10 Small Towns Around the World That Are Big on Natural Beauty & History

While some places are known for their breathtaking views, others are popular for having small towns and featuring historical sites. For instance, Russia is considered the largest country in the world. On the other hand, the United States of America is famous for mesmerizing places, beautiful beaches, and small towns. 

If you are planning to travel anytime soon, then here a few small towns that are worth visiting. 

1. Fairhope, Alabama

Source = Bslshoofly

It is a city in Baldwin County on the eastern shoreline of Mobile Bay. It is located 6 miles south of Daphne and lies on a sloping plateau. Founded in 1894: the city was free from private monopolies. Today, the city is blessed with beautiful nature preserves, exotic beaches, and shopping areas. Fairhope Municipal Pier features stunning views, a rose garden, and other attractions for visitors. 

Fairhope Avenue has independent shops, book stores, and several restaurants. Fairhope Museum of History describes the story of the city. Next, you can visit Weeks Bay Reserve, where the river meets the sea. The visitors can capture animal displays, beautiful plants, forests, and marshes. 

Eastern Shore Art Center hosts monthly exhibits for children and adults and organizes art walks. It has a gift shop, gallery and features woodwork from Alabama artists. Tolstoy Park, built by an Englishman, is an amazing Historic place here that features architecture and history. 

2. Winslow, Arizona

Source = Thecrazytourist

Winslow, another small town in Arizona, has nearly 10,000 people in Navajo County. The city is located at 4000 feet above and experiences minimum rainfall. The Lake in Mchood Park features a range of activities, including kayaking and canoeing. The next attraction you can visit is the Arizona Meteor Crater, which was created 50,000 years ago. 

Every year, space enthusiasts visit the crater and learn about its history. Old Trails Museum is a perfect place to visit if you want to know its culture and history. The museum features documents and photographs, which have been given by locals and families.  The La Posada Hotel is an attraction in Winslow. 

Opened in 1930, the hotel features the visions of Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter. The nearest airport is the Banyuwangi airport, with flights from Jakarta to Surabaya. If you love Mexican, then pay a visit to E & O kitchen that offers fish accompanied by tacos, pork, chicken, and beef. 

3. Telluride

Source = Squarespace

A former mining town in Colorado is set in a box canyon and features district house landmarks like the Sheridan Opera House. The town is dominated by Telluride Ski Resort and encompasses more than 2000 skiable acres. 

Telluride Historical Museum exhibits the area’s history and culture. The visitors can learn about the Ute Native American Tribe and the geological past. 

It is settled amidst the San Juan mountain range and attracts visitors with its stunning views. Telluride Ski Resort is one of the major attractions here. It is open all year round and welcomes visitors to experience and capture the San Juan Mountain Range. 

The location features a dramatic view of mountains. Bear Creek Falls is located within narrow Bear Creek Canyon and is surrounded by rugged cliffs. The waterfall is visible through a large open meadow over the rocky cliff and is a great sight to behold. 

4. Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Source = Arkansas

Eureka Springs is a beautiful city in the Ozark Mountains and is known for preserved Victorian buildings of its Historic District. Eureka Springs is a city named after the surrounding mineral pools. 

The city’s popular district is lined up with Victorian buildings and small museums. Thorncrown Chapel is a wooden structure with 425 windows and 6000 square feet of glass. 

This piece allows light inside and provides a feeling that takes in the surrounding Ozark woodland scenery. The historic downtown district of Eureka Springs is the highlight of the city. It features local storefronts, boutiques, and other shopping excursions. The city is most visited during the time of festivals, celebrations, and seasonal parades. 

Next, this small town has Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge that is home to tigers, bobcats, leopards, and cougars. The wildlife refuge hosts several events throughout the year and welcomes millions of people every year. 

Quigley’s Castle is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and considered the Ozarks' strangest dwelling. It was the dream home of Elise Quigley. Perennial gardens surround the home with branches and tropical trees. On display, it has a unique collection of butterflies, glassware, and crystals. Onyx Cave is located about six miles east of Eureka Springs and has been a tourist destination since 1893. 

Surprisingly, it doesn’t contain onyx and features flowstone that is known as cave onyx. Furthermore, it hosts Gem Painting outside the cave. A gift shop here features several gems and photos with a set of Amethyst Angel Wings. If you love being adventurous, then Eureka Spring offers biking, hiking, and other activities that can be enjoyed by everyone. 

5. Jackson Hole

Source = Nyt

Jackson Hole is a small town in Wyoming’s Jackson Hole Valley. It features arches made of shed antlers from the nearby National Elk Refuge. 

The valley offers an exotic taste of the Wild West. At the Southern Edge of the valley, the town is an authentic West town, where moose roam on the streets. The next attraction here is Grand Teton, National Park. It is the favorite place of photographers as it features beautiful views, hiking trails, and dense pine forests. 

Other trail highlights include Jenny Lake, String Lake, and Taggart Lake. Jackson Hole Resort is the preferred ski resort in North America. In the winter, snowboarders can cover 2500 acres of ski trails on two mountains. Teton village offers stunning resorts with amenities and luxuries. It also offers outdoor gear clothing shops. If you want to capture photos, then stand under the famous elk antler arches. 

