Best Towns 2016: The Contenders

These towns stand out for their great access to trails and public lands, thriving restaurants and neighborhoods, and, of course, a good beer scene. Starting on April 25, you’ll be able to vote on which you think deserves to win.

But first, we’re asking our readers to nominate their favorite towns, in a nine-day long wild-card contest that ends on April 22.

Beach 

Bolinas, CA 
Los Angeles, CA 
Bellingham, WA 
Cape May, NJ 
Wilmington, NC 
​Ketchikan, AK 
​Ludington, MI 
Miami, FL 
Milwaukee, WI 
​Duxbury, MA 
​Islamorada, FL 
​Fairhope, AL 
​Yachats, OR
Bayfield, WI 
Pacific Grove, CA  

River 

Milford, OH  
​Phillipsburg, MT 
St. Louis, MO 
Portland, OR  
​Salida, CO 
New Orleans, LA 
Nevada City, CA 
Livingston, MT 
Boise, ID  
Bend, OR  
Gunnison, CO  
Charlotte, NC  
Leavenworth, WA  
Sioux Falls, SD 
Harper’s Ferry, WV 

Mountain

Silver City, NM 
Salt Lake City, UT  
Durango, CO  
Jackson, WY  
Sun Valley, ID 
Steamboat Springs, CO 
Sedona, AZ  
Tucson, AZ 
Bishop, CA 
​Waynesville, NC 
Waterbury, VT  
Marquette, MI 
Jim Thorpe, PA 
Staunton, VA 
​Talkeetna, AK 

Culture 

Cleveland, OH 
Ojai, CA 
Taos, NM 
Atlanta, GA 
Princeton, NJ 
Austin, TX 
Seattle, WA 
Denver, CO 
Amherst, MA 
Chapel Hill, NC 
Brunswick, ME 
​Hanalei, HI 
Aspen, CