America’s best small towns and cities | CNN

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Travel

America’s best small towns and cities

Published 8:51 AM EDT, Fri July 21, 2023
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<strong>Gloucester, Massachusetts:</strong> Every visit to this bustling seaport on Cape Ann should include fresh-off-the-boat seafood and a promenade along the Western Harbor.
Gloucester, Massachusetts: Every visit to this bustling seaport on Cape Ann should include fresh-off-the-boat seafood and a promenade along the Western Harbor.
Walter Bibikow/Digital Vision/Getty Images
<strong>Saranac Lake, New York: </strong>This picturesque community was once one of America's leading health resorts and a destination where people came to take "the cure." This kind of scenery has curative properties of its own.
Saranac Lake, New York: This picturesque community was once one of America's leading health resorts and a destination where people came to take "the cure." This kind of scenery has curative properties of its own.
benedek/E+/Getty Images
<strong>New Bern, North Carolina: </strong>New Bern's Tryon Palace was built as the first permanent capitol of the Colony of North Carolina between 1767 and 1770. It was home to the Royal Governor.
New Bern, North Carolina: New Bern's Tryon Palace was built as the first permanent capitol of the Colony of North Carolina between 1767 and 1770. It was home to the Royal Governor.
mauritius images GmbH/Alamy Stock Photo
<strong>Beaufort, South Carolina: </strong>The second-oldest city in the Palmetto State, Beaufort is long on scenery and history.
Beaufort, South Carolina: The second-oldest city in the Palmetto State, Beaufort is long on scenery and history.
John Wollwerth/Alamy Stock Photo
<strong>Metropolis, Illinois:</strong> This town long predates the superhero, but Superman looms large anyway. This statue towers above the town square near a Super Museum.
Metropolis, Illinois: This town long predates the superhero, but Superman looms large anyway. This statue towers above the town square near a Super Museum.
Bernard Friel/Education Images/Universal Images Group/Getty Images
<strong>Mackinac Island Village, Michigan: </strong>Located in the narrow straits between lakes Michigan and Huron, this insular community was occupied for hundreds of years before it became a premier vacation destination.
Mackinac Island Village, Michigan: Located in the narrow straits between lakes Michigan and Huron, this insular community was occupied for hundreds of years before it became a premier vacation destination.
Wiltser/E+/Getty Images
<strong>Eureka Springs, Arkansas: </strong>People have been traveling to this Ozark town since Victorian times to soak in its healing waters, breathe its invigorating mountain air and dive into its artsy vibe.
Eureka Springs, Arkansas: People have been traveling to this Ozark town since Victorian times to soak in its healing waters, breathe its invigorating mountain air and dive into its artsy vibe.
Marc F. Henning/Alamy Stock Photo
<strong>Marfa, Texas: </strong>The hippest little town in Texas is renowned for its avant-garde art and a youthful population that stokes an intriguing bar and restaurant scene. But it also still carries a Wild West vibe.
Marfa, Texas: The hippest little town in Texas is renowned for its avant-garde art and a youthful population that stokes an intriguing bar and restaurant scene. But it also still carries a Wild West vibe.
halbergman/iStockphoto/Getty Images
<strong>Taos, New Mexico: </strong>In addition to a thriving arts scene, Taos is home to Taos Pueblo, one of the oldest continuously inhabited spots in the entire western hemisphere.
Taos, New Mexico: In addition to a thriving arts scene, Taos is home to Taos Pueblo, one of the oldest continuously inhabited spots in the entire western hemisphere.
New Mexico True
<strong>Whitefish, Montana: </strong>Whitefish has evolved into a year-round recreational hub with activities from snowboarding and skiing to water sports, mountain biking and hiking.
Whitefish, Montana: Whitefish has evolved into a year-round recreational hub with activities from snowboarding and skiing to water sports, mountain biking and hiking.
Craig Moore/Cavan Images/Getty Images
<strong>Moab, Utah:</strong> This kind of scenery in nearby Arches National Park is what makes the small Utah town of Moab ground zero for outdoor adventure sports.
Moab, Utah: This kind of scenery in nearby Arches National Park is what makes the small Utah town of Moab ground zero for outdoor adventure sports.
Raul Rodriguez/iStock Editorial/Getty Images
<strong>Friday Harbor, Washington: </strong>The largest town in the sublime San Juan Islands does double duty as a charming seaside vacation town and a world-class marine mammal research center.
Friday Harbor, Washington: The largest town in the sublime San Juan Islands does double duty as a charming seaside vacation town and a world-class marine mammal research center.
kschulze/iStockphoto/Getty Images
<strong>Julian, California: </strong>Gold fever in Julian petered out long ago, but a boomtown vibe endures along a Main Street flanked by historic structures.
Julian, California: Gold fever in Julian petered out long ago, but a boomtown vibe endures along a Main Street flanked by historic structures.
David H. Carriere/Photodisc/Getty Images
<strong>Volcano Village, Hawaii: </strong>An artist community serves as gateway to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and it's a cool destination in its own right.
Volcano Village, Hawaii: An artist community serves as gateway to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and it's a cool destination in its own right.
incamerastock/Alamy Stock Photo
<strong>McCarthy, Alaska: </strong>A genuine last frontier, this remote Alaskan burg is surrounded by the vast Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. It's a hangout for bush pilots, wildlife photographers, adventure guides and a trickle of tourists.
McCarthy, Alaska: A genuine last frontier, this remote Alaskan burg is surrounded by the vast Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. It's a hangout for bush pilots, wildlife photographers, adventure guides and a trickle of tourists.
Wendy Olsen Photography/iStock Unreleased/Getty Images

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