50 of the Most Charming Small Towns in America

There's something special about small towns. Whether it's the simplicity, the character or the people, they are a quintessential part of American life. Dig into the best kept secrets of each state with this list of the most charming small towns across the US.

Southern authors like Rick Bragg and Fannie Flagg have made their homes in Fairhope, Alabama; look for their signed books at one of Alabama’s best bookstores, Page & Palette. This Mobile Bay town boasts its own French Quarter, and the Grand Hotel Golf Resort and Spa, named the state’s top hotel and top spa, is minutes away in Point Clear. Built in 1847, the historic hotel came under attack in the Civil War. It recently underwent a $32 million renovation and its two golf courses repeatedly make the list of Best Golf Resorts in America.

With a population of around 4,524, the small town of Unalaska, Alaska, is the perfect spot for a quiet getaway. It's starting to attract more visitors, however, as Viking, Windstar and other major cruise lines add it as a destination. Remote and beautiful, Unalaska is accessible only by plane or boat. Its attractions include whale watching, hiking and exploring World War II history at the Aleutian WWII Visitor Center and the Museum of the Aleutians.

This is it: the Winslow, Arizona, you heard about in the Eagles' song Take It Easy. Once a railroad stop on the "Mother Road," Route 66, Winslow is a popular stop with drivers and motorcyclists. La Posada Hotel, designed for the Santa Fe Railroad, still books guests into elegant rooms furnished with Zapotec rugs and Mexican tiles. Outdoor adventurers head north of town, to Homolovi State Park, to hike the trails and look for archaeological sites and Hopi petroglyphs.