Photo courtesy of Visit Alamosa
Alamosa, Colorado
Located in the heart of Colorado's San Luis Valley, the town of Alamosa offers a unique perspective on the Centennial State that's far removed from its classic Rocky Mountain landscapes. The location provides access to fantastic public art and the history-focused San Luis Valley Museum, while nearby Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is equipped with some of the tallest dunes in all of North America.
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Ashland, Oregon
Visitors love Ashland for its Oregon Shakespeare Festival, with a season that runs from spring to fall. Also check out the Oregon Cabaret Theatre for more contemporary productions and enjoy an exceptional meal with menu items that match the setting of the current show. Visitors also adore the Schneider Museum of Art, which offers socially conscious work from a wide range of artists.
Photo courtesy of David Day
Bisbee, Arizona
Once home to a thriving mining industry, the town of Bisbee has transformed into an artistic haven with a vibrant and eclectic cultural scene. Stroll its streets adorned with colorful houses, galleries, and studios, showcasing the destination's creative spirit. Visitors can also explore historic architecture, enjoy public art, and immerse themselves in the town's rich mining history.
Corning, New York
Just south of the Finger Lakes, the small New York community of Corning is home to two particularly prestigious museums for visitors to enjoy. Guests can marvel at more than 50,000 intricate artifacts and installations at the Corning Museum of Glass, while The Rockwell Museum has earned abundant acclaim thanks to its collection of historic American paintings, statues, and other works. Also stop by Corning's Gaffer District, a hub of artistic expression.
Cullman, Alabama
Situated between Birmingham and Huntsville is this small town that’s full of personality. Here you’ll find one-of-a-kind attractions like the Ave Maria Grotto, a 4-acre park featuring over 100 miniature reproductions of world-famous religious structures, including St. Peter’s Basilica. Other interesting cultural attractions include the Cullman County Museum, 4D Farm, and the Highway Pickers Antique Mall & Flea Market.
De Smet, South Dakota
Located in central South Dakota, this small town’s cultural claim to fame is as the setting behind five of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s "Little House on the Prairie" books. As such, many tourists make the trek here to visit the Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Homes, the Ingalls Homestead, or to experience the Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant. The historic town is also home to the De Smet Depot Museum.
Photo courtesy of Abbie Leigh Videography
Dyersville, Iowa
This eastern Iowa town served as the location for the 1989 film "Field of Dreams," and plenty of baseball lovers and cinephiles frequent the Field of Dreams Movie Site. Among its other cultural attractions are the Dyer-Botsford Doll Museum, the National Farm Toy Museum, and the Plaza Antique Mall — all excellent spots for budding and seasoned collectors.
Photo courtesy of halbergman / E+
Easton, Maryland
Steeped in American history, the small town of Easton is a place that remembers its past while being totally modern. With beautiful colonial and Victorian buildings dating back before the Revolution complete with historical tours and even ghost tours, Easton is also a cultural hub. Art galleries abound and offer the popular monthly First Friday Art Walk, while the annual Plein Air Easton Arts Festival adds competition to the arts scene. There's also chamber music, live theater, and the much-loved annual Chesapeake Fire & Ice Festival, which is filled with the sound of chainsaws carving ice sculptures every February.
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
The entire town of Eureka Springs is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and Spring Street running through downtown is lined with beautiful Victorian architecture. While curative hot springs were once the main draw, modern-day visitors come for live music, the art scene — Eureka Springs is home to hundreds of working artists and dozens of galleries — and romantic Queen Anne-style bed-and-breakfasts scattered throughout the town.
Photo courtesy of Abdullah Durmaz / E+
Gulfport, Florida
With a town motto of "weird and proud," and a citizenry that loves the easygoing, inclusive vibe, Gulfport is famed for its arts and cultural scene. On the water near St. Petersburg, Florida, Gulfport is home to a host of artists, musicians, dancers, writers, and creatives of all types, including culinary stars and costume makers. This town loves festivals and parades — the annual, juried Fine Arts Festival and the Art in the Yard Fest draw crowds from near and far. Don't miss the Art Village, where something fun is always on.
