To truly get under the skin of America, it helps to escape the big cities and head for the hinterlands.
Prairies, mountains, forests and deserts – the country’s wild and diverse landscapes – are joined together by a crisscrossing network of national highways.
Each one punctuated along its asphalt by charming small towns and villages that most Americans (let alone foreign visitors) have never heard of.
I am so enamored with off the beaten track America, that I’ve now cycled across the nation twice – a total of 10,000 miles. Most recently in the lead-up to the 2024 Presidential Election, for my new book.
After long and grueling days spent in the saddle, I discover bustling brewpubs, cozy diners and rambunctious high school football matches. I lost count of the times I was bought breakfast or offered a place to stay.
My love affair with small town America burns so hot that I could happily zigzag from coast to coast for the rest of my life and never run out of new places to visit.
Here are 23 of my favorite small towns in America – and my top tips for when in town.
Simon Parker is so enamored with off the beaten track America that he has cycled across the nation twice – a total of 10,000 miles
Snoqualmie, Washington, located 25 miles east of Seattle, is surrounded by the lush North Cascades Mountains and sits just south of Snoqualmie Falls (pictured)
Snoqualmie, Washington (Population: 13,465)
Twin Peaks fans visit this Pacific Northwest town to walk among David Lynch’s leafy filming locations, and late February marks The Real Twin Peaks weekender, with screenings and tours.
Just 25 miles east of Seattle, the town is surrounded by the lush North Cascades Mountains and sits just south of Snoqualmie Falls, which pours for 270 feet through steep granite cliffs.
Visit Snoqualmie Falls Brewery for a pint of amber or IPA. In late summer, you’ll find wet-hopped beers, brewed with the freshest northwest ingredients.
Wallace, Idaho, is located just off Interstate 90 and every building in the downtown area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Wallace, Idaho (Population: 825)
In the densely forested panhandle of Idaho, just off Interstate 90, every building in downtown Wallace is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
And – unlike many sprawling towns in the USA – it’s entirely walkable.
Wallace is best known as the Silver Capital of the World. 1.2 billion ounces have been mined there since 1884.
In spring and summer, cyclists and hikers can reach town via the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes – a 72-mile, car-free, former railroad track which dissects northern Idaho.
In winter, Wallace is a good base for reaching nearby slopes (Silver Mountain and Lookout Pass).
Astoria is located on the southern banks of the Columbia River. It is surrounded by more than 2,000 shipwrecks and was the setting for the family favorite movie The Goonies
Astoria, Oregon (Population: 9,986)
On the southern banks of the Columbia River, just a few miles east of the Pacific Ocean, this often rain-lashed small town, in the shadow of the Astoria–Megler cantilever steel bridge, is surrounded by more than 2,000 shipwrecks.
Film buffs might recognize Astoria as the setting for the 1985 family-adventure movie, The Goonies.
But it is perhaps best known for its seafood. Visit Bowpicker Fish and Chips for beer battered albacore tuna.
Butte, Montana, is known to residents as ‘the richest hill on earth’ and is famous for Cornish-style pasties served with gravy
Butte, Montana (Population: 35,701)
Known to its residents as ‘the richest hill on Earth’ – more than six billion tons of copper have been extracted from Butte’s mines since the 1860s and used to electrify the USA.
At its peak, more than 8,000 men were employed, helping fund Victorian Queen Anne cottages, with cross gables and dormers.
Visit on a Friday night in autumn or winter and most of the town will be attending a high school football match.
Butte is also famous for Cornish-style pasties, served with gravy. Head to Joe’s Pasty Shop, which has used the same recipe since 1947.
Pawhuska was previously at the center of Oklahoma’s oil boom and is now the headquarters of the Native American Osage Nation
Pawhuska, Oklahoma (Population: 2,926)
Surrounded by the largest protected tallgrass prairie in the world, Pawhuska is the headquarters of the Native American Osage Nation – and the setting of David Grann’s 2017 book (and Martin Scorsese’s Oscar-nominated adaptation) Killers of the Flower Moon.
For food, visit Trigger’s BBQ, which serves up award-winning slow-cooked brisket, pulled pork and ribs.
