100 Best Small Towns

8/6/2019 100 Best Small Towns

1/6

>>

CONTACT Senior Travel Editor Barbara Morrowat [email protected]

PRODUCED BY TREVOR MEERS REPORTING BY BARBARA MORROW,KENDRA L. WILLIAMS, KATIE KNOROVSKY AND HEATHER LOEB

When a free weekend comes along, everyone wants to use it wisely. And no one knows more great places to spend a getaway thanMidwest Living. Weve been visiting the regions small towns for 20

years, and our list of the 100 best will guarantee you find the per-fect place to escape for a little shopping, sightseeing and relaxing.

SMALL-TOWN GETAWAYS

M I D W E S TTrave l37 55

3525

64

8031

77 51

75

66

100BEST13

HOOGRAH

BOB

KO

RANDA

H

BR

OHNNO

NR

DOUGM

H

BRAD

G

R

ROYNMAN

N

ARNGR

AON

ND

Y

Midwest Living June 2007 39


2/6

100EST

The Midwest has about 8,500 towns with populations less than 20,000. Practically speaking, weve been looking for the best ones for 20 years, starting withMidwest Liv-ingsfirst issue in 1987. Our editors havebeen on the road ever since. For this list of the 100 best small-town getaways, we addedanother layer of research that spanned several months and ranked towns in 12 categories:attractions, vibe, scenery, walkability, shopping, dining, lodging, arts scene, outdoor activities, proximity to major cities, multiday

potential and wild card (for special events such as festivals). We excluded suburbs, and we didnt consider livability factors such aseducation or employment. It took us years tocompile this list of the best places to visit, but youll need only a weekend in any of these 100 to see why we did.

1Ephraim/Fish Creek, WI Who needs New England? The Midwest has its own coast-al charm around the Great Lakes, and our top towns, located in Door County, are the best examples of it. The 80-mile-long Door Peninsula extends into Lake Michigan on Wisconsinseast side, creating more than 300 miles of coastline. Tucked into this shore are lighthouses, 30 beaches, five state parks, golf courses and pretty towns seemingly plucked straight from a painting. Along the busier Green Bay side, its hard to tell

where one white clapboard village wrapped around a blueharbor ends and another begins. But Ephraim (population:

349) and Fish Creek (population: 200), bookends to Peninsula

State Park, epitomize whats most appealing.Visitors rent bikes at the park entrance and ride to water views, beaches and a lighthouse. Artists inspired by the coun-tys scenery show their work in the two towns dozen galler-ies. Travelers tap into this scene with classes at Fish CreeksPeninsula Art School and the newer Hands-on Gallery. Plenti-ful shopping runs toward high-end boutiques; good food isequally ample. The signature meal is a fish boil, an outdoorshow with flames billowing around a cauldron of whitefish,potatoes and onions. Fish Creeks White Gull Inn, known forfirst-class hospitality and one of more than a dozen lodging choices in Fish Creek alone, stages one of the best. Top off thismeal with pie made with cherries from the orchards thatflourish in the peninsulas interior.

2Petoskey/Charlevoix, MIThese neighboring resort towns along theLower Peninsulas northwestern shore beganentertaining vacationers who came by steam-ship more than a century ago. No wondertheyre so good at it, offering an ever growing to-do list for travelersand a relaxed attitude.Petoskey (population: 6,000) climbs hillsalong Little Traverse Bay, and Charlevoix (population: 3,000) nestles between LakeMichigan and Lake Charlevoix 17 miles south-

west. The beach and harbor are steps from

the 100 shops and galleries of Petoskeys Gas-light District and landmark Staffords Perry Hotel. Charlevoixs boutiques string along the

waterfront. Local restaurants, including An-dante (fine dining; bay views) and Jespersons(good pie!) deliver memorable meals. In the

warmer months, visitors golf at the Inn at Bay Harbor, a first-class resort with courses her-alded as the Midwests Pebble Beach.

