Travel
Massachusetts Has One Of Most Beautiful Small Towns In US, Condé Nast Says
Condé Nast Traveler said its Most Beautiful Small Towns list offers travelers a slower pace without teeming crowds.
If you’re looking for a getaway in an idyllic small town, Rockport is a good option, according to a guide that highlights locations from coast to coast that offer charm, friendly residents, and walkable downtown areas lined with mom-and-pop shops.
Condé Nast Traveler said its Most Beautiful Small Towns list offers travelers a slower pace without teeming crowds and “put any Hallmark rom-com setting to shame.”
See also: Which Cape Community Made The List Of New England's Best Small Towns?
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“And these towns aren’t just great for the people who live there — they’re also standout travel destinations with plenty of things to do,” the publication said, noting there are plenty of quaint hotels for days-long stays. With a delightfully favorable ratio of restaurants to residents, “you may never want to leave,” Condé Nast said.
See also: Here Are The Best Places To Live In MA, New Ranking Says
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Rockport, with a population of 4,795, is about 40 miles from Boston and a "lovely coastal town loved by lobster fishermen and artists," according to Condé Nast Traveler.
"You can find both industries along Bearskin Neck, a peninsula of old fishing shacks that has been turned into a stretch of shops and galleries," Condé Nast Traveler said of Rockport.
See also: Massachusetts Staycation Ideas For 2026
The 31 towns on the list are:
- Woodstock, Vermont
- Magnolia Springs, Alabama
- Camden, Maine
- Jekyll Island, Georgia
- Jackson, Wyoming
- Paia, Hawaii
- Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
- Beaufort, South Carolina
- Cannon Beach, Oregon
- Rockport, Massachusetts
- Gatlinburg, Tennessee
- Whitefish, Montana
- Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
- Ketchikan, Alaska
- Lake Placid, New York
- Sedona, Arizona
- Portsmouth, New Hampshire
- Taos, New Mexico
- Mackinac, Michigan
- Snowmass Village, Colorado
- Friday Harbor, Washington
- St. Augustine, Florida
- Hudson, New York
- Block Island, Rhode Island
- Eureka Springs, Arkansas
- Lewes, Delaware
- Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
- Bar Harbor, Maine
- Deadwood, South Dakota
- St. Michaels, Maryland
- Montpelier, Vermont
See also: These MA Vacation Spots Offer Luxury On A Budget, New Ranking Says
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