If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping into a storybook, New England’s small towns are about as close as it gets!
Picture charming streets lined with historic homes, cozy cafes and views that will take your breath away.
From coastal villages where lighthouses stand tall over the crashing waves to mountain towns surrounded by colorful forests, each one feels like a page out of a fairy tale.
Keep reading to discover some of the prettiest small towns that will make you feel like you’re living in a dream!
We’ve organized the towns by state, making it easy to find what you’re looking for.
Vermont
1. Stowe, Vermont
Stowe is a charming little town located in the Green Mountains, in the northern part of Vermont.
It’s best known for its stunning fall foliage, cozy ski resorts and the famous Mount Mansfield, which is the tallest peak in Vermont.
Walking down Main Street feels like stepping into a storybook, with its cute shops, white steeple church and colorful houses.
Stowe is also a hot spot for outdoor activities like hiking, skiing and even snowshoeing in the winter.
Fun fact: The town is home to the Trapp Family Lodge, started by the real von Trapp family from The Sound of Music!
2. Woodstock, Vermont
Woodstock is a picture-perfect town located in central Vermont, close to Quechee and Hanover, New Hampshire.
Known for its charming covered bridges, historic homes and quaint downtown area, it feels like you’ve stepped right into a postcard.
The town square, called The Green, is lined with boutique shops, cozy cafes and beautifully restored 19th-century buildings.
Woodstock is also home to Billings Farm & Museum, where you can learn about Vermont’s farming history and see real cows and sheep!
Woodstock is actually one of the most photographed towns in New England, thanks to its stunning fall colors and timeless New England charm.
3. Manchester, Vermont
Manchester is a charming small town in the southwestern part of Vermont, surrounded by the lush Green Mountains.
It’s famous for its high-end outlet shopping, historic inns and stunning natural beauty, making it a popular getaway.
The town is home to Hildene, the grand estate of Abraham Lincoln’s son, which has beautiful gardens and scenic views.
You can also explore the nearby Equinox Mountain, which offers great hiking trails and breathtaking views of the valley below.
Manchester is known for its cozy New England vibe, complete with a classic town square and plenty of farm-to-table restaurants!
4. Weston, Vermont
Weston is a tiny, postcard-perfect village tucked in the southern part of the state, not far from Ludlow and Manchester.
It’s best known for the famous Vermont Country Store, where you can find nostalgic candies, classic toys and locally made goods.
The village green, with its white church and surrounding historic buildings, looks like something straight out of a fairy tale.
Weston is also home to the Weston Playhouse which is the oldest professional theater in Vermont that hosts amazing performances year-round.
The town’s charm has remained unchanged for decades, with its scenic nearby waterfalls and peaceful country roads making it a true hidden gem!
New Hampshire
5. Meredith, New Hampshire
Meredith is a lovely lakeside town located in the heart of the Lakes Region, right on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee.
It’s known for its scenic waterfront, charming downtown and fun outdoor activities like boating, fishing and swimming in the summer.
Meredith is also home to the iconic Mill Falls Marketplace, where you can shop in restored 19th-century buildings and even see a real working waterfall!
The town’s cozy inns and beautiful views make it a perfect spot for a relaxing getaway.
In the winter, Meredith transforms into a winter wonderland with the annual Ice Fishing Derby, attracting anglers from all over!
6. North Conway, New Hampshire
North Conway is a picturesque town in the White Mountains, known for its stunning views of Mount Washington and its charming New England vibe.
Located in the eastern part of the state, it’s famous for outdoor adventures like hiking, skiing and exploring the breathtaking Kancamagus Highway, which is especially beautiful in the fall.
The town is also home to the Conway Scenic Railroad, where you can take a vintage train ride through the mountains.
Downtown North Conway is filled with quaint shops, cozy cafes and the iconic Zeb’s General Store, a must-visit for local treats and souvenirs.
North Conway is also a top destination for outlet shopping!
7. Harrisville, New Hampshire
Harrisville is a tiny, storybook town in the southwestern part of the state, near Keene, known for its well-preserved 19th-century mill buildings.
Situated around a peaceful lake, it’s one of the few remaining New England villages that still looks almost exactly like it did over 100 years ago.
The brick mill buildings, white clapboard homes and historic general store give it a charming, timeless feel.
Harrisville is famous for its textile history, and you can still visit Harrisville Designs, where they make high-quality yarns and looms.
Interestingly, the entire village is actually a National Historic Landmark!
8. Sugar Hill, New Hampshire
Sugar Hill is a charming, mountaintop village located in the northern part of New Hampshire, near Franconia Notch.
It’s famous for its stunning views of the White Mountains and its fields of blooming lupines, which turn the town into a sea of purple every June.
