S/O: What is the most unexpectedly lovely U.S. town you’ve ever visited?

[Anonymous]

Boise, Idaho. So clean and beautiful - tons of restaurants downtown, clean walkable streets, fresh air, cute neighborhoods. Loved it.

[Anonymous]

Agree with Corning, nice riverfront town, glass factory was pretty cool.

Greenville, SC

Surprised to see Birmingham- loved Sloss Furnace but it looked pretty rough otherwise.

[Anonymous]

St. Armand’s Circle, in Sarasota, Florida.

Also, Ybor City in Tampa, Florida

[Anonymous]

Asheville, North Carolina.

[Anonymous]

New Castle Delaware. The old historic town. Really cool looking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:St. Armand’s Circle, in Sarasota, Florida.

Also, Ybor City in Tampa, Florida

St Armand’s circle is just a street of shops in Sarasota. Do you mean Sarasota is the town you were surprised by?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Charlevoix, Michigan. It was unexpectedly charming with big, historic homes, lush gardens, beautiful beach, and just lovely all the way around. It came as a complete surprise to us when we were there for a day.

that whole area in Michigan is just delightful.

It is delightful for about four months a year. We actually considered moving there, but in addition to the winter weather, the schools are mediocre and there’s very little sports competition because population is so sparse compared to major metro suburbs. You have to drive 3-5 hours south each and every time you want to play real competition. Nonstarter for most competitive families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:New Castle Delaware. The old historic town. Really cool looking.

Forgot about that one, great for a break off of 95.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Custer, SD. I had the best veggie burger I ever ate there!

This area (we stayed in Rapid City) was going to be my answer as well. There was one strip of touristy-ness that we didn't love, but the area as a whole surprised us with how much we liked it. Custer State Park was an unexpected highlight.

[Anonymous]

Gloucester, MA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Charlevoix, Michigan. It was unexpectedly charming with big, historic homes, lush gardens, beautiful beach, and just lovely all the way around. It came as a complete surprise to us when we were there for a day.

that whole area in Michigan is just delightful.

It is delightful for about four months a year. We actually considered moving there, but in addition to the winter weather, the schools are mediocre and there’s very little sports competition because population is so sparse compared to major metro suburbs. You have to drive 3-5 hours south each and every time you want to play real competition. Nonstarter for most competitive families.

[Anonymous]

I’ll second Portsmouth NH and Portland ME, as well as Pittsburgh.
I’ll add:
Bisbee az. — arty, great food, beautiful surroundings
Appleton Wisconsin — cute childrens museum, surprisingly good food, cute friendly vibe
Columbus, Indiana — nice children musesum, surprisingly arty, good food, great old time ice cream place
There was a great little town we stopped in California on the road from Yosemite to Santa Barbara — sort of a gateway into that wine country. Maybe it’s not surprising that there’s a cute town there! We just stopped for lunch.

[Anonymous]

Tulsa, OK

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:New Castle Delaware. The old historic town. Really cool looking.

We stayed at a B&B there on our honeymoon. Lovely place for sure.

[Anonymous]

Woodstock, Vt (though this is not surprising)
Cooke City, MT
Boise, ID