The best hotel is the redbrick Frontier, which was built in the early 20th Century, when the town was at the heart of Oklahoma’s oil boom. (Doubles B&B at Frontier Hotel from $186 per night; frontierpawhuska.com)
Lindsborg in Kansas has been nicknamed ‘Little Sweden’ after it was settled by a group of Swedish migrants from the Värmland County in 1869
Lindsborg, Kansas (Population: 3,811)
Nicknamed ‘Little Sweden’, Lindsborg was settled by a group of Swedish migrants from the Värmland County in 1869 and 30 per cent of the town’s population can still trace their roots back to Scandinavia.
The colorful high street boasts Dala horses and yellow and blue Nordic Cross flags.
The supermarket sells smoked liquorice, and the bars and restaurants flavor meatballs and cocktails with lingonberries.
To really round off the Scandi-experience, stay at the Viking Motel. (Doubles B&B at Viking Motel from $81 per night; vikingmotellindsborg.us)
Clarksdale is located 15 miles east of the Mississippi River and its bustling downtown is packed with clubs and bars which boast live music every day of the year
Clarksdale, Mississippi (Population: 13,850)
The birthplace of the Blues, and its offshoot rock ‘n’ roll, Clarksdale lies 15 miles east of the mighty Mississippi River – the fourth longest in the world.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame royalty Muddy Waters, Sam Cooke and John Lee Hooker have called the place home, and its neon-lit downtown remains packed with clubs and bars, which offer live music 365 days a year.
Ground Zero, co-owned by actor Morgan Freeman, is open four nights a week and serves tasty Southern fare like Mississippi Delta catfish, fried green tomatoes and peach cobbler.
Telluride sits in the heart of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. Visitors can hike and bike in summer, and ski in the winter
Telluride, Colorado (Population: 2,525)
Boxed into a canyon, Telluride is just eight blocks wide and twelve blocks long, and its downtown is packed with clapboard storefronts and boutique art galleries.
This former Victorian mining town sits in the heart of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains and offers hiking and biking in summer, followed by easy access to alpine ski slopes in winter.
A free gondola connects Telluride with Mountain Village, situated 9,545 feet above it.
For food-with-a-view, head to Alpino Vino for hearty tomato soup and grilled cheese. At 11,966 feet above sea level, it’s the highest restaurant in North America.
The red desert town of Sedona in Arizona has more than 400 miles of hiking and cycling routes
Sedona, Arizona (Population: 9,819)
Surrounded by 1.8 million acres of National Forest, you’ll find more than 400 miles of hiking and cycling routes in and around this red rock desert town.
Better still, due to its lofty altitude (4,360 feet) the climate is a lot milder than elsewhere in Arizona.
Nevertheless, March, April and May are the best months to visit. The clean air is perfect for hot air balloons, which soar gracefully over the town and its surrounds.
With its warm days and cool nights, the region is also ideal for growing grapes and producing wine.
Sitka, Alaska, is an island community, surrounded by ocean, mountains and rainforest
Sitka, Alaska (Population: 8,282)
An island community, surrounded by ocean, mountains and rainforest, Sitka residents share their home with brown bears, bald eagles (the national bird of the USA), and five species of Pacific salmon.
In 1867, when the USA purchased Alaska from Russia, Sitka became the state’s first capital.
These days, you’ll still find Russian heritage in the shape of St Michael’s Cathedral: North America’s first Russian Orthodox church.
And the Russian Bishop’s House – one of the continent’s few surviving examples of Russian colonial architecture.
Gatlinburg, Tennessee, serves as a gateway to the popular Great Smoky Mountains National Park (pictured) where millions of people visit every year
Gatlinburg, Tennessee (Population: 3,701)
Gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park – the most-visited national park in the USA – Gatlinburg serves as basecamp for 14 million park visitors each year.
This was the site of the Civil War’s Battle of Burg Hill in 1863, and reenactments take place every summer.
The best time to visit, however, is October, when the reds and golds of fall foliage season are at their peak.
