Small towns are big on personality, especially during the winter! From snow-dusted streets to exhilarating outdoor adventures, winter is when small towns shine. Are you ready for a memorable winter getaway? Check out the small towns below!
Cooperstown & Otsego County, New York
Cozy up in charming Cooperstown this winter! Cooperstown is known as America’s hometown, and it is easy to see why. With an endearing downtown and plenty of amenities, including the National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum, Cooperstown is definitely a small town worth the trip!
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
It doesn’t matter when you visit, your first stop in Cooperstown should always be the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. The educational institution provides visitors with interactive exhibits and special events throughout the year, all in the name of baseball. Some of the top exhibits include the following:
- The Plaque Gallery
- The Souls of the Game
- Generations of the Game
- Diamond Dreams
- Shoebox Treasures
- Whole New Ballgame
- One for the Books
- Autumn Glory
- Viva Baseball!
- The Hall of Fame in Cooperstown
Spectacular Shopping
Otsego County offers a unique shopping experience including antiques, arts and crafts, and specialty retail shops. Some of its best known shops are notably dedicated to baseball. This includes Seventh Inning Stretch, Mickey’s Place, and the Cooperstown Bat Company. Other fun shops include the cider mill and marketplace at Fly Creek, Posie’s Vintiques, and Wood Bull Antiques. Anglers will be sure to find a retail catch at one of the many fishing shops that line the Richfield Springs Main Street. Creative souls should keep an eye out for artist enclaves, music shops, and other speciality shops.
Are you ready to experience the charm of Cooperstown and Otsego County? Request your free print and downloadable Cooperstown & Otsego County Travel Guide!
Missoula, Montana
Missoula is a small town worth the trip! During the winter months Missoula transforms into a magical winter wonderland. If you love to be outside, Missoula is the place for you. There is so much to see and do when the snow is falling.
Cross-Country Skiing
Missoula has a number of notable nordic ski areas to enjoy and explore during your visit. Pattee Canyon Recreation Area has six miles of scenic trails perfect for every ability level, including the hilly and scenic Southside trails as well as the flatter Northside trails. Rattlesnake National Recreation Area is home to more than 61,000 acres of spectacular wilderness and stunning winter scenery. Lookout Pass Ski Trails are a more rugged option and include 7.3 miles of ungroomed trails that wind through a scenic basin. Seeley Creek Nordic Ski Trails has it all—short, medium, and long ski loops.
Ice Fishing
Cast a line, or two, when you visit Missoula in the winter. Missoula is the perfect basecamp for enthusiastic ice fishers looking to get out on a frozen lake. West of the Mississippi River, Flathead Lake is the largest natural body of fresh water. While the lake does not actually freeze, its bays along the shores freeze during cold winter months. The bays are an ideal place to catch lake trout, whitefish trout, yellow perch, and cutthroat trout. Ninety miles west of Missoula anglers will find Georgetown Lake. This lake is easily accessible and home to salmon, rainbow trout, and brook trout. Seeley Swan Valley is home to a number of lakes. This day trip location boasts bull trout, cutthroat trout, kokanee salmon, and northern pike.
Snowmobiling
Snowmobiling in Missoula is an experience of a lifetime! Missoula has everything you need for a memorable snowmobiling getaway, including hundreds of miles of trails, knowledgeable guides, and topnotch rentals. Some of the top destinations for snowmobiling near Missoula include the following: Lolo Pass, Seeley Lake, Garnet, Haugan, and Mission Mountains.
Skiing & Snowboarding
Missoula is home to unbelievable downhill terrain. Just 20 minutes from downtown Missoula, Snowbowl is the perfect place to hit the slopes and enjoy more than 900 acres of mountain fun! For more mountain fun, take a day trip to one of the nearby ski hills including Discovery Ski Area, Blacktail Mountain, Lookout Pass, and Lost Trail Powder Mountain.
Hot Springs
It’s also okay to take it slow during your winter vacation! Enjoy your beautiful surroundings with a little R&R. If you want things to heat up as the temperature drops, check out one of the many hot springs surrounding Missoula including Lolo Hot Springs, Jerry Johnson Hot Springs, and Weir Hot Springs.
