Best Small Town Cultural Scene (2024) - USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards (2024)

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Best Small Town Cultural Scene(2024)
April 10, 2024

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Bigger isn't always better, especially when it comes to these 10 small towns — selected by an expert panel and voted as the best by readers — with populations of fewer than 25,000 people. What each lacks in size, it makes up for in culture: museums, art galleries, performing arts, and plenty of events.

Here are the 10 best small town cultural scenes in the United States.

Photo courtesy of David Day

No. 10:

Bisbee, Arizona

Once home to a thriving mining industry, the town of Bisbee has transformed into an artistic haven with a vibrant and eclectic cultural scene. Stroll its streets adorned with colorful houses, galleries, and studios, showcasing the destination's creative spirit. Visitors can also explore historic architecture, enjoy public art, and immerse themselves in the town's rich mining history.

Photo courtesy of Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bureau

No. 9:

Mariposa, California

This small California community offers several experiences that give visitors an insightful glimpse into the area’s historical significance as a Gold Rush Town. Learn more about the town's past at the California State Mining & Mineral Museum, as well as the Mariposa Museum and History Center. And enjoy this destination's present status as an arts hub by checking out the Sierra Artists Gallery and taking in a performance by the Mariposa Yosemite Symphony Orchestra.

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Photo courtesy of Lenox Chamber of Commerce

No. 8:

Lenox, Massachusetts

At the heart of the Berkshires lies the village of Lenox, a popular summer getaway and home of the famous Tanglewood Music Festival. The core of the town features several shops and eateries, all surrounded by some mighty impressive homes (peek inside at Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum).Visitors can also enjoy a show put on by Shakespeare & Company, performing regularly since the late 1970s.

Photo courtesy of Stu Gallagher for Explore Steuben

No. 7:

Corning, New York

Just south of the Finger Lakes, the small New York community of Corning is home to two particularly prestigious museums for visitors to enjoy. Guests can marvel at more than 50,000 intricate artifacts and installations at the Corning Museum of Glass, while The Rockwell Museum has earned abundant acclaim thanks to its collection of historic American paintings, statues, and other works. Also stop by Corning's Gaffer District, a hub of artistic expression.

Photo courtesy of Warren Faught

No. 6:

Staunton, Virginia

Located in the stunning Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, Staunton is the hometown of President Woodrow Wilson and the location of Beverley Street, a celebrated historic main street. Staunton is also home to the Heifetz International Music Institute, Staunton Music Festival, Red Wing Roots Festival, and the R.R. Smith Center for History and Art. A highlight is the American Shakespeare Center's Blackfriars Playhouse, a re-creation of Shakespeare's theater in London.

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Photo courtesy of Aaron Peterson

No. 5:

Marquette, Michigan

Located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, the small town of Marquette is big on winter sports, with numerous events happening throughout the winter like the Annual Ishpeming Ski Jumping Tournament and the Upper Michigan Ice Races. It’s also home to a number of museums and galleries, including the DeVos Art Museum and Graci Gallery.

Photo courtesy of Discover Ruidoso

No. 4:

Ruidoso, New Mexico

Imbued with strong cultural ties to theMescalero Apache and shaped by Spanish settlers, Ruidoso offers a deep dive into the historic background of the area through a number of significant sites and attractions. The town is also known for its lively indie arts scene, which attracts artists and performers to its venues, galleries, studios, and festivals, including the Annual Ruidoso Art and Wine Festival.

Photo courtesy of nameinfame // Getty Images

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No. 3:

Cullman, Alabama

Situated between Birmingham and Huntsville is this small town that’s full of personality. Here you’ll find one-of-a-kind attractions like the Ave Maria Grotto, a 4-acre park featuring over 100 miniature reproductions of world-famous religious structures, including St. Peter’s Basilica. Other interesting cultural attractions include the Cullman County Museum, 4D Farm, and the Highway Pickers Antique Mall & Flea Market.

