10 Small Towns Across the U.S. That You Don't Need a Car to Visit

"Thanks to rail routes, ferry lines, pint-sized regional airports, and walkable streets, plenty of small towns can be reached and explored without driving-and these are some of the country's best. Whether you're an urbanite who never got a license or just a traveler who prefers to have someone else do the navigating, you'll find lots to enjoy in these locales, which offer the perfect mix of transit access, walkability, and quaint village living."

"This charming town of about 15,000 has its own airport, as well as a walkable beachfront downtown that's loaded with fudge shops, boutiques, and stylish lodgings. TC is also an outdoor lover's paradise, offering everything from kayaking on Grand Traverse Bay to hiking and biking on the TART Trails network, which crisscrosses almost all of the Leelanau Peninsula."

"Proudly bucking both those trends, though, is Laurel, Mississippi, located 90 miles southeast of Jackson. With a population of roughly 17,000, it has gained national attention as the setting of HGTV's Home Town, but the architecture and shops created by the show's Erin and Ben Napier aren't the only things to see here."

Small towns across America provide excellent car-free travel experiences through various transportation options including rail routes, ferry lines, regional airports, and walkable downtown areas. These destinations combine transit accessibility with quaint village living, appealing to travelers without cars or those preferring alternative transportation. Examples include Traverse City, Michigan, featuring its own airport and walkable beachfront downtown with outdoor recreation opportunities like kayaking and hiking on the TART Trails network. Laurel, Mississippi, defies Southern stereotypes by offering walkability and transit access, gaining national recognition through HGTV's Home Town while providing downtown accommodations near art museums and shops accessible on foot.

Read at Travel + Leisure