The United States does have many beautiful small towns with unique scenery perfect for a holiday

Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

Geographically speaking, Harpers Ferry has a lot to do. After all, this is where West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland meet and where the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers converge. The scenic junction and the surrounding Harpers Ferry National Historical Park form a picturesque townscape, especially during those lush autumn months. At the same time, the town offers non-stop historical tours (it was the site of John Brown’s raid) and the occasional ghost tour. For the adventurous, there is much more on offer, such as kayaking, rafting, zip lining, rock climbing and hiking on the Appalachian Trail.

Asheville, North Carolina

Asheville is a recognised foodie destination, to name but one, with farm-to-table, big farms or Cúrate and Nightbell as evidence, hosted by James Beard-nominated chef Katie Button. But the city offers more than just restaurants. You can spend a whole day exploring the North Carolina Botanical Gardens (pictured), the incredibly stately Biltmore Estate and the grand goddess Omni Grove Park Inn. Plus, when a town borders the Blue Ridge Mountains, it’s already got a foothold in much of the rest of the country.

Nantucket, Massachusetts

Long known as the quintessential summer resort, travellers come to Nantucket every year to wander through the narrow rows of clapboard houses and then cycle to the lighthouse on the roundabout. Although the crescent-shaped island of Nantucket may be small, its topographical space varies from sand dunes to salt marshes to the cliffs of the Saki. It is almost impossible to take a bad photo here.

Lake Placid, New York

Thanks to the rolling hills and the clear, spring-fed 2,173-acre lake, this small village in the Adirondacks is breathtaking all year round. Home to over 2,500 people, it’s a rustic resort popular with hikers, fishermen and skiers (it hosted two Winter Olympics in 1932 and 1980). But it also excels in terms of luxury, with three Lake Placid hotels having previously made CondéNast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice list of the best resorts in the region: Whiteface Lodge, Lake Placid Lodge and Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa.

Woodstock, Vermont

For quirky New England charm, do better than this Green Mountain town. Perfect for its rustic green belt of white steeple churches, it’s just the destination for antique shoppers and B&B lovers – some accommodations even date back to the 1750s. Almost all of the town’s buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places; be sure to pick up some maple sugar souvenirs at the F.H. Gillingham & Sons department stores’ (pre-1886).

St. Augustine, Florida

You’ll soon forget about Florida, thinking you’ll know it when you enter this Spanish founded Spanish seaside town dating back to 1565. In fact, St Augustine is the oldest permanent European settlement in the continental United States and was the earliest settlement in the country Spanish colonial buildings and many historic structures have been built over the centuries since then. St Augustine also played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s and there is a Freedom Trail where you can walk in the footsteps of the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. Don’t miss the 17th-placed Castillo de San Marcos Century fortress, complete with drawbridge and daily cannon firing.

Big Sur, California

Big Sur is perched on a wind-swept clifftop above the Santa Lucia Mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean (Pacific Ocean) to the west. Although the town is sparsely populated, it has two top hotels: the five-star Post Ranch Inn and the four-star Ventana Big Sur. Lovers of anti-cultural literature will also enjoy the fact that Jack Kerouac, Hunter Thompson and Henry Miller all had ties to Big Sur – which has left behind a museum full of Beat-era books and memorabilia. If you’re short on time, at least drive through the town on Route 1.

Annapolis, Maryland

This charming town was founded in the 1600s and boasts brick streets and old buildings. Located on the Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis later became an important port for Civil War munitions and then a fishing town (although today, most trawlers have been replaced by pleasure boats). Today, it is home to the United States Naval Academy, and visitors can tour the extensive Beaux Arts campus before having to visit O’Learys Seafood Restaurant for crab cakes.

Sedona, Arizona

Nestled in the shadow of red rock boulders, Sedona benefits from its striking location – visitors often salivate at its hills, canyons and spires. On clear nights, admire the region’s light-pollution-free skies for their dazzling starry skies. A must stay here is L’Auberge de Sedona, the highest rated hotel in the South West by our readers. The hotel is located in the heart of Red Rock Country, which means beautiful scenery everywhere.

Bozeman, Montana

Bozeman is set in a beautiful idyllic area known as the ‘Valley of Flowers’ and is picturesque. It sits at an elevation of 4,820 feet above sea level and is surrounded by mountains on all sides – from the Bridger Mountains in the north east to the Tobacco Root Mountains in the west to the south west. Look familiar? That’s probably because it’s the location of the fly-fishing-centric film A River Runs Through It. If we’re so bold, then Brad Pitt almost (almost) pales in comparison to the beautiful scenery.

