Will You Get to Design the Town New Horizons

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Instead of visiting that hotspot everyone's already seen on Instagram or been to before, take a trip back in time. Small town America is thriving, and these destinations prove why — they're full of history, unique culture, and interesting people to meet.

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Tombstone, Arizona

Home to the wild, wild west, Tombstone, Arizona is known for its old-school shoot-outs and saloons. The town is filled with museums, reenactments, and restaurants that will make you feel like you're a cowboy back in the late 1870s.

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Chagrin Falls, Ohio

The small village of Chagrin Falls is actually centered around a natural waterfall on the Chagrin River. A few blocks down from the waterfall is a street lined with old buildings filled with antique shops, old-fashioned candy stores, and mom-and-pop boutiques. Although Chagrin Falls isn't far from the big city of Akron, it's definitely a change of scenery.

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Williamsburg, Virginia

In the heart of Williamsburg, Virginia is Colonial Williamsburg, where actors dress up from the time period of the American Revolution and show off what daily life was like during the late 1700s. You'll see horses, red coats, muskets, and many different jobs (that you won't see today!) around town.

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Leavenworth, Washington

Nestled in the Cascade Mountains, Leavenworth is also known as "The Bavarian Village." Just take a look at the colorful buildings and architecture and you'll see the German influence on the town. Something you won't want to miss: the nutcracker museum, which hosts thousands of nutcrackers that are hundreds of years old.

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Plymouth, Massachusetts

You might remember Plymouth as the first place the pilgrims settled in 1620, which they dubbed Plymouth Rock. Visitors can still see the rock where the Mayflower landed today, as well as a recreation of a pilgrim village, plenty of museums, and the Mayflower II.

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Berlin, Maryland

Forty-seven of Berlin's buildings are on the National Historic Register, but the town's old-timey feel isn't the only draw. The real attraction is over by Assateague Island, where wild horses roam and calmly live free. If you're nice they just might interact with you.

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Solvang, California

Walking through the town of Solvang is like taking a stroll through an old Danish village. The buildings are replicas of Denmark's old architecture — and there's even a working windmill in the heart of town. During the day, visit the Elverhøj Museum of History & Art for a deep dive into the city's Danish heritage or go on a wine and craft beer tasting.

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Cody, Wyoming

Cody was founded in 1896 by Colonel William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody. On the outskirts is a re-created frontier town, filled with log cabins and an old saloon where visitors can walk through to see how people used to live in the 1800s.

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Cooperstown, New York

Cooperstown's biggest claim to fame is the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, which brings thousands of visitors a year to the sleepy town. Besides baseball, visitors can check out local shops and boutiques as they explore upstate New York.

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Elko, Nevada

Elko, Nevada hosts the popular National Cowboy Poetry Gathering every January and is also the perfect town to stop in on your way to the Ruby Mountains. The retro-looking area was once known for its large deposits of gold, but now it's the best pitstop off the I-80 highway.

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Galena, Illinois

Once home to Ulysses S. Grant, Galena is a great getaway to the midwest. The small town contains charming buildings still intact from the early 1800s, and a few of the petite shops inside reflect what you might have found in the past, including old-fashioned candy and antique photos.

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Sitka, Alaska

Not too far from the Alaskan capital of Juneau is Sitka, which was part of Russia until 1867. Explore the Sitka National Historical Park, which helped preserve the culture of the Tlingit people (Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast of North America), Russian settlers, and American settlers.

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Mineral Point, Wisconsin

Mineral Point was the first city in Wisconsin to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was initially known for its lead, which attracted tin miners from Cornwall, England. Now, the town celebrates its heritage with an annual festival filled with food, art, and Cornish culture.

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Bisbee, Arizona

Not too far from the large city of Tucson, the former mining town of Bisbee, Arizona still honors its copper-mining past. Visitors can take Queen Mine underground tours and learn from past miners what it was like working below ground, as well as the dangers they encountered.

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Mackinac Island, Michigan

With less than 500 people living on the island, Mackinac Island is the ultimate escape for any visitor wanting a bit of peace and quiet. Everyone gets around on the island by horse and carriage — no cars allowed. There's tons to see and by the time you leave, you just might know everyone's name.

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Cazenovia, New York

The best part of Cazenovia may be the Chittenango Falls State Park, which is filled with tons of trails and natural waterfalls, but the downtown is also cute and easy stroll. When you reach the end, stop by a few of the vineyards or farms, because everything tastes better local.

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Ste. Genevieve, Missouri

Ste. Genevieve is Missouri's oldest town, which was settled way back in the early 1700s. The town still contains buildings and architecture from old colonial days, which you can see by taking a historic tour offered by the welcome center.

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Nantucket Island, Massachusetts

A small island off Cape Code, Nantucket is home to cobbled streets, tiny boutiques, a beautiful lighthouse, and tons of museums that celebrate sea-worthy history. If you have a love for water and the beach, you'll enjoy visiting this little nautical world.

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El Dorado, Arkansas

This small town south of Little Rock, Arkansas was once the wealthiest place to live in the state. El Dorado recently launched a $100 million revitalization project to draw in more visitors, which has proved difficult, but the town plans on making a cultural change — which might mean an upgrade is in the works.

Will You Get to Design the Town New Horizons

Source: https://www.womansday.com/life/travel-tips/g21119627/small-towns-america-stuck-in-time/

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