The 20 Best Small Towns in America of 2012
From the Berkshires to the Cascades, we've crunched the numbers and pulled a list some of the most interesting spots around the country
- By Susan Spano and Aviva Shen
- Smithsonian magazine, May 2012
Shops and restaurants on Lithia Plaza at junction with Main Street. (Greg Vaughn / Alamy)
Roughly halfway between San Francisco and Portland, the foothill town of Ashland tends to attract ex-urbanites who have tired of city life but don’t want to let go of culture entirely. With its many art galleries, thriving food scene, theaters and the resources of Southern Oregon University, Ashland’s offerings satisfy eclectic tastes. The world-renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival put the town on the cultural map in 1935 and is now a more or less required trip for theater buffs from all over the country. Less well known are the relatively newer Ashland Independent Film Festival, which takes place every April, and the Oregon Chocolate Festival, which showcases delectable creations from around the state. For more low-key activities, time your visit for the first weekend of the month and join the locals in the First Friday Artwalk, when Ashland’s dozens of galleries stay open late, offering free food and music. -- AS
Read how these towns were selected.
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It is a great place to live a must see at christmas. !!! Great restaurants really nice stores .
Posted by Theresa on June 2,2013 | 02:35 PM
We went for a family vacation to Durango! I rode that railroad and we all had so much fun!! It's a treasured memory. Colorado is stunningly glorious. I'd move here any day. :)
Posted by Joanna on May 28,2013 | 01:51 PM
im sorry im from naples fl, the picture they chose is horrible. naples is very pretty, mainly for old rich retired people. its very relaxing there and fun if you own a boat. i enjoyed growing up here
Posted by monica on May 28,2013 | 01:19 PM
Your article said Sausalito was '#12. What happened. Where is the article in this small town?
Posted by Patti frazier on May 11,2013 | 10:04 PM
This town looks perfect! I was wondering if you could send me a pamplet or more info on it. Thank You.
Posted by Rhonda robison on May 11,2013 | 03:44 PM
I must say that, having been born in Butler and still living there, I can't possibly figure out how you people think we rate being on this list. You have obviously never been there. Drug addicts everywhere, dilapidated buildings, crumbling roads and sidewalks, a huge jail right in the middle of downtown, etc. The town is a DUMP!! I live in Butler Township, which surrounds the city, and it is amazing that such a stark constrast can exist between two places so close together. I highly recommend that you do NOT visit Butler! (By the way, the picture for Butler is not an "East side neighborhood", it is called Lyndora, which has its own post office and zip code and is not even part of Butler. Please correct this error.)
Posted by Sam Hoszwa on May 9,2013 | 12:47 PM
Beckley, West Virginia? You've got to be kidding me! I'm from West Virginia, and I've been to Beckley many times throughout my life visiting family. Beckley is one of my least favorite places in West Virginia! The picture shows Tamarak, which to be honest, is not that exciting, and is not really in Beckley anyway. Seriously, it is a run-down town that has nothing going on, and if I didn't have family that lived there, I would never intentionally go there. This just discredits the entire article in my opinion.
Posted by Heather on May 8,2013 | 11:38 PM
I lived in Menomonie for four years during college at Stout. Somehow I missed the building in the photo. I lived in Mabel Tainter Hall for two years and loved the old house. The achitecture was nearly identical to the building featured. I'm hoping to visit Menomonie this coming warmer weather seasons.
Posted by Carole-Joy Evert on April 26,2013 | 03:11 PM
The best towns are where your loving family is.
Posted by John on April 22,2013 | 01:05 PM
I live in Astoria, OR and your description of the town seems to have come straight from a Chamber of Commerce brochure. I don't believe you actually visited the place. Or if you did, you limited yourself to the 10 square block tourist-trap area downtown. Outside of that you only see run-down houses, boarded up businesses, and people in hunting camouflage driving jacked-up pickups. You obviously did not talk to anyone outside of town officials either, or you would have realized the general sense of apathy that pervades the population. And what you euphamistically refer to as "blue collar" is actually just redneck. This is a depressing place, and it has nothing to do with the weather.
Posted by Charles Bode on April 16,2013 | 01:29 AM
Cool place,great to visit
Posted by Gage on April 15,2013 | 04:24 PM
I went through the 22 cities and did not find Lihue, HI. What happened? I went through the cities 2 times. I love Laguna Beach. I have been going to Laguna Beach for over 25 years.I never get tired of visiting. there is always something new. Christine
Posted by christine Smith on April 11,2013 | 05:27 PM
Hard to believe Aspen isn't on the list. For culture, it beats most of the others hands down.
Posted by chuck rock on April 11,2013 | 10:36 AM
My hometown!! Proud to say i live here..thanks for adding us to the list!
Posted by dottie legg on April 9,2013 | 01:34 PM
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