From arts and crafts to breathtaking nature, visiting a bohemian small city in the US may turn out to be an inspired alternative to a glitzy metropolis.
A visit to one of the small cities in the US for slow travel lets you uniquely engage with the locals and provides a glimpse into the local food, culture, and lifestyle. Look at it this way, the contrast of everything in a big city can be found in small towns. If you enjoy sights and life at a much slower rate, then you should read on to find out some of the most beautiful and fascinating small cities in the US.
#Black Mountain, North Carolina
Explore Black Mountain of Buncombe County for its charming, quintessential, and thriving scene. Named for its mountain ranges scattered across town, Black Mountain showcases some of the best arts and crafts in the region.
Downtown Black Mountain is lined with art galleries, music halls, breweries, art galleries, and restaurants. Not just this, the weather is mild, and you can access biking and hiking trails in the area throughout the year. For a traveler, the town offers modern hotels and Victorian inns with delicious breakfast and quaint beds. You can also settle for home rentals and cabin. Stop by and explore to your fullest.
#Key West, Florida
Another unique small town bordered by the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean in Key West, Florida. You can charter a day of fishing, snorkel the coral reefs, or dive the Vandenberg or one of the many beaches on Key West. You can end your day with a sunset cruise tour. When you are not busy, visit Mallory Square for celebration performances or stroll the vibrant art galleries, theatre, shops, and fine dining.
#Telluride, Colorado
Colorado’s Telluride is the best place to visit if you are a fan of mountain living. The mountain town draws in adventure seekers from all over the World in the thousand.
Surrounded by mountain and snow, Telluride offers excellent ski resort and the perfect singular layouts. You can stroll into town to be a part of the annual bluegrass festival or to gawk at the gorgeous scenery.
#Palm Springs, California
Palm Springs, California, is the largest riverside county by land area in the United States. With a population of 44,552, the city has enough attraction to thrill a traveler. Take a trip to the palm springs aerial tramway air museum or Indian canyons and relish every moment. The city is also known for its golf courses, hotels, spas, and hot springs. Areas like the painted canyon, Indian canyon hiking trails, and Tahquitz canyon are good places for horseback riding, biking, and hiking.
#Bisbee Arizona
Old Bisbee, in the southeast region of Arizona, is home to bustling downtown cultural scenes. Famous for its Victorian-style architectural design, the town offers a dynamic terrain as a sight for travelers.
Art galleries, shops, and mountain tunnels characterize the city famous for its copper mines. High-elevation placement of the town means you can take a break from the searing heat of the desert. Take a trip to Brisbee for a sight of the copper queen mine, mining, and historical museum, or you could take the old ghost tour if you feel up to it. Did we mention the lavender pit?
#Cooperstown, New York
One of the best towns to visit in the big city of New York is Cooperstown, New York. People from the big city often seek the tranquil town for an escape from the big city life. Besides the quiet and relaxed lifestyle, the town is known for its museums and interactive exhibits. Chief among this is the Farmer’s Museum, Fenimore art museum, and the national baseball hall of fame and museum. Another place to visit is the vineyard-like Ommegang brewery estate, a home that offers local brews with indoor and outdoor relaxation.
#International travellers to the USA
Slow traveling or leisurely-paced adventures is an excellent way to enjoy the cultures of the best small cities in the US. Rather than squeeze too many activities into a few days, you can relish the moment and do it in 90 days. The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is one of the ways to enter the United States for business or pleasure. Since slow traveling is a leisurely activity, you should apply for ESTA instead or Visa. This is because the application is faster and open to citizens of countries covered under the Visa Waiver Program. Apply for ESTA with your valid passport, email address, means of payment, and residential information. Processing your application takes up to two days; however, you can perform an ESTA status check to monitor your request. Apply for ESTA online here.
#Conclusion
Not everyone is cut out for the fast-paced and monotonous routine of the big city life. More often than not, we need time to relax and disconnect from the noise. Where else is best to get the tranquillity with a spice of fun than in one of the best small cities in the US. Feel free to add the your charming city of choice in the comments section below in order to complete this list.
On Tourism on the Edge, we consider slow travel a priority in order to encourage a sustainable way of traveling. Because we are certain that getting more ‘conscious’ about how we travel will better preserve these fantastic locations for generations to come. Check out our related posts on slow travel for Turkey and Spain.
