Popsugar Living Travel Destinations Best Small Towns in America Summer Road Trip? Add These 24 Charming American Small Towns to Your List 7 May 2019 by James Barrett Image Source: Getty / DenisTangneyJr If you've already backpacked across Europe, jetted to Tokyo, or lounged on a tropical beach somewhere, you're probably looking for a bit of a different holiday to take next. Or, if you haven't done any of those things and just prefer staying a bit closer to home, exploring America's backyard is such a great option! We have National Parks, rich history and culture, and views that are too beautiful to capture in a single photo. Small towns in America are like living time capsules. Visitors get a taste of what once was, from the old mom-and-pop shops and the architecture to the food and the surrounding scenery, and the locals take pride in to keeping it alive. If you're looking for a weekend getaway or planning a cross-country road trip with your friends, be sure to add these small towns to your list to experience these hidden gems of America. 1 Sedona, Arizona View this post on Instagram A post shared by Eagle Creek (@eaglecreek) on May 5, 2019 at 12:54pm PDT From small shops full of beautiful arts and crafts to hikes with stunning views, there's something for everyone in Sedona. If you're feeling adventurous, check out Devil's Bridge, or the well-known Pink Jeep Tour that gives you off-roading thrills without all of the walking. Sedona is also home to the only McDonald's with turquoise arches in the world. 1 / 12 2 Boulder City, Nevada View this post on Instagram A post shared by Emily Russell (@emrussellxx) on May 6, 2019 at 7:38am PDT A short 40-minute drive from the Las Vegas Strip, visitors can sight-see the Hoover Dam, explore Lake Mead National Recreation Area, and kayak down the Black Canyon to Emerald Cove. It's a great getaway for some much needed time with Mother Nature. 2 / 12 3 Lexington, Virginia View this post on Instagram A post shared by leah green (@leahannegreen) on May 5, 2019 at 8:01am PDT For the adventurers and history buffs, Lexington Virginia has it all. Surrounded by Shenandoah Valley, its downtown offers an array of restaurants, shops, and galleries. Visitors can drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway and history buffs can visit sites from the Civil War. 3 / 12 4 Carlisle, Pennsylvania View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sabrina Boxer (@sabrina_boxer) on May 6, 2019 at 5:22pm PDT Carlisle is a small town filled with nature and historic treasures, including a church once attended by George Washington. It's also known as Pennsylvania's "Automotive Capital," hosting numerous annual car, truck, and motorcycle shows that bring in half a million people each year. 4 / 12 5 Carmel-by-the-Sea, California View this post on Instagram A post shared by @ashleybeth_x3 on May 5, 2019 at 5:20pm PDT Just south of iconic Pebble Beach, Carmel-by-the-Sea has various one-of-a-kind experiences in their one-square mile village along California's Central Coast. Besides the beautiful beaches, visitors can explore restaurants, shopping, wine tastings, and art experiences. 5 / 12 6 Oceanside, California View this post on Instagram A post shared by arielle vey (@ariellevey) on Apr 1, 2019 at 7:18pm PDT Known for their palm-dotted Harbor Beach and nearby Oceanside Harbor with its marina and shops, Oceanside has a laid-back vibe with surfing at the forefront, including at the California Surf Museum. It's centrally located between Los Angeles and Sand Diego, making day trips north or south a must. 6 / 12 7 Jackson, Wyoming View this post on Instagram A post shared by NICOLEKNOX (@nicolexknox) on Mar 17, 2019 at 9:37pm PDT Jackson is skier's dream getaway with three ski areas to explore. When visitors are off the slopes, they can enjoy bustling restaurants, live music, and local shops. Be sure to make time for Yellowstone National Park – the first and oldest national park in the world. Yellowstone's South Entrance is approximately 90 miles north of the town of Jackson. 7 / 12 8 Moab, Utah Image Source: Unsplash / Josh Soriano Visiting Moab is unlike anywhere else in the United States. Visitors can stop by the Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park on this adventurous getaway. Camping under the stars here is unlike anywhere else, as glamping is very popular. 8 / 12 9 Gatlinburg, Tennessee View this post on Instagram A post shared by Diego 🇺🇾🇺🇸 (@adventurousdiego) on May 7, 2019 at 8:56am PDT Known as a gateway to the Great Smokey Mountains National Park, it's a sight worth more than any photograph. Visitors can see the 407-foot Space Needle observation tower and a 2.1 mile aerial cable car that journeys between downtown and the Ober Gatlinburg attraction. Downtown has a true small town, retro vibe with unique restaurants. 9 / 12 10 Sitka, Alaska Image Source: Getty / filo This small town was part of Russia until 1867, but it's roots and culture are highly celebrated today. Visitors can take in the surreal mountain scenery, whale watch, hike, fish, kayak, and continue to celebrate the vibrant culture. 10 / 12 11 Wallace, Idaho View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝕊𝕒𝕣𝕒𝕙 𝔾𝕣𝕖𝕖𝕟 (@sarah9reen) on Apr 25, 2019 at 8:51pm PDT This monumental mining town of Wallace is located between ski and recreation areas in Idaho's Silver Valley. It's known as the "Silver Capital of the World" with 1.2 billion ounces of silver produced since 1884. It's the perfect escape to simpler times and being at one with nature with alpine lakes and bike trails to explore. 11 / 12 12 Apalachicola, Florida View this post on Instagram A post shared by Wakefield Photography (@wakefieldphoto) on May 4, 2019 at 4:21am PDT While this fishing town is in Florida, it has more of a Cape Cod vibe than a deep south one, offering fresh seafood, waterfront parks, and a rich history of Panhandle's oyster, timber, and fishing. The location is very close to miles of pristine beaches on St. George Island and numerous protected shallow bays. 12 / 12 Travel DestinationsUnited StatesTravel