By Perri Ormont Blumberg
There are a lot of small towns in America to love, and if you’re planning to hike the 2,190-mile Appalachian Trail, you’ll soon get a front-row seat to some of the best. Hopping on and off the trail to visit a few of these quaint communities can add time to your expedition, but it will also make the trip all the more worthwhile.
Blue Ridge, Georgia
This bucolic hamlet seems straight out of a country song, complete with mountain vistas, lakefront cabins, and a population of 1,157 people. Despite its small-town stature, there is no shortage of accommodation options. Many options are available for you if soaking up views of the Blue Ridge Mountains from a rooftop bar and restaurant sounds like your dream day off the trail. For entertainment, venture to Swan Drive-In, one of only three remaining drive-in theaters in Georgia. You can also hop aboard the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway for a 26-mile train ride through the verdant landscape, starting at the town’s historic depot.
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
This town of 285 inhabitants has four miles of the AT passing through it and is the headquarters of the nonprofit Appalachian Trail Conservancy, where you can swing by to grab guides and maps, learn about the trail from staffers, and shop for souvenirs.
You can also visit Brown’s fort and other historic sites like St. Peter’s Catholic Church, the only church in town that wasn’t ransacked during the Civil War, and the location of 1861’s The Battle of Bolivar Heights, an early face-off during the Civil War. Another local draw is Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, a restored 19th-century industrial village and its surrounding natural environs. White water rafting and tubing on the Potomac River and enjoying a 1000-foot zip line over the river are the other attractions in the town.
North Conway, New Hampshire
As one of the most popular stops along the route, the residents will make you feel right at home whether you seek out a post-hike massage or celebratory brews and burgers. And, if you happen to fall in love with the town, make sure to make your way back in winter for a ski vacation. The town is home to Wildcat Mountain, one of the few ski areas in the state that was hand-cut by members of the Civilian Conservation Corps, a federal program created during the 1930s.
Cortlandt, New York
Cortlandt is one of the largest towns on this list, with approximately 42,000 residents, but somehow this Hudson River town still feels like a quiet village. The inviting spot is known for its Revolutionary War history, specifically for the Kings Ferry crossing point between Stony Point and Verplanck’s Point, which George Washington’s army traveled across on the Hudson River on their march to Yorktown, Virginia, in 1781.
Adams, Massachusetts
The Berkshires has an impressive mix of first-rate culture thanks to events like the Jacob’s Pillow International Dance Festival and spots like Mass MoCA, Clark Art Institute, and Tanglewood, Boston Symphony Orchestra’s summer home since 1937. A town of 8,170 or so residents, it’s the birthplace of women’s rights activist Susan B. Anthony. It’s also where you’ll find Mount Greylock, Massachusetts’ highest peak with an elevation of 3,489 feet.
Bristol, Virginia
Bristol may only have an estimated 16,912 residents, but its country music lineage gives it plenty of big-city energy. In 1998, the United States Congress even declared it “The Birthplace of Country Music.”
An underground tour of the ancient Bristol Caverns, created by Mother Nature more than 200 million years ago is highly recommended. And, if you can, plan a trip around the Appalachian Trail Days Festival, a celebration for all things AT in the neighboring town of Damascus. The festival is typically attended by thousands of hikers and supporters and includes a hiker talent show, a parade with a marching band, a bonfire, drumming, and plenty of dancing.
Vernon, New Jersey
Located in Northern New Jersey, Vernon delivers more on the small-town charm. After cranking out all that mileage, you can enjoy a zip line tour, snow tubing, or an aerial adventure park in the trees. If you’re visiting in the fall, take a turn apple or pumpkin picking at local farms, or linger over live music and a glass of wine, cider, or spirits at local distilleries. The spring is another ideal time to walk the town’s Appalachian Boardwalk and Stairway to Heaven Trail, both of which are connected to the Appalachian Trail. Summer and winter are pretty packed in this pocket of the Garden State, so you may prefer off-season travel to enjoy its ample natural wonders.
Marion, Virginia
This Smyth County oasis is home to some 5,700 residents who are happy to have you over for a spell. During your stay, scope out the downtown of “America’s Coolest Hometown,” where streets are lined with independent restaurants and eclectic boutiques. Indulge your crafty side with a guitar-building workshop at The Wayne C. Henderson School of Appalachian Arts. If you’re up for some more walking, Smyth County is also the gateway to Grayson Highlands State Park, where wild ponies roam.
(Text and Image Courtesy: Yahoo)