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Photo courtesy of Travel South Dakota

No. 2:

De Smet, South Dakota

Located in central South Dakota, this small town’s cultural claim to fame is as the setting behind five of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s "Little House on the Prairie" books. As such, many tourists make the trek here to visit the Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Homes, the Ingalls Homestead, or to experience the Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant. The historic town is also home to the De Smet Depot Museum.

Photo courtesy of Visit Alamosa

No. 1:

Alamosa, Colorado

Located in the heart of Colorado's San Luis Valley, the town ofAlamosa offers a unique perspective on the Centennial State that's far removed from its classic Rocky Mountain landscapes. The location provides access to fantastic public art and the history-focused San Luis Valley Museum, while nearby Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is equipped with some of the tallest dunes in all of North America.

Allison Tibaldi

Allison Tibaldi

Allison Tibaldi is a travel and food writer based in New York City. She has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne Australia, Toronto and Los Angeles.She studied early childhood development in graduate school and firmly believes that travel is the best education.She writes for numerous publications including CNN, Travel Channel, HGTV, am New York, Emirates Open Skies, Family Traveller and Travel Weekly.

Chez Chesak

Chez Chesak

‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, an adventure travel writer, board member of the Society of American Travel Writers and 22-year veteran of the outdoor and travel industries. While he’s lived all over the U.S. and traveled to more than 30 countries, he has the most fun when he’s exploring with his wife Sally and two daughters. An avid outdoors person, he’s happiest on a trail, on skis, or nestled into a sleeping bag. Learn more about him and his work at www.chezconnects.com.

Jonathon Stalls

Jonathon Stalls

Jonathon Stalls(he, his) is a multi-disciplinary "Walking Artist". Some of his creative work involves media/organizing with the Pedestrian Dignity project, hosting walking/rolling events and leader training with Walk2Connect (a program of America Walks), pen drawing, meditative practices, and more. He is the author ofWALK - Slow Down, Wake Up & Connect at 1-3 Miles Per Hour(North Atlantic Books, Aug 2022). In 2010, he walked for 242 days across the U.S., walked el Camino de Santiago in 2012, and has continued to move, write, and create alongside a wide variety of longer-distance routes. Learn more:www.IntrinsicPaths.com

Kyle McCarthy

Kyle McCarthy

Kyle McCarthy is the co-founder and editor of Family Travel Forum, the trusted resource for family vacation planners since 1996. FTF’s award-winning publications: MyFamilyTravels.com, America’s Most Popular Family Vacations andThe Family Vacationiste-newsletterprovide destination reviews, tips andseasonal roundupsfor all aspects of travel. Ms. McCarthy, author of a dozen Frommer’s guidebooks, also contributes to US News, CNN and other publications. She can be found on most social networks@familytravelforum.

Marla Cimini

Marla Cimini

Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion for travel, music, surfing and culinary adventures! An avid globetrotter and guidebook writer, she has covered topics such as the Hawaiian islands (including food trends and luxury beachfront resorts), as well as European getaways and global destinations. Her articles have appeared in many publications worldwide, including USA Today.Marla lives in New Jersey (Philadelphia area) and is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and Southern California, and often covers those destinations.Her travel website is:www.marlacimini.com

Melody Pittman

Melody Pittman

Melody Pittman is the owner and creator of Wherever I May Roam Blogand is co-owner of the Southern Travelers Explore annual conference, in its 4th year, which brings CVBS and writers/influencers together from all over the country.She is a digital influencer and writes for both online and print publications, such as Travel Awaits, Charleston Home and Living Magazine, Matador Network, She Buys Travel, and more. Melody has worked with major brands during her nine-year career, such as Viking River Cruises, Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons, Disney, hundreds of tourism boards, and GO RVing.Melody’s first book “100 Things to Do in West Virginia Before You Die” was released in the spring of 2023. She has a podcast, 100ThingsWV, and social channels to go along with the book.Melody loves road trips, small towns, cruising, and sharing lesser-known destinations with her followers via TikTok, Youtube, IG, and FB. After a year of full-time RV travel, she now resides in Mesquite, Nevada.

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10Best Editors

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