Find Small Town Charm Near Big Cities

Are you looking for a break from hectic urban life? Or, are you planning a big-city vacation with some extra time to explore the area? Consider taking a drive out to a small town near the city to enjoy some relaxation and old-fashioned fun.

Forty minutes outside of Nashville, you'll find Leiper's Fork, TN. This picturesque village offers quintessential southern charm. Tourists can shop for antiques, browse art galleries, listen to live music, and spend the night in cozy cottages.

Known as the "Little Switzerland of America," Joseph, OR, is near the Wallowa Mountains and Mount Howard. It offers paragliding and beautiful trails for hiking and other outdoor activities. Enjoy the art scene on the Bronze Artwalk through downtown Joseph. You can also ride the tramway or take the excursion train for a more laid-back scenic exploration.

Located near Los Angeles on Catalina Island, Avalon, CA, features all the amenities a beach town can offer. Visitors can relax on the beach or take a boat tour around the island to look for sea lions and dolphins. Enjoy all kinds of water sports, including kayaking, parasailing and scuba diving. You can also sign up for a historical ghost tour, play a round of golf on one of the oldest golf courses on the West Coast or catch a movie at the local theater.

Situated an hour outside Green Bay and a peninsula apart from each other, Fish Creek and Bailey's Harbor, WI, offer stunning views of Green Bay and Lake Michigan. Tourists can take an airplane tour over the county, enjoy wilderness and wildlife at the iconic Ridges Sanctuary, or enjoy a live performance at one of several outdoor amphitheaters.