Want to get away with your family to a place where it’s quiet and fun? Instead of going to a busy city, check out one of the many charming small places in the United States. Without all the crowds and noise, these secret gems are the perfect mix of adventure, culture, and rest. Small towns offer cheap, family-friendly activities that both kids and adults will enjoy. These towns can be on a river, in the mountains, or on the coast.
These nine small towns are great places to visit whether you want to go on an outdoor journey, learn something new, or just relax in peace. Each one has its own special flavor, beautiful scenery, and friendly atmosphere that are great for making experiences that will last a lifetime. When you plan your next family vacation, think about going to one of these small places for a change of pace. In a place that feels both safe and uplifting, you can enjoy nature, learn about the past of the area, and spend time with family and friends. Take a look at these nine small places that are great for a family trip.
Port Townsend, Washington
Port Townsend is a pretty coastal town in Washington that is known for its marine history and Victorian design. It is on the Olympic Peninsula and has a lovely mix of history and outdoor activities that make it a great place for a family holiday. The Port Townsend Marine Science Center has shows about marine life that kids will enjoy. Adults can visit art studios, small shops, and restaurants by the water. The town is surrounded by beautiful nature, and Fort Worden State Park is close by.
Families can go hiking, have a picnic, and see old military bunkers. By taking a boat tour or swimming in Puget Sound, you can see beautiful scenery and maybe even wildlife. Every year, events like the Wooden Boat Festival offer more fun activities for the whole family. Port Townsend is a great place for families who want to get away from busy tourist spots for a unique holiday because it has a calm atmosphere, a lot of history and culture, and beautiful scenery.
Stowe/Waterbury, Vermont
Vermont’s twin towns of Stowe and Waterbury offer a great mix of outdoor beauty, small-town charm, and fun things to do with your family all year long. The popular Stowe Mountain Resort is where you can ski and take lift rides. Stowe is known for its mountain views and skiing. Families can enjoy hiking and biking paths in the summer, or they can take a beautiful drive to Smugglers’ Notch, which is close by.
Waterbury is only a short drive away and is home to the Ben & Jerry’s Factory. Both kids and adults love the factory trips and free tastes. Families can also visit the Cold Hollow Cider Mill, go to area farmers’ markets, or have lunch by the river. Stowe and Waterbury are great places to experience the best of Vermont, whether you want to eat maple treats, look at the fall leaves, or walk across covered bridges. When you mix their natural beauty, sweet treats, and outdoor activities, you get an amazing place to go on vacation with your family.
Ithaca, New York
Ithaca, New York, is a lively small town in the Finger Lakes area that’s great for a family holiday full of nature, learning, and fun. The town is full of young people and has a lot of cultural diversity. The Sciencenter is a hands-on science museum where kids of all ages can enjoy interactive displays. Families can also visit the beautiful Cornell Botanic Gardens. For outdoor activities, the area is known for its beautiful canyons and waterfalls.
Buttermilk Falls State Park and Taughannock Falls State Park are both great places for families to go on walks. The Ithaca Farmers Market is right on the water and sells fresh local food, crafts, and other goodies. Cayuga Lake is a great place for families to paddleboat or kayak in the summer. Ithaca is a great place for families who want a mix of outdoor activities and relaxing. It has a lot of educational sites, beautiful natural scenery, and friendly locals.
Marietta, Ohio
Marietta, Ohio, is a historic river town where families can enjoy both old-fashioned comforts and fun things to do outside. Marietta is at the point where the Ohio and Muskingum rivers meet. It has a lot of history because it was the first stable town in the Northwest Territory. The Ohio River Museum and the Campus Martius Museum are great places for families to learn about the town’s nautical and pioneer history.
The town’s center is very cute and has lots of shops, restaurants, and parks where you can take a walk or have a picnic by the river. Families will also enjoy a ride on the paddleboat Valley Gem Sternwheeler, which takes people on beautiful river trips. People who like being outside can hike on paths in the nearby Wayne National Forest or ride bikes along the River Trail. Marietta has educational opportunities, beautiful scenery, and friendly people, which makes it a great and cheap holiday spot for families who want to learn about history, have fun outside, and relax in a quiet place.
Roanoke, Virginia
Roanoke, Virginia, is a great small town for family holidays because it is in the middle of the Blue Ridge Mountains and has lots of culture and outdoor activities. The Virginia Museum of Transportation is a family-friendly site in the city’s busy center. Kids can look at displays of old trains and airplanes. The nearby Mill Mountain Zoo and the famous Roanoke Star offer great views and chances to see animals.
The Blue Ridge Parkway and the Appalachian Trail are great places for families to hike, bike, and have picnics. The science museum, aquarium, and pinball museum at Roanoke’s Center in the Square are all inside the same building, so you can have hours of fun inside. The town is very friendly, and events like farmers’ markets, art walks, and yearly fairs make it even better. Whether you’re exploring local history or riding bikes along the Roanoke River Greenway, Roanoke has it all: natural beauty and small-town kindness. It’s the perfect place for families of all ages to relax and have fun.
