16 Unpopular Small Towns Visitors Can’t Get Enough Of

Written By Jill Taylor

We’re all about hidden gems, and there are a ton of those in the small towns dotted around the U.S. with their quirky styles, unique landmarks, and stunning surrounding scenery. How many of these 16 unfamiliar small towns have you visited multiple times?

Fayetteville, West Virginia

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Fayetteville absolutely qualifies for the small-town category, as Point 2 Homes informs us that it has a population of under 3,000! It’s also known around the world for excellent whitewater rafting and rock climbing, putting it very much on the map for explorers.

Muscle Shoals, Alabama

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Muscle Shoals’s rich music history has proved very popular with visitors who want to keep coming back again and again. FAME Recording Studios is based there, which is enough in itself to prove it to be a tourist hotspot.

Lewisburg, West Virginia

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Lewisburg’s scenic beauty, with the Seneca Skyway running through town, will certainly appeal to people around the U.S. For a small town, it’s also packed with features, including Carnegie Hall and the Greenbrier Valley Theatre. It’s arty and beautiful!

Micanopy, Florida

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Micanopytown says that this tiny place is just over a mile squared in size, making it a very small town indeed! It’s pretty famous for all its antique shops, though, and is home to the historic Cholokka Boulevard, which many people who visit want to keep on coming back to.

Narragansett, Rhode Island

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Narragansett in Rhode Island is a coastal town with a beautiful beach that’s also home to ‘The Towers’ landmark. Visitors can also find Point Judith Lighthouse and other historic buildings, so there’s all sorts to do in this small town.

Nevada City, California

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If you’re looking for a little history in your next trip to a small U.S. town, perhaps the Victorian-era charm of Nevada City, with its famous Victorian Christmas celebration, might appeal to you. The town is known for its historical buildings and small-town festivals that can be loved by all.

Ottawa, Illinois

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Many visitors love the artistic small town of Ottawa, which has numerous murals and historic architecture. The town is located on the Illinois River, which offers stunning scenic views and outdoor activities for families, so there really is a bit of everything in this town.

Paris, Arkansas

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Want a little taste of Europe without having to fly across the Atlantic? Paris, Arkansas, might be your best bet for that with its miniature Eiffel Tower and love lock bridge. The tower might only be 25 ft tall, as reported by Arkansas, but it’s a fun touch!

Park City, Utah

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Perhaps you might want to visit the site of the 2002 Winter Olympics if you’re into skiing or other winter sports. This is one of the most famous places in the U.S. for those types of activities, so it’d be a shame not to visit if you consider yourself a skier.

Sitka, Alaska

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Of course, Alaska is a pretty long way to go on a trip, but if you fancy the journey, Sitka is a great place to be. This small town is rich in Tlingit history and Russian heritage, so it offers a more unique and interesting experience than many other options on our list.

Cannon Beach, Oregon

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What’s not to love about Cannon Beach in Oregon? Its iconic Haystack Rock, along with the beautiful coastal scenery, makes it a fantastic place to be. The town is also a popular hiking destination for those looking to visit the beautiful Ecola State Park.

Grand Marais, Minnesota

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You may also be interested in the artistic harbor town of Grand Marais. It has a vibrant community that creative types will feel right at home in. Plus, the natural landscape is amazing, as the town is nestled between the Sawtooth Mountains and Lake Superior.

Bar Harbor, Maine

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We’re back in Maine again, this time for the town of Bar Harbor. It’s a gateway town to the famous Acadia National Park, and it has stunning coastal landscapes. It’s going to be a dream come true for anybody who likes nature.

Moab, Utah

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There are countless great small towns to check out in Utah, but perhaps the pick of the bunch is Moab. It’s unpopular for tourism, but we can’t understand why, as it’s an amazing place to access the Canyonlands and Arches national parks. Mountain bikers and hikers will love it there.

Bristol, Rhode Island

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The BristolRhodeIsland website claims that the town is home to the oldest 4th of July parade in the country. It began in 1785, so if you want a real piece of American history, definitely consider checking out Bristol, Rhode Island.

Eureka Springs, Arkansas

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Victorian architecture and natural hot springs are the big talking points of Eureka Springs, Arkansas. The town is home to the historic Crescent Hotel and Thorncrown Chapel, both of which are well worth a visit. It’s surrounded by beautiful landscapes and wildlife refuges.

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