More than ever, people have been traveling around the U.S. for their vacations. Unfortunately, shortages, the pandemic, and inflation have made flying out of the country very difficult. This phenomenon has been turning small towns into major tourist destinations.
Whether it’s hanging out in a cottage by the lake, hiking, or just finding a quiet place away from the city for a while, small towns provide a relaxing, low-stress environment to vacation.
So here are five vacation spots in small towns around the U.S.
Cape May, NJ
On the southern tip of New Jersey is a little beach town called Cape May, known as “America’s Original Seaside Resort.” It has quiet beaches, whale-watching, and dock-lined boardwalks.
Bandera, Texas
The cowboy capital of the world is Bandera, Texas. If we’re talking small towns, then Bandera qualifies with a population of just 671. It’s got all the ranches and horse riding trails you need to help you tap into your inner cowboy or cowgirl.
Watkins Glen, NY
Watkins Glen is not just home to the NASCAR race. It is full of hiking trails, breweries, and wineries. You can also find a waterfront BnB as it’s one of the small towns on Seneca Lake, one of my favorite finger lakes.
Polebridge, Montana
If you want to unplug for a while, Polebridge, Montana, makes for great camping. But, make sure you plan accordingly because there’s no electricity. One or two shops in town run on generators, but that’s it. However, there’s plenty of hiking, canoeing, biking around the nearby lakes, and incredible natural scenery.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Gatlinburg is at the base of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Complete with zip lines, an amusement park, and cool shops. And, of course, enjoy the views from the top of the Gatlinburg Space Needle.
What are some of your favorite small towns turned tourist destinations? Let us know in the comments below.
