20 prettiest towns in America

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Cambria, Calif.

This Central California coastal town is situated near Hearst Castle, just south of Big Sur. Designer Erin Anderson says Cambria "is truly a small town, complete with general store, antique shopping, and shops featuring local artisans." Moonstone Beach, she adds, is a "great place to view migrating whales, sea otters, and elephant seals."

Burlington, Vt.

"Burlington has it all," says Sarah Tuff Dunn, co-author of 101 Best Outdoor Towns. Dunn says the town's charms include "a brick pedestrian marketplace, Vermont's iconic white steeples and rolling hills that spill down toward a lively, green waterfront on Lake Champlain."

Union, Wash.

"There is something breathtaking about the way the Hood Canal winds its way through hills filled with thousands of evergreens," says Anderson of this enclave on the Kitsap Peninsula, in Washington's Puget Sound. "The town is inviting, the homes situated along the water's edge are modest, and the buildings are characteristic of the Pacific Northwest."

Dillon, Mont.

Architecture photographer Blakely says Dillon's conventional main street, independently owned businesses (and absence of big-box stores) contribute to the "nice flavor" of this southwest Montana town, which was developed during the Gold Rush and is named after the president of the Union Pacific Railroad.

Spring City, Utah

Originally a Mormon settlement, this central Utah town has become an "artists' community of painters, potters and sculptors," says Blakely. The entire town is listed on the National Historic Register.

Crescent City, Calif.

Blakely describes this Northern California town, about 20 miles south of the Oregon border, as a "quiet town, with big empty beaches, and big stands of redwoods, surrounding it. At 5 a.m. the fisherman head out from the and bring back excellent seafood." The historic Battery Point lighthouse stands watch just off Crescent City's coast.

Lanesboro, Minn.

Painter John Vander Stelt says, "Understated and self-assured, this Southeast Minnesota burg is a busy stop along the 60-mile-long Root River bike trail. The limestone bluffs, unpretentious shops and river bottoms offer visual delights."

Deadwood, S.D.

"This historic town still breathes with the rugged spirit and beauty of a frontier town," Vander Stelt says of Deadwood, the South Dakota outpost whose notorious residents have included Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane.

Rockport, Maine

Photographer and host of PBS “Restorations” Bob Krist says little Rockport, on Maine's mid-coast, "has got probably the most picturesque harbor you've ever seen." That harbor was also the summer home of Andre the seal, subject of a 1994 children's movie. The Samoset Hotel, built in the late 19th century, presides on the waterfront, and Rockport hosts a number of arts-focused institutions, including the Maine Media Workshops and the Rockport Opera House.

Guttenberg, Iowa

"It's like a page ripped out of a Mark Twain novel where the Main Street storefronts face the mighty Mississippi," says Vander Stelt. "The local city park hugs the shoreline and is reminiscent of Seurat's painting 'A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.' This quaint village is a laidback slice of Americana."

Cape May, N.J.

Krist says visiting Cape May, which is located at the southern tip of New Jersey, "is like going back in time." Beautiful old hotels, a high concentration of Victorian homes, bed and breakfasts, and an inviting beach are among the features that qualify Cape May for Krist's "prettiest towns" list. He adds that Cape May offers "some the best bird watching on the East Coast."

Lake Placid, N.Y.

101 Best Outdoor Towns co-authors Sarah Tuff Dunn and Melville both put the upstate New York town of Lake Placid on their (independently compiled) lists. Dunn says its "classic Main Street, pine-speckled hills and pristine small lakes" appeal to her, while Melville describes Lake Placid as "the closest you can get to living out West when you're in the East. It's got the jagged mountain backdrop surrounding an unpretentious ski village bordered by two crystal lakes."

Annapolis, Md.

"Annapolis is somehow able to maintain ties to its historic colonial and maritime past without seeming hokey," says Melville. "Walk down the cobblestone streets, stay overnight in one of the ancient Victorian bed and breakfasts, sail on the Chesapeake, and you'll understand why it is perhaps the East's most romantic town."

Sedona, Ariz.

"Inspiring vistas abound" says Vander Stelt of this high-desert northern Arizona town that is surrounded by stunning red-sandstone formations. Anderson puts it on her list, too, for its spirituality, artistry, and "architecture reflective of the desert surroundings." Sedona is home to numerous arts festivals, galleries and spas and a host of outdoor recreation opportunities.

