I've been to each 50 states — astir respective times — and the places that enactment pinch maine aren't the large cities.
Rather, they're the mini towns I stumbled into connected long roadworthy trips, the places locals insisted I "had to see," and the destinations I only meant to walk done but ended up pensive astir agelong aft I left.
After years of crisscrossing the country, I've realized that overmuch of America's existent magic lives successful its mini towns. Here are 5 I can't extremity reasoning about.
Telluride, Colorado, is my favourite upland town.
As a Colorado local, Telluride remains my favourite upland town. Nestled successful a stunning canyon surrounded by towering peaks, it combines melodramatic scenery pinch a laid-back, small-town vibe that's difficult to beat.
The free gondola thrust offers stunning views of the municipality (and the San Juan Mountains) from above, and makes getting astir municipality effortless. Plus, successful my opinion, the adjacent hiking trails are immoderate of the champion successful the state, ranging from alpine trails to hidden waterfalls.
The restaurants are top-notch, and the town's remoteness only adds to its charm.
I often find myself returning to Bayfield, Wisconsin.
Bayfield, Wisconsin, is the gateway to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, wherever I've spent hours hiking forested trails and wandering quiet, chaotic islands.
In town, a sojourn to Copper Crow Distillery, the first Indigenous-owned distillery successful US, is simply a must-visit. And meal downtown astatine the stylish and historical St. James Social is the cleanable measurement to extremity a time exploring this charming lakeside town.
The scenery successful Abiquiu, New Mexico, is unforgettable.
Abiquiu is simply a mini municipality pinch a large characteristic — wherever art, history, and escapade converge successful unexpected ways.
The scenery successful Abiquiu, New Mexico, inspired galore of Georgia O'Keeffe's works, and I tin decidedly spot why. For example, hiking aliases taking a horseback riding circuit astatine Ghost Ranch is unforgettable, pinch reddish cliffs and sweeping mesas astir each turn.
I emotion starting my greeting pinch a meal burrito from the historical Bode's General Store, and ending the time pinch meal astatine Café Abiquiu.
Homer, Alaska, feels serene and welcoming.
Homer, Alaska, is simply a beautiful four-and-a-half-hour thrust from Anchorage. Although it's easy capable to recreation to, visiting feels for illustration being worlds away.
I emotion wandering the harbor and the "Homer Spit," a long, bladed agelong of onshore reaching into Kachemak Bay. Here, I bask watching the sportfishing boats travel and go, and hiking the adjacent trails.
Staying correct connected the h2o makes mornings consciousness slow and calm, and the town's laid-back charm shows up successful each java shop and assemblage I visit.
From caller seafood to iconic section spots for illustration the Salty Dawg Saloon — which is famously covered pinch dollar bills connected the ceiling and walls — Homer someway feels chaotic and welcoming astatine the aforesaid time.
Kennebunkport, Maine, is simply a charming coastal town.
Kennebunkport, Maine, is 1 of those coastal towns I support returning to, nary matter really galore caller places I visit.
I've been respective times, and each travel reminds maine why it's specified a favourite — wide, sandy beaches, serene inlets that are cleanable for kayaking, and that unmistakable Maine charm.
And of course, nary sojourn is complete without a classical lobster rotation from Mabel's Lobster Claw.
This communicative was primitively published connected February 24, 2026, and astir precocious updated connected September 4, 2026.
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Emily is simply a contented creator, writer, teacher, painter, yogi, and solo explorer based successful Colorado. She has visited each 63 awesome US National Parks and each 50 US states solo. You tin travel Emily connected Instagram @emilyventures.
