10 Small American Towns You Can Visit Without Driving

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As countless ballads and movies have made clear, America’s small towns are great places to explore on a long, winding road trip. But what if your preferred mode of transportation doesn’t include a car?

Thanks to rail, ferries, and small regional airports, plenty of small towns can be reached without a car – these ten are among the best in the country. Whether you’re a city dweller who’s never had a driver’s license or a traveler who likes someone else to guide you, you’ll find much fun in these places, which offer easy transportation, easy walking, and quaint country living. From the mountains of Colorado to the coast of Massachusetts, read on to find out the best small towns in the United States for car-free travel.

01 Jackson, Wyoming

There’s a reason billionaires have been flocking to Jackson in recent years to buy their second (or third) home: Unlike most Wild West towns, it has a busy commercial airport. A 15-minute taxi ride through Jackson’s picturesque suburbs will take you from JAC to the town square, within walking distance of dozens of hotels. Stay at the luxurious Cloud Veil or the affordable yet stylish Anvil Hotel from all the action steps. When you’re ready to explore the surrounding Teton Mountains, rent a bike or book an excursion – outfitters like Jackson Hole Wildlife Safari can pick you up directly at your hotel’s door for a private or group tour.

02 Winter Park, Colorado

There is no better destination for skiers than Winter Park. Every ski season, the village is served by Amtrak’s Winter Park Express, which departs from Denver Union Station several days a week. The train takes passengers to the foot of the 12,060-foot Winter Park Resort, the only place in the Rockies where you can get from a big city to fresh powder without driving.

03 Traverse City, Michigan

The most famous pedestrian street in Michigan is Mackinac Island, which has been car-free since 1898. However, insiders know that it is almost only possible to reach the island by first driving to a distant ferry port on the mainland. For a more relaxed experience, head to Traverse City, which is two hours south. This charming town of 15,000 has its airport and a walkable waterfront downtown filled with fudge shops, boutiques, and stylish accommodations. TC is also a haven for outdoor lovers, from kayaking in Grand Traverse Bay to hiking and biking in the Tate Trail network, which crisscrosses almost everywhere on the Leelanau Peninsula.

04 Laurel, Mississippi

Let’s face it: The South isn’t known for being walkable or easily accessible. Yet Laurel, Mississippi, 90 miles southeast of Jackson, proudly resists both trends. The town of 17,000 has gained national attention as the setting for HGTV’s “Home Town.” However, the buildings and shops created by the show’s Erin and Ben Napier are only some of the things worth seeing here. From downtown’s many Airbnbs, you can walk to a world-class art museum and a park designed by Central Park architect Frederick Law Olmsted. Laurel also boasts a downtown Amtrak station, making it a convenient rail destination – especially from New Orleans, a three-hour drive away.

05 Red Wings, Minnesota

Seasoned carless travelers may be used to getting to their destination by train or plane. Still, some towns are best reached by cruise – and Minnesota, of all places, has one of the best small-town ports in the country. Located southeast of the Twin Cities, the Mississippi River town of Red Wing has shopping malls (yes, the Red Wing Shoes are headquartered here), historic hotels (try the St. James Hotel), and ample hiking, biking, and fishing opportunities. Didn’t come by boat? Red Wing also connects Chicago and St. Paul on Amtrak’s new Borealis line.

06 Carmel is by the sea, like California

California’s Central Coast is known worldwide for its scenic drives, but exploring on foot is just as impressive. The storybook town of Carmel is particularly walkable, with a square mile of downtown filled with pedestrian streets. Stroll along the beach, enjoy dinner at the Michelin-starred Chez Noir restaurant, and spend the night at the L ‘Auberge Carmel. Monterey Regional Airport is only a 10-minute Uber ride away, so flying to Carmel is easy. However, ambitious hikers and bikers can also enter Carmel via the California Coastal Trail. This statewide network includes 144 miles of trails in Monterey County.

07 Rosemary Beach, Florida

Getting to this tiny panhandle village takes some effort – a 30-minute drive from Panama City’s airport. Once you’re here, you’ll see why spending so much time on an Uber ride is worth it. Rosemary Beach was built from scratch in 1995 with a walkable, new urbanist masterplan, and its 105 acres are entirely explorable by foot, bike, or golf cart. Staying in one of the town’s abundant luxury holiday homes, you’ll stroll from exceptional spas, lively restaurants, and some of the country’s most prominent white sandy beaches.

08 Edgartown, Massachusetts

Thanks to densely populated cities and a robust rail system, New England is full of walkable destinations – Edgartown may be the best. This centuries-old village has all the historic charm and natural beauty that has attracted generations of visitors to Martha’s Vineyard. However, as the largest community on the island (population just over 5,000), it also has an infrastructure that allows visitors to entertain themselves for a few days without leaving town. Fly or float through the local airport and ferry terminal, then enjoy the windswept beaches, galleries, and fine restaurants within steps of Main Street. To be in the middle of it all, stay in any six buildings in Faraway Martha’s Vineyard.

09 Hudson, New York

Just north of New York is the Hudson Valley. This rural area is home to some of the most accessible outdoor recreation in the United States. To explore the region’s highlights, set up camp in Hudson, a trendy riverfront town reachable by a dozen trains a day from Manhattan. New Yorkers love the neighborhood, and many tired of city life move here permanently – meaning the town of 6,000 has a host of cosmopolitan offerings, such as Kombucha sorbet at Culture Creme and Frater linens at the Amelia Hotel. To get out of town, rent a kayak from the Hudson Paddles and head upstream, or head to the multipurpose Empire State Trail, whose entrance is just a few blocks from downtown.

10 Friday Harbor, Washington

Since Friday Harbor lies miles off the coast of the rugged SAN Juan Islands, driving here is more complex than getting there. Whether you choose a seaplane, charter boat, or a combination of bus, train, and ferry, your journey will take you through some of the most stunning scenery in the Pacific Northwest and land you in one of the most popular towns. Friday Harbor’s pedestrian center is packed with Airbnb. Stay at any of these hotels, just minutes from museums, cafes, and the harbor, where you can (and should) embark on an unforgettable whale-watching tour.

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