[USA] United States: 10 Best Small Cities

10. Key West, FL

Location: South Florida

Population: 25,000
Why: Though its bohemian vibe has been somewhat tamed in recent years (outside of October’s bacchanalian Fantasy Fest), the southernmost city in the continental U.S. still retains the distinctly unique flavor of its original 19th-century immigrant population of Conchs (pronounced “conks”) from the Bahamas. Plus, where else does a museum house tour include the presence of more than 60 descendants of its owners’ multi-toed (polydactyl) cats? Said owner being none other than Ernest Hemingway, of course.
Where to Stay:
Marquesa Hotel (90.6)
Gardens Hotel (88.3)

9. Sedona, AZ

Location: ArizonaPopulation: 10,000
Why: Count on outstanding natural beauty (and intense spiritual energy, according to many) of the red-rock buttes, soaring mesas, and sculptural canyon walls that loom over this town, a good hour and a half north of busy Phoenix. A favorite for classic Hollywood Western shoots, and home to artists and retirees, mountain bikers and New Age healers, there’s no denying the ultra-eclectic vibe here. Take a cue from the area’s original Native America settlers and cool off in summer in two swimming holes on nearby Oak Creek (one of them, Slide Rock, is now a State Park).
Where to Stay:
L’Auberge de Sedona (91.0)
Casa Sedona (82.1)

8. Aspen, CO

Location: ColoradoPopulation: 6,750
Why: About as chic a ski resort as you’ll find outside of Switzerland, this tiny town is surrounded by no less than four mountains, from beginner-friendly Buttermilk to the adventurous terrain of Highlands. In summer months it’s all about hiking, biking, and horseback riding as well as the town’s annual classical Music Festival. Trout fans, take note: the Roaring Fork and Frying Pan rivers are famed fishing spots.
Where to Stay:
St. Regis Aspen Resort (94.8)
Little Nell (91.2)

6. Jackson, WY

Location: Wyoming
Population: 10,000
Why: The vistas of Grand Teton National Park and the Snake River are the main reasons travelers head to this Rocky Mountain town, which has successfully struck a balance between its Old West cowboy roots and its recent reputation as a hideaway for newly minted millionaires. The area draws plenty of ski bunnies, with up to 500 inches of fresh powder blanketing its slopes each winter, but non-skiiers can also enjoy the sight of thousands of elk in winter from a horse-drawn sleigh.
Where to Stay:
Amangani (93.7)
Four Seasons Jackson Hole (93.7)

6. Santa Barbara, CA

Location: CaliforniaPopulation: 91,000
Why: Blessed with an unbeatable location—between the Pacific and the foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains, a mere hundred miles north of Los Angeles—this capital of the American Riviera is as easy on the eyes as can be imagined. Add a balmy climate, a multitude of wineries, museums, nature preserves, and beaches, and there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Book well ahead for guided tours of the 37-acre, 1940s Lotusland estate—filled with topiary, exotic plants, and lotus ponds.
Where to Stay:
San Ysidro Ranch (91.6)
Canary Hotel (87.3)

5. Newport, RI

 

Location: Rhode IslandPopulation: 25,000
Why: The City by the Sea, at the southern tip of Aquidneck Island, is bursting with an unparalleled collection of colonial buildings, jaw-dropping Golden Age mansions (“summer cottages” for the Vanderbilts and their ilk), and long beaches. Sunset cruises (May through October) on the 19th century Madeleine schooner are perfect for exploring the lively harbor and possibly spotting classic America’s Cup 12 Meter boats under full sail.
Where to Stay:
Chanler at Cliff Walk (92.9)
Castle Hill Inn & Resort (86.5)

4. Telluride, CO

Location: ColoradoPopulation: 2,500
Why: Tiny Telluride, a former rough-and-tumble mining town (it was the site of Butch Cassidy’s first bank heist), is now a mecca for snow bunnies and music fans, especially those who love bluegrass and Jazz in particular. Tip: drive the scenic San Juan Skyway north of town in the quiet off-season months of September and October for aspens in full blaze and the Fourteeners (a series of 14,000-foot-plus peaks) with a first dusting of snow.
Where to Stay:
Fairmont Heritage Place, Franz Klammer Lodge (94.5)
Lumière Telluride (94.2)

3. Napa, CA

Location: CaliforniaPopulation: 77,000
Why: Barely an hour’s drive north of San Francisco, the rolling hills, vineyards, and gorgeous inns of Napa Valley draw oenophiles, romantics, and anyone in search of a small slice of Europe in Northern California (with restaurant quality and prices to match). Traffic in and out of town in peak season—March through October—can be challenging, so hop the Napa Valley Wine Train for a leisurely three-hour trip to St. Helena and back with lunch or dinner and views from inside a fully restored, early 20th-century Pullman Dining Car.
Where to Stay:
Auberge du Soleil (96.7)
Bardessono (92.8)

2. Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

Location: California

Population: 3,775
Why: South of Monterey and north of Big Sur, this tiny town was once a funky artist’s colony: writers-in-residence included Robert Louis Stevenson and Sinclair Lewis, and photographer Ansel Adams documented the area’s famed cypress trees and dramatic shoreline. (It’s also known for its famous former mayor, Clint Eastwood, who served from 1986 to 1988.) These days, tourists come to shop, browse galleries, eat in quaint restaurants and cafés, attend the annual Bach Festival, or simply walk the beach.
Where to Stay:
Bernardus Lodge, Carmel Valley (93.0)
L’Auberge Carmel (84.7)

1. Santa Fe, NM

Location: New Mexico

Population: 68,000
Why: Originally settled by Pueblo Indians as early as 900 A.D., the area that now makes up New Mexico’s capital was colonized by the Spanish at the turn of the 17th century. No other place in the country so beautifully reflects the art, architecture, food, and crafts of centuries of Native American, Spanish, and Mexican influence. Don’t miss a visit to the Museum of International Folk Art (MOIFA) on quiet Museum Hill.
Where to Stay:
Inn of the Five Graces (93.7)
Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi (93.3)