In summertime, there are few places as idyllic as Grand Marais, found up north in Minnesota’s so-called Arrowhead. A cool breeze blows off of Lake Superior all season long making sure lakeside revelers don’t get overheated while eating the World’s Best Donuts (if they do say so themselves) or watching the Dragon Boats race up and down the lake during the festival held each July. Grand Marais has a lot of small-town action to offer visitors, including several events like the October Moose Madness Festival and the annual Fisherman’s Picnic, which serves up a lot of herring and small town pride.
New York City—more specifically the neon insanity around Times Square—may be the most popular tourist destination in the United States, but travelers don’t need to navigate the Big Apple to take home a memorable experience. America’s small towns have a lot to offer tourists, from lakeside picnics to golf with a view to carriage rides through cobbled streets. While New York may have many of those options, too, there’s no need to figure out how to work a Metrocard or navigate a ride from JFK Airport in small town America.
Small towns offer a slower pace of life that translates to a truly restful vacation. Make plans for a long weekend or hit the metropolis for the big museums and glitzy theatrical productions, but tack on a side trip to a bucolic smaller city for some true relaxation in a charming environment.
Here are seven small towns to add to your domestic bucket list.