USA TODAY 10Best
Highlands, N.C. named Best Small Town for Shopping
Best Small Town for Shopping (2019)
Eclectic boutiques, art galleries, antiques stores and farmers markets — these 10 small towns with populations of less than 25,000 are perfect destinations for some retail therapy.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Small Town for Shopping are as follows:
- Beaufort - North Carolina
- Carmel-by-the-Sea - California
- Fredericksburg - Texas
- Paducah - Kentucky
- Sequim - Washington
- Shepherdstown - West Virginia
- Ponchatoula - Louisiana
- Montpelier - Vermont
- Dahlonega - Georgia
- Highlands - North Carolina
Photo courtesy of iStock / PamSchodt
No. 10:
Beaufort enjoys one of the most popular downtown areas in the Inner Banks, featuring dozens of shops and eateries right on the waterfront. Visitors will find everything from local and regional artwork in the downtown galleries to quirky souvenirs at the converted general store and ice cream parlor.
Photo courtesy of CarmelCalifornia.com
No. 9:
If shopping by the sea gets any better, those in Carmel don’t see how. Here, along cobblestone streets and paths, quaint stores selling local wares are set up in a picturesque village setting that feels more like a step back in time than a stroll down a retail row. Art galleries are a top draw, and it’s also a good spot for unique gifts and children’s toys. Just a stone’s throw away are the gift shops for the famed Pebble Beach courses and resorts, where golfers and tennis enthusiasts can stock up on everything to up their game.
No. 8:
More than 150 shops line the streets of historic Fredericksburg in the Texas Hill Country, including many antique dealers and furniture design studios, making the town a popular destination for Texans looking to furnish a home. Take home a taste of Texas from Rustlin’ Rob’s Texas Gourmet Foods, handmade crosses and plaques from The Seasons or “traditional chic” fashion at Jabberwocky.
Photo courtesy of Paducah Convention & Visitors Bureau
No. 7:
Paducah, a designated UNESCO Creative City, is best known for its National Quilt Museum which anchors a thriving fiber arts community. Historic brick structures now house an array of artist studios, galleries, boutiques and antique shops, while the Kentucky Oaks Mall — the largest in the region — features more than 100 retailers.
Photo courtesy of iStock / Spondylolithesis
No. 6:
Sequim, an old mill town on the Olympic Peninsula, enjoys a walkable downtown filled with gift shops and cafes, and punctuated by a historic grain elevator. This unusually sunny small town (at least by Washington standards) is famous for succulent Dungeness crab, as well as the fields of fragrant lavender at its outskirts.
Photo courtesy of iStock / EyeJoy
No. 5:
You’ll find hardly any chain stores lining the streets of historic Shepherdstown, but what you will find is a collection of locally owned and independently operated specialty shops and boutiques stocking items like vinyl records, mid-century antiques, pet care products, dance apparel, housewares, books and clothing.
Photo courtesy of iStock / jmsilva
No. 4:
Ponchatoula, the oldest incorporated town in Tangipahoa Parish, is nicknamed “America’s Antique City” for its numerous antique stores (as well as galleries and boutiques) that occupy the restored buildings downtown.
Photo courtesy of iStock / SeanPavonePhoto
No. 3:
Just steps from the Vermont State House lies the pedestrian-friendly Montpelier downtown shopping district — a neighborhood packed with shops, antique stores and restaurants. Find one of a kind pieces from Vermont artists at the Artisans Hand Craft Gallery, pick up a new cooking gadget at Capital Kitchen or browse treasures from around the world at Global Gifts.
Photo courtesy of Georgia Department of Economic Development
No. 2:
Shoppers will find more than 100 businesses within Dahlonega, one of Georgia’s top destinations for retail. Pick up custom gold jewelry from the sight of the nation’s first gold rush, browse locally made gift items from some 30 regional artists, try on a new outfit or peruse a collection of antiques at the Gateway Antique Mall.
Photo courtesy of Jon Platek / Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
No. 1:
The picturesque Main Street in the small North Carolina town of Highlands is a shopper’s paradise stocking a little of everything — sportswear, gift items, European and American antiques, home decor and accessories, fine art and kitchen gear.
A panel of experts (listed below) partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.
Congratulations to all these winning small towns!
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Anna Hider
Anna is a writer and social media manager for
Anna is a writer and social media manager for Roadtrippers, the coolest trip-planning site and app on the planet, where she's spent two years digging up the coolest off-the-beaten-path things for travelers to see and do. She loves hiking, exploring, and sometimes even getting lost in a good state park, and is definitely a sucker for any place with a waterfall, a ghost town or a beach.
Anna Hider
Anna is a writer and social media manager for Roadtrippers, the coolest trip-planning site and app on the planet, where she's spent two years digging up the coolest off-the-beaten-path things for travelers to see and do. She loves hiking, exploring, and sometimes even getting lost in a good state park, and is definitely a sucker for any place with a waterfall, a ghost town or a beach.
Eric Grossman
Eric Grossman is a travel and food/drink writer... Read More
Eric Grossman is a travel and food/drink writer who has visited more than 60 countries. Always up for an adventure, Eric is constantly searching for new and inspiring experiences, with a keen interest in luxury travel and urban exploration. Memorable experiences have run the gamut from discussing the future of food with Ferran Adrià to sharing a stage with Coldplay.
Eric Grossman
Eric Grossman is a travel and food/drink writer who has visited more than 60 countries. Always up for an adventure, Eric is constantly searching for new and inspiring experiences, with a keen interest in luxury travel and urban exploration. Memorable experiences have run the gamut from discussing the future of food with Ferran Adrià to sharing a stage with Coldplay.
Gerrish Lopez
Gerrish Lopez is a food and travel... Read More
Gerrish Lopez is a food and travel writer/photographer whose adventures have taken her from tiny islands (Isle of Man, Lanai) to mega-cities like Mexico City and Hong Kong. A former vegetarian, Gerrish has grown to appreciate carnivorous fare through sampling the best meats in the world, including smoked pork jowl in Thailand and whole hog barbecue in South Carolina. Gerrish is always looking for products and services to make her travels easier and more efficient.
Gerrish Lopez
Gerrish Lopez is a food and travel writer/photographer whose adventures have taken her from tiny islands (Isle of Man, Lanai) to mega-cities like Mexico City and Hong Kong. A former vegetarian, Gerrish has grown to appreciate carnivorous fare through sampling the best meats in the world, including smoked pork jowl in Thailand and whole hog barbecue in South Carolina. Gerrish is always looking for products and services to make her travels easier and more efficient.
Marla Cimini
Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion... Read More
Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion for travel, music, surfing and culinary adventures! An avid globetrotter and guidebook writer, she has covered topics such as the Hawaiian islands (including food trends and luxury beachfront resorts), as well as European getaways and global destinations. Her articles have appeared in many publications worldwide, including USA Today. Marla lives in New Jersey (Philadelphia area) and is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and Southern California, and often covers those destinations. Her travel website is: www.marlacimini.com
Marla Cimini
Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion for travel, music, surfing and culinary adventures! An avid globetrotter and guidebook writer, she has covered topics such as the Hawaiian islands (including food trends and luxury beachfront resorts), as well as European getaways and global destinations. Her articles have appeared in many publications worldwide, including USA Today. Marla lives in New Jersey (Philadelphia area) and is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and Southern California, and often covers those destinations. Her travel website is: www.marlacimini.com
