I've lived in and visited so many of America's biggest cities, but these 6 small towns have really won me over

Some of my favorite small towns to visit are just outside of bigger cities in the United States.

Cheyenne Elwell

• I've been to the largest cities in the US, but I love the smaller towns outside those major hubs.
• Quieter destinations like Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and Bend, Oregon, offer a lovely slow pace.
• Tarrytown is a great day trip from NYC, and Ephrata is a perfect escape outside of Philly.

For a long time, I was drawn to big cities for their high energy, impressive food scenes, and unique cultures.