There’s something restorative that draws us to small, photogenic towns like Breckenridge, Colorado. World famous for its much-beloved ski resort, Breckenridge is truly made for scenic strolling, ski season or no. During summer months, white water rafting and hot air balloon rides attract out-of-town adventurers. In winter, people lug gear and family 9,600 feet into the mountains to traverse a seemingly endless supply of ski trails. And night is when the town really shines – and twinkles, with lights strung everywhere like a perennial Christmas village.
In Pictures: America's Prettiest Towns
And that’s precisely what we went looking for – towns seemingly custom-designed for soaking in the sights, with charming main streets, a variety of activities and beautiful vistas. Whether it’s the fresh air, authenticity or lack of skyscrapers, these enchanting locales deserve a spot on your travel to-do list. To designate Breckenridge and the rest of America’s most picturesque towns, we called on travel experts from Frommer’s, National Geographic, Fodor’s, and Midwest Living magazine, all of whom shared with us selections of what they consider to be among America’s prettiest towns.
Of course, “prettiest” is subjective, and there are many other towns around the country that would fit the bill – but we chose 15 that we think would not only stand out in a beauty pageant, but also provide great options for your next getaway.
If the Colorado winter isn’t your style and heat is what you seek, then you might consider a weekend in the New Iberia, Louisiana, bayou. Here you can find a proper crawfish boil, take a fanboat and zip past gators, or take a tour of the nearby McIlhenny Tabasco factory on Avery Island and take home some of the country’s most famous hot sauces straight from the source. And don’t forget the mansions. “This is the Old South, with some great plantation homes (you can tour the exquisite Rip Van Winkle Gardens), and some lovely little diners where people still speak Cajun,” says Andrew Evans, National Geographic Traveler’s Digital Nomad.
But with the summer fading quickly and many people looking for a last-chance beach getaway, there are few seaside destinations with more magnetism and charm than Edgartown on Martha’s Vineyard, a gorgeous corner of the famous island playground for presidents and celebrities alike.
In Pictures: America's Prettiest Towns
Edgartown looks like every picture-perfect New England coastal town, but up a notch or two. Restored sea captain’s homes share sandy real estate with ultra-modern beach homes, designer boutiques line the quaint streets, and the seafood is as good as fresh Atlantic seafood gets. Small town perfection like this comes at a price though – both financially and in terms of traffic when President Obama is in town for family vacations. Yes, even presidents pine for small-town escapes.