The town is small but filled with charm, featuring classic New England homes, a cozy general store and Polly’s Pancake Parlor, a local favorite for homemade pancakes and maple syrup.
Sugar Hill is also known for its breathtaking sunsets, with colors that light up the sky over the distant mountains.
Fun fact: Sugar Hill was once a popular summer resort town for the wealthy in the 1800s and today it still has that dreamy, peaceful vibe!
Maine
9. Bar Harbor, Maine
Bar Harbor is a gorgeous seaside town located on Mount Desert Island, right on the edge of Acadia National Park.
It’s known for its stunning ocean views, rugged cliffs and charming downtown filled with shops, galleries and seafood restaurants serving up the freshest lobster.
You’ll love exploring the nearby park’s scenic trails, including the famous Cadillac Mountain, where you can be the first in the U.S. to see the sunrise.
The town’s harbor is full of sailboats and you can often spot seals and whales off the coast.
Fun fact: Bar Harbor was once a summer playground for America’s elite, including the Rockefellers and Vanderbilts!
10. Ogunquit, Maine
Ogunquit is a charming coastal town located in southern Maine, just an hour and a half north of Boston.
It’s famous for its stunning sandy beaches, the scenic Marginal Way walking path and its colorful art galleries.
The town’s downtown is filled with quaint shops, seafood restaurants and the historic Ogunquit Playhouse, which puts on Broadway-caliber shows.
You’ll love taking a stroll along Perkins Cove, which is a tiny fishing village with lobster shacks and cute boutiques.
Fun fact: The name Ogunquit actually means “beautiful place by the sea” in the Algonquin language, and it’s easy to see why with its picture-perfect ocean views!
11. Camden, Maine
Camden is a picturesque coastal town located on Penobscot Bay, halfway between Portland and Bar Harbor.
It’s known for its beautiful harbor filled with sailboats, charming downtown and breathtaking views from Mount Battie, where you can see the town and ocean below.
Camden is famous for its “where the mountains meet the sea” vibe and offers both outdoor adventure and seaside relaxation.
The town also hosts the annual Camden Windjammer Festival, where you can watch majestic schooners sail into the harbor.
Fun fact: Camden’s stunning scenery has been featured in several movies, including ‘Peyton Place’ and ‘Carousel’!
12. Kennebunkport, Maine
Kennebunkport is a pretty coastal town located in southern Maine, just 30 minutes south of Portland.
It’s best known for its beautiful beaches, historic homes and Dock Square, a lively downtown area full of shops, art galleries and seafood restaurants.
The town is famous for being the summer home of the Bush family, with their Walker’s Point estate offering stunning ocean views.
You’ll love exploring the scenic coastline, with highlights like Goose Rocks Beach and the iconic Goat Island Lighthouse.
Kennebunkport transforms into a festive wonderland during its annual Christmas Prelude, which is one of the top holiday festivals in the country!
13. Bethel, Maine
Bethel is a charming mountain town located in the western part of the state, near the New Hampshire border and the White Mountains.
It’s known for its outdoor adventures, with Sunday River Ski Resort nearby, offering some of the best skiing and snowboarding in New England.
The town itself is full of historic charm, with beautiful 19th-century homes, a quaint village green, and local shops and cafes.
In the warmer months, you can enjoy hiking, fishing or taking a scenic drive through the Grafton Notch State Park.
Bethel is also home to the annual Bethel Harvestfest, where you can enjoy local crafts, live music and delicious Maine apples!
14. Greenville, Maine
Greenville is a peaceful, storybook town located in the heart of the state, right on the southern tip of Moosehead Lake, the largest lake in Maine.
It’s known for its stunning natural beauty and offers endless outdoor adventures like kayaking, fishing and moose-watching safaris.
The town is a gateway to the North Woods, with beautiful hiking trails and the famous Mount Kineo offering breathtaking views of the lake.
Greenville’s downtown is small but charming with local shops, cozy cafes and the iconic Katahdin steamboat, which still offers scenic cruises on Moosehead Lake.
Greenville also hosts the annual International Seaplane Fly-In, where hundreds of seaplanes gather for an exciting weekend of aerial shows and competitions!
Rhode Island
15. Westerly, Rhode Island
Westerly is a charming coastal town located in the southwestern corner of the state, right on the border with Connecticut.
It’s known for its beautiful beaches, like Misquamicut and Watch Hill, where you can enjoy miles of sandy shoreline and stunning ocean views.
The town has a vibrant downtown with quaint shops, cafes and the historic Westerly Library, which sits next to Wilcox Park, a picturesque spot for picnics and strolls.
Westerly is also home to the iconic Watch Hill Lighthouse and the Flying Horse Carousel, the oldest operating carousel in the country.
