5 Best Small Towns to Visit on Your Spring Road Trip



Small towns tend to be intimate, easy to get around, one of a kind, and personal. Usually, these are places where mom and pop cafes and shops are located on the main streets. Also, the small town boutique hotels and bed and breakfast bungalows are founded by passionate owners whose purpose is to create a nurturing environment for guests.

If you’re planning a short spring road trip or a romantic weekend getaway, we recommend 5 of these small towns to visit:


1. Franconia, New Hampshire


Franconia is 146 miles from Boston and 175 miles from Montreal, Canada. Franconia is close to the Franconia Notch State Park and the White Mountain National Forest. Some of the attractions to visit when in Franconia include The Flume (a natural gorge), Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway (to Cannon Mountain) and the romantic covered bridge over the Pemigewasset River.

If time permits go to The Frost Place, former home of poet Robert Frost. Tour the house, take a Poetry Trail walk and enjoy views of Franconia Ridge and Notch from Frost’s front porch.

For a romantic stay, we recommend Franconia Inn and Gale River Motel and Cottages.

2. Port Townsend, WA




Port Townsend is 56 miles from Seattle and 209 miles from Portland, OR. This Victorian seaport is designated as a National Historic District. Take a walk on the beach, enjoy meals in one of the cozy restaurants and explore the Victorian houses at your own pace.

Some of these Victorian houses are beautifully restored and converted into bed and breakfast places. One such place is The Old Consulate, an 1889 Victorian mansion. Your stay at The Old Consulate includes gourmet 3-course breakfast and free Wi-Fi. You’ll be surrounded by original Victorian glass and woodwork, and antiques.

If you prefer a quiet seaside retreat and to fall asleep to the sound of waves lapping rhythmically at the shore, you’ll love the Bay Cottage (check if they are open in December, January, and February). Enjoy the sunsets, walk on the beach or collect sand dollars while you’re there.

3. Port Jefferson, New York


Port Jefferson is 61 miles from New York City. Port Jefferson Harbor is Long Island’s north shore’s top destinations for boaters. Favored by boaters because of the calm waters and easy access to shops, restaurants, and year-round live theater and cultural activities. To learn about the rich maritime heritage, visitors can visit the Maritime Explorium and the Bayles Boat Shop.

Besides driving to Port Jefferson and riding on the Long Island Railroad, you can also take the ferry from Bridgeport CT. Sailing to this waterfront village is only one hour 15 minutes each way.

4. Cody, Wyoming


Cody, Wyoming is 52 miles from Yellowstone National Park’s east entrance, a perfect small town to visit for anyone going to the national park. Cody’s Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD) is two miles from Cody.

Founded by Colonel William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody in 1901, it is one of the best towns to explore the art, science, culture, and history of American West. One place to discover the American West stories is at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West - a center with five museums.

Don’t miss the Old Trail Town where you can explore a frontier settlement with 25 historic cabins dating back from 1861 to 1901. Check out the trading post, blacksmith shop, saloon, and the authentic Hole-in-the-Wall Gang outlaw cabin.

5. Fredericksburg, TX


Fredericksburg is 80 miles from Austin and 272 miles from Dallas. The historic main street is dotted with shops, restaurants, art galleries, and excellent bed and breakfast places and inns. The town is surrounded by golf courses and over 20 wineries.

Discover Fredericksburg’s history at the Pioneer Museum Complex and the Sauer Beckmann Living History Farm where you’ll learn about the early German settlers in the Texas Hill Country.

These are just five small towns we chose. What are your favorite small towns? Let us know.




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