Lenox, Massachusetts
At the heart of the Berkshires lies the village of Lenox, a popular summer getaway and home of the famous Tanglewood Music Festival. The core of the town features several shops and eateries, all surrounded by some mighty impressive homes — take a peek into the Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum. Visitors can also enjoy shows put on by Shakespeare & Company, which has performed regularly since the late 1970s.
Photo courtesy of Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bureau
Mariposa, California
This small California community offers several experiences that give visitors an insightful glimpse into the area’s historical significance as a Gold Rush Town. Learn more about the town's past at the California State Mining & Mineral Museum, as well as the Mariposa Museum and History Center. Enjoy this destination's present status as an arts hub by checking out the Sierra Artists Gallery and taking in a performance by the Mariposa Yosemite Symphony Orchestra.
Photo courtesy of Aaron Peterson
Marquette, Michigan
Located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, the small town of Marquette is big on winter sports, with numerous events happening throughout the winter like the Annual Ishpeming Ski Jumping Tournament and the Upper Michigan Ice Races. It’s also home to a number of museums and galleries, including the DeVos Art Museum.
Photo courtesy of Corey B. Stevens / iStock Via Getty Images Plus
Maysville, Kentucky
Maysville, a small riverside town in northeastern Kentucky, has undergone several changes throughout its many years. Highlights can be found in the Maysville Murals on the downtown flood wall, which depict scenes including the Underground Railroad and famed citizen and singer Rosemary Clooney. The town is an arts center offering galleries, live theater, and music venues, as well as the Kentucky Gateway Museum Center. In addition to a vibrant culinary scene, fascinating walking tours and outdoor adventures also make up this charming small town.
Photo courtesy of McKena Van Keuren Photography
Millersburg, Ohio
The village of Millersburg, Ohio, is home to one of the largest Amish communities in the United States. Central to Holmes County, Millersburg was established in 1825, and the Amish were a part of this community from the beginning. Today, the town has well-kept historical structures, a lively art and antiques district, and lots of annual festivals. Visitors can tour Amish homes and farms, encounter members of the Amish community, and even discover their own Amish roots at the Holmes County Historical Society.
Photo courtesy of photovs / iStock Via Getty Images Plus
New Hope, Pennsylvania
New Hope is one of Pennsylvania's most charming small towns. George Washington spent significant time here, the Bucks County Playhouse produces Broadway-caliber shows, and the town has been home to many artists since the turn of the 20th century. Known for its historical architecture, numerous art galleries, live theater, and the Parry Mansion Museum, New Hope is a bustling town where there's always something happening. Plus, incredible shopping and a beautiful natural setting make this one small town that never disappoints.
Ocean Springs, Mississippi
Situated on the Gulf Coast, Ocean Springs, Mississippi, is known for its arts and culture as much as its fresh seafood. The Mary C. O'Keefe Cultural Arts Center and the Walter Anderson Museum of Art showcase traveling exhibits and local works, and visitors can find many public art installations throughout the downtown area, including a mosaic depicting “a day on the water” at the end of the Biloxi Bay Bridge.
Photo courtesy of Park City Chamber/Bureau
Park City, Utah
While Utah's Park City was formally established in 1869, the community is known today as the home of the Sundance Film Festival, a prestigious annual event celebrating independent cinema. Along with this iconic celebration and a packed events calendar throughout the year, Park City is also renowned for its stellar skiing scene.
Photo courtesy of Melinda Neyman
Ruidoso, New Mexico
Imbued with strong cultural ties to the Mescalero Apache and shaped by Spanish settlers, Ruidoso offers a deep dive into the area's complex history through a number of sites and attractions. The town is also known for its lively indie arts scene, which attracts artists and performers to its venues, galleries, studios, and festivals, including the Annual Ruidoso Art and Wine Festival.
Photo courtesy of Warren Faught
Staunton, Virginia
Located in Virginia's stunning Shenandoah Valley, Staunton is the hometown of President Woodrow Wilson and the location of Beverley Street, a celebrated historic main street. Staunton is also home to the Heifetz International Music Institute, Staunton Music Festival, Red Wing Roots Festival, and the R.R. Smith Center for History and Art. Another highlight is the American Shakespeare Center's Blackfriars Playhouse, a re-creation of Shakespeare's Globe theater in London.
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