….we went looking for…towns [that] 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.
Check out the slideshow and see what you make of the list.
Two things–My town Greenville, SC is A LOT prettier than Athens, Georgia. As they say–Athens, Georgia–its the Athens of -ah- Georgia. And Kapa’a, Hawaii–if its pretty, you wouldn’t know it from the picture of the 1950’s slap dash commercial building right behind the sign. Someone will probably tell me it was designed by Frank LLoyd Wright–but it will still be ugly. BTW I wonder how attractive Holland, Michigan is in February?
Lambertville, NJ is a huge tourist trap sitting on the NJ side of the Delaware River with it twin, New Hope, PA on the other side of the bridge. There are some fun things to do there, but it’s mostly arty farty and wildly overpriced and the traffic is so bad on summer weekends that you can’t even get over the bridge. I used to take my kids there to ride on the canal barges and go on a little historic train ride that loops the area, but I avoid it like the plague now.
One thing they say IS true — NJ, for all it’s bad industrial areas and overcrowded beaches, does have some spectacular geography and beautiful towns, especially in the northwest and the whole area along the Delaware is generally extremely beautiful, especially in the fall, but if I were visiting I would just go on a lovely drive up the Delaware to the Water Gap and take the bypass road around Lambertville. 🙂
A list like this is always very subjective.
Must never have visited Beaufort, South Carolina!
#4–Excellent point!
Old Forge, NY, in the winter would be my choice.
I’m rather fond of Winston-Salem, NC and Blowing Rock, NC.
#7–Not so sure about Winston-Salem, but certainly Blowing Rock. Also, a place I went last fall–Healdsburg, California.
I agree with #4 and #7. Although Blowing Rock is a bit too cute and touristy for me….. Now, I love Salem as in Old Salem, NC. One beautifully preserved town. Sure there are lots of tourists but it still has the calm and peaceful feeling of an earlier time. Besides one of my favorite eateries is there- Salem Tavern! YUM!!!
I certainly wouldn’t dispute them about Ft. Benton, though.