1. Unalaska, Alaska

With a population of around 4,524, the small town of Unalaska, Alaska, is the perfect spot for a quiet getaway. It's starting to attract more visitors, however, as Viking, Windstar and other major cruise lines add it as a destination. Remote and beautiful, Unalaska is accessible only by plane or boat. Its attractions include whale watching, hiking and exploring World War II history at the Aleutian WWII Visitor Center and the Museum of the Aleutians.

 

2. Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Named one of a "Dozen Distinctive Destinations" by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Eureka Springs, Arkansas, is a secluded, peaceful town in the heart of the Ozarks. Magnificent Victorian homes built on cliffsides line its winding streets, while its historic downtown area offers more than 100 shops and art galleries to explore.

 

3. Carmel, California

Officially known as Carmel-by-the-Sea, Carmel is a world-renowned, 1-square-mile village on California's central coast. It's beloved for its fairytale-like cottages, as well as its upscale boutiques, art galleries, historic Carmel Mission Basilica, wineries and other attractions.

 

4. Essex, Connecticut

Often called a "storybook village," Essex, Connecticut, is a little-known treasure on the Connecticut River. This historic seaport town has a quaint main street filled with the restored homes of sea captains, galleries and boutique shops. Don’t miss the Connecticut River Museum, housed in an 1878 steamboat warehouse. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it’s the only one of its kind still on the river.

 

5. New Castle, Delaware

The cobblestone streets in New Castle, Delaware, are a reminder of the town’s colonial past. Visitors come to see fine townhomes and mansions like the Read House & Gardens or stroll beside the Delaware River in lovely Battery Park. Other popular attractions are tours of period homes and churches like Dutch House, Amstel House and Immanuel Episcopal Church on the Green.

 

6. Crystal River, Florida

Located on Florida's Nature Coast, Crystal River draws visitors who enjoy boating, diving, fishing and eco-touring. It's also the only place in the United States where people are allowed to swim with manatees when accompanied by trained guides. Visitors may also see these beloved "sea cows" when they kayak or paddleboard or walk the Three Sisters Springs boardwalk in Crystal River.

 

7. Cartersville, Georgia

Discover dinosaurs and fine Western art in Cartersville, Georgia, located about 50 minutes from Atlanta. Its world-class Tellus Science Museum houses permanent galleries of minerals, fossils, transportation technology and much more, while the Booth Western Art Museum is the world’s largest permanent exhibition space for Western art.

 

8. Wallace, Idaho

History buffs, take note: The entire town of Wallace, Idaho, is on the National Historic Register. This 1884 mining town, nicknamed "the center of the universe," offers historical sites, museums and outdoor adventures that include the Rails to Trails Hall of Fame Route of the Hiawatha bike trail (shown here), the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes and the Pulaski Tunnel Trail.

 

9. Warsaw, Indiana

Spend a day relaxing by beautiful Winona Lake in Warsaw, Indiana, and leave time to wander through the beautiful, historic Village at Winona. Once a summer retreat, this Northern Indiana destination is now a shopping mecca and a venue for concerts, performances and festivals. The Village is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

 

10. Decorah, Iowa

Explore your Norwegian heritage in Decorah, Iowa, population 8,127 and home to an annual Nordic Fest and the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum. Even if you're not of Nordic descent, you'll want to ride the popular Trout Run Trail, an 11-mile bike trail that loops around the community, or visit Decorah to fish for trout, shop for fresh produce at the local farmers' market, and buy heirloom seeds at the famous Seed Savers Exchange.

 

11. Kennebunkport, Maine

Once a shipbuilding center, Kennebunkport, Maine, became a summer retreat by the late 1800s; affluent vacationers flocked to the grand hotels and mansions along its coastline. Visitors still come each summer to relax on the beaches and stroll around the town. Don't miss Dock Square, a popular shopping area in a village setting, and a drive along Ocean Avenue for spectacular coastal views.

 

12. Cumberland, Maryland

Cumberland, Maryland, was known as the "Gateway to the West" for its vital roads, rails and canals. Today, it draws bikers who connect through the town to two legendary bike trails, the Great Allegheny Passage and C&O Canal Towpath. History buffs and nature lovers come to ride the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad and drive the Historic National Road scenic byway. Cumberland is also a shopping destination for great local, regional and national works of art.

 

13. Nantucket, Massachusetts

The seaport of Nantucket, Massachusetts, lays just 26 miles south of Cape Cod. Visitors come to stroll its cobblestone streets and weather-beaten wharves and explore its charming Main Street, known for its fascinating architecture, boutiques and shops, galleries, restaurants and museums. The entire 50-square-mile island is a National Historic Landmark.

 

14. Houghton, Michigan

Picturesque Houghton, in Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula, is surrounded by inland lakes and streams. Its 233 miles of snowmobile trails and world-class biking opportunities attract adventurers, and history buffs come to explore its colorful mining past. The sunsets on Lake Superior are stunning, and in the winter, McLain State Park, shown here, invites visitors to hike, enjoy its spectacular ice formations, cross-country ski and snowshoe.

 

15. Park Rapids, Minnesota

Go ahead. Park in the middle of Main Avenue in Park Rapids, Minnesota. (It's okay to park on the sides, too. The shops and restaurants here are so popular, the town built extra-wide streets.) Vacationers come to enjoy the lake and stay at nearby resorts or campgrounds; Park Rapids is a gateway to the headwaters of the Mississippi River at Itasca State Park. Pick up some buttery caramels at Aunt Belle's Confectionary, browse the craft and quilt stores, or shop for cabin decor and other items.

 

16. Hannibal, Missouri

Hannibal, Missouri, celebrated its 200th anniversary in 2019. Author Samuel Clemens, better known by his pen name, Mark Twain, lived in this Mississippi River town as a boy. In his honor, it offers a variety of shops, museums, riverboat rides and other experiences, many based on his characters. A week-long Tom Sawyer Days Festival is held each year. A new Big River Steampunk Festival has been drawing visitors, too, many of whom dress in Victorian-era costumes.

 

17. Whitefish, Montana

National Geographic once named Whitefish, Montana, one of the "Top 25 Ski Towns in the World," but this small town on the shores of Whitefish Lake offers even more to do and see. Visitors come to snowboard, hike, boat, bike and enjoy live, professional theater and fine dining. For nature lovers, Glacier National Park is a short drive away.

 

18. Littleton, New Hampshire

Some 5,937 people reside in Littleton, nestled in the White Mountains region of New Hampshire. This lovely, walkable town, settled in 1770, draws visitors with old-fashioned shops like Chutters, home to the world’s longest candy counter. (It offers 112 feet of jellybeans, chocolates and other popular and nostalgic treats.) Littleton also boasts America’s oldest ski shop, Lahout’s, and elegant, historic lodgings like Thayers Inn.

 

19. Lambertville, New Jersey

"The Antiques Capital of New Jersey," Lambertville is home to a variety of talented artists and crafters whose shops and galleries sit alongside the scenic Delaware River. This town of 4,000 residents, founded in 1705, also boasts federal townhouses and Victorian homes, a restored 19th-century train depot, Zagat-rated restaurants and award-winning hotels and B&Bs.

 

20. La Conner, Washington

Visitors often come to La Conner, Washington, a small town on the waterfront, for some "retail therapy" at its galleries, needlecraft and quilt stores, gift shops and wine bars. It’s also known for its delicious eateries and, for travelers, its easy access to Interstate 5 and the ferry to the San Juan Islands. Each spring, La Conner hosts its popular Daffodil Festival, where thousands of cheerful daffs open against the backdrop of Mt. Baker.