Time to Plan Your Nicest Vacation Yet! Here’s Your Guide to All of Reader’s Digest’s Nicest Places in America Winners
2025 winner: Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville has the perfect blend of big-city creativity and small-town charm. Cultured, quirky and welcoming, this small city in the Blue Ridge Mountains—our 2025 Nicest Place in America winner—is especially appealing to travelers who like their sightseeing with a heaping side of interesting art, delicious food and plenty of local character.
The River Arts District, along the French Broad River, is the city’s creative quarter. Here, artists and craftspeople, from ironworkers and painters to potters and glassblowers, have studios and galleries in former industrial buildings. It’s an area made for spending a day getting lost, watching artists at work or joining a hands-on class to make art of your own.
The city is also home to many James Beard Award–winning restaurants, including Cúrate Bar de Tapas and Chai Pani. These restaurants serve more than just great food—they offer a window into the community spirit that makes Asheville so special. After Hurricane Helene devastated the region in September 2024, many local restaurants sprang into action—including Indian street-food restaurant Chai Pani, where a skeleton crew wrapped sandwiches to feed hundreds of neighbors.
That’s just one of the many stories that explain why exploring Asheville’s many breweries, independent shops and galleries—or even visiting the Biltmore, the impressive Vanderbilt estate just outside downtown—feels more special than a typical getaway.
Where to stay: Boutique property The Foundry Hotel occupies a restored former steel foundry, and it features exposed brick and other original industrial details throughout. Located in The Block, the city’s historically Black neighborhood, the hotel is also just steps from downtown shops, restaurants and attractions.
2024 winner: Provo, Utah
I’ve passed through Provo, Utah, many times, and it’s the kind of place where you can spend a morning hiking through the surrounding Wasatch Mountains and be back in town for lunch. Its location makes it especially appealing for outdoor enthusiasts, since it has so many options for hikers, bikers, anglers, climbers and more, all close at hand.
Home to Brigham Young University and some 35,000 students, Provo has the unmistakable atmosphere and energy of a college town, but also a strong sense of community and a culture of volunteerism.
A trip to the high-altitude city might include a steep hike on the trails of Y Mountain. Once you reach the giant white Y, which was created by university students in the early 20th century, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of Provo and Utah Lake. For an easier outing, take a walk or bike ride along the paved parkway beside the Provo River, which winds into scenic Provo Canyon.
Autumn turns crisp and more than a little magical in this part of Utah. The season brings the forests along the Alpine Loop Scenic Byway to vivid life, and there are plenty of opportunities to stop for a brisk hike, cozy picnic or worthwhile visit to Timpanogos Cave National Monument. When the snow starts falling, Provo is also a convenient launching point for skiing and snowboarding at nearby Sundance Mountain Resort.
Where to stay: For a dose of history, book a room at the eight-suite Hines Mansion, a Victorian-era mansion in downtown Provo designed by Richard Kletting, the architect behind the Utah State Capitol. Filled with character and original period details, it’s within walking distance of many of downtown Provo’s most interesting shops and stops.
2023 winner: Buffalo, New York
In Upstate New York, warmer weather makes Buffalo, a city of nearly 300,000 people on the shores of Lake Erie, a pretty compelling getaway. The friendly vibe in the City of Good Neighbors is on full display in the 350-acre Delaware Park on Hoyt Lake. Often called the city’s Central Park, the centerpiece of Frederick Law Olmsted’s pioneering park system comes alive in summer, from the Japanese Garden and Rose Garden to Shakespeare in Delaware Park, the annual free outdoor theater tradition.
Of course, the NFL’s Buffalo Bills are woven into the city’s personality. In the fall, football fans can experience the city’s passionate Bills culture at the brand-new Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park. Pride in the hometown team is palpable, from the tailgating parties to the sea of blue and red that fills the stadium on game days.
