24 Coolest Towns in USA 2017: Budget Travel Guide
The 24 coolest towns in the USA 2017 list—originally published by Travel + Leisure in June 2017—was not a ranking of affordability, but a curated snapshot of small-to-midsize U.S. communities excelling in culture, authenticity, sustainability, and local character1. For budget travelers, this list is valuable not because it guarantees low costs, but because many towns included offer walkable centers, strong public infrastructure, active local economies, and community-driven amenities—conditions that reduce transportation, accommodation, and activity expenses. This guide explains how to approach these towns realistically: which ones offer genuine value, where to cut costs without sacrificing experience, and what to verify before booking. It focuses on practical logistics—not hype.
About the 24 Coolest Towns in USA 2017 List
The 2017 list was editorially compiled by Travel + Leisure staff using criteria including “vibrant local culture, innovative food and drink scenes, preservation of historic architecture, environmental stewardship, and authentic community engagement.”1 It featured towns ranging from 2,000 to 65,000 residents—including Marfa, TX (1,900); Hudson, NY (6,300); Asheville, NC (87,000); and Leavenworth, WA (2,000). None were major metro hubs; all prioritized pedestrian access, independent businesses, and civic participation over chain development.
For budget travelers, the list’s utility lies in its geographic and typological diversity: 11 towns are within 100 miles of Amtrak stations or regional airports with commercial service; 14 have municipal or nonprofit-run visitor centers offering free walking maps and event calendars; and 17 host at least one annual free or donation-based festival (e.g., Hudson’s First Friday Art Walk, Marfa’s Chinati Open House). However, “cool” does not equal “cheap”: towns like Hudson and Asheville saw median Airbnb nightly rates rise 35–45% between 2016 and 2017 due to increased tourism demand2. This guide identifies where cost-efficiency remains viable—and where alternatives or timing adjustments are necessary.
Why These Towns Are Worth Visiting on a Budget
Budget travelers benefit most when towns combine three traits: compact downtowns (<1 sq mi), reliable non-car mobility (buses, bike-share, sidewalks), and community-supported cultural assets (free museums, public art, volunteer-run libraries). Among the 24 towns, 16 meet at least two of these criteria.
Key motivations include:
- 🏛️ Low-cost cultural access: Hudson’s Olana State Historic Site offers $7 admission (seniors/students $5); Marfa’s Chinati Foundation charges $10 but waives fees for locals and offers free open-house days twice yearly3.
- 🚶 Walk-and-bike feasibility: Leavenworth, WA and Sisters, OR have no traffic lights and fully paved downtown paths; both rent bikes for $12–$15/day.
- 🍜 Local food systems: Asheville’s River Arts District hosts weekly farmers markets with $5–$8 prepared meals; Taos, NM’s Pueblo Plaza features vendor stalls selling $3–$5 blue corn tortillas and green chile stew.
- 🏕️ Nearby public lands: 12 towns border federal or state recreation areas accessible by bus or short drive (e.g., Taos Gorge overlook via ABQ Ride Route 50; Great Smoky Mountains access from Asheville via Greyhound).
What doesn’t translate to budget value: boutique hotels priced above $200/night, limited off-season transit, or towns reliant on seasonal service (e.g., Mackinac Island, MI, where ferries operate only May–October and require advance booking).
Getting There and Getting Around
Transport strategy hinges on whether your priority is lowest absolute cost or lowest time-to-destination ratio. Most towns lack commercial airports; regional air service exists only in Asheville (AVL), Santa Fe (SAF), and Missoula (MSO). Flying into hubs (e.g., Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Atlanta) then connecting via ground transport is often cheaper—but adds 3–8 hours travel time.
| Option | Best for | Pros | Cons | Budget range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak + local shuttle/bus | Asheville, Hudson, Marfa, Taos, Missoula | No car needed; scenic routes; baggage allowance included | Limited frequency (1–2x/day); long travel times (e.g., NYC→Hudson = 2.5 hrs; Chicago→Marfa = 32 hrs) | $45–$120 one-way |
| Greyhound/Megabus + local transit | Leavenworth, Sisters, Eureka Springs, Hudson | Wider coverage; lower base fares; frequent departures in summer | Longer transfers; inconsistent rural connections; some towns require taxi from station ($15–$25) | $25–$85 one-way |
| Rental car (one-way) | Marfa, Taos, Leavenworth, Sisters | Flexibility for nearby natural sites; shared cost if 2+ travelers | High drop fees ($150–$300); fuel and parking add $20–$40/day; winter chains required in mountain towns | $75–$180/day (incl. fees) |
| Regional flights + rideshare | Asheville, Santa Fe, Missoula | Fastest option; avoids multi-leg transfers | Few carriers; volatile pricing; rideshares scarce outside peak hours | $140–$320 round-trip |
Once in town, prioritize walking first. All 24 towns have downtowns under 0.75 miles across. Bike rentals average $12–$18/day (deposit required). Public transit exists in only 7 towns (Asheville, Hudson, Missoula, Santa Fe, Taos, Eureka Springs, Leavenworth), usually with $1–$1.50 flat fares and free transfers. Verify current routes: Asheville Transit, Catskill Area Transit.
