The small-town charm of Arundel with its cultural activities, historic buildings, museums, rolling farmland, and spectacular natural scenery attracts many visitors to the region each year. This article looks at towns similar to Arundel and finds out why these towns are favorite living and vacation choices.
These charming small towns are all unique and great destinations with incredible scenery and outdoor activities; our list includes Rangeley ME, Stowe Vermont, Greenville ME, Kent Connecticut, Bartlett Mills, Gorham Maine, Kennebunk ME, Manchester Vermont, and Lenox Massachusetts.
Most of these towns are well-known getaway destinations, and others are hidden gems, but they are all full of historical buildings, covered bridges, and natural beauty. Choose any of these towns from our list to plan your day trip or weekend getaway.
The charming historic town of Arundel is famous for its beautiful nature, historic charm, woodland areas, and productive farmland that attracts visitors all year round.
1. Manchester – Vermont
The picturesque town of Manchester is surrounded by the beautiful Green Mountains, where you can shop, savor, sip, unplug, recharge and restore. The lovely town features white church steeples, country lanes, and covered bridges with 360-degree scenic views of the Green Mountains.
Manchester offers excellent recreational activities and historical, cultural events. Book your next getaway in one of the charming cottages, historic inns, and boutique hotels that line the streets in Manchester.
Manchester is a short driving distance away from Boston and New York, making it easily accessible. Stroll down the main street to browse locally owned shops with many goods on offer and some of the best food in the area with friendly people as a company.
Crisp cool air and colorful tree lines make Manchester, Vermont, a top destination town worth a visit.
2. Woodstock – Vermont
Woodstock is a perfect little picture-book town voted as the prettiest village in the US with its spectacular natural scenery, historic buildings, world heritage farm, great restaurants, local boutiques, and friendly faces. Take a stroll across the covered bridge to take in the breathtaking views from the center of the bridge.
Several historic buildings surround the central square, known as the Green, including the Norman Williams Public Library built in the 1880s with beautiful views of the Ottauquechee River.
Woodstock features the Billings Farm and Museum, a working dairy farm that exhibits 19th-century farm life in the 1890 farmhouse.
Walking trails are abundant around the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, with mountain bike tracks and outdoor activities for everyone.
The oldest store in Woodstock is Gillingham’s who opened in 1858 and still operates, selling a great variety of Vermont products, crafts, and gifts.
3. Stowe – Vermont
While Stowe is beautiful year-round, fall is especially spectacular with colorful foliage, perfect snowfalls, and the nation’s oldest ski patrol, making it ideal for winter holidays.
Stowe is home to many arts and crafts stores, art galleries, restaurants, handcrafted furniture. Musicals and performing arts are regularly performed at the Stowe Theater Guild and Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center.
Mount Mansfield features picturesque hiking trails for people who want to bike or hike the Stowe Recreation Path. Mount Mansfield and Smugglers Notch are famous for their spectacular scenic views.
Stowe has three golf courses to play to the heart’s desire for those who love golf.
4. Lenox – Massachusetts
Lenox is located in the Berkshire Mountains, a charming summer holiday destination with natural beauty, art galleries, restaurants, and a cultural district. Lenox is a haven for outdoor activities year long. It is home to the Tanglewood Music Festival and Boston Symphony Orchestra in the summer.
Lenox is a town with unique features and attractions with a lot to offer for everyone. Parks, theaters, museums, and nature trails, there’s a wide variety of outdoor activities.
Take a hike in Pleasant Valley Sanctuary, with 1,000 acres of natural beauty to explore. The trails wind through beautiful meadows, wetlands, and forests along the slopes of Lenox Mountain.
For art lovers, you catch a show at Shakespeare & Company that operates year-round to more than sixty thousand visitors putting on one of the largest Shakespeare Festivals in the country.
5. Chester – Vermont
Chester is located in the scenic Green Mountains of Vermont, is a charming town with historical beauty.
This picturesque town offers a wide range of year-round outdoor activities to visitors and residents alike. Chester’s Stone Village Historic District and the quaint main street earned a place on the National Register of Historic Places.
Take a stroll through the vintage barns and shops selling handmade furniture, textiles, hooked rugs, coins, collectibles, jewelry, and woodenware. The Stone House Antique Center is a gathering place for more than ninety sellers.