3Galena, IL The preservation movement in this old lead-mining town (population: 3,600) haseffectively defined the trend toward small

SMALL-TOWN GETAWAYS

1



3/6

B E S T F O R R O M

A N C E 5 . S a u g a t u c

k / D o u g l a s , M

I

9 . S t i l l w a t e r , M

N 1 0

. M a c

k i n a c

I s l a n

d a r e a , M

I 1 5 . E l k h a r

t L a k e ,

W I 1 8 . L a k e G e n e v a ,

W I

11. South Haven, MI Beachesthat stand out even on LakeMichigan within walkingdistance of downtown andinns; fresh foods at the edgeof wine country.12. Leland/Suttons Bay, MIOn the Leelanau Peninsula

near Traverse City, a recipientof the lakes bounty: freshfish, views and local wines.13. Lanesboro, MN A havenfor cyclists and other lovers ofthe peaceful outdoors withthe Root River trail, plus goodfood, inns and productions atthe Commonweal Theatre.14. Shipshewana, IN Anepicenter of the simplefarming life, with heartyAmish-style food, furniture,quilts and other crafts.15. Elkhart Lake, WI A mixthat surprisingly works: classicVictorian town with the four-diamond Osthoff resort and aroad-race course with 400annual events.16. Nebraska City, NE New-comers dont expect thestriking Lied Lodge and thefarm of Arbor Day founder J.Sterling Morton; plus shopsdowntown and riverboatrides in nearby Brownsville.17. Custer City, SD Growinglike an Old West boom town,gateway to the Black Hillsbest: Custer State Park;Mount Rushmore; CrazyHorse Memorial.18. Lake Geneva, WI Prom-enade like the Victoriansocialites who founded thispretty resort townon the21-mile path around the lake,past grand estates.19. Lindsborg, KS May be

more Swedish than Sweden

(in an old-timey way), withauthentic crafts, foods andfestivals. Strong arts sceneincludes Bethany College.20. Pella, IA Go Dutch with agingerbread-trimmed down-town, pastries, a re-createdvillage and 80,000 tulips

blooming for May festival.21. Northfield, MN The townstill proud of defeating JesseJames (celebrated at a hugefall festival), with lots moregoing for it, including shopsand two picture-perfectcollege campuses.22. Spring Green, WI Inspir-ed arts scene includes FrankLloyd Wrights Taliesin homeand studio and a world-classoutdoor theater. Weirdlyappealing House on the Rockis nearby.23. Hill City, SD AnotherBlack Hills boom in progress,with a growing group of artgalleries as well as 1880ssteam train rides.24. Hermann, MO Germanvillage that feels like its onthe Rhine is hub for MissouriRiver wine country andcyclists beloved Katy Trail.25. Marshall, MI It takes aweekend to see all thesignificant buildings (850) inthis designated NationalHistoric Landmark District.(See the Honolulu House!)26. Ely, MN A wear-your-hiking-boots-to-dinner spiritenergizes this jumping-offpoint for Boundary Waterscanoe trips. Plus wolf andbear centers, resorts andchefs gone North Woodsy.27. Grand Marais, MN Aonetime fishing village

between the North Woodsand Lake Superior draws bothoutdoorsy types and a bigcommunity of working artists.28. Deadwood, SD Old Westaura mostly intact despite ahuge gambling scene; alsowinter sports and stunningBlack Hills scenery.29. Atchison, KS How didAmelia Earhart ever leave herpretty hometown on theMissouri? One clue: She neversaw Nell Hills popular homefurnishings shops.

towns reinventing themselves. Framed by northwestern Illinois hills, the business dis-tricts century-old buildings now house morethan 90 shops filled with antiques, homeaccessories and art. Some 50 inns and hotels

welcome travelers, and restaurants serveseemingly every taste. And the effect isspreading to surrounding towns like Savan-na. If Main Street or the many festivals gettoo crowded, escape with a hot-air balloonride, carriage tour, spa treatment or pottery class, part of a new hands-on arts scene.

4



4/6

30. Medora, ND Western-theme-park of a town,gateway to Theodore Roo-sevelt National Park; MedoraMusical celebrates TRs spirit.31. Hannibal, MO Fact and fic-tion blur in Mark Twainshometown on the Mississippiwith tours of his home, TomSawyers cave, riverboat ridesand Twain shows.32. Cedarburg, WI NationalRegister limestone buildingsas sturdy as the work ethic oftheir German builders, nowholding shops and galleries.33. Berlin, OH Another Mid-west Amish hot spot, withtours, crafts shops and homeyrestaurants.34. Nauvoo, IL Restoredbuildings and reenactors inonetime Mormon enclave onthe Mississippi. Also a wineryand historic hotel.

