Evander Jones
Retirement is the perfect time to ditch the usual tourist traps. Across the US, smaller towns are waiting with historic streets, museums, scenic parks, quiet cafes, and more. These 20 underrated spots prove that you don’t have to go big to find your next favorite getaway.
Prescott, Arizona
Prescott blends rugged frontier spirit with tranquil natural beauty. Whiskey Row’s historic saloons and Victorian homes create a walkable downtown with old-world character. If you go beyond the Courthouse Plaza’s lively markets, shaded trails and sparkling lakes in Prescott National Forest invite peaceful afternoons.
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Historic downtown winds across forested hills, where galleries and cozy cafes await discovery. Thorncrown Chapel’s soaring glass walls merge architecture and nature. Every turn in Eureka Springs reveals a hidden surprise and a vintage train ride through lush countryside completes this storybook town’s artful journey.
Traverse City, Michigan
Sleeping Bear Dunes towers above the lakeshore to offer great vistas. Traverse City’s waterfront invites gentle strolls where lake breezes mingle with cafe scents. Just a little outside the town, you’ll also find rolling orchards and vineyards stretching into the horizon, which adds a pastoral charm to this haven.
Coeur D’Alene, Idaho
What makes Coeur d’Alene unforgettable for visitors? Winter brings bald eagles swooping over Wolf Lodge Bay, a spectacle framed by snowy peaks. Along the floating boardwalk, the lake mirrors distant mountains. At the Coeur d’Alene Resort, the floating golf green adds a playful, one-of-a-kind experience for travelers.
Ashland, Oregon
Ashland balances its stagecraft and peaceful scenery in a way few places do. The Oregon Shakespeare Festival brings world-class performances downtown, while hot mineral springs at nearby spas offer soothing retreats. Lithia Park’s open-air bandshell hosts music events, which make art and relaxation part of everyday life.
Taos, New Mexico
Taos preserves centuries of history across breathtaking high-desert terrain. Taos Pueblo, a recognized UNESCO Site, has stood proudly for millennia. The Taos Art Colony, founded in the early 1900s, shapes the town’s creative soul. Nearby, adobe churches and the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge complete the view.
St. Augustine, Florida
Did you know America’s oldest continually inhabited city sits along Matanzas Bay? Winding stone streets lead visitors past Spanish colonial buildings that whisper of centuries past. Castillo de San Marcos, a 17th-century coquina fortress, anchors the town’s rich history by offering an unforgettable glimpse into the colonial era.
Fredericksburg, Texas
Limestone buildings on Main Street house bakeries and boutiques that reflect Fredericksburg’s German heritage. Nearby vineyards offer wine tastings with sweeping views of rolling hills. The National Museum of the Pacific War honors military history with exhibits on wartime sacrifice and local heroes.
Blowing Rock, North Carolina
If you crave cool breezes and sweeping views, Blowing Rock awaits. The namesake cliff offers dramatic overlooks, while Moses Cone Memorial Park adds peaceful trails and historic charm. Downtown’s cozy cafes and artisan shops create a welcoming stop before exploring more of this mountain town’s beauty.
Salida, Colorado
Salida’s Creative District surrounds a lively downtown filled with vibrant murals and historic brick storefronts. The Arkansas River flows beside Riverside Park, which offers walking trails and riverfront concerts. Snow-capped peaks of the Sawatch Range tower blend outdoor adventure and small-town culture into one vivid experience.
Port Townsend, Washington
Victorian seaport charm defines Port Townsend, where 19th-century buildings face Puget Sound’s misty waters. The Rothschild House, a preserved 1800s home, offers a glimpse into early settler life. Fort Worden State Park hosts art residencies and the Wooden Boat Festival, which takes place annually to celebrate maritime heritage.
Cedar Key, Florida
Cedar Key drifts unhurriedly, a cluster of old fishing cottages and art shops by the Gulf. The Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge preserves untouched islands rich with birdlife. Kayaking the calm waters or savoring fresh clams preserves the authentic flavor of Old Florida.
Greenville, South Carolina
Falls Park on the Reedy charms with waterfalls and the stunning Liberty Bridge, where sweeping views unfold. Main Street’s tree-shaded sidewalks invite visitors to linger at boutique shops and cafes. Just a little further, the Swamp Rabbit Trail weaves through Greenville’s scenic greenway.
Burlington, Vermont
What makes Burlington linger in memory? Is it the Church Street Marketplace that bursts with outdoor cafes and lively performers? Or Waterfront Park that draws sunset watchers to Lake Champlain’s edge? Maybe it’s the Island Line Trail, where the water meets mountain silhouettes. Whatever it is, it’s breathtaking.
Whitefish, Montana
In summer, Whitefish Lake attracts swimmers and kayakers with its pristine waters. Big Mountain’s gondola provides panoramic Rocky Mountain views, while the western entrance to Glacier National Park, just minutes away, offers stunning hikes and access to glacier-fed lakes.
Silver City, New Mexico
At the Western New Mexico University Museum, travelers can view one of the country’s largest collections of Mimbres pottery. Downtown’s monthly Art Walk fills 19th-century adobe storefronts with regional art. And 44 miles north, the Gila Cliff Dwellings preserve 700-year-old Mogollon homes. Don’t miss the Jordan Hot Springs for remote, natural pools.
Bisbee, Arizona
Steep, winding streets lead to the Queen Mine, where travelers don hard hats for underground tours of century-old shafts. Nearby, the Muheim Heritage House Museum displays Victorian furnishings and sweeping hilltop views. Eat at local joints like Screaming Banshee Pizza that serve wood-fired pies inside converted gas stations-turned-eateries.
New Bern, North Carolina
New Bern, North Carolina’s second-oldest town, overflows with historic charm. The stately Tryon Palace, the former royal governor’s residence, anchors the town’s colonial district. Stroll along the Neuse and Trent rivers or explore the Birthplace of Pepsi, where the world-famous soda was first created in 1898.
Hood River, Oregon
Windsurfers and kiteboarders flock to Hood River’s Event Site, a world-known launch on the Columbia River. The Hood River Fruit Loop features 28 farm stands, wineries, breweries, cideries, and flower fields in a 35-mile scenic drive. Downtown, Full Sail Brewing serves local craft beers with panoramic views.
Galena, Illinois
Galena is a well-preserved time capsule, with 85% of its downtown within the National Register of Historic Places. Known for its historic homes, which include Ulysses S. Grant’s residence, Galena offers antique shopping and outdoor recreation. The rolling hills provide scenic drives, especially in fall when the foliage bursts into color.