For an authentic taste of Tennessee, head to Bennetts Barbecue for slow-cooked meats, smoked greens and fried pies.
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, has been called home by all manner of celebrities including author Jack London, artist Salvador Dali, and actor Clint Eastwood
Carmel-by-the-Sea, California (Population: 3,104)
A one-square-mile village on California’s Pacific Coast, quaint Carmel is less than two hours south of San Francisco.
Author Jack London (White Fang), artist Salvador Dali, and actor Clint Eastwood have called its cobblestone streets home.
You’ll find art galleries, wine tasting rooms, and the two Michelin Star Aubergine restaurant, which serves up a delectable tasting menu, including triple-seared ribeye brushed in wagyu XO and Monterey Bay abalone.
The town’s newest hotel, Sitwell, opened in spring 2024 and enjoys mountain and village views. (Doubles B&B at Sitwell from $702 per night; larkhotels.com/hotels/stilwell-hotel)
Taos, New Mexico, is the northernmost of 19 pueblos and has a history dating back more than a thousand years
Taos, New Mexico (Population: 6,427)
The northernmost of New Mexico’s 19 pueblos, adobe-lined Taos has a history dating back more than a thousand years.
Every May, the town celebrates Lilac Festival, when the flowers bloom and emit their syrupy-sweet aroma.
Then in June, the 200-year-old San Francisco de Asis Mission Church is re-plastered by local volunteers.
A fan of all things spicy? Taos is a chili-growing hot spot. Head to unassuming Antonio’s for New Mexico favorites, such as marinated pork street tacos, steak enchiladas and pozole with corn and Chimayo red chili.
Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, was once the second-most visited tourist attraction in the USA behind Niagara Falls
Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania (Population: 4,529)
Named after the first Native American athlete to win Olympic gold, the Victorian town of Jim Thorpe was once the second-most visited tourist attraction in the USA behind Niagara Falls.
Its streets are lined with European-style mansions and historic hotels. Hotel Switzerland – the town’s oldest commercial building – was built in 1830.
October marks the Fall Foliage Festival, which includes train rides from downtown into the surrounding forests of Lehigh Gorge State Park and the Pocono Mountains. (Doubles B&B at Hotel Switzerland from $120 per night; www.hotelswitzerlandjimthorpe.com)
Deadwood, South Dakota, became infamous for its 19th Century lawlessness and is surrounded by the Black Hills National Forest
Deadwood, South Dakota (Population: 1,343)
Surrounded by the Black Hills National Forest, the gold rush town of Deadwood became infamous for its 19th Century lawlessness and the gunslinger Wild Bill Hickok – who was killed in Saloon Number 10 in 1876.
These days, the bar still has sawdust on the floor and rifles on the wall.
It’s best-known for its American Whiskey Bar, serving up dozens of small batch Bourbons.
An hour south of the town you’ll find the Crazy Horse and Mount Rushmore monuments.
Meredith, New Hampshire, sits on the shore of Lake Winnipesaukee and is located around 110 miles north of Boston
Meredith, New Hampshire (Population: 6,779)
In the heart of New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, 110 miles north of Boston, Meredith sits on the shore of Lake Winnipesaukee – the state’s biggest lake.
In summer, it becomes a boating, fishing and hiking hotspot.
Mainstreet is famous for antique shops and hosts a fine arts & crafts festival at the end of August.
Autumn is, however, the best time to board the Granite State Scenic Railway, which has a station in town, and takes tourists on a two-hour round trip of the lake and the region’s fall foliage.
Marfa, Texas, is renowned as an art oasis and is located just a three hour drive from El Paso
Marfa, Texas (Population: 1,674)
Just reaching Marfa is an adventure in its own right. The closest city is El Paso, a three-hour drive away via the often-searing High Plains of Texas.
It’s renowned as an art oasis, thanks to the minimalist Donald Judd, who moved there from New York in the 1970s.
Since then, it has blossomed into a quirky little town, with its galleries, studios and bars growing increasingly popular among the Instagram crowd.
For high-end, seasonal eats, head to Cochineal, for free range bison, quail and quenelle mushrooms.