35. Amana Colonies, IA Sevenvillages preserve a communalsocietys spirit with dining,museums and shops.36. Marietta, OH Historic sitesand old-time crafts in areasfirst permanent settlement;lots of boutiques and rivercruises, too.37. Frankenmuth, MI LittleBavaria with chicken-dinnerrestaurants, worlds largestChristmas store (Bronners)and year-round festivals.38. Decorah, IA Bluffs andclear streams surround acollege town known for itsmajor Norwegian-Americanmuseum and outdoor sports.39. Corydon, IN Indianasoriginal capital with a vibranttown square including a 55-year-old soda fountain; onOhio River Scenic Byway.40. Abilene, KS The townEisenhower credited withmaking him who he was.Tours of his museum, home

and library. Also, a re-createdcow-town complex.41. Chesterton, IN NearIndiana Dunes and home of ahuge Wizard of Oz festival.42. Nisswa, MN A hub for thevacation area around centralMinnesotas lakes; dont misssummers weekly turtle races!43. Eagle River, WI Summer isfor lakeside resorts; winter isfor snowmobiling onextensive trail system.44. Park Rapids, MN So laid-back, you wouldnt guess itssurrounded by busy lakeresorts; near Mississippi head-waters at Itasca State Park.45. Ste. Genevieve, MOAmazing French Colonialarchitecture in one of theoldest settlements west of theMississippi River.46. Mineral Point, WI Artistsworking among preserved

buildings in an 1820s Cornishlead-mining town.47. Green Lake, WI Quintes-sential Wisconsin lake townscene: water sports andsupper clubs.48. Coshocton, OH Livinghistory at Roscoe Village withrides aboard horse-drawnboats on the Ohio-Erie Canal.49. Weston, MO A timecapsule of a town rich in pre-Civil War history with shops,museums and old homes.50. Wabasha, MN Eaglewatching on the Mississippiincluding the National EagleCenter; where Grumpy Old Men was filmed.51. Cottonwood Falls, KS Tinybut cool base for exploringthe Flint Hills; high-endlodging/dining at GrandCentral Hotel, plus live musicat Emma Chase Cafe.52. Chadron, NE Home of FortRobinson, site of key Westernevents; Pine Ridge landscape

4Madison, IN Towering limestone bluffs and the OhioRiver frame picturesque Madison, an old riverboat port of 12,400 so tied to the past,133 downtown blocks are on the NationalHistoric Register, with buildings dating to1817. Antiques dealers fill the district, whichhas served as a model for preservation of other towns. A brick river walk leads visi-tors close to touring riverboats that regularly dock with loads of vacationers, and a strollthrough Madisons hilly streets provides

glimpses of lush gardens around grand old homes, some converted to inns. Drives outof town meander to several award-winning

wineries, some of the areas best bike trailsand Clifty Falls State Park, where seven

waterfalls flow.

100ESTSMALL-TOWN GETAWAYS

5Saugatuck/Douglas, MIThese side-by-side Lake Michigan shore villagesare so artsy, residents take for granted having theirportraits painted. Their likenesses hang in one of the 40 galleries that liberally mingle with an appeal-ing collection of boutiques. Visitors not only find original art adorning studio windows, but also they

get accustomed to encountering sculptures on al-

most every corner in Saugatuck (population:1,050) and Douglas (population: 1,200). Art-ists set up easels among the swimmers and sunbathers enjoying the crescent of whitesand to capture Oval Beach (considered one of the countrys best) on canvas.Summer also brings an acclaimed film fes-tival and jazz- and chamber-music series.

B E S T R E M O T E L U X U

R Y 7 . B a y f

i e l d

, W I

2 6 . E

l y , M N

4 4 . P

a r k R a p i

d s , M

N

5 1 . C

o t t o n w o o

d F a l l s

, K S

48

42


5/6

with hiking, biking and golf.53. Williston, ND See arestored frontier fort at thehistoric junction of the Yellow-stone and Missouri rivers.54. Lebanon, OH An antiqu-ers mecca, and home of 204-year-old Golden Lamb Inn.55. Red Wing, MN A quaintMississippi port with restoredSt. James Hotel and tours offamous Red Wing pottery.56. New Glarus, WI A little bitof Switzerland, includingAlpine architecture and Heidiand Wilhelm Tell weekends.57. Ashland, WI Home toNorthern Great Lakes VisitorCenter, ferries to the ApostleIslands and a serious eco-conscious ethic.58. Hudson, WI Inns, antiqu-ing and outdoor activities in apretty town in the St. CroixRiver Valley.59. Okoboji/Spirit Lake, IAHubs for Iowas Great Lakesregion with small amusementparks, golf and more.