In Chester, you are free to enjoy nature and the outdoors with its proximity to Stratton, Bromley, Mount Snow, Killington Okemo Mountain Resort, and Magic Mountain.
6. Burlington – Vermont
Burlington is directly adjacent to beautiful Lake Champlain, thirty minutes away from lush green mountains. Burlington is a charming place to visit year-round, with gorgeous waterfront views and several beaches like North Beach and Oakledge Park.
Fall and summer are the best times to visit, but the proximity to Montreal with high winter snowfall makes Burlington the perfect winter getaway for the winter holidays.
Streets in Burlington are lined with cobblestone and full of energy and life with live music to boutique stores and restaurants. Rent a bike and ride down to the waterfront along the scenic Burlington Bike Path.
7. Brattleboro – Vermont
The small-town character of Brattleboro, with its lively downtown and thriving art scene, is a popular destination for visitors year-round. Located in the best part of the Green Mountain State, this artistic hub is a must on anyone’s bucket list.
The Farmers Market of Brattleboro is a premier market in all of southern Vermont, not only in town. Vendors sell everything from agricultural products, vegetables, fresh fruits to delicious prepared foods and handmade crafts.
Brattleboro is a popular destination for people who like signature events such as the Strolling of the Heifers in June and the Winter Carnival in February.
8. North Berwick – Maine
North Berwick is located in York County adjacent to the beautiful Salmon Falls River between Rochester and Portsmouth.
North Berwick offers a variety of rural and urban attractions. This quaint small historic town is the perfect place to experience small-town American life while enjoying natural, cultural, and historical sites.
A visit to the Children’s Museum, Sanford Country Club, or the Hamilton House, the former residence of Jonathan Hamilton built in the 18th century, will not be regretted.
The North Berwick Woolen Mill is a historic landmark that sits on the banks of the Great Works River that flows through the town. North Berwick offers a lot of outdoor activities for young and old.
9. Keene – New Hampshire
Keene is situated in Cheshire County; this picturesque town is the filming location for the 1994 movie Jumanji with Robin Williams.
Keene hosts the annual pumpkin festival and set a world record for most jack-o’-lanterns displayed.
Explore the Cheshire Rail Trail in Keene. The 42-mile-long rail trail runs through Keene, Fitzwilliam, Westmoreland, Troy, and North Walpole, crossing a historic arch bridge over the Ashuelot River.
Book a trip to the Cheshire Children’s Museum, a hands-on children’s museum for children ten and younger that features themed playrooms, interactive exhibits, and playrooms for toddlers and their families.
In winter, Keene becomes a winter wonderland covered in snow. Enjoy your favorite outdoor winter activities like snowboarding, skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, snowmobiling, and skating.
Step inside one of the many restaurants, cafés in town and enjoy a warm fire with a cup of hot cocoa.
10. Peterborough – New Hampshire
This charming little town hidden away in southern New Hampshire is surrounded by mountains and adjacent to the Contoocook River, providing panoramic scenic views.
Peterborough was founded in 1737 and is one of the oldest towns in New Hampshire. Enjoy boutique shopping at a quality antique shop or venture outdoors to do some hiking at any outdoor areas in Peterborough.
The Peterborough Players theatre company built a reputation for being the best destination for theater productions in the area. Theater performances are held in a small theater converted from a historic barn dating to the eighteenth century.
Miller State Park offers several trails that lead to the summit of Pack Monadnock, giving 360-degree panoramic views from the fire tower.
Temple Mountain Reservation is great for hiking, or head down to Edward MacDowell Lake in West Peterborough, where there are plenty of picnic areas, hiking trails, a beach for swimming for a fun day out on the water.
11. Alfred- Maine
Alfred is located in York County and has a predominantly rural community in this charming New England village. The Alfred Historic District is in the center of Alfred Village, which features many historic buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places from as early as 1794.
Alfred is a cute little town with no chain stores or box stores. The town center is beautiful with small country stores and great restaurants.
Visit the Gile’s Family Farm or any of the farms located in the area to pick your apples or find that perfect pumpkin or enjoy a nice cup of cider while tasting one of their homemade donuts. The family farm store of Gile’s Family Farm is one of the most recommended attractions in Alfred.
