Best Small Towns in the US for Art Lovers

Image: The handsome harbor of Rockport, Massachusetts. (Photo via Williamborg / Wikimedia Commons)

by Noreen Kompanik
Last updated: 7:00 AM ET, Mon May 26, 2025

The U.S. is filled with incredible museums that celebrate the arts like The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and The Getty Center in Los Angeles.

But art lovers who are lured to smaller-town U.S.A. can find places that creatives felt drawn to and inspired by the local culture and intimate surroundings. If you’re a small-town lover and art fan, here are some places you’ll want to check out.

Bisbee, Arizona ?

An artistic oasis in the Mule Mountains, Bisbee was once a thriving copper mining town. Though the mines closed and workers moved on to more lucrative prospects, like other mining communities, Bisbee did not die.

Thanks to the influx of creative free spirits drawn to this once raucous mining boom city, Bisbee was restored into an eclectic town full of boutique galleries, enterprising restauranteurs and locally owned businesses.

Breckenridge, Colorado

Just strolling through this ski town’s main street is an eye-candy treat. Old and new blend in perfect harmony in Colorado’s largest historic district. Nineteenth century building have many stories to tell and Old West saloons still contain original bars and vintage relics from its gold mining days.

The mountain hamlet is also filled with a myriad of eclectic art shops that continue to lure entrepreneurs. Watching artists in residence working in their studios and galleries is a joy. The paintings are spectacular, but we’re amazed at the artistry in jewelry, pottery, glassworks, textiles, and metalsmithing found here. ?

Held every August, Breckenridge International Festival of the Arts lures visitors from all over the globe for a 10-day transformative journey.

Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

One of the most beautiful collaborations between man and nature has to be the seaside bohemian artist village of Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Located just five miles south of Monterey, Carmel's groves of live oaks, pines and Monterey Cypress meet the white silky sands of its pristine beach.

What began as an artist colony that lured the likes of Sinclair Lewis, Robert Louis Stevenson and Ansel Adams with incredible scenic beauty, the quaint collection of whimsical thatched-roof cottages, cape-cod homes, artsy boutiques and storybook restaurants give Carmel a distinctive flavor unlike any other West Coast town.

With over 100 galleries packed into its one-square-mile downtown, Carmel ranks among the most concentrated art communities in the U.S.

Dahlonega, Georgia

Located in the foothills of the picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains about 65 miles north of Atlanta, Dahlonega is known for its scenic beauty, rich history and vibrant small-town culture and best-recognized as the site of the first major U.S. gold rush in 1828.

The easily walkable town is filled with preserved 19^th-century architecture, boutique shops, restaurants and art galleries. Each year the Dahlonega Arts & Wine Festival held in Hancock Park, showcases high-quality arts and crafts booths alongside a Wine Garden featuring local and regional wines.

Rockport, Massachusetts

This picturesque seaside town is located on the tip of Cape Ann about 40 miles north of Boston. Halibut Point State Park features dramatic rocky shorelines, scenic walking trails and panoramic Atlantic Ocean views.

Considered the most-painted building in America, Motif No. 1 is an iconic red fishing shack at the end of Bearskin Neck. Along with a historic lighthouse, Rockport has one of the oldest art associations in the U.S., the Rockport Art Association & Museum, established in 1921. It serves as the central hub for the local community showcasing the works of 250 artists and photography members and featuring over 40 annual exhibitions and themed art shows.

Mount Dora, Florida

A charming lakeside town with artistic soul in Central Florida, Mount Dora is celebrated for its rich arts scene, historic architecture and vibrant festivals.

Mount Dora Center for the Arts, established in 1985, offers gallery exhibits, classes and workshops. Its annual Arts Festival held every February, attracts over 200,000 visitors and features fine art from national artists. Modernism Museum opened in 2013 focusing on the Studio Arts Movement, blending high art with craftsmanship.

Taos, New Mexico

A thriving, historic art colony in the high desert, Taos is a kaleidoscope of diverse cultures, ancient history, world class art and amazing New Mexico culture all set amid awe-inspiring landscapes which has been a huge draw for artists since six artists formed the Taos Society of Artists in 1915.

Mystical Taos is home to over 80 fascinating art galleries featuring and mix of traditional and contemporary works and several historic museums, an impressive number for a small town. A visit to the Taos Pueblo, a multi-story adobe settlement continuously inhabited by the Pueblo Native Americans for over 1,000 years is a must-do.

The mid-20th century saw the emergence of the ‘Taos Moderns’, artists influenced by European modernism who brought abstract and experimental approaches to the region. This period attracted notable figures such as Georgia O'Keeffe and D.H. Lawrence, who found inspiration in Taos's unique blend of cultures and landscapes. Today, the town offers workshops and classes for aspiring artists and seasonal art festivals and exhibitions.

Santa Rosa, California

Situated in the heart of Sonoma’s Wine Country, Santa Rosa boasts award-winning wines along with a thriving art scene.

The Charles M. Schulz Museum honors the creator of the Peanuts comic strip, featuring exhibits on his life and work. Additionally, the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts hosts a variety of performances from ballet to comedy, reflecting the city’s diverse cultural offerings. And downtown Santa Rosa is a quaint area with a lovely mix of shops, restaurants and cultural attractions.

Tubac, Arizona

History meets art in Tubac, founded in the 1700s as Arizona’s first European settlement. Situated between the Tumacácori and Santa Rita Mountain ranges in the Arizona high desert, Tubac offers a unique blend of cultural heritage and artistic expression.

For a town that’s less than 12 square miles, Tubac boasts an impressive 100-plus shops and galleries that offer everything from handcrafted jewelry and pottery, antiques and all types of art to gourmet meals and fine wines.

Eureka Springs, Arkansas

This charming, historic town in the Ozark Mountains of northwest Arkansas is renowned for its 19^th century Victorian architecture, natural springs, bed-and-breakfast inns, vibrant art scene and creative spirit.

The entire downtown including its fascinating flatiron buildings is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the area is replete with art galleries, studios and arts festivals.

Marfa, Texas

A small desert town turned contemporary art hub, Marfa in West Texas is loved for its quirky art scene, fascinating landscapes and mysterious, glowing orbs that appear on the east horizon of town with no definitive explanation.

Marfa’s remote beauty and eerie stillness have made it a go-to location for stories set in the American Southwest. Minimalist artist Donald Judd who moved here from New York put Marfa on the international art map in the 1970s. Judd founded the Chinati Foundation, a massive art museum featuring large-scale installations in old military buildings. The town is now a hub for modern and contemporary art with numerous galleries, studios and rotating exhibits.

For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.