{
  "id": 5589098,
  "title": "After visiting all 50 states, there are 5 small towns I can't stop thinking about",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/04/after-visiting-all-50-states-there-are-5-small-towns-i-cant-stop",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-04T15:26:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Insider",
    "slug": "business-insider",
    "url": "https://www.businessinsider.com/favorite-us-small-towns-from-frequent-traveler-2026-9"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Emily Hart spent time visiting all 50 states and found that small towns made the biggest impact on her. She particularly loved the small towns she happened upon during long road trips, rather than the big cities. After her travels, she couldn't stop thinking about five small towns in particular. Telluride, Colorado, is the mountain town she adores. With stunning canyons and towering peaks, it combines dramatic scenery with a relaxed small-town atmosphere. The free gondola provides breathtaking views of the town and makes getting around easy. Additionally, there are many excellent hiking trails, from alpine routes to hidden waterfalls. The restaurants in Telluride are top-notch, and its remote location adds to its charm.\n\nNext, Hart visited Bayfield, Wisconsin, which serves as the gateway to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. She enjoyed hiking forested trails and exploring quiet, wild islands in the area. In town, she recommends visiting the Copper Crow Distillery, the first Indigenous-owned distillery in the US, and dining at the St. James Social, a historic and stylish spot.\n\nAbiquiu, New Mexico, is another town that left a lasting impression on Hart. This small town showcases a unique blend of art, history, and adventure. The landscape inspired many of Georgia O'Keeffe's works, with red cliffs and sweeping mesas surrounding the town. Hart enjoys hiking or horseback riding tours at Ghost Ranch, savoring breakfast burritos from the historic Bode's General Store, and enjoying dinner at Café Abiquiu.\n\nHomer, Alaska, is a peaceful and welcoming small town located about four-and-a-half hours from Anchorage. Visiting feels like stepping into another world, with its picturesque harbor, the Homer Spit extending into Kachemak Bay, and numerous fishing boats and trails nearby. Staying right on the water provides a calm and laid-back atmosphere, evident in the local coffee shops and galleries. From fresh seafood to the Salty Dawg Saloon, covered in dollar bills, Homer offers a unique mix of wild and welcoming charm.",
  "summary": "After visiting all 50 states, some of my favorite small towns in the US include Kennebunkport, Maine, Bayfield, Wisconsin, and Abiquiu, New Mexico.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}