Best small cities of 2022, in keeping with our readers
Whether your thought of the right trip is a historical past lesson, going to the theater, stress-free by the bay, indulging in good meals or procuring ‘until you drop, there is a small city for you. We wished to search out the most effective small cities throughout the United States, so we invited our readers to vote for his or her favorites. Now the outcomes are in.
Click on every class under to see the total winners listing.
Best Coastal Small Town: Ocean Springs, Mississippi
Unwind in one of many 10 finest coastal small cities — Photo courtesy of ArtistheJourney // Getty Images
Known because the “City of Discovery,” the historic coastal city of Ocean Springs is the right place for guests to chill out and revel in. After exploring downtown with its quaint cottage-like Main Street, inventive aptitude and small city attraction, head to the seaside for a day within the solar. Stroll alongside miles of soppy white sand, and discover extra tranquil stretches of seaside for romantic walks or moonlight picnics.
Take a ship cruise and revel in dinner and an impressive sundown, or paddleboard, kayak or canoe alongside river bayous and thru always growing pure marshlands.
Full list of winners: Best Coastal Small Town »
Best Historic Small Town: Wickford, Rhode Island
These small cities are full of massive historical past classes — Photo courtesy of cmart7327 // Getty Images
Europeans first settled this Rhode Island neighborhood round 1637, and in the present day it options one of many northeastern United States’ most vital collections of 18th-century dwellings, most of that are on their unique foundations.
The Old Narragansett Church was established in downtown Wickford in 1707 and in the present day stands because the oldest Episcopal church constructing within the northeastern United States. One of the world’s most visited historic areas is Smith’s Castle, in-built 1678 by the son of considered one of Wickford’s earliest European settlers.
Full list of winners: Best Historic Small Town »
Best Small Town Cultural Scene: Clayton, New York
Clayton is full of tradition — Photo courtesy of Horizon Aerial Media
This New York neighborhood was first settled in 1822 and have become a big port for shipbuilding and lumbering. Many distinctive museums detailing points of Clayton’s historical past are on this space. That contains the Antique Boat Museum, with essentially the most in depth assortment of freshwater leisure boats in North America and the host of one of many nation’s oldest vintage boat exhibits, in addition to the Thousand Islands Boat Museum, a waterfront museum with a group of vintage watercraft and revolutionary reveals.
Visitors may also benefit from the Thousand Islands Art Center, with an in depth Twentieth-century textile assortment from North America and pottery and weaving studios.
Full list of winners: Best Small Town Cultural Scene »
Best Small Town Food Scene: Abingdon, Virginia
Award-winning Abingdon will preserve you loads full — Photo courtesy of Jason Barnette Photography
This walkable city within the Virginia Highlands has all the time had a vigorous meals scene, and it simply retains getting higher! Classics like The Tavern, 128 Pecan, Rain and Bone Fire Smokehouse provide nice selection and high quality. Don’t miss Anthony’s Desserts, Foresta or Mamma Mia, both!
Full list of winners: Best Small Town Food Scene »
Best Small Town for Adventure: Savanna, Illinois
From mountaineering and mountain biking to kayaking and mountain climbing, these small cities provide large journey — Photo courtesy of AP Photo/The Telegraph Herald, Eric Hogstrom
“Savanna, hugging the Mighty Mississippi and along the Bluffs of the Driftless area in Northwest Illinois, is the starting point for 60 miles of bike trails – the Great River Trail – but it is also a favorite stop for motorcyclists,” says 10Best Local Expert Jacky Runice.
Full list of winners: Best Small Town for Adventure »
Best Small Town for Shopping: Frenchtown, New Jersey
From boutiques to farmers markets, these small cities are good for procuring — Photo courtesy of stanley45 // Getty Images
10Best Travel Expert Marla Cimini notes, “A fun town with a wide variety of fascinating, independently owned shops!” This walkable New Jersey city provides a quaint procuring district with a always altering choice of distinctive merchandise.
Full list of winners: Best Small Town for Shopping »
Congratulations to all these successful cities! Remember to go to 10Best.com each day to vote in our Readers’ Choice contests.