Winter is normally a time when people bundle up and hunker down. Chilly temperatures, snowy weather, and earlier sunsets all lead people to want to lay low during these months. However, winter could actually be an amazing time to set your sights on a small town. Not only can the little havens be a great place to enjoy some peace and quiet for the season, they can also provide a lot of entertainment that can’t be found anywhere else.
Think about it, there’s a reason why so many quaint movies are set in small towns during the winter. Between the festive decorations and the holiday attractions that stay open long after the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, the winter months may actually be the perfect time to head to a small town. And don’t worry, these towns have more to offer than skiing and other winter sports. These hidden gems are a category all their own!
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The Rockies
The Rocky Mountains are known for being a great place to head if you like winter sports like skiing, however, Leslie K. Harris, the marketing director and purchasing agent at Double Eagle Hotel & Casino says that a little town called Cripple Creek has something for those who are looking for a little more of a laid back experience.
“I work in the hospitality industry in Cripple Creek, and it is certainly true that places like this attract people with their relaxed atmosphere and easy access during the winter season, but the history of Gold Mining in this area is the foundation of what draws visitors today,” she explains, noting that the town is home to one of the richest gold deposits in the country, which created a bustling mining community back in the late 19th century. These days, visitors came in droves to get a chance to see the remnants of a time gone by.
However, in the winter, visitors get more than just a history lesson thanks to the more modern amenities, which are perfect for winter travelers. They include a collection of casinos that are located in historic buildings, like the Double Eagle Hotel & Casino, which Harris says gives visitors a unique experience. Additionally, the town hosts a winter Ice Festival from Feb. 14 to 22. Can’t make the Ice Festival? Harris says you can also check out the towns Ice Castles, which open as soon as temperatures drop low enough.
The Appalachians
Historic Sevierville gets a shout out in The Appalachians. Located at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Amanda Marr, the director of marketing and communications with the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce says that there’s plenty to see in Dolly Parton’s hometown during the winter months.
“Although we are a small town, we welcome a lot of holiday guests to enjoy spectacular light displays at our attractions and along the roadways,” she says. “SkyLand Ranch’s Festival of Lights combines peaceful mountaintop views with nearly 1,000,000 holiday lights, plus food, live shows, and adorable miniature animals.” Marr says you can also see:
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Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland: A 1.5-mile drive through light show that dances in time to music played on your car radio.
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Wilderness at the Smokies Waterpark Resort: Experience outdoor ice skating and indoor waterpark fun.
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Tanger Outlets Sevierville: Shop big names like Kate Spade, Michael Kors, and Tory Burch (at discounted prices).
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Explore smaller galleries and boutiques for unique gifts: Marr says you can shop through the world’s largest knife retailer and buy authentic pieces of history at Smoky Mountain Knife Works. “Visit the Robert A. Tino gallery and maybe even meet the artist himself,” she continues. “Or pay a visit to Fat Bob’s Woodco for a one-of-a-kind carving.”
The Great Lakes
If you’re headed north, you may want to consider Traverse City, Michigan. The town sits on the Grand Traverse Bay, which is part of the bucolic Lake Michigan. And while this region may make you think of bone chilling temperatures and whipping winds during the winter months, Francis Hellyer, founder and CEO of tickadoo What Do You Wanna Doo? says there’s a lot to keep you busy indoors while you watch the snowfall—according to the Traverse City Tourism Board, the city experiences between 125-145 inches each winter—from the comfort of a heated venue.
“Traverse City has a surprising buzz in winter,” he says. “Restaurants stay busy, wineries keep pouring, and the town has a real sense of life even in low temperatures.”
Related: Amtrak brings back Denver’s Winter Park Express for ski season
The Pacific Northwest
An area that is known for being particularly cold and wet may not seem like a dream location during the cooler months, but according to travel writer Stella Bukovick, you shouldn’t sleep on Hoodsport, Washington. Bukovick says that most of the outdoor areas in the region aren’t as overrun with tourists in the winter months, giving your stay a more meditative feel.
“I hiked in Olympic National Park, which felt calm and peaceful,” she said of her outdoor experience, adding that winter visitors will also want to check out nearby trails like Big Creek, Lower Lena Lake in the Hamma Hamma area, or paths around Lake Cushman. “I also recommend exploring the High Steel Bridge,” she said. “Built in the 1920s for logging, it’s one of the highest bridges in the state and a really peaceful spot in winter.”
Not only that, but Hoodsport also offers some amenities that will keep you warm when the winter weather starts to get bad. “Hoodsport also has cozy indoor stops, like the Hardware Distillery and Stottle Winery Tasting Room, and the area is known for cold-water diving,” Bukovick says. “In winter, you can see giant Pacific octopus, wolf eels, and rockfish.”
That, and it’s also affordable to visit. “I stayed in a cabin above Lake Cushman for about $534 for three days, much cheaper than nearby ski towns,” she confessed, adding that off-season offers a lot of perks.
This story was originally published by TravelHost on Nov 28, 2025, where it first appeared in the Attractions section. Add TravelHost as a Preferred Source by clicking here.