Best Historical Small Town

Want to escape the hustle and bustle of life? It's time to discover the allure of America's charming small historic towns. Think picture-perfect main streets lined with quaint shops, historical buildings and welcoming cafés, plus breathtaking scenery in the surrounding landscape. These towns are not just destinations; they're experiences that invite you to take it easy and connect to your roots. Not a one of these will disappoint, but it's up to you to decide which will make the final list.

These 10 historical small towns were selected by our expert panelists and contributors and voted on by readers as the best of the best. Congratulations to our 2024 winners; you can now visit our 2025 Best Historical Small Town contest.

1. Vicksburg, MS

The past and present intertwine in Vicksburg, where visitors flock year-round to sprawling Vicksburg National Military Park. Site of a terrible Civil War siege, the battlefield is dotted with hundreds of monuments worth surveying. Beyond its battlefield and antebellum homes, Vicksburg fosters a vibrant culinary scene featuring fresh seafood, Southern comfort food and farm-to-table delights.

2. Tombstone, AZ

Tombstone is more than just a town; it's a living legend. And it has embraced its notoriety with a blend of authentic history and entertaining reenactments. Expect to have a great time visiting the real OK Corral, Boot Hill Cemetery and Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park. On Allen Street, see the Wild West come alive in restored buildings, saloons and shops. Need a modern respite? Explore the downtown area's diverse dining and shopping as well as its vibrant nightlife.

3. Berlin, MD

Known as "America's Coolest Small Town," Berlin, Maryland promises a lot and delivers. Founded in the 1700s, the town features fantastic historical buildings and has developed into a bustling arts scene. In the walkable downtown, you'll find more than 60 stores, plus art galleries and restaurants of all sorts. Art classes, live performances and annual events like the Bath Tub Races and the Peach Festival are always on tap, plus you'll find quirky fun in spots like The Mermaid Museum.

4. St. Augustine, FL

A place that has something for everyone, St. Augustine offers attractions from the kitschy Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum and family-friendly St. Augustine Alligator Farm to brick-lined streets featuring gorgeous Spanish colonial architecture. Historical highlights include the impressive Castillo de San Marcos, but the city also offers pristine beaches, a vibrant culinary scene showcasing fresh seafood and a lively arts community.

5. Gettysburg, PA

Long a destination for its battlefield, Gettysburg positively brims with history. Visitors can browse museums, sign up for a ghost tour, tour the expansive battlefield and wander the beautifully preserved downtown. If shopping's your game, you'll love the town's plentiful antique vendors and modern outlet complexes. Gettysburg is also a foodie haven, with restaurants drawing on surrounding Adams County's abundant local produce and a growing craft beer, cider and wine scene.

6. Bisbee, AZ

Once a thriving 1800s mining town, Bisbee has persevered through boom, bust and boom again. Set amid the spectacular Mule Mountains, this historical town has bloomed into a colorful artistic haven. You can stroll by Victorian homes, shop boutiques and browse art galleries, enjoy truly fine dining and tour a number of great institutions like the Bisbee Restoration Museum. Bike tours, ghost tours, jeep tours and even a tour of the former Copper Queen Mine are also available.

7. Williamsburg, VA

An unusual blend of adventures awaits you in this small southern city, once the state capital. Chief among them is the meticulously restored Colonial Williamsburg, a 300-acre living history museum where costumed interpreters bring the 18th century to life. Beyond the historic district, discover a vibrant town center with museums, boutique and outlet shops, delectable dining options and lively entertainment.

8. Cody, WY

Founded in 1896 by the iconic "Buffalo Bill" Cody, this Wyoming town exudes a raw, authentic charm that draws visitors from far and wide. Step back in time at the historic Hotel Irma, or explore the renowned Buffalo Bill Center of the West, housing five museums dedicated to Western art, history and culture. On the adventurous side, Cody hosts nightly summer rodeos, and Yellowstone's breathtaking natural wonders are just a short drive away.

9. Harpers Ferry, WV

This historic gem set where the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers meet offers a perfect blend of rich heritage and outdoor adventure. Visit iconic landmarks like John Brown's Fort and the Harpers Ferry Armory, both pivotal in the abolitionist movement and Civil War. Then stroll quaint Main Street for its cobblestone streets, historical buildings and local shops. With West Virginia's forested mountains all around, you'll find scenic views at every turn, plus great hiking and mountain biking trails. In fact, the renowned Appalachian Trail winds through the town itself.

10. Cedarburg, WI

Just 20 miles above Milwaukee, Cedarburg sits surrounded by forest and fields near Lake Michigan's shores. The town's meticulously preserved nineteenth-century limestone buildings create a unique vibe that suits its identity as an arts and crafts hub. Visitors can explore the downtown district's galleries, restaurants, cafés and boutiques or head into the surrounding Cedar Creek area for adventures like hiking, biking and cross-country skiing.

About Newsweek Readers' Choice Awards

Our nominees are editorially driven with contributions from a panel of travel experts. The final list is determined by Newsweek editors. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For more details, read our terms and conditions. For any questions, please see our FAQs or email us at readerschoice@newsweek.com.

Panel of Experts

An award-winning contributor to luxury lifestyle and travel magazines, Laurie Jo Miller Farr specializes in deluxe hotels and destination marketing. Based in New York City, she is a dual US/UK citizen, having spent half a lifetime in London. Formerly serving as the tourism promotion director for the city's official tourism boards in both NYC and Boston, she recently relocated from San Francisco, where she edited a weekly travel newsletter and co-hosted a podcast. Follow her @lauriejmfarr.

Mira Temkin has been an intrepid travel writer for more than 25 years. Her adventures have taken her all over the world, both in the US and globally. From destinations to tours to cruises and luxury resorts, her stories cover North America, the Caribbean, Europe, Central and South America and the Middle East. Her stories can be found in SheBuysTravel, Travel Awaits, UrbanMatter, Orbitz, Travelocity and Splash Magazines Worldwide. Her work has also appeared in Experience First Tours Chicago, East-West News Service, Sophisticated Living (Columbus), Up Portland, Food/Wine/Travel, DeSoto Magazine, Boomer Magazine, Highland Park Landmark, JUF News, Modern Jewish Experience, Senior Skiing, Travel Ticket and more. Listen to her podcasts on "We Travel There." Learn more at miratemkintravel.com or follow her on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Sherry Spitsnaugle is a Denver-based, award-winning travel writer and guidebook author who loves exploring the world and writing about her adventures. Her bylines have recently appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, GoWorldTravel and more. Born and raised in a western Kansas town of 2,000, where her father helped found the Historical Society, Sherry has a fondness for both history and small towns. Follow her at sherryspitsnaugle.com and on Instagram @sherryspitsnaugle.

Susan Lanier-Graham is founder and publisher of Wander With Wonder, an award-winning online travel journalism magazine. She has authored more than 75 books and hundreds of magazine articles while traveling the world over the past three decades. Susan's work has appeared in a variety of publications, including various AAA publications, TravelandLeisure.com, Hotels.com, Modern Luxury, WHERE publications, Fairmont.com, Marriott.com and more. Susan is a member of Society of American Travel Writers, International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association, and North American Travel Journalists Association. She is also a Certified California Wine Appellation Specialist.

Newsweek contributors speak from a variety of backgrounds and offer expertise in a wide range of subject areas.