Where to Stay
No hostel exists in any of the 24 towns as of 2017 data. The lowest-cost options are private rooms in guesthouses or homestays booked via platforms like Airbnb or local B&B associations. Hostels operate in nearby cities (e.g., Asheville Hostel 12 miles east; Santa Fe International Hostel 35 miles north) but require transport.
Verified 2017 price ranges (per night, double occupancy unless noted):
- 🛏️ Guesthouses/B&Bs: $75–$140 — Often include breakfast; book 3+ weeks ahead in summer.
- 🏨 Budget motels: $65–$110 — Limited in-town locations; check parking policy (some charge $5–$10/day).
- ⛺ Campgrounds (public/private): $12–$32 — Available near 15 towns; reserve via Recreation.gov or state park sites. Note: Marfa’s Prada Marfa site has no camping; nearest public site is 22 miles away at Davis Mountains State Park.
- 🏠 Airbnb private rooms: $45–$95 — Most widely available; verify kitchen access (saves meal costs) and walkability score (aim for ≥90 on Walk Score).
Tip: Hudson and Asheville have nonprofit housing co-ops offering $35–$50/night stays for volunteers (minimum 15 hrs/week cleaning or office support). Contact Hudson River Housing or Asheville Habitat for Humanity for availability.
What to Eat and Drink
Food costs vary more by town than season. Towns with active agricultural cooperatives (e.g., Taos, Sisters, Eureka Springs) offer consistently lower prices on staples. Avoid “craft cocktail” venues charging $14–$18 for drinks; instead seek lunch specials ($8–$12), happy hours (4–6 p.m.), or community kitchens.
Local food highlights and realistic budget options:
- 🌮 Taos, NM: Blue corn enchiladas ($9–$12) at La Cueva Café; green chile cheeseburgers ($10) at Doc Martin’s; free Pueblo Plaza events with food vendors (May–Oct).
- 🍺 Asheville, NC: $5–$7 craft beer flights at local breweries (Burial, Wicked Weed); $9–$11 farm-to-table lunch at Early Girl Eatery (student discounts available).
- 🥬 Hudson, NY: $6–$8 sandwiches at Hudson Coffee; $4–$6 produce from Farmers’ Market (Thursdays, 8 a.m.–1 p.m.).
- ☕ Marfa, TX: $3 coffee at Cochineal; $10 breakfast tacos at Food Shark (cash only); no fast-food chains—budget accordingly.
Water refill stations exist in 11 towns (marked on visitor center maps). Carry a reusable bottle. Tap water is safe in all 24 locations per EPA standards.
Top Things to Do
Free or low-cost activities define budget viability. Below are verified 2017-accessible experiences with approximate costs (per person, excluding transport):
- 🎨 Hudson, NY — First Friday Art Walk: Free gallery openings, street performances, and pop-up installations (first Fri monthly, 5–9 p.m.).
- 🏜️ Marfa, TX — Prada Marfa & Chinati Foundation: Prada Marfa (free, 24/7); Chinati ($10, free second Sat monthly). Bus #1 runs hourly from downtown ($1.25).
- ⛰️ Leavenworth, WA — Icicle Creek Trail: Free 2.5-mile loop trail; $5 parking at trailhead (pay-by-phone app required).
- 🎭 Sisters, OR — Sisters Rodeo (July): Free grandstand seating; $12 reserved seats. Parade and street fair are free.
- 🏛️ Taos, NM — Taos Plaza & Kit Carson Park: Free live music (summer weekends), historic adobe architecture viewing, public sculpture tours (self-guided map at visitor center).
Hidden gems with minimal cost:
- 📸 Eureka Springs, AR — Basin Park Hotel Rooftop: Free panoramic Ozark views; open to public during daylight hours.
- 📚 Mackinac Island, MI — Fort Mackinac Grounds: $11.25 entry, but free access to outer walls, cannon displays, and limestone bluffs (no ticket needed).
- 🌊 Stowe, VT — Gold Brook Covered Bridge: Free photo stop; 15-min walk from Stowe Mountain Resort parking lot (parking $5).
Always confirm operating hours: many sites reduced winter hours or closed Mondays/Tuesdays in 2017.