Portsmouth, N.H.

Urban designer Glanz, of the Calthorpe Associates architectural firm, describes this historic southern New Hampshire port town as "both a functioning modern community and a museum piece. Brick buildings, many of them original to the era of the tall ships, line small streets and alleys. Yet many of those same buildings house high-tech businesses and start-ups."

Marfa, Texas

"Marfa is a classic small Texas town that has been reborn as a center for the contemporary arts," says Glanz. In the 1970s the artist Donald Judd turned an old military base into a home for his own sculptures and other artists' work. Now called the Chinati Foundation, the site remains an innovative museum for permanent installations that are integrated with the surrounding landscape. Marfa is also home to the El Paisano hotel, the ornate Spanish Colonial-style structure that served as a backdrop for the film Giant, starring James Dean.

Savannah, Ga.

Called the "Hostess City of the South," Savannah was founded in 1733 and served as Georgia's colonial capital. Civil War Union General Sherman spared the city during his notorious march to the sea, and its antebellum character is still intact. Greg Ward, co-author of The Rough Guide USA, counts Savannah's "superb garden squares, dripping with Spanish moss, and its cobbled riverport" among the features that make it "the loveliest colonial town in the U.S."

Aspen, Colo.

Originally a silver-mining town, Aspen was transformed into a ski resort in the mid-20th century, and four ski mountains, owned and operated by the Aspen Ski Company, now take center stage. Greg Melville says, "The Western-style downtown etched into the narrow and breath-stealing Roaring Fork Valley; the aspen-laden mountains rising above it; the atmosphere—no wonder why the real estate there is so insanely expensive."

Santa Fe, N.M.

Melville says the "Pueblo-style architecture and rugged surroundings make Santa Fe unique, homey and immensely inviting." The town is located in the foothills of the southern Rocky Mountains, and the towering Ski Santa Fe resort is 16 miles from the town center. Santa Fe is also home to nearly 300 art galleries and dealers and is one of only nine cities in the world to be designated a "Creative City" by UNESCO.

Monterey, Calif.

"Monterey is not only a beautiful coastal town known for its world-class aquarium," says Anderson, "but it has a rich California history. You can spend time wandering along Cannery Row (made famous by John Steinbeck) and visit the shops and restaurants, which pay tribute to the old sardine canneries, or make your way down to the waterfront and admire the bay, a natural marine sanctuary."

http://www.forbestraveler.com/best-lists/a...2009-story.html

[spookyturtle 9,466]

The 20 prettiest towns in America are really in Australia.

[pedroh 21]

The 20 prettiest towns in America are really in Australia.

lol

[pedroh 21]

but, savannah is really pretty though

[GabiandVi 34]

I've only been to 5 of those places, but I'm surprised to see Lake Placid on the list. I wasn't that impressed with it. It's nice, but I've seen way prettier towns that aren't on the list.

[Ban Hammer 13,345]

Marfa, Texas

"Marfa is a classic small Texas town that has been reborn as a center for the contemporary arts," says Glanz. In the 1970s the artist Donald Judd turned an old military base into a home for his own sculptures and other artists' work. Now called the Chinati Foundation, the site remains an innovative museum for permanent installations that are integrated with the surrounding landscape. Marfa is also home to the El Paisano hotel, the ornate Spanish Colonial-style structure that served as a backdrop for the film Giant, starring James Dean.

someone's on some serious drugs!

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Marfa, Texas

"Marfa is a classic small Texas town that has been reborn as a center for the contemporary arts," says Glanz. In the 1970s the artist Donald Judd turned an old military base into a home for his own sculptures and other artists' work. Now called the Chinati Foundation, the site remains an innovative museum for permanent installations that are integrated with the surrounding landscape. Marfa is also home to the El Paisano hotel, the ornate Spanish Colonial-style structure that served as a backdrop for the film Giant, starring James Dean.

someone's on some serious drugs!

Here's a pic of Marfa from Wikipedia. I agree, I don't see it.

The Cape May listing made me chuckle too. The description of Cape May is true, but it's only true for a few blocks of the town.

Edited October 19, 2009 by w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Marfa, Texas

"Marfa is a classic small Texas town that has been reborn as a center for the contemporary arts," says Glanz. In the 1970s the artist Donald Judd turned an old military base into a home for his own sculptures and other artists' work. Now called the Chinati Foundation, the site remains an innovative museum for permanent installations that are integrated with the surrounding landscape. Marfa is also home to the El Paisano hotel, the ornate Spanish Colonial-style structure that served as a backdrop for the film Giant, starring James Dean.

someone's on some serious drugs!