Fun fact: Taylor Swift owns a summer home in Watch Hill so you might spot her in this enchanting town!
16. Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is a pretty coastal town located on Aquidneck Island in the southeastern part of the state, known for its grand Gilded Age mansions and breathtaking ocean views.
The famous Cliff Walk offers a scenic path along the rocky coastline, where you can admire both the crashing waves and the opulent mansions like The Breakers and Marble House.
Newport is also a sailing paradise, often called the “Sailing Capital of the World,” and hosts the annual Newport Regatta.
The town’s historic downtown is filled with cobblestone streets, charming shops, seafood restaurants and cozy waterfront cafes.
Newport was once the summer playground for America’s wealthiest families, and it’s still a top spot for luxury and seaside charm today!
17. Wickford Village, Rhode Island
Wickford Village is a quaint, waterfront town located in North Kingstown, along Narragansett Bay in the southern part of Rhode Island.
It’s known for its beautifully preserved colonial homes, peaceful harbor and charming downtown lined with boutiques, art galleries and cozy cafes.
The village feels like a step back in time, with its narrow streets and historic buildings, including the Old Narragansett Church, built in 1707.
You’ll love strolling along the harbor, where you can watch boats bobbing in the water or catch a stunning sunset.
Wickford also hosts the annual Wickford Art Festival, one of the oldest outdoor art shows in New England, drawing artists and visitors from all over!
Connecticut
18. Mystic, Connecticut
Mystic is a charming seaside village located on the eastern coast of the state, right along the Mystic River.
It’s best known for its rich maritime history and the Mystic Seaport Museum, where you can explore historic ships and a recreated 19th-century coastal village.
The town’s quaint downtown is full of unique shops, cafes and the famous Mystic Pizza, made famous by the Julia Roberts movie of the same name.
You’ll enjoy crossing the iconic Mystic drawbridge, which offers beautiful views of the harbor and the sailboats gliding by.
Mystic Aquarium is actually home to one of the world’s only beluga whale exhibits!
19. Cornwall, Connecticut
Cornwall is a picturesque town situated in the rolling hills of Connecticut’s northwestern corner, known for its scenic beauty and rural charm.
It’s famous for the iconic Cornwall Covered Bridge, a red wooden bridge that looks like it’s straight out of a fairy tale.
The town is surrounded by lush forests and the Housatonic River, making it a popular spot for hiking, fishing and leaf-peeping in the fall.
Cornwall’s small downtown is filled with historic homes, local shops and art galleries, giving it a cozy, old-world feel.
Cornwall is also home to Mohawk Mountain, which is one of Connecticut’s best ski areas.
Massachusetts
20. Provincetown, Massachusetts
Provincetown is an exciting seaside town located at the very tip of Cape Cod, known for its colorful art scene, historic charm and welcoming atmosphere.
It’s famous for being the first landing spot of the Pilgrims in 1620, marked by the towering Pilgrim Monument, which offers panoramic views of the town and coastline.
Provincetown is filled with quirky shops, art galleries and seafood restaurants, with Commercial Street as the lively heart of it all.
The town’s beautiful beaches, like Race Point and Herring Cove, are perfect for sunbathing, whale-watching and enjoying stunning sunsets.
Provincetown is also a hub for LGBTQ+ culture and also hosts vibrant festivals like Carnival, where the town bursts into a rainbow of fun and celebration!
21. Chatham, Massachusetts
Chatham is a charming coastal town located on the southeastern tip of Cape Cod, known for its scenic harbor and classic New England feel.
It’s famous for the Chatham Lighthouse, which still guides ships today, and the nearby Lighthouse Beach, perfect for long walks and spotting seals.
The town’s Main Street is filled with boutique shops, ice cream parlors and seafood restaurants, giving it a lively but quaint atmosphere.
Chatham is also home to the Chatham Fish Pier, where you can watch local fishermen unload their daily catch.
Plus, Chatham is a prime spot for Cape Cod’s traditional baseball games, where you can catch some of the nation’s top college players in action!
22. Concord, Massachusetts
Concord is a historic town located about 20 miles northwest of Boston, known for its rich Revolutionary War history and literary heritage.
It’s famous for landmarks like the Old North Bridge, where “the shot heard ‘round the world” was fired, and the beautiful Minute Man National Historical Park.
Concord was home to famous authors like Louisa May Alcott, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Henry David Thoreau, and you can visit their homes, including Alcott’s Orchard House and Thoreau’s Walden Pond.
The town’s charming downtown is filled with bookstores, cafes and historic buildings that make it feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
Fun fact: Concord also played a key role in environmentalism thanks to Thoreau’s writings on nature and simplicity in ‘Walden’!
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