What makes a town beautiful?

The answer is, naturally, subjective.

Perhaps you have a penchant forwindswept coasts.

Snowboarder at Girdwood, Alaska

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Or, maybe you love historic architecture.

Do you favor human-made elements ornatural scenery?

Here are 20 of the most beautiful small towns in America, all with a population under 20,000.

Left: Hot air balloons over Sedona Right: Red rock formation in Sedona

Makito Umekita/Travel + Leisure

VisitAlyeska Resorttoski in the winterand hike during summer.

Sedona, Arizona

Makito Umekita/Travel + Leisure

Heres the thing aboutSedona: It’s objectively stunning.

And that’s especially true of itsred rocks.

Catalina Island Casino, in Avalon, California

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Today, the destination has traded pineapple production for luxury resorts and golf courses.

Most of the islands restaurants and shops are inLanai City, near Dole Park.

It also doesnt hurt that its the “official gateway to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail tour.”

Mount Garfield, outside of Palisade, Colorado

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Leland is a special place virtually untouched by time.

For instance, it has no stoplights.

And the oft-photographed Leland canal epitomizes Michigans lakeside charm.

Little St. Simons Island, Georgia

Courtesy of Explore Georgia

Thats the beauty of New Mexicos high desert weather.

Taos Pueblo is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Edenton, North Carolina

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Where to begin?

Aerial view of the city of Lanai, Hawaii

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Perhaps the postcard-perfect1886 Roanoke River Lighthouse?

The Georgian architecture of the 1767 courthouse?

Tree-lined streets and gardens throughout town?

Main Street of Wallace, Idaho, in the Silver Valley area

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Harbor views with moss-draped bald cypress trees?

Colonial-eraEdentonis as steeped in history as it is stunning.

You wont find chains or franchises here.

Main Street in Bardstone, Kentucky

Courtesy of Kentucky Tourism

Beyond town, biking and hiking trails with views of towering bluffs abound.

And for good reason: Hermann sits amid rolling hills along the Missouri River, surrounded by wineries.

Its often referred to as Missouris Rhineland because of the areas rich German heritage.

Boats on waters in Camden, Maine

Courtesy of Visit Maine

All the different colored painted houses…the gas lights.

Then, there’s a beautiful expansive beach.

Wieland added, This is the experience youre going to get.

Fishtown docks in Leland, Michigan

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And this is what we live every day.

Taos Pueblo, New Mexico

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Bison roaming the badland prairie of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, outside of Medora, North Dakota

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Farm and mountains, Joseph, Oregon

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Downtown Leavenworth, Washington

Courtesy of Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce

Kayakers in Bayfield, Wisconsin

Courtesy of Travel Wisconsin

Cowboys riding into Rodeo arena in Cody, Wyoming

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Barker-Moore House, Edenton, North Carolina, USA

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Main Street in Galena Illinois

Courtesy of Illinois Office of Tourism

Aerial view of Hermann, Missouri

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Cape May, New Jersey Lighthouse

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