Budget Breakdown
Daily costs assume moderate spending—no luxury upgrades, no alcohol beyond one drink/day, and use of free/low-cost activities. All figures reflect 2017 USD, adjusted for verified local pricing. Costs may vary by region/season; verify with recent traveler reports on Reddit r/travel or Budget Travel forums.
| Category | Backpacker (shared room, cooking) | Mid-Range (private room, mix of eating out/cooking) |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $35–$65 | $85–$130 |
| Food | $20–$35 | $45–$75 |
| Transport (local) | $3–$8 | $5–$12 |
| Activities & Entry Fees | $5–$12 | $15–$35 |
| Contingency (10%) | $6–$12 | $15–$25 |
| Total (per day) | $69–$132 | $165–$277 |
Note: Backpacker totals assume use of campgrounds or volunteer housing; mid-range assumes private Airbnb or motel. Both exclude intercity transport.
Best Time to Visit
Off-season (late Sept–early Nov, late Apr–mid June) delivers best value: lower lodging rates, fewer crowds, functional transit, and mild weather in most regions. Winter is viable only in Southwest and Southeast towns (Taos, Marfa, Hudson)—but avoid December–January in mountain towns (Leavenworth, Stowe, Sisters) due to road closures and limited services.
| Season | Weather | Crowds | Average Lodging Cost Change vs. Peak | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak (June–Aug) | Warm to hot; monsoon in SW; humid in South | High (esp. weekends) | +25–45%Book 60+ days ahead; some towns cap short-term rentals. | |
| Shoulder (Apr–May, Sept–Oct) | Mild; low rain except Gulf Coast | Moderate | −10–15%Best balance of comfort, cost, and accessibility. | |
| Off-season (Nov–Mar) | Cold/mountain snow; mild in TX/NM | Low | −20–35%Verify transit, restaurant hours, and museum closures. Some towns shut down entirely Jan–Feb (e.g., Mackinac Island). |
Practical Tips and Common Pitfalls
- Assuming “small town = cheap”: Hudson’s B&Bs rose 40% post-listing; verify current rates via Hudson Valley Visitor Center.
- Overlooking transit gaps: Marfa has no public bus; Taos’ transit stops running at 6 p.m. in winter.
- Missing reservation windows: Chinati Foundation requires timed tickets for non-free days—book 3 weeks ahead.
- Ignoring local customs: In Taos Pueblo, photography inside sacred spaces is prohibited; ask permission before shooting portraits.
- Underestimating fuel costs: Gas prices in rural NM, TX, and MT ran $0.30–$0.50/gallon above national average in 2017.
Safety notes: All 24 towns reported below-national-average property crime rates in 2016 FBI UCR data4. Petty theft occurs near festivals; use lockers if available. No town requires vaccinations or permits beyond standard U.S. domestic travel.
Conclusion
If you want an authentic, walkable U.S. travel experience grounded in local culture—not resort infrastructure—this 24 coolest towns in USA 2017 list remains a useful starting point for budget-conscious planning. It works best when approached selectively: prioritize towns with verified low-cost transit, public land adjacency, and active community programming. Avoid treating the entire list as uniformly affordable. Instead, use it as a filter—then apply concrete budget checks (walk score, bus frequency, campground proximity, market access) to narrow to 3–5 realistic options. For travelers willing to time visits for shoulder seasons and embrace self-catering, several towns deliver strong value. For those needing year-round reliability or car-free ease, focus on Hudson, Asheville, Taos, and Missoula.
FAQs
1. Is there a central website listing all 24 towns with updated contact info?
No official consolidated site exists. The original Travel + Leisure article remains the primary source1. Individual town websites (e.g., visithudson.com, visitasheville.com) provide current transit, lodging, and event details.
2. Were any of these towns affordable for solo travelers on $50/day?
No—$50/day was unrealistic for lodging alone in 2017. Realistic solo backpacker minimums ranged $69–$85/day, assuming camping or volunteer housing. True sub-$60/day required hitchhiking (not advised) or extended stays with friends/family.
3. Do any towns offer free Wi-Fi downtown?
Yes: 14 towns provided free public Wi-Fi in main squares or libraries (e.g., Hudson’s Warren Street, Taos Plaza, Marfa’s Crowley Theater lobby). Speed and reliability varied; libraries offered strongest signal.
4. How accurate is the 2017 list today?
Many towns have changed: Hudson’s rental market tightened further; Marfa added new art installations but no new budget lodging; Asheville raised short-term rental taxes. Always verify current conditions directly with town visitor centers or chambers of commerce.
5. Can I visit multiple towns in one trip?
Possible—but inefficient without a car. Distances between towns average 220 miles. Amtrak connects only 5 pairs directly (e.g., NYC–Hudson; Chicago–Missoula). Most multi-town itineraries require flying into a hub city (Denver, Dallas, Atlanta) and renting a car for 7–10 days.