From the square, you can’t miss the Old-West style horse and carriage ride around town. Established in 1938, the Snow King Mountain was the valley’s first ski resort. It offers an amazing snowboard experience and other adventures. 

The Snake River is one of Wyoming’s top fly fishing destinations. May and June is the best time to visit Jackson Hole. If you ever visit Jackson Hole, then you must visit Jackson Hole Rodeo. Rodeo is held twice during summer and peak times.

Another popular destination here is the National Museum of Wildlife Art. After watching wildlife art, the visitors can admire real-life wildlife on Elk Refuge. The museum also features restaurants and other breathtaking views. 

6. Essex, Connecticut

Source = Newengland

Essex is also known as a storybook village and is a treasure on the Connecticut River. In 2010, the population here was 6683. The place consists of three villages - Essex village, Ivoryton, and Centerbrook. Colchester, the oldest town in County, attracts tourists for several reasons. It has a museum that highlights Colchester's rich history and other excavation sites. The landscape and gardens in Castle Park attract people and is one of the amazing sites to behold. 

High in the Northwest of the county, there is Saffron Walden, a medieval market town that remains open on Tuesday and Saturday, on the square next to beautiful Guildhall. Maldon is another oldest town in Essex and faced struggle against the Vikings. Next, on your trip to Essex, you can visit Dedham, a village with links to two prominent British painters. The 20th-century painter Alfred Munnings lived in Dedham for years, and his outstanding home is now in the gallery for his exceptional work. 

Brain tree in this small town consists of four different market towns, all with their unique features and green countryside. Another amazing market town here is Coggshall, which has over 200 buildings in the old center. Today, it has timber houses and beautiful landmarks. Epping is the eastern terminus for London Underground’s Central Line. Essex also has other beautiful destinations, including Clacton-On-Sea, Chelmsford, Thurrock, and more. 

7. New Castle, Delaware

Source = Delawaretoday

New Castle in Delaware was settled by the Dutch West India Company in 1651. The past of Delaware invites tourists to Colonial period homes and to visit Old New Castle Court House. 

The popular natural green space in New Castle can relax you with a peaceful environment and beautiful scenery. Furthermore, it also has picnic areas, basketball courts, and biking trails for adventure seekers. At the Delaware museum, people can exhibit a unique collection of vintage artworks and other arts. 

New Castle’s farm market offers the local flavors of the place and other baked goods. At the old Air Service Hanger in New Castle, people can capture the Bellanca Airfield Museum, which commemorates the achievements of Giuseppe M. Bellanca. 

A beautiful wildlife area is situated along the river in Wilmington and is the perfect place to spend the day outdoors with your favorite people. It also features entertainment centers and main attractions like the Altitude Trampoline Park and other amenities. 

8. Rocheport, Missouri

It is a city in Boone County and is a part of the Columbia Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is a perfect getaway destination and features restaurants, trails, and shops. The population was 239 at the 2010 census. It also has Rocheport Historic District, an area with buildings dating from 1830, which is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Rocheport attracts tourists with amazing shops, galleries, and restaurants. Les Bourgeois is a perfect destination for the weekend and also an exciting spot for wine tasting and pre-wedding shoots. 

It is an ideal choice for private events, corporate outings, and dream weddings. Rocheport offers several places for accommodation and different places to stay. The Katy and Rock Island Trail is a 386km trail stretching across the state of Missouri. 

The Rock Island Trail intersects the Katy Trail at Windsor. The trail is still undeveloped and would reach 200 miles across the state. 

9. Moab

Source = Planetware

Moab is another small town in eastern Utah. It is a great gateway to red rock formations in Arches National Park. 

Canyonlands National Park features buttes carved by the Green and Colorado rivers. It is a playground for hikers, climbers, and bikers. The scenery here is beyond imagination and can be captured throughout the year. Another famous site near Moab is Arch in Arches National Park. 

The park is worth visiting if you want to go hiking. The Slickrock Trail is best for advanced mountain bikers and allows you to walk in some areas. The incredible arch frames have carved landscaped. 

The ground is flat up to the arch and is not visible until you come close. Another attraction here is Dead Horse Point State Park that offers spectacular views over a bend in the Colorado River. 

Furthermore, it offers a fascinating look at the Potash Road that runs along the edge of the cliff. The Potash Road is a dirt road, but it is passable for vehicles. The view is incredible and can’t be missed. 

10. Sonoma

Source = Sonomacounty

It is a historical city in northern California in the popular Sonoma valley. It is popular for its art galleries and the Colonial-era Sonoma Plaza. 

Sonoma is everything about wine. You can capture undulating hills lined with grapevines. Located on 1400 acres, Jack London State Historic Park is noted for its beauty and adventurous life.   

Sonoma Coast State Park features gorgeous sandy beaches and coastal prairies. Safari West in Sonoma contains over 900 exotic animals like cheetah, zebras, and giraffes. If you want to experience the wildlife, then you must visit Sonoma soon. 

Final Words 

These small towns attract millions of people from around the world and cover everything for everyone. 

Have you ever visited any of these small towns? How was your experience - yay or nay?