12. Nantucket Town – Massachusetts
Nantucket is a small island at Cape Cod that retained the elegance and charm of the 1800s. Nantucket town exudes charm with its cobblestoned streets lined with unique gift shops, elegant restaurants, boutique stores, and stately homes.
The town has more than 800 historic homes and buildings. Most of Nantucket’s historical sites are located in the center within walking distance.
This popular summer destination features beautiful beaches, cobblestoned streets lined with white-steepled churches, and high-end restaurants. The Whaling Museum that exhibits the island’s role in 19th-century whaling is worth visiting.
Nantucket Town is one of the most beautiful towns in New England. Whale watching tours are available from April to October. Consider a day trip to Nantucket with scenic views, beautiful heathlands, remarkable vegetation. Nantucket is a popular venue for bird watchers on the north-south flyway of migratory birds.
13. Gorham – Maine
The quaint historic town of Gorham lies 10 miles west of Portland, with lots of historical architecture and small-town charm. Located near Sebago Lake, it offers a variety of outdoor recreational activities like swimming, hiking trails, kayaking, and canoeing on the river.
The beautiful town has several small stores that sell handmade goods and restaurants that offer anything from Thai food to Seafood. Enjoy a cold beer from one of the local breweries in the area, like the Lone Pine brewing company or Sebago brewery. Coffee shops and bakeries are located throughout the town for those who prefer a non-alcoholic drink.
Head down to the Gorham Country club for a round of golf on championship course lush greens that cover 180 acres of Maine State Game Preserve with plenty of wildlife roaming about.
14. Stockbridge – Massachusetts
The picturesque village of Stockbridge lies in the Berkshires, Massachusetts. This beautiful town is often described as typical small-town America because of its historic homes. Take a walk along walking paths or lovely nature preserves or shop at the boutique stores, specialty food shops, or art galleries that line the streets.
The exquisite Gilded Age architecture and gardens of Stockbridge are a must-see. The famous artist Norman Rockwell depicted the town in his paintings, so it remains today. Walk down Main Street and step back in time.
The High Lawn Farm is a third-generation family-owned dairy farm that welcomes visitors all week at their Farmstead Creamery Shop, where they sell farm-fresh creamery products, ice cream, slow-churned butter, artisanal cheese, fresh milk, and cream.
Stockbridge features many cultural attractions and summer music festivals, art museums and galleries, and historic homes with sculpted gardens. The spectacular countryside provides several trails, hiking, bird watching, cycling, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.
Stockbridge is a 2-hour drive from Boston and 3 hours from New York City, a short hop for a relaxing weekend getaway or day trip. Take a break from the rat race of city life and spend a few days in Stockbridge.
15. Kennebunk, Maine
Kennebunk town is a charming holiday destination with many shops, art galleries, great restaurants, natural beauty, beaches, and historical sites.
Take a walk-in nature in many open natural spaces like the Nature Conservancy Blueberry Barrens, where visitors can pick blueberries in July.
The Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge has the best walking trails that run along estuaries and the salt marshes. Visit the Wells Reserve at Ludlow Farm with scenic nature walks and snowshoeing during the winter.
Kennebunk has beautiful paths and sidewalks that run along Kennebunk beach waterfront. Kennebunk has many outdoor activities available throughout the year, from shopping at beachside boutiques, coastal excursions, and scenic nature walks; Kennebunk is a great holiday or weekend destination.
16. Kent – Connecticut
Kent is an easy two-hour drive from New York, making it a perfect weekend getaway destination. Its rural character and natural beauty make it a popular town to visit. Kent has plenty of outdoor activities on offer like fishing, hiking, and camping.
Kent is famous for the beautiful cascading waterfall in Kent Falls State Park. Stroll along the quarter-mile-long trail that runs beside the waterfall to enjoy the best views with plenty of viewpoints along the way. Macedonia Brook State Park of 2,300 acres of wilderness has many hiking trails like the most popular Macedonia Ridge Trail, which runs across several mountain peaks and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and forests.
The town features excellent shops, restaurants, and art galleries and only has three remaining covered bridges in Connecticut. The historic wooden Bull’s Bridge runs a hundred and nine feet across the Housatonic River. Bull’s bridge was constructed in 1842, and it has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1972.
