5 American Towns You Should Visit ASAP

     
By Lauren Smith, Sweet

  

Damariscotta, Maine

This boating and fishing community on the salty Damariscotta River will have you wondering why river towns aren't more popular. The shores are lined with oyster shells that historians say are from Native American gatherings 2,500 years ago. Cool, no?

 

   

    

 

Ferndale, California

It makes sense why this city's population of 1,372 people all live within one square mile when you see how lovely it is downtown.

As the home of Humboldt Creamery, the town gained renown for its high-quality butter and came to be known as "Cream City." The town of Ferndale is also famous for its particularly well-preserved Victorian storefronts and homes—often referred to as "Butterfat Palaces," since many are the result of fortunes derived from the local dairy industry.

  

   

Franklin, Tennessee

About 21 miles south of Nashville is a much quieter downtown experience that still offers tons of culture. Wind your way through antique shops and restaurants, then catch a live show at one of their award-winning venues, like the Franklin Theatre.

   

 

   

 

Lanesboro, Minnesota

Known as the bed and breakfast capital of Minnesota, this small town (the population is just 754!) offers relaxation for couples and outdoor activities for families in the bluffs of the Root River Valley.

 

    

Little Compton, Rhode Island

This fishing town originally belonged to the Sakonnet tribe, but today it's known as Rhode Island's secret coast. It's a favorite place for locals to escape to the beach, take in local artwork, or grab a lobster roll.

     

Cedar Key, Florida

This secluded beach community is less about the hustle and bustle and more about small-town living. Proof: The restaurant-lined streets of the mile-long historic district are filled with bicycles instead of cars