Here's a pic of Marfa from Wikipedia. I agree, I don't see it.

The Cape May listing made me chuckle too. The description of Cape May is true, but it's only true for a few blocks of the town.

#######? Standards not that high, are they? I mean, if this place makes it on the list of the 20 prettiest towns in the country, I'd say we're in deep shite.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

It would mean..... *holding breath* ...... that Boo Yah was right all along

[Ban Hammer 13,345]

Marfa, Texas

"Marfa is a classic small Texas town that has been reborn as a center for the contemporary arts," says Glanz. In the 1970s the artist Donald Judd turned an old military base into a home for his own sculptures and other artists' work. Now called the Chinati Foundation, the site remains an innovative museum for permanent installations that are integrated with the surrounding landscape. Marfa is also home to the El Paisano hotel, the ornate Spanish Colonial-style structure that served as a backdrop for the film Giant, starring James Dean.

someone's on some serious drugs!

Here's a pic of Marfa from Wikipedia. I agree, I don't see it.

The Cape May listing made me chuckle too. The description of Cape May is true, but it's only true for a few blocks of the town.

it's in the middle of nowhere.

The population was 2,121 at the 2000 census.

last time i went thru there it was blink and you'll miss it.

[scandal 951]

it's in the middle of nowhere.

The population was 2,121 at the 2000 census.

last time i went thru there it was blink and you'll miss it.

Marfa was the setting of several Hollywood movies due to its pristine western setting.

"No Country for Old Men" was filmed there a few years ago.

Deadwood SD caught my eye. Anyone who saw the Deadwood TV series on HBO would have a hard time believing that the sh!thole depicted on the TV series could have morphed into a nice town.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

It would mean..... *holding breath* ...... that Boo Yah was right all along

oh noessss

[Scott & Lai 12]

Marfa, Texas

"Marfa is a classic small Texas town that has been reborn as a center for the contemporary arts," says Glanz. In the 1970s the artist Donald Judd turned an old military base into a home for his own sculptures and other artists' work. Now called the Chinati Foundation, the site remains an innovative museum for permanent installations that are integrated with the surrounding landscape. Marfa is also home to the El Paisano hotel, the ornate Spanish Colonial-style structure that served as a backdrop for the film Giant, starring James Dean.

someone's on some serious drugs!

Here's a pic of Marfa from Wikipedia. I agree, I don't see it.

The Cape May listing made me chuckle too. The description of Cape May is true, but it's only true for a few blocks of the town.

Looks like a bunch of shoe boxes....oooooooo, pretty

[Nikita2Charles 32]

Wow

Been to a few of those

1)Monterrey which is closed by,

2)Burlington Vt, very nice almost like a university town feel, and it's not a too bad driving distance to Montreal.

3)Cambria, Calif

stopped there while visiting Hearst Castle and San Luis Obispo

4)Rockport, Maine

5)Savannah, Ga. little known facts about this town, HAITIAN FREEDOM FIGHTERS DIED THERE DEFENDING THE UNITED STATES, FIGHTING THE BRITISH.

The Battle of Savannah in 1779, presents the Revolutionary War as a world conflict more than any other engagement in the Revolution. For six weeks, a diverse force consisting of French, Polish, Haitian, Austrian, Scots, Welch, Irish, Swedish and American Troops fought the British for possession of Savannah. This Battle resulted in the largest number of casualties the allies suffered in a single engagement.

The presence of the Voluntaires de Saint - Domingue, from Haiti as the largest unit of African heritage to fight in this War is worthy of commemoration. The fact that their number was made up of free men who volunteered for this expedition is surprising to many. Their presence reminds us that men of African heritage were found on most battlefields of the Revolution in large numbers. Many key figures in the Haitian War of Independence gained military experience and political insights through their participation in the American Revolution - most notably Henri Christophe, who as a twelve year old participated in the Battle of Savannah and later became King of Haiti and the second Head of State in the Western Hemisphere to be of African decent.

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/R?r110:FLD001:H50835

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Here's a pic of Marfa from Wikipedia. I agree, I don't see it.

Looks like a bunch of shoe boxes....oooooooo, pretty