Newport, Rhode Island

Newport is practically synonymous with Tony New England, where sailing boats dot the harbour and affluent people explore the cobbled shopping piers. Every summer, visitors flock to the lush green Fort Adams at the entrance to Narragansett Bay for the Newport Jazz Festival and the Newport Folk Music Festival. In the cooler months, stay indoors and visit some of the town’s famous estates – most notably Rough Point, the home of Doris Duke.

Friday Harbor, Washington

This pretty hamlet is located in the furthest northwest of Washington and has a pier at Roche Harbour, the starting point for cruises on the uninhabited island. Friday Harbor was once the state’s main supplier of agricultural products, but today the economy is centred on tourism – sea kayaking and orca watching are the biggest draws. Ferries from Anacortes (mainland) are open all year round, making it easy to visit in every season.

Santa Barbara, California

This coastal town is classic Golden State scenery: it offers both incredible south-facing views of the ocean and views of the Santa Ynez Mountains. It’s not just the exterior, its Franciscan mission and other colonial buildings add to Santa Barbara’s history. The town also happens to be a surfer’s paradise, with many of the sport’s legends (Tom Curren, for example) living here. Head to the locals’ favourite shop, Surf-N-Wear’s Beach House, to rent gear and find talented instructors.

Sitka, Alaska

Sitka is widely regarded as the most beautiful town in Alaska, with the mountains known as the ‘Sisters’ as a backdrop and spruce trees growing almost to the bottom of the sea. The port town is rustic and compact, with the look of a Wild West enclave, plus flat timber-framed buildings that wouldn’t look out of place in a John Wayne film. Sitka’s natural beauty and remote location make it a favourite destination for hikers, climbers, hunters and fishermen. There’s no better way to feel like you’re in the middle of a vast wilderness than just a few miles outside of the city.

Taos, New Mexico

The lovely high desert town of Taos has a long and fascinating history. Three miles from the town centre, Taos Pueblo has been inhabited by indigenous people for almost a thousand years, making the community one of the oldest and most continuously inhabited in the United States (and a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Today, the town is known for its culture: painters, sculptors and writers began arriving here in 1899 and Taos now boasts a thriving artists’ colony. The town’s natural beauty – with its red rock canyons, blue desert skies and snow-capped mountains on the horizon – is reflected and inspires people of all tastes.

Paia, Hawaii

Indulge your fantasies in this small village on Maui’s north coast. Sure, the downtown is sweet and even a little funky: it boasts an all-too-cool tattoo parlour and a boutique that sells locally produced, stylish beachwear. But insiders know that Paia is the whole beach – namely Ho’okipa Beach Park, loved by locals for its white sands and by surfers, windsurfers and kitesurfers for its near-perfect breaks. Tip: Enjoy a lunch at the Paia fish market before a busy day on the water.

Tururide, Colorado

Tururide certainly seems to be getting a lot of attention these days: not only was it voted one of the best small cities in America in last year’s Readers’ Choice Awards, but it was also named the 10th friendliest city in this year’s survey. We’re totally intrigued: this funky ski town looks like some kind of movie set (think: charming storefronts, spectacular mountain views, etc.) and is filled with travel-worthy restaurants and hotels. Another option? Access to 76 chalets via exception accommodation, from condos directly below the ski lifts to remote mountain huts.

Traverse City, Michigan

If you’re looking for a relaxing lakeside escape, then head straight to Traverse City. Named for its southernmost harbour on Grand Traverse Bay, it’s a popular summer escape for Midwestern city dwellers, although four seasons of outdoor activities beckon. But just because it is the epitome of almost “pure Michigan” (the state’s tourism motto) does not mean that Traverse City lacks sophistication. Foodies should take special note: restaurants like S2S | Sugar 2 Salt and the Grand Traverse Pie Company are more than worthy pit stops; plus, the region produces some of the last cherries in the country (the annual National Cherry Festival in July is a real treat).

Camden, Maine

This classic New England seaside town is picturesque and was the main location for the 1957 film Peyton Place (a film about surprise – an idyllic-looking town). The sea, “indeed, Mount Battie and Bald Mountain rise above the harbour and the village; a hike to the top of the former will give you excellent views. Although most of the village’s businesses are aimed directly at tourists, there are some gems such as the boutique hotel Whitehall, a white partitioned beauty.