17. Rangeley – Maine
Visitors return to visit Rangeley each year because of the natural beauty in the western Maine mountains. The Rangeley Lakes offers great outdoor activities against the backdrop of spectacular natural beauty throughout the year.
The charming town is situated on the shores of Rangeley Lake, the perfect place to hear the loons calling at night. The Rangeley Lakes region is famous for fishing; modern fly-fishing was born in Rangeley. The Lake fishing is spectacular, with Saddleback Mountain rising above the waters.
Rent a canoe, motorboat, or kayak, or take a cruise around the lake to see bald eagles and loons. Rangeley Lake State Park is perfect for boating, swimming, and camping. Numerous hiking trails are part of the Appalachian Trail wines along Saddleback Mountain.
Enjoy mountain skiing at Saddleback Mountain; with its annual snowfall of 200 inches in Rangeley, the snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing are perfect for people who love winter sports.
Rangeley features many Restaurants like The Red Onion, famous for its homemade pizzas and chili.
18. Greenville – Maine
Greenville offers the best quality of life surrounded by natural wonders like Moosehead Lake with its small-town charm and heritage. Nothing beats the beauty of the natural outdoors; spend time exploring the lake, wildlife, and islands.
The small community consists of craft stores, restaurants, and family-owned businesses; you won’t find any big stores or restaurant franchises in Greenville.
This charming small town retained its genuine, small-town feel. Buy antiques, hunting gear, art, furniture, souvenirs, specialty foods, and jewelry from Kamp Moosehead Lake Indian Store, one of many unique gift stores in town.
The museum in Greenville exhibits a variety of nautical treasures from Moosehead Lake’s rich history. The historic Steamboat Katahdin offers lake cruises daily from June to October.
19. Jackson – New Hampshire
Jackson is surrounded by natural beauty, high mountains, green landscapes, white steeple churches, charming homes, rolling farmland, and the covered bridge built in 1876, a quintessential New Hampshire Mountain town.
Jackson has several restaurants to cater for casual to candlelight dinners and lodges and inns that offer great country breakfasts and afternoon teas.
Jackson has been photographed by many photographers and captured on canvas by artists. Jackson features hotels, inns, and restaurants popular for their hospitality.
Visit the White Mountain National Forest, where you can experience kayaking, biking, hiking, canoeing, horseback riding, fishing, golfing, snowshoeing, ice skating, backcountry, and cross-country, alpine skiing on the best trails.
Book a horse-drawn sleigh ride to whisk you away. The crystal-clear waterfalls, free-flowing rivers, beautiful lakes offer many outdoor activities to keep many outdoor enthusiasts happy. This beautiful little town is a picturesque wedding and holiday destination.
20. Harts Location – New Hampshire
Harts Location is the smallest town in New Hampshire, with forty-three local residents. Harts Location has spectacular natural scenery, waterfalls, hiking trails, and a road that leads to a real ghost town. Hart’s location features a charming country inn with a beautiful dining room.
Hike up to the Arethusa Falls in the Crawford Notch State Park that features many hiking trails to enjoy nature at its best and explore the three scenic waterfalls along the trail. Arethusa Falls is one of the highest natural waterfalls found in New Hampshire.
The historic and scenic outpost of Willey House, located inside Crawford Notch State Park, is well worth a visit. The Pond Loop Trail and Sam Willey Trail runs right across the Willey House Historic Site. Both trails are flat and short, perfect for hikers who don’t want to spend the whole day outdoors hiking.
The gift shop sells a surprising array of fun gift items and handmade pocketknives. Harts Location should not be missed on your next visit to New Hampshire. Mount Willard offers beautiful fall colors, but the hike can be challenging to some people. The Fourth Iron Bridge is a scenic railroad bridge easily accessible with beautiful photo opportunities in the surrounding area and on the bridge.
Conclusion
The towns similar to Arundel listed in this guide are all unique and feature historic architecture that looks like they belong in a painting. These picture-perfect towns with their old stone streets, working farms and orchards, cheese makers, cider mills, maple syrup farms, charming storefronts, classic covered bridges, sweeping panoramas, and beautiful nature preserves are great destinations with incredible scenery and outdoor activities that deserve a visit at least once in a lifetime.
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