New England has two of one of the best small cities in America

New England Travel

You’ll discover them in New Hampshire and Connecticut.

Two New England locations with small populations supply massive vacationer experiences, based on Travel + Leisure.

The journey publication launched its 2026 listing of America’s best small towns on Tuesday and named Laconia, N.H. one of the best small lake city and Mystic, Conn. one of the best small meals city.

The small cities rating, which launched three years in the past, focuses on locations “with tiny populations, but big hearts and outsized attractions,” based on Travel + Leisure. Qualifying cities have a full-time inhabitants of lower than 30,000 residents, a wide range of actions and lodging, and a well timed motive to go to.

Lake lovers flock to Lake Winnipesaukee within the summertime, and Laconia — which is definitely a small metropolis — borders the lake in its northeast aspect.

“New Hampshire’s Lakes Region in the summertime is the stuff of classic Americana,” Travel + Leisure wrote. “Come June, Winnipesaukee and its neighbors crowd with pleasure-cruisers in pontoon boats, sunbathers loll on every spare strip of sand, and the region’s small towns feel almost ludicrous in their quaint New England charms.”

Last 12 months, Weirs Beach in Laconia ranked among the many greatest lake seashores in America by USA Today readers.

Foodies are drawn to Mystic, which is definitely a historic maritime village break up between the cities of Groton and Stonington.

Travel + Leisure describes the vacation spot within the southeast nook of Connecticut as “overflowing with award-winning chefs, imaginative bartenders, hard-working farmers, knowledgeable servers, and expert fishermen.”

Mystic was named certainly one of 26 locations to go in 2026 by the Connecticut Office of Tourism, which really useful grabbing a slice at Mystic Pizza (the identical that impressed the 1988 film of the identical identify).

Check out Travel + Leisure‘s listing of America’s best small towns.

Kristi Palma

Travel author

 

Kristi Palma is the journey author for Boston.com, specializing in the six New England states. She covers airways, resorts, and issues to do throughout Boston and New England. She is the creator of the award-winning Scenic Six, a weekly journey publication.