Here is a list of 15 small cities that are great destinations for food, architecture and culture. I am highlighting those I have not visited so maybe you have not either. They can be enjoyed in a long weekend, have airports or very nearby, and of course they have wonderful hotels.
Santa Fe, NM, sits in the Sangre de Cristo foothills. It’s renowned for its Pueblo-style architecture and as a creative arts hotbed. Founded as a Spanish colony in 1610, it has at its heart the traditional Plaza. The surrounding historic district’s crooked streets wind past adobe landmarks including the Palace of the Governors, now home to the New Mexico History Museum as well as the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum.
Savannah, GA, is separated from South Carolina by the Savannah River. It’s known for manicured parks, horse-drawn carriages and antebellum architecture. Its historic district is filled with cobblestoned squares and parks such as Forsyth Park shaded by oak trees covered with Spanish moss. At the center of this picturesque district is the landmark, Gothic-Revival Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist.
Asheville, NC, is a city in western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s known for a vibrant arts and music scene and historic architecture, including the dome-topped Basilica of Saint Lawrence. The vast 19th-century Biltmore estate displays artwork by masters like Renoir. The Downtown Art District is filled with galleries and museums, and in the nearby River Arts District, former factory buildings house artists’ studios.
Palm Springs, CA, is in the Sonoran Desert of southern California and known for its hot springs, stylish hotels, golf courses and spas. It’s also noted for its many fine examples of midcentury-modern architecture. Its core shopping district along Palm Canyon Drive features vintage boutiques, interior design shops and restaurants. The surrounding Coachella Valley offers hiking, biking and horseback riding trails.
Other small cities include Alexandria VA, Greenville SC, and Santa Barbara CA
OK, so I cannot exclude those I have visited: Charleston SC (a favorite), Sarasota FL, Sedona AZ, Monterey CA, Key West FL, Portland ME, Napa CA, and Newport RI.
How many of these wonderful cities have you visited? Where would you like to take a long weekend to visit or revisit? Call me soon to assist in your planning.
AlwaysHarriet 