American communities have never been more essential. In towns and cities, we get out and meet people who share our interests — or view the world in entirely different ways.

Even in divisive times, we trade ideas, voice disagreements and learn from one another in cafés, bars and bookstores or while strolling along paved urban trails or up rugged mountain paths nearby. These places are the threads that weave the United States together, creating a vast expanse of fabric rippling with peaks, valleys and tides.

As the United States celebrates its 250th birthday, CNN Travel presents this year’s list of America’s Best Towns to Visit. Our third annual list looks beyond some of American tourism’s heaviest hitters to find less-discovered communities or places whose unexpected histories and curiosities have been obscured by splashier attractions.

CNN Travel editors tapped our readers and staffers for nominations for the 2026 list. We weighed the nominees and winnowed them down to 10 by evaluating the finalists’ attractions, food and beverage offerings, cultural and nightlife scenes, diversity, sense of identity, proximity to other interesting spots and “wow factor.” We also looked at travel essentials, including lodging options and the ease of getting there.

Our choices this year run the gamut from beach and mountain towns in the East to creative hubs in the Midwest and the Rockies. They showcase the United States’ incredible diversity — from landscapes and architecture to culture and food. People, too.

Here are our 2026 picks:

High scores: Outdoor access, walkable downtown, growing food scene

A trio of stunning hikes is just the beginning of the outdoor adventures that await visitors to the “Star City of the South.” Flanked by the Appalachian Trail and the Blue Ridge Parkway, Roanoke has got trails covered. Rails, too. Railroad history runs deep here, and the walkable downtown is adding new restaurants, residents and businesses all the time. FULL STORY

High scores: Downtown shopping, drinks and nightlife, intriguing history

Lawrence looks like Main Street perfection — a vibrant haven of craft breweries, indie bookstores and historic hotels. But beneath this charming Midwestern façade lies a fierce, rebellious soul.

Twice burned down in the Civil War era, this town has always resurrected itself. That spirit survives today as Lawrence’s historic Massachusetts Street fights a new battle to keep big chains out and local uniqueness in. FULL STORY

High scores: Literary attractions, dynamic downtown, lively culture

Iowa City is America’s engine room of literature — a lively college town where everyone including taxi drivers seems to have ink-stained fingers, and legendary authors like Kurt Vonnegut walked the streets. But books are only half the story in this laid-back Midwestern haven. From a presidentially approved vintage diner selling legendary pie-shakes to a neighboring town entirely dedicated to “Star Trek,” it’s a culture-packed destination where stories are waiting to be told around every street corner. FULL STORY

High scores: Wilderness “wow” factor, wildlife, seafood, Alaskan culture

Alaska’s remote, hard-to-reach capital is too beautiful, its culture and history too rich, to get cynical about its popularity with throngs of cruise ship passengers. The largest state capital in the nation by land mass, Juneau’s tall peaks remain snow-capped well into summer.

It’s located in a rain forest, has its own glacier and its residents include bears, mountain goats and whales. This place is worlds away from a typical American town experience. FULL STORY

High scores: Lovely surroundings, farm-fresh food, community spirit

Vermont’s biggest city is also the smallest top population center of any state. That gives this lakeside college community a small-town feel that’s evident in its weekly farmer’s market and walkable downtown. Depending on the season, you can bike along Lake Champlain, enjoy wild ice skating or hike urban trails. Sipping on craft brews and sampling Ben & Jerry’s ice cream from its birthplace nearby are pleasures available here year-round. FULL STORY

High scores: Historic downtown, beverage scene, surrounding scenery

Home to a nationally famous brewery, a totally awesome ‘80s cafe, the coolest of indie movie theaters and great coffee shops — all while retaining its historical roots, Fort Collins feels like a theme park. You can bounce from one peak experience to another, including hiking an actual local peak in the foothills of the Rockies. FULL STORY

High scores: Rich history, celebrated Main Street, holiday-hub identity

No, Bethlehem no longer produces steel. But its fabled industrial history lives on at the former Bethlehem Steel site, where visitors can tour the rusting plant and enjoy outdoor events in the shadows of the company’s towering blast furnaces, which punctuate the city’s skyline. After some lean years, Bethlehem is thriving again, thanks to a picturesque Main Street, its appeal as a twinkly Christmastime destination and the US’ newest UNESCO World Heritage site. FULL STORY

High scores: Parks and trails, urban renewal, food scene, small-town vibe

Buzzing with the vibrant downtown energy that other cities crave, Greenville makes the most of its urban waterfall and central Falls Park. A lengthy pedestrian and bike trail links neighborhoods, attractions and a charming small town 10 miles north. But this Southern city didn’t look anything like this a few decades back. A lot went into Greenville’s “50-year overnight success story.” FULL STORY | WATCH VIDEO

High scores: Cultural scene at Yale and beyond, nightlife, food

Home to Yale University, New Haven is a walkable haven for restaurants, music, art and theater. Yale’s stately brick academic buildings and world-class museums help define this city as Connecticut’s cultural capital. And New Haven-style pizza, grounded in a century of history, isn’t the only food favorite with deep roots here; New Haven’s got a claim on a quintessential American sandwich. FULL STORY | WATCH VIDEO

High scores: Arts and culture, beaches and gardens, intriguing history

This Gulf Coast city goes all-in on artistic excellence with a cultural compound that grew from the fortunes of a circus magnate, and other visual and performing arts attractions. Circus lore and a population of Amish snowbirds add to this town’s intriguing history. Throw in rare gardens and beautiful beaches, and you have a sophisticated cultural getaway that delivers sun and surf, too. FULL STORY | WATCH VIDEO

Where should we go next? Share your picks

Text by Marnie Hunter, Jeanne Bonner, Barry Neild, David Allan and Brandon Griggs.