60. Logan, OH A gateway tothe rolling woodlands ofsouthern Ohios Hocking Hills.61. New Harmony, IN Historicbuildings, an inn and labyrinthrecalling communal life.62. Arcola/Arthur, IL Shopsselling Amish everything, plus

lots of places for hearty food.63. Port Washington, WIA lighthouse guarding a LakeMichigan harbor; lakesidelodgings and dining.64. Rocheport, MO Shops,inns and cafes catering tocyclists on the Katy Trail.65. Baraboo, WI Location.Location. Location. Near theDells, Circus World Museumand 500-foot cliffs in DevilsLake State Park.66. Centerville, IN Anantiquing hotbed featuringbuildings from the early-1800sheyday of the National Road.67. Fort Scott, KS A frontierfort with 20-plus restored andre-created buildings.68. Cambridge, OH Near glassfactories, shops and museumsas well as Salt Fork State Park,Ohios largest.69. McGregor/Marquette, IANeighboring towns appeal-ingly situated along theMississippi; river views in PikesPeak State Park.70. Valentine, NE A cowboyspirit prevails in a town thatsthe base for canoe trips onthe famed Niobrara River.71. Seymour, IN The SmallTown John Mellencampsings about; an art center andhiking in Jackson-WashingtonState Forest.72. Granville, OH Hilltop Deni-son University looks down on

a New England-style town.73. Bishop Hill, IL Descen-dants of settlers preserve aSwedish-American Utopiancommunitys legacy.74. Yellow Springs, OH Funkyshops and cafes in a free-spirited college town near a75-mile bike path.75. Detroit Lakes, MN Aresort town favoring a folksy,relaxed mood.76. Elsah/Grafton, IL Historicbuildings, antiques shops andinns along the Mississippi.

6Nashville, INSo-called progress never quite made it toNashville, the seat of Brown County, a ha-

ven of hills and forests 55 miles south of Indianapolis. Thats fine with the artists wholive and work in studios tucked amid thetowns 250 shops and the countryside. Theartists colony founded by Indiana painterT.C. Steele, who was drawn by the vistasthat seem to spread from every hilltop, cel-ebrates its 100th anniversary this year. The

woodsy setting around Nashville (popula-tion: 1,000) also suits hikers and others whoexplore nearby Brown County State Park,Indianas largest.(See story on page 19.)

7 Bayfield, WILake Superior adventure awaits visitorsto this town of 600 on the Bayfield Penin-

sula. Like jewels tossed into the sapphire water, the 22 Apostle Islands lie just offshore.On summer days, Bayfields harbor is full of kayaks and tour boats going to and from the

beaches, lighthouses and campsites in thelegendary archipelago. More relaxed explor-ers ride ferries to Madeline Island, the only inhabited Apostle, which offers shops, a re-nowned beach, a museum and places to eat.The shops, inns and restaurants of Bayfield look down from hills along the lake. The

surrounding peninsula is marked by pay-on- your-honor berry and apple stands and anabsence of chain stores. Most summer nights

bring performing arts under the old-fash-ioned Big Top Chautauqua tent.

EST SMALL-TOWN GETAWAYS

8Put-in-Bay, OH A storybook family getaway is just a ferry ride away from northwest OhiosLake Erie shoreline. Only boats connect South Bass Island and its town of Put-in-Bay (population: 128) to the mainland, so most visitors leave cars behind. Thatusually reduces the traffic noise among shops and restaurants to no more than

the hum of golf carts and jingle of bells on rental bicycles. Family attractions fillthe island, including museums, cave tours, fishing charters and a 1917 carousel.For the best area view, climb the 352-foot Perrys Victory and International PeaceMemorial, a white column commemorating a U.S. victory in the War of 1812.


