10 Small Towns You’ve Never Heard of But Should Definitely Visit

There’s something magical about stumbling upon a small town you never planned on visiting. You know the kind – where the coffee shop doubles as the gossip hub, everyone waves at you even though they’ve never met you, and you find yourself wondering what it would be like to stay there forever. 

These are the places that don’t usually make the front page of travel guides, but they should. So, we’ve gathered up a few of our favorites – five from the U.S. and five from Europe. Together, let’s redefine what it means to be a hotspot. 

Glen Rose, Texas

Ever heard of Glen Rose? Probably not,  and that’s what makes it so perfect. Nestled in the rolling hills of North Texas, Glen Rose is known as the “Dinosaur Capital of Texas,” and it’s not just a cute nickname. You can actually walk in real dinosaur tracks at Dinosaur Valley State Park. Real dino tracks in the riverbed… pretty wild, right?

Beyond prehistoric footprints, Glen Rose charms visitors with its historic downtown, quirky shops, and the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, where you can drive through and feed giraffes from your car. It’s like a low-key safari ride in the middle of Texas. If you love stargazing, fishing, or just sitting in a cabin by the river, Glen Rose will knock your socks right off your feet.

Berlin, Maryland

Here, we have a cute little coastal town on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and it’s straight out of a storybook. (We’re not kidding; Runaway Bride was filmed here.) With its Victorian architecture and red-brick sidewalks, Berlin will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.

The town is packed with cool boutiques, art galleries, and breweries. It’s just a short drive from Ocean City, too, if you need a beach break. Berlin is also known for its community events, like outdoor concerts and art festivals. It’s the kind of place where you come for a weekend and end up browsing real estate listings “just to see.”

Decorah, Iowa

Tucked in Iowa’s northeastern corner, this charming town has deep Norwegian roots, which you’ll sense immediately in the architecture, food, and annual Nordic Fest that takes over the town in the summer.

Decorah is also an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. The Upper Iowa River winds its way through town and is perfect for kayaking or tubing. There are also hiking trails atop a bluff with showstopping views. As if that’s not enough, there are also plenty of craft beer breweries and cozy bookstores to nestle into for the afternoon. Basically, Decorah has it all.

Ely, Nevada

Ely is what happens when Old West grit meets high desert beauty. Once a mining boomtown, this northeastern Nevada spot is now one of the coolest off-the-radar destinations for anyone craving wide open spaces, vintage Americana, and a healthy dose of weird.

If you love history, you’ll enjoy the Nevada Northern Railway; you can ride century-old trains and even sign up to be an engineer for a day. The downtown murals tell stories of the town’s past, and the nearby Great Basin National Park is so underrated. 

Filled with ancient bristlecone pines and dark night skies, you can’t help but wonder how Ely has managed to stay off the radar. And, if semi-spooky ghost towns excite you, here are 15 more you might like to visit in the U.S.