charming towns to visit
 

Ideas on anything that has a town square or a Camden, Maine kind of feel, but not just in New England. Love to know your thoughts.

Can you describe what kind of feel Camden, Maine has -- for those of us who've never been there?

Woodstock VT.

Actually, I'll nominate Concord NH for a great small city with a town square feel. Concord has an attractive and interesting downtown/Main Street which includes the state capital buildings and the Museum of NH History. There are several parks scattered throughout the city, the Merrimack River flows thru and there are distant views of the mountains from the highway. There's a lot of great architecture and some well done refabs of old warehouse buildings.

Hendersonville, NC

I was going to say Woodstock, VT, so I'll second DFrost's. But I have to say a tourist to Concord, NH would probably be pretty disappointed if expecting a Camden experience.
For cobblestone streets, unique shopping, and beautiful scenery, I'd also add: Nantucket, Wickford, RI, and Annapolis - although it's larger.

Door County, WI...
charming town after town until you reach Gills Rock, then take the ferry over to Washington Island... bring your bikes... visit Pennisula & Newport Beach State Parks... small town festivals all year from Mayfest over Memorial Day weekend - brat fest central ;) to Old Ellison Bay Days w/ boxcar races down the main drag, to the Winter Games in Fish Creek...
a wonderful place to sail into on Lake Michigan, or drive in from anywhere in the Midwest.

How far do you want to travel? Have you checked out Helen, Ga? Very german influence & has a huge Oktoberfest. It has a small town feel but lots of beautiful surrounding area.

A good site with info is http://www.officialguide.com/sehelen.html

This is a wonderful list! Thanks. The only one I've been to on the list is Annapolis and I've traveled a bit. Camden has lots of B and B's, shops, a place to sit and watch the sail boats, a park, (but it's been a few years since I've been there.) I have been to Martha's Vinyard. Is Nantucket more of the same or different? Thanks again!

Also, the posts made Concord and Door County, WI sound fun. In my trips to New England I seem to always miss NH and have never really been to WI.

Nantucket is quite different from MV, and definitely worth a visit. MV is busier, much larger, less quaint, higher traffic. Nantucket has a more old world feel and lower tourist density.

Hi cm,

For more Door Co. info check doorcounty.com ...calendar of events, maps, etc.

I saw your other thread re moving from S CA... are these places you're considering moving to, or just for visiting?

Much snow in WI, fyi ;)

Hannibal, MO and nearby Quincy, IL. Mississippi River towns. You've likely heard of Hannibal via Mark Twain, but much of it is historically intact (and a bit touristy). Quincy is very nice and without the tourists.

In Florida, it's tough to still find that small town feel as everything is thick with development and suburban spread. But two places that have B&Bs, shops, parks, and places to sit and watch boats would be St. Augustine and St. Petersburg.

Newburyport Massachusetts. Beautiful town, historic homes, 2 small museums, on the Merrimack River, shops, restaurants, small theater, whale watches,churches with white steeples, great beach nearby . Pretty much as it all when it comes to a New England town