With a population under 3,000, some may never have heard of Tamworth, New Hampshire. If it wasn’t on your radar before, it should be now. The quaint New England town, 2 hours from Boston, ranked among “America’s 10 Best Small Towns for 2025,” according to Country Living.
Tamworth, New Hampshire among America’s best small towns
Sandwiched between the glorious White Mountains and Lakes Region, Tamworth is a great town for mountain spirits and those who appreciate 18th-century architecture, with the town preserving much of its history.
“A longtime retreat for artists and intellectuals like E.E. Cummings and Henry James, Tamworth’s way-back-in-time vibe continues to be a draw. While you’re in town, be sure to check out the Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm, and, come summer, shows at The Barnstomers Theatre. At Public House on Page Hill,” Country Living.
Rockport, Massachusetts—the less crowded, equally charming Cape Cod alternative
Also on the list is beloved coastal North Shore town, Rockport, Massachusetts. Under an hour from Boston, this seaside town is home to one of “the world’s most-painted buildings,” the red shack, Motif No. 1. Touted by the publication as “The Bay State’s other Cape,” Country Living inspires readers to visit Rockport for a taste of Cape Anne’s stunning coastlines, delicious food, and arts history.
“In Rockport, a former shipbuilding-town-turned-arts-haven at the tip of Cape Anne, you’ll be greeted with waterside pathways, postcard-perfect streets, and the Rockport Art Association & Museum, where visitors can take in rotating exhibits of Cape Ann scenery or attend classes on painting and sketching. Design enthusiasts shouldn’t skip a visit to Beauport, the summer home of interior designer Henry Davis Sleeper.” Sleeper was one of the nation’s first professional interior designers.
Of course, visitors can’t leave Rockport without a water adventure, a roll from Roy Moore Lobster Company, and a scoop of Rockport Pistachio ice cream at The Ice Cream Store.