The American countryside is an enchanting place. From green meadows decorated with pastel-hued flowers to corn and hay fields rendered in sunset tones, these parts of the country are picture-perfect. Even if a life in the big city is the American dream, staying in small countryside towns has a charm that's all its own. Especially if you go to places like the oak tree-filled Magnolia Springs in Alabama, the majestic Cannon Beach in Oregon, the scenic coastal Cape May in New Jersey, and the monolithic Sedona in Arizona. They all offer an idyllic side to the grand ol'
US of A!
Magnolia Springs, Alabama
To say that Magnolia Springs, Alabama is a beautiful place is an understatement! The name alone already sounds like it's the setting of a Mark Twain novel, but the town itself exudes a storybook appeal. Perhaps it's the tall oak trees all over. Since it's a small town in the American countryside, Magnolia Springs has very few buildings. Instead, the entire place is almost completely shaded by the leafy branches of the oak trees in the area. They're perfect for creating content worth porting on a
travel inspo Instagram account.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Chris Pruitt
Unalaska, Alaska
Located all the way in the Aleutian Islands, the small countryside town Unalaska, Alaska is unlike any other. You'd think that every part of this notoriously cold state is covered with glistening snow. And sure, the town does get very white every winter. But at any other time of the year, Unalaska is as green as the tropics! The majestic mountains and heavenly hills provide such sweeping landscapes, you almost couldn't believe they're real! These are the kinds of stunning sceneries you'd expect in the
Caribbean or Southeast Asia.
Source: Flickr.com/ Brendan Minish
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Going to Eureka Springs, Arkansas will feel like traveling back in time. Its Vaudevillian charm is novel, even when compared to other American cities that have preserved their “turn of the 20th century” appeal. From the rows of grand Victorian houses to old-school farmhouses, you almost can't believe that this is an actual town with actual residents. Eureka Springs goes beyond looking like a set of a Hollywood period film. It's straight up a carbon copy of Disneyland's famous Main Street entrance!
Source: Flickr.com/ GPA Photo Archive
Sedona, Arizona
Truth be told, what makes Sedona, Arizona a noteworthy destination in the American countryside isn't the town itself. The place definitely has its small-town country charms too, but you'd barely notice it against the breathtaking red-rock canyons surrounding the area. From Sedona, you can bask in these natural wonders in all their earthy glory. Some would hike up to get a better view of buttes and cliffs, while others will go so far as to take an entire crew to stage a photoshoot!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Carmel, California
Let's not forget that
California is among the largest states in the US. Even though it's most famous for Los Angeles and its Hollywood glamour, there are still parts of the American countryside here. One such magical town is Carmel. Officially named “Carmel by The Sea,” this one-square-mile village has fairytale fancy written all over it. So much so that you'd wonder whether you're still in the US or you stumble onto the
English countryside by some sort of miracle. But don't worry! The beautiful coast will remind you that you're still, in fact, in California.
Source: Flickr.com/ brando
Mancos, Colorado
If you think that the Wild West was just a figment of Old Hollywood's imagination, the small town of Mancos, Colorado argues otherwise. With only a little over 1,000 in its population, this place embodies the American countryside through and through, but it doesn't have the storybook-like charms of the other destinations on this list. Instead, Mancos, with its ranch culture in full swing, is the only vestige of the Wild West. You won't see cowboys here, but the awesome ranches and their vast lands are pretty extraordinary too!
Source: Library of Congress via Picryl.com
Wallace, Idaho
Once nicknamed the “center of the universe” by various history textbooks, the small town of Wallace, Idaho truly is worth your while. It's a mountain town, surrounded be breathtaking landscapes and majestic forests. You should definitely see it in autumn! When practically the entire place is rendered in marigold and burgundy, the entire scene will tug at your heartstrings. Many travelers also regard it a
ski resort town, albeit a less famous one compared to the more luxurious destinations in Europe. You'll find many nearby slopes to ski or sleigh down on every winter.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Rectify2
Cannon Beach, Oregon
It's easy not to think of Cannon Beach, Oregon as part of the American countryside. At least, not in the traditional sense. As a seaside town in the Pacific Northwest region, it's far from the meadow-filled or ranch-heavy places on this list. With that said, the small town vibe and surrounding natural wonders definitely prove its rural status. A tight-knit community lives here, one that welcomes tourists to its scenic shores. It's a great place to relax, rest, and unwind.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Whitefish, Montana
Much like Wallace, Idaho, the small American countryside commune of Whitefish, Montana is a pleasant mountain town. In fact, it’s one of the archetypal mountain towns in the country, beloved for its relatively slow-paced lifestyle and its surrounding sweeping landscapes. From its famous downtown area, you can see the nearby Rocky Mountains of Northwest Montana in their full glory. Even in winter, when it's so cold outside, you'd still want to go out to this part of town and take lots of photos of the famous terrain.
Source: Copyright © 2017 Mattia Panciroli. Some Rights Reserved.
Cape May, New Jersey
The state of New Jersey is far from what many would consider part of the American countryside, isn't it? Especially since Jersey City and
New York City, which are close by, are well-known major metropolises. So can you really regard any part of this bustling state as part of the countryside? Well, you definitely can with Cape May! Located on the state's southern peninsula of the same name, this small town is a fair distance away from those big cities. And with its popular row seaside Victorian houses, it definitely has the old-world appeal of the other rural towns on this list.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Get to know more about the American countryside by visiting these beautiful small towns. From rural communes to coastal cities, there's no doubt you'll have a pleasant time in any of these idyllic destinations!
