WHAT IS A 'DESIRABLE' SMALL TOWN?

How do we describe the ambiance or personality of the towns on this website?  The adjectives historic, small, quaint, charming, romantic come to mind.  Or we could employ the phrases “a step back in time”, “picture postcard” or “small town Americana at its best”.  Many have historic districts, attractive store fronts on Main Street, antique shops, art stores or other boutiques, Victorian homes, bed and breakfast lodging.  Because of their distinctive quality, numerous towns on our website were Hollywood film locations. 

As you enter these towns, they should pass the following emotional tests:

1. Does this remind you of a Currier and Ives print?
2. Do you think to yourself “I can’t wait to tell my friends about this place”?
3. Do you wonder if there is enough capacity in your camera?
4. Is this place similar to the town where your grandmother was raised?

The following criteria are used to earn our approval:

♦ Distinctive Architecture
♦ Part of the downtown has been designated a state or national historic district
♦ Numerous stone or brick buildings in downtown
♦ Pedestrian/bicyclist friendly
♦ County seat with historic courthouse
♦ Lampposts along the main thoroughfare
♦ Fountains
♦ Abundant tree and flower landscaping
♦ Art galleries, antique stores, or specialty boutiques
♦ Small college or university in or near the town
♦ Bed-and-breakfast lodging, usually in Victorian or Bungalow-style housing
♦ Gourmet coffee shops and/or bakery
♦ Clock towers
♦ Brick/cobblestone sidewalks or streets
♦ A river or canal through the downtown
♦ Proximate to a lake or ocean
♦ Bike or walking path
♦ Clean, easily accessible public restrooms
♦ Wooden picket or wrought iron fences
♦ Wrought iron railings on upper-story balconies
♦ Unusual scenery nearby
♦ Vintage train station with locomotive and caboose
♦ Iron or covered bridges
♦ Tourist trolley buses and horse-drawn carriages
♦ Abundant and decorative trash receptacles
♦ Vintage service station with antique vehicles