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Every season, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is a seaside gem in New England that is rich in history, easy to get around on foot, and great for families. This coastal town has cobblestone streets, historic homes, and interesting places to visit, such as the Strawbery Banke Museum, which is an outdoor living history museum with hands-on displays and reenactments that bring colonial life to life.
Prescott Park has flowers, an outdoor theater, and places to have lunch. Kids will love it. A lot of kids love going to the nearby USS Albacore Museum, which is in a real submarine. The small size of the town makes it easy to get around on foot, and there are lots of coffee shops and ice cream shops to stop at along the way. Kids and adults can also go on boat tours to see harbor seals or lighthouses. Portsmouth is a great place for families to get away from bigger towns for the weekend or longer because it has a lot to offer in terms of education, entertainment, and coastal charm.
Bloomington, Indiana
Bloomington, Indiana, is a great small place for family vacations because it has a lot of outdoors, arts, and culture. Bloomington, Indiana, is home to Indiana University and has a young, lively, and friendly Midwestern feel. Families can visit the WonderLab Science Museum, which has lots of hands-on displays for kids who are interested in science, or they can take a quiet walk through the Indiana University campus, which has green spaces and buildings made of limestone.
People who like being outside can go camping, kayaking, or fishing at Monroe Lake, which is close by and Indiana’s biggest lake, or they can explore the trails in the Hoosier National Forest. There are also cultural events in the town, such as music festivals, farmers markets, and foreign food shows. You can walk along Kirkwood Avenue and the center square, which is full of unique shops, bars, and restaurants that are good for kids. With its mix of academic impact, outdoor adventure, and small-town friendliness, Bloomington is a great place for families who want to have fun and relax in one beautiful place.
Wilmington, Vermont
Wilmington, Vermont, is a cute town in the Green Mountains that’s great for families who want to relax in a beautiful natural setting. Wilmington has things to do all year long. The city is known for its friendly people and outdoor activities. It’s a way to get to Mount Snow in the winter for skiing and snowboarding, and in the summer, you can go climbing, fishing, or swimming in nearby Lake Whitingham. Families will enjoy walking down the town’s Main Street, which is full of small shops, art galleries, and cozy coffee shops.
The Southern Vermont Natural History Museum is a great place for kids who are interested in nature to learn and have fun. With its beautiful leaves and lovely drives in the fall, Wilmington is especially wonderful. The town’s friendly vibe is made even better by seasonal festivals, farmers markets, and art shows. Wilmington is a great small-town getaway for families who want to have fun and relax all year long. You can enjoy a nature trail, sip cider, or just relax in a nice house.
Lake Placid, New York
Lake Placid, New York, is more than just a place where the Winter Olympics were held. It’s also a family-friendly small town full of fun things to do and beautiful scenery. This town is in the Adirondack Mountains and has things to do all year for people of all kinds. Kids and adults alike can visit the Olympic Museum and take the elevator to the top of the Olympic ski jump for a view of the whole mountain range. In the winter, Mirror Lake is a great place to go skiing, sledding, and ice skating.
You can walk in High Falls Gorge, paddleboard on Lake Placid, or have lunch in one of the many parks by the lake in the summer. The downtown area is easy to get to on foot and has cute shops, great local food, and sweets that kids will love. There is a treetop walk and hands-on displays about wildlife and sustainability at the nearby Wild Center in Tupper Lake. Whether you’re a family who likes to do things or just wants a quiet mountain getaway, Lake Placid is a great place to go on vacation because it has both exciting outdoor activities and cozy small-town charm.
Bottom Line
Some of the best holiday spots for families are in small places all over the United States. These places are great for getting back together with family and friends because they have fewer people, cheaper lodging, and lots of things to do. These nine small towns have something for every family, whether they like to hike in the woods, relax by the lake, or learn about the past of the area.
They’re great places to disconnect, go on adventures, and make experiences that will last a lifetime. When you plan your next family trip, don’t just think about big cities. These cute little towns might become your new favorite places to visit.
FAQs
Why should you take your family on holiday to a small town?
Small towns have fewer people, lower prices, and a slower pace, making them great for family trips and fun activities that are easy on the wallet.
Do kids in small towns have enough things to do?
Yes! For kids of all ages, many small towns have fun parks, museums, nature walks, and events that happen at certain times of the year.
Do you think these small places are safe for kids?
Most small towns in the U.S. have low crime rates and a strong sense of community, which makes them safe places for families to visit.
When is the best time to go to these towns?
Even though most places are nice all year, spring, summer, and fall are the best times to go to events and do things outside.