For more trip ideas, request your free print and downloadable Missoula Area Visitor Guide today!
Logan & Cache Valley, Utah
As the snow begins to fall, Logan, Utah transforms into a charming winter town. Nestled at the foot of the stunning Bear River Range, Logan’s setting is striking in the winter months. With no shortage of winter activities, Logan is a small town worth the trip!
Skiing & Snowboarding
Where can you find top-notch skiing without the crowds? Beaver Mountain Ski Area! Located just 27 miles from downtown Logan, Beaver is a family favorite (and the oldest continuously-owned family ski resort in the US). What will you find when you take the scenic trip up Logan Canyon Scenic Byway (US-89)? Bright morning sunlight and fluffy dry powder! What won’t you find? Lines (there won’t be long lines, especially if you go on a weekday)! You’ll also find runs for every ability level, including beginner slopes perfect for the pizza/frenchfry approach and challenging black diamonds for thrill seekers.
Snowmobiling
Logan is breathtaking. A fun way to experience the area’s scenic beauty and panoramic views is on the back of a snowmobile. Logan and Cache Valley have hundreds of miles of diverse terrain, including deep mountain bowls and wide-open valleys. The area’s two main snowmobiling complexes are the Hardware Ranch Snowmobile Complex and The Logan Canyon Snowmobile Complex. Both offer distinct trail systems with routes for every ability level. Visitors interested in wildlife viewing should check out Hardware Ranch which is known for trails that provide safe distant views of wintering elk herds.
Snowshoeing & Cross-Country Skiing
Not everyone has a need for speed and that is okay. If you have a need to enjoy the winter at a slower pace, there is plenty for you to do in Cache Valley. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are two very peaceful ways to explore Cache Valley’s beauty. The area’s numerous outdoor shops have plenty of snowshoes and cross-country skis available for rent. Once you have selected your footwear, it is time to check out Cache Valley’s numerous trails. Some of the more popular trails include the following: Green Canyon, Tony Grove, Beaver Creek, and River Trail.
Discover Downtown Logan
Small towns are big on personality! Logan has a charming downtown worth exploring. After a day in the snow, unwind in Logan’s charming downtown. We recommend that you start your day by warming up with a hot cocoa at a local cafe and then discover hidden treasures at one of the many local shops. Once you have worked up an appetite, satiate your taste buds at one of the area’s casual eateries and end your day with one of the area’s many performing arts events.
Now is the time to explore Logan and Cache Valley! Request your free print and downloadable Cache Valley – Logan Travel Guide today!
Small Towns, Big Memories
Whether you’re chasing the warmth of the first sip of hot cocoa or the thrill of a snowmobile ride, small towns are the place to be!
Some other good options for your winter getaway include:
- Delaware County, NY – This corner of the western Catskills blends natural beauty with small-town warmth. The county’s towns and villages are rich with local flavor, including unique shops, welcoming cafés, farm-to-table restaurants, breweries, cideries, wineries, and distilleries. Plus, check out the thriving arts scene, which includes galleries, live music, and theatrical performances. Skiing and winter sports are available in and around Delaware County, with ski areas including Plattekill Mountain, Belleayre Mountain, and Delaware Wild Forest & Trails. Get your Delaware County NY Travel Guide today.
- Streetsboro, OH – Located in Northeast Ohio, Streetsboro is a family-friendly and wallet-friendly vacation destination. For outdoor enthusiasts, try sledding, iceskating, cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. Downhill ski areas are also located within driving distance of Streetsboro. If you prefer to stay dry and warm, check out local trampoline parts, movie theatres, and warm & cozy restaurants. Check out your roadmap to fun with the Streetsboro Visitors Guide
- Smoky Mountains, TN – This tranquil destination offers breathtaking, scenic views and an abundance of activities for all ages including skiing, snowmobiling and other winter sports. It also provides unique shopping experiences including antique shops and country stores. When night falls, enjoy mouthwatering Southern Appalachian fare at one of the many local fine dining establishments. Get your Smoky Mountains Vacation Guide here.
Now is the time for a winter getaway! Interested in more towns with big personalities? Check out all of our free print and downloadable travel guides.