Most Charming Small Towns in the U.S.

Last updated on 08/29/2024

The United States is the land of small towns, with so much community culture brimming behind hills and along the coast. For many travelers, getting away from the hustle and bustle of a city to a charming small town is the perfect escape to enjoy some peace and quiet.

InsureMyTrip created a studied that looked at different aspects of small towns, such as spaciousness, peacefulness, festivals and ratings of local cafes and restaurants across 75 small towns.

Top 10 Most Charming Small Towns

The northwest champions the list, with high scores in Idaho, Oregon, and Montana. The area is known for its lush forests, coastlines, and wetter climates, where you can find the perfect opportunity for either adventurous photography or cozying up during fall. Below are the top 10 rankings:

Red Lodge, Montana: 7.6 overall
Cannon Beach, Oregon: 7.54 overall
Cape May, New Jersey: 7.5 overall
Sun Valley, Idaho: 7.38 overall
Panguitch, Utah: 7.33 overall
Welch, West Virginia: 7.3 overall
McCall, Idaho: 7.28 overall
Deadwood, South Dakota: 7.08 overall
Ferndale, California: 7.05 overall
Sisters, Oregon: 6.94 overall

Red Lodge, Montana

Red Lodge is the number one charming small town, with western hospitality in abundance and is ideally located next to Yellowstone National Park for adventure seekers. Hotels have an average rating of 8.90 out of 10 while cafes and restaurants are also rated highly. Both have average reviews 4.51 out of 5, ideal for foodies. This small town is a great place to stay either for a relaxing trip or one to observe local wildlife.

Cannon Beach, Oregon

In second place is Cannon Beach, OR, with many festivals such as the Earth and Ocean Arts Festival and the North Coast Culinary Fest. It has an overall score of 7.54. It has a population of about 1,500, making it an ideal spot for those looking to avoid the hustle and bustle. It also has high average ratings for local cafes (4.37/5) and restaurants (4.3/5). The state of Oregon is also the third highest state for peacefulness, so it is a promising trip for relaxation and tranquility.

Cape May, New Jersey

Another coastal town takes the third spot. Cape May, NJ boasts classic architecture and gorgeous vistas. It has an overall score of 7.5. It has a small population of a little more than 1,000 residents, with high average ratings for cafes (4.38/5) and restaurants (4.33/5). It is known for its seafood and the resort town is a perfect journey for a beach vacation or enjoying time at a county fair.

Conclusion

When looking for personality and a strong sense of community, look no further than a small town. It is a unique opportunity to explore America in a more intimate setting, whether you are seeking a relaxing getaway or a deeper understanding of American culture, small towns offer an authentic and enriching experience.

Methodology

To decide on the towns used in the data collection, small towns with populations between 1,000 and 6,000 were selected and the 75 with the highest search volume were then included. Each data point consists of the latest research available from reputable sources. All sources are destination-specific level data points. The data was standardized using minmax normalization. The minmax normalization value is multiplied by 10 to create a score (between 0-10). A score of 10 is always the best result, while a score of 0 is the worst. Each destination is then ranked on their overall rating across all metrics to find which is the most charming small town.