8 . P u t - i n - B a y , O

H

2 3 . H

i l l C i t y

, S D 3 0

. M e d o r a ,

N D 3 1

. H a n n i

b a l , M O

6 5 . B

a r a b o o , W

I

67

B E S T F O R F A M I L I E S

44


6/6

77. Manistee, MI Victoriandowntown connected to LakeMichigan by a boardwalk.78. Carthage, MO Civil Warand Route 66 sites; GeorgeWashington Carvers home.79. Copper Harbor, MI Alongone of the regions bestdrives, a Lake Superior harborand lighthouse tours.

80. Alto Pass/Jonesboro, ILRustic towns providing a basefor outings in southern IllinoisShawnee National Forest anda growing wine scene.81. Fulton, MO An arrestingvibe at Westminster College,site of Winston ChurchillsIron Curtain speech and aBerlin Wall segment.82. Munising, MI Laid-backneighbor to Lake Superior andPictured Rocks NationalLakeshore.83. Hot Springs, SD At theBlack Hills southern edge, an

important fossil dig and a wildhorse sanctuary.84. Council Grove, KS SantaFe Trail sites; near TallgrassPrairie National Preserve.85. Scottsbluff, NE Tastes ofOregon Trail life at thenamesake bluff, Chimney

Rock and pioneer museums.86. Zoar, OH A Utopiancommunity revisited, with thehelp of reenactors.87. Greencastle, IN DePauwUniversity anchors a townnear Parke Countys famedcovered bridges.88. Valley City, ND A stopalong Sheyenne River ValleyNational Scenic Byway.89. Pierre, SD Tours of theCapitol and memorials, Lewisand Clark history, plus vastLake Oahe.90. Oberlin, OH Home toOberlin College, two notablemuseums and the 14-acreTappan Square.91. New Ulm, MN Music,festivals and shops sellingimports in what the U.S.Census labeled the countrysmost German city.92. Arrow Rock, MO The1834 Arrow Rock Tavern andthe respected Lyceum Theatre.93. Keokuk, IA Bald eagle-watching and a lock and damon the Mississippi.94. Jamestown, ND Westernhistory at a frontier village andbuffalo museum.95. Cambridge, WI LakeRipley and the Salt-glazedPottery Capital of the World.96. Ogallala, NE Real-lifecowboys hanging out in abase for visitors to LakeMcConaughys white beaches.

97. Kimmswick, MO Twenty-five shops and 94 people inthis Mississippi hamlet southof St. Louis; summer riverboatrides from St. Louis.98. Chesaning, MI JulysShowboat Festival brings big-name performers.99. Dyersville, IA The Field of Dreams movie site in acornfield; also farm toy, dolland woodcarving museums.100. Mantorville, MN Historicbuildings, bike trails anddrama at local theater.

9Stillwater, MN The timber of the St. Croix River Valley on the Minnesota/Wisconsin border builtthe fortunes behind Stillwaters Victorianmansions, and the forests and craggy river

valley still supply scenery visitors love. Thetown (population: 17,200) about 20 miles eastof Saint Paul lures travelers with an irresist-

ible mix: a dozen inns and a historic down-town sprinkled with antiques shops and bookstores that bring collectors from all overthe world. Short drives lead to notabletowns, including Marine on St. Croix and Taylors Falls. Train and riverboat tours arestaples. Plus, Stillwater offers one of the re-

gions most surprising boat tours: St. Croix cruises in a gondola built in Venice, Italy.

10Mackinac Island area, MIIts become a cliche to say that arriving by ferry at an islands harborside village is

like stepping back in time. But its so true atMackinac Island, that youll wonder if theidea originated on this Gilded Age holdover.The queen of Victorian Era resorts, the

white-columned Grand Hotel, occupies a bluff over the waters between Michiganspeninsulas. Because cars are banned, the sig-nature sound is the clip-clop of horseshooves. Visitors take carriage tours, ride

bikes, taste famous fudge and tour the 1700sfort. Back on the mainland, explore the is-lands gateways, St. Ignace (population:2,700) and Mackinaw City (population: 860),linked by the five-mile Mackinac Bridge.


9

89

2 1 . N

o r t h f i e l d

, M N

3 7 . F

r a n k e n m u t

h , M I 4 8

. C o s

h o c t o n , O

H 5 6

. N e w

G l a r u s ,

W I 9 4

. J a m e s

t o w n ,

N D

B E S T F O R F E S T I V

A L S


Documents

100 Best Small Towns