Seaside is a small resort town in northwest Florida and was featured in The Truman Show
Seaside, Florida (Population: 18,544)
If Seaside’s whitewashed streets look familiar, it’s because they provided the backdrop for the 1998 Jim Carey classic, The Truman Show.
This Florida Panhandle town sits on the north coast of the balmy Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico) – and its waters barely dip below 17 degrees Celsius in winter.
For those who prefer the calm of a swimming pool, the town has three open to residents and guests, from 8am until dusk.
Seafood-lovers should sample the local delicacy: stone crab – available in most restaurants between mid-October and the start of May.
The Beekman Arms & Delamater Inn in Rhinebeck, New York, opened in 1704 and claims to be the oldest inn in America
Rhinebeck, New York (Population: 7,558)
Escape the hustle and bustle of NYC and head north (two hours’ drive) to Rhinebeck ‘Village’ on the eastern bank of the Hudson River.
The tree-lined town enjoys views of the Catskill Mountains, which are best seen from the observation tower in nearby Ferncliff Forest – one of the Hudson Valley’s most popular camping areas.
Alternatively, stay at The Beekman Arms & Delamater Inn, which opened in 1704 and claims to be the oldest inn in America.
Their antique market is open daily between 11am and 5pm. (Doubles B&B at The Beekman Arms & Delamater Inn from $93; www.beekmandelamaterinn.com)
Cape Cod, Rockport, Massachusetts, has transformed from a shipbuilding hub to a food and art retreat and is located on the Cape Ann Peninsula
Rockport, Massachusetts (Population: 6,988)
A hundred miles north of Cape Cod, this lesser-known New England town on the Cape Ann Peninsula has transformed from a shipbuilding hub to a food and art retreat.
It’s also famed for its whale watching season, which runs between May and November.
On Saturdays, from June to October, visit Rockport Farmers’ Market for locally produced cider.
Bluefin tuna, halibut and seabass are the local specialties. Or head to the legendary Lobster Roller food truck for clam chowder and succulent lobster meat served in a toasted brioche roll.
Cody, Wyoming, has been dubbed ‘The Rodeo Capital of the World’ and attracts professional cowboys from across the US
Cody, Wyoming (Population: 10,240)
Known as ‘The Rodeo Capital of the World,’ Cody is home to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West – a complex of five museums which celebrate the art and history of the Great American West.
The town hosts the only nightly rodeo in the world, and every July draws professional cowboys from all over the country to compete in the Cody Stampede.
Yellowstone National Park, with its mountains, lakes and geysers, is just a 70-mile drive to the west.
South Haven, Michigan, is located on the east coast of Lake Michigan, and has been nicknamed ‘SoHa’ among local residents
South Haven, Michigan (Population: 4,001)
Known as SoHa to the locals, this small town on the east coast of Lake Michigan is a two-hour drive from downtown Chicago and boasts a rich maritime history.
Visit the Michigan Maritime Museum for rides on the Friends Good Will, a replica 1810 top sail sloop.
Back on dry land, there are a dozen beaches to explore, and downtown you’ll find a handful of craft breweries and vineyard tasting rooms.
Michigan’s northern wine region sits on the 45th parallel – the same as Bordeaux.
Magnolia River is lauded as one of the prettiest towns in Alabama, with quiet streets lined with live oak trees draped in Spanish moss
On the balmy banks of the Magnolia River, it is also one of the last places in America where the local postman delivers mail by boat
Magnolia Springs, Alabama (Population: 844)
On the balmy banks of the Magnolia River, this is one of the last places in America where the local postman delivers mail by boat.
It’s also lauded as one of the prettiest towns in Alabama; its quiet streets are lined with live oak trees draped in Spanish moss.
Better still, it’s less than a 30-minute drive to the state’s Gulf Shores.
Overnight visitors should stay at the award-winning Magnolia Springs Bed & Breakfast, which was built in 1897. (Doubles B&B at Magnolia Springs Bed & Breakfast from $149 per night; magnoliasprings.com)
Simon’s book: A Ride Across America: A 4,000-mile adventure through the small towns and big issues of the USA is out now.
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .