America’s Favorite Small Skylines of 2024

By: Lily Valles Last Updated: Jan 23, 2024

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Discover the charm and beauty of America's small towns through their breathtaking skylines. From historic architecture to stunning natural backdrops, these towns offer a visual feast that rivals their big-city counterparts.


America’s Favorite Small Skylines of 2024

The skyscraper, an architectural marvel that first rose in Chicago over 130 years ago, has transformed skylines worldwide.

In the US, skyscrapers are recognized for their towering heights, with landmarks like the Space Needle and Empire State Building shaping iconic cityscapes.

Yet, the allure of skylines isn’t exclusive to large cities. Across the country, smaller towns boast equally captivating skylines, blending historic architecture with natural beauty.


1. New Bern, North Carolina

As one of North Carolina’s oldest towns, New Bern’s skyline features historic buildings, such as the Tryon Palace and the picturesque downtown waterfront, influenced by its colonial past.

1. New Bern, North Carolina


2. Walla Walla, Washington

Famous for its wineries and the Whitman College campus, Walla Walla’s skyline includes charming downtown buildings and the surrounding rolling hills of wine country.

2. Walla Walla, Washington (2)


3. Estes Park, Colorado

The gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park’s skyline includes rustic mountain architecture and panoramic views of the surrounding mountain ranges.

3. Estes Park, Colorado


4. Ojai, California

Surrounded by hills and mountains, Ojai is known for its bohemian vibe and Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. The town’s skyline is a mix of quaint buildings, art galleries, and the famous Ojai Valley Inn.

4. Ojai, California


5. Hendersonville, North Carolina

Located in the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, Hendersonville boasts a charming Main Street with historic buildings set against the backdrop of the Appalachian Mountains.

5. Hendersonville, North Carolina


6. Leadville, Colorado

As the highest incorporated city in the U.S., Leadville’s skyline features historic 19th-century buildings, remnants of the silver mining boom, set against Colorado’s highest peaks.

6. Leadville, Colorado


7. Bay St. Louis, Mississippi

A charming coastal town, Bay St. Louis’ skyline is characterized by its beaches, the Bay St. Louis Bridge, and a quaint downtown with art galleries and shops.

7. Bay St. Louis, Mississippi (2)


8. Valley City, North Dakota

Nicknamed the “City of Bridges,” Valley City offers a unique skyline with its many historic bridges spanning the Sheyenne River, set against the backdrop of the scenic Sheyenne River Valley.

8. Valley City, North Dakota (2)


9. Bath, Maine

Known as the “City of Ships,” Bath’s skyline features the Maine Maritime Museum, historic downtown, and the Bath Iron Works shipyard.

9. Bath, Maine (2)


10. Jonesborough, Tennessee

Tennessee’s oldest town, Jonesborough’s skyline includes historic buildings, storytelling centers, and the charming Main Street.

10. Jonesborough, Tennessee


The table below shows America’s top 70 most beautiful small skylines:

Ranking Town State
11 North Platte Nebraska
12 Fenwick Island Delaware
13 Ajo Arizona
14 Astoria Oregon
15 Bethlehem Pennsylvania
16 Jim Thorpe Pennsylvania
17 Laughlin Nevada
18 Truth or Consequences New Mexico
19 Breckenridge Colorado
20 Milledgeville Georgia
21 Staunton Virginia
22 Donaldsonville Louisiana
23 Mobridge South Dakota
24 Thomasville Georgia
25 Van Buren Arkansas
26 Lewes Delaware
27 Wallace Idaho
28 Charlevoix Michigan
29 Eufaula Oklahoma
30 Scarsdale New York
31 Vincennes Indiana
32 Bartlesville Oklahoma
33 Lebanon Ohio
34 Litchfield Connecticut
35 Cape May New Jersey
36 Ferndale California
37 Old Saybrook Connecticut
38 Cottonwood Falls Kansas
39 Hanover New Hampshire
40 Paducah Kentucky
41 Portsmouth New Hampshire
42 Bishop Hill Illinois
43 Boone Iowa
44 Damariscotta Maine
45 Monroeville Alabama
46 Calistoga California
47 Wellfleet Massachusetts
48 Lynchburg Virginia
49 Manchester Vermont
50 Middlebury Vermont
51 Warren Rhode Island
52 Wiscasset Maine
53 Granbury Texas
54 Peterborough New Hampshire
55 Wheeling West Virginia
56 French Lick Indiana
57 Camden South Carolina
58 Cape Girardeau Missouri
59 Cedarburg Wisconsin
60 Logan Utah
61 Red Wing Minnesota
62 Sandwich Massachusetts
63 Wooster Ohio
64 Grand Marais Minnesota
65 Havre de Grace Maryland
66 Solomons Maryland
67 Weston Missouri
68 Littleton New Hampshire
69 Marion Alabama
70 Fairbanks Alaska

Survey of 1,000 Americans; January 2024.


Implications of the Study:

  • Cultural Appreciation: The recognition of these towns highlights their rich architectural and historical significance, fostering greater appreciation for America’s diverse cultural heritage.
  • Tourism Boost: The survey’s findings could stimulate tourism to these lesser-known destinations, benefiting local economies and promoting cultural exchange.
  • Preservation Efforts: The acknowledgment of these towns for their aesthetic and historical value might encourage efforts to preserve their unique characteristics.
  • Architectural Diversity: Showcasing the varied architectural styles across America, the survey underscores the nation’s wide range of architectural influences, from historic to natural landscapes.
  • Educational Value: Serving as an educational resource, the survey provides insights into America’s architectural evolution, particularly the role of smaller towns.
  • Moving and Relocation Trends: The survey may influence relocation decisions, as people seeking scenic beauty and historical charm might consider moving to these picturesque towns. This could lead to an increased demand for moving company services, especially those specializing in relocating to small towns.
  • Environmental Awareness: With many towns noted for their integration with natural surroundings, the survey highlights the importance of environmental conservation in urban planning and development.
  • Broader Perspective: Challenging the usual focus on large urban centers, our survey draws attention to the understated elegance and unique appeal of smaller towns across the U.S.

Methodology

Online panel survey of 1,000 adults based on age, gender, and geography. Internal data sources are used to obtain population data sets. We used a two-step process to ensure representativeness through stratified sampling and post-stratification weighting