The 40 Most Charming Small Downtowns in America

Updated on August 17, 2025

By: Erin Gifford and Lynn Coulter

Explore the history, culture, attractions and beauty of charming small-town downtowns across America.

Charming Small Towns

Nothing charms like a small downtown that beckons visitors with historic architecture and boutique shops or local culture and tree-lined streets. Many small downtowns are located in beautiful settings or have stunning views. Others welcome visitors with lively festivals, delicious foods or a nostalgic atmosphere.

In creating this list of the best small downtowns in America (and it was tough to narrow this list to 40), we looked for vibrant towns that invite you in and encourage you to stay and explore. Caution: You may want to add all of them to your travel bucket list.

Concord, North Carolina

Concord, North Carolina, is home to a lively historic district that wows with small-town charm and a vibrant street art scene, which includes a tribute mural on Union Street dedicated to The Avett Brothers, a popular folk rock band from Concord. Just 30 minutes northeast of Charlotte, Concord attracts visitors to its one-of-a-kind boutiques, art galleries, historic architecture and, of course, scoops from retro-style Cabarrus Creamery. Stop in the historic Cabarrus County Courthouse to admire the architectural styles and wander curated art galleries, then revel in the lush year-round gardens at Memorial Garden on Spring Street. It's located on land bought in 1804 for the original log cabin sanctuary of the First Presbyterian Church of Concord.

Read the full article and complete list of The 40 Most Charming Small Downtowns in America.