in the background
Starcevic / Getty Images

2."Cumberland Island, Georgia is otherworldly. It's full of lush oak forests draped with moss and sprawling, undeveloped beaches. The setting is really stunning."

Sunset view with trees framing a marsh, reflecting the setting sun in the water
Posnov / Getty Images/iStockphoto

3."Hermann, Missouri. I'm a Missouri girl, and Hermann is one of my favorite cozy places to spend a weekend. It's a German town in the heart of Missouri wine country with lots of history, tons of wonderful wineries, cute cottages, and quaint hotels. There are many shops and restaurants within walking distance of downtown and a trolley that will transport you to wineries."

A picturesque landscape showing a small town with a river in the background, surrounded by lush green trees and a prominent red church with a white steeple
John Elk / Getty Images

4."Saint Augustine, Florida, is the cutest historic town. It feels like you've taken a trip back in time, but you're still spoiled by the modern-day amenities. Saint Augustine is a great choice if you love architecture, history, and lovely scenery. There is a beautiful beach, too."

The image shows the Montaza Bridge with its distinctive towers and architectural design spanning over clear blue water under a partly cloudy sky
Mohammed Hany / Getty Images/500px

5."Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. They call it Christmas City. You'll find holiday decorations everywhere in the winter. The trees are wrapped with lights so the lampposts light up and reflect onto the fresh snow."

A quiet street with historic three-story buildings, including a brick building with a unique ornate roof and a few trees with outdoor seating areas along the sidewalk
Denistangneyjr / Getty Images

6."Duluth, Minnesota. It was so beautiful in the summertime. Lake Superior is a sight to behold."

Aerial view of Split Rock Lighthouse perched on a cliff, overlooking a vast body of water and surrounded by lush greenery and forested landscape
Aerial_views / Getty Images

7."Escanaba, Michigan. It’s about three hours from Milwaukee on the coast of Lake Michigan, with white sand and nearly teal water during the summer. Those looking for activity will find access to lots of winter sports."

A quaint lighthouse nestled on a grassy cliff overlooks a calm body of water. Trees and bushes line the cliff's edge. The sky is partly cloudy
Claude Letien / Getty Images

8."Dubuque, Iowa. I drove here from Chicago on a road trip and was surprised by the town and the landscape. I expected everything west of Chicago to be cornfields, but this small town tucked away in rolling hills was a welcomed surprise."

Waterfront scene with docked houseboats and a reflection of the buildings, including an adjacent red brick structure, on the calm water surface
Walter Bibikow / Getty Images

9."Galena, Illinois. I'm biased because I grew up there, but it is pretty darn charming. It's got a walkable downtown with parks, a river, and tons of history."

A scenic view of a small town with a prominent church steeple surrounded by green trees and houses in the background
Bruce Leighty / Getty Images

10."Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. It's stunning, plus nearby Big Sur is beautiful, too. If you're headed to Monterrey during the right time of year, make sure to see the monarch butterflies take flight.

Aerial view of a coastal community with houses overlooking a beach and waves crashing on rocks, along with a scenic landscape in the background
Ian Philip Miller / Getty Images

11."Mendocino, California. I grew up here, and it's a beautiful town to visit. It's absolutely the coziest place. Stay at a cute bed and breakfast, soak in some hot springs, hike local trails and go mushroom hunting, hit up some little cafes, and try local homemade ice cream from Cowlicks. It's idyllic."

A cozy house with a garden overlooks the ocean at sunset, with cliffs and the sea visible in the distance
Jon Lovette / Getty Images

12."Anacortes, just north of Whidbey Island in Washington State. We took a day trip to a brewery there, and it was one of my favorite days. I swooned all day at the setting."

Sunset over a harbor filled with boats, viewed from a grassy hillside. The sky has a gradient from bright to dark as the sun descends behind distant mountains
Ken Stanback / Getty Images/500px

13."Port Townsend, Washington, is probably my favorite small town. It's very special between the Victorian architecture and the location on the Puget Sound with views of two mountain ranges."

Coastal town with waterfront buildings, wooden piers, and a sailboat on the water. Trees and houses are in the background under a partly cloudy sky
Wirestock / Getty Images/iStockphoto

14."I love Annapolis, Maryland, and the nearby little historic towns on the eastern shore, including St. Michaels, Rock Hall, and Chestertown."

Boats are docked at a calm marina with a clear sky above and grassy reeds in the foreground
Ymn / Getty Images/iStockphoto

15."Terlingua, Texas. It is impossible to describe its charms and quirks, but it's a blend of hippies, hipsters, off-the-gridders, musicians, and hikers. It's in the middle of nowhere near Big Bend National Park and the Rio Grande. It's surreal, friendly, wild, Texas."

Sign reads
Cavan Images / Getty Images/iStockphoto

16."Mackinac Island, Michigan. Motorized vehicles are prohibited on the island going back to 1898. It's easy to navigate, beautiful, and full of history."

A white Gothic-style church with a tall spire is situated among trees and other buildings by a lakeside. A small boat is docked by the shore
Wirestock / Getty Images/iStockphoto

17."Burlington, Vermont. It's a really small city, so it's easy to see most of it in one day. I'd say start on Church Street and make your way down to the lakefront. There are lots of great shops and restaurants everywhere. When you want a change of pace, there are plenty of scenic drives to nearby towns."

Aerial view of a coastal town with a prominent white clock tower in the foreground and buildings, trees, and distant water visible in the background
Wirestock / Getty Images/iStockphoto

18."I love Leavenworth, Washington. It's a beautiful place to visit, especially at Christmastime. There's sledding, lights, and cute little shops on every corner. 100/10 would recommend."

Festive holiday scene in a town square with a gazebo, large illuminated tree, and numerous people enjoying the atmosphere and decorations. Snow-capped mountains in the background
Svetlana57 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

19."Troy, New York. There are events in the streets almost every day: a massive weekly farmers market, a vegan festival, live music, and more. You'll also find great restaurants and coffee shops. The city itself boasts beautiful historic architecture and old brownstones."

Scenic view of downtown Saratoga Springs, New York, featuring historic buildings and a church steeple against a backdrop of autumn foliage
Denistangneyjr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

20."Roanoke, Virginia, has the cutest downtown area and lots of local restaurants and bars with a very fun scene!"

A quiet, empty street lined with storefronts and restaurants with awnings, under a clear sky, in an urban area
Denistangneyjr / Getty Images

What's a small city or quaint town in the US that is often overlooked by travelers but really deserves a visit? Tell us in the comments or drop yours into this anonymous form.