And now, fans can get an inside look at the sport at Science Stadium, a new permanent exhibition at the Buffalo Museum of Science. The interactive, hands-on experience explores football and the science behind it, and gives fans the chance to record their own highlight-reel sportscast from an anchor desk.
Where to stay: The Richardson Hotel, in a former 19th-century mental health treatment complex, is now a National Historic Landmark. Its grounds were designed by landscape architects Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, and the property still showcases their grand vision of architecture and green space on the Richardson Olmsted Campus.
2022 winner: Coulterville, California
On a recent trip through Northern California, I drove along roads that wound past rolling fields, sprawling ranches and wide-open spaces before reaching tiny Coulterville, a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it town in Northern California. With just 118 residents, according to the latest official census, the former Gold Rush town is worth slowing down for. In a region where wildfires can rage out of control, threatening livelihoods, the people who call Coulterville home have learned they can rely on one another.
This rugged corner in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada gets far less attention than San Francisco, about 140 miles to the west, but Coulterville was once a thriving gold-mining mecca and a major stop on the way to another national treasure, Yosemite—which is the reason I stumbled upon the tiny town.
Today, it has a handful of preserved Gold Rush–era buildings lining Main Street, like the Sun Sun Wo Co., a former Chinese mercantile that was part of Coulterville’s Chinatown. Stop at the Northern Mariposa County History Center for a bit of on-site gold panning and to see Whistling Billy, an eight-ton Porter locomotive once used to haul ore from nearby mines.
Where to stay: For a unique taste of Coulterville, spend the night in a 1964 boxcar and caboose at Vacation Station, a decommissioned train converted into one-of-a-kind lodging. Larger groups might consider the Yosemite Paradise Inn, a bed-and-breakfast just outside of town.
2021 winner: Kodak, Tennessee
The tiny town of Kodak, in Sevier County, has a big and very convenient advantage: Its central location puts several of East Tennessee’s most visited attractions within easy reach.
Pigeon Forge, the entertainment hub of the Smokies and home to Dolly Parton’s Dollywood, as well as numerous live dinner and music shows, is about 15 miles away. The area around the iconic theme park will no doubt be hosting many events and tributes to the late singer and beloved philanthropist, so stop by if you’re in the area.
Gatlinburg, a mountain resort town and gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, is a similar distance from Kodak. And Knoxville, with its restaurants, museums and historic neighborhoods, is about 20 miles west. For nature lovers, the scenic drives and 800-plus miles of trails of the Smokies are roughly 25 miles south, making the country’s most-visited national park an easy day trip.
Where to stay: The Quality Inn Interstate in Kodak was named Reader’s Digest‘s Nicest Place in America in 2021, so why not stay there? The proprietor, Sean Patel, an immigrant from India, offered locals rooms at a fraction of the usual rate when a major winter storm on Christmas Eve 2020 left many in the area without power. The conveniently located property is a great base for exploring the surrounding sites, including Dollywood and the Smoky Mountains.
2020 winner: Buchanan, Michigan
In southwest Michigan, the small city of Buchanan is about 90 minutes from Chicago—but a world away. In 2020, Reader’s Digest named the Midwestern city its Nicest Place in America, recognizing how residents here came together that year to fight racial injustice and overcome the coronavirus pandemic.
More than six years later, the town of just over 4,000 residents remains a genuinely appealing and easy escape, and there’s much more to do than its small size might suggest. Downtown, Front Street is lined with independent shops, cafes and restaurants. The Common, a community gathering place, hosts concerts, festivals, farmers markets and other events that bring residents together.
The town is also surrounded by nature. The roughly four-mile McCoy Creek Trail winds through woods and along the water, making it a pleasant way to explore the area by foot or bike. For a taste of the region’s wine and craft-beverage scene, head to Hickory Creek Winery or River Saint Joe, a farmstead brewery.
Where to stay: Set on 600 acres of riverfront countryside about 5 miles from downtown Buchanan, the Morris Estate offers suites, cabins and plenty of scenic views. The estate was a farm and retreat for the family of E.M. Morris, a local philanthropist and former Notre Dame student whose influence can be heavily felt in the area. A darling vintage chapel, delicious dining and luxurious accommodations await you.
2019 winner: Columbiana, Ohio
Columbiana, in northeastern Ohio, is a festive place to visit at any time of year. But each September, the city comes alive to celebrate the Columbiana Street Fair, a longstanding tradition that allows neighbors to meet neighbors and raises money for the local American Legion. The entire town (and anyone stopping by) can enjoy rides, food, music and a parade.
Despite its name, Columbiana is closer to Cleveland than Columbus—and even closer to Canton, home of the NFL’s Football Hall of Fame. Football fans can take in a Browns game or head to the Hall of Fame and then stay overnight at one of the area’s charming bed-and-breakfasts. Or you can head to Youngstown, just a half-hour away, to learn about the region’s rich steel-mill history.
Estate-sale buffs and other vintage hunters can browse Antiques in the Woods, an event held each fall just outside of town in the Shaker Woods. When cold weather arrives, locals gather for the Joy of Christmas Holiday Light Festival, complete with cookies and hot cocoa. Come spring and summer, the outdoors beckon with the Columbiana Wine Festival at Firestone Farms in June and a 4th of July fireworks display.
Where to stay: About a half-hour drive from Columbiana, Chapel Valley Estate is a renovated farmhouse turned warm and welcoming bed-and-breakfast set on 9 acres in the peaceful countryside outside of Pittsburgh. Completely redone in 2003, the estate features natural stone walls that were unearthed during the renovations, adding an old-world charm to any visit.
2018 winner: Yassin’s Falafel House, Knoxville, Tennessee
There are many reasons to visit Knoxville, but start with a meal at Yassin’s Falafel House, named Reader’s Digest’s Nicest Place in America in 2018. The restaurant’s owner and operator, Yassin Terou, a Syrian refugee, has carved out a niche in the city’s food scene and made the restaurant a safe place and true community for everyone who walks through the door.
Then, head downtown and check out the observation deck at the Sunsphere, the hard-to-miss gold disco ball built for the World’s Fair when Knoxville hosted it in 1982. Right next door, you’ll find one of the world’s most unique gifts: a giant 10-foot-tall, 1,200-pound Rubik’s Cube, given to the city by Hungary, where the puzzle was born.
For something equally rare but a lot more cute and cuddly, check out Zoo Knoxville, which holds the distinction of being the birthplace of more red pandas than any other zoo in the world. In fact, the feat has earned Knoxville the nickname “The Red Panda Capital of the World.”
Where to stay: The 28-room Oliver Hotel occupies a restored 19th-century bakery right on Knoxville’s Market Square. The hotel provides bikes for guests to explore the historic city, but it’s a worthy destination itself for those who prefer to stay in and visit the on-site literary-themed speakeasy, Peter Kern Library.
2017 winner: Gallatin, Tennessee
Once a farming community along the Cumberland River, Gallatin has grown into a thriving city in the Nashville metropolitan area. Just 23 miles northeast of the Tennessee capital, it’s growing rapidly while holding onto the small-town character that earned it the distinction of Reader’s Digest’s very first Nicest Places in America title in 2017.
The historic downtown is a good place to get to know Gallatin, starting with stops in its many locally owned shops and restaurants clustered around the courthouse square. Pay a visit to the elegant 1842 Greek Revival mansion Rose Mont, then stop at the Sumner County Museum to learn more about the people and events that shaped the region.
The great outdoors are an important part of life here too. Spend a day boating and fishing on Old Hickory Lake, or trade the water for the hiking trails of Bledsoe Creek State Park.
Where to stay: A night at the four-bedroom, four-bathroom Historic Stonewall is one of Gallatin’s most unique and storied stays. The nearly 200-year-old property has lived many lives, from a doctor’s home and boys’ dormitory to a private family residence. Today, it’s a historic property managed by the Sumner County Museum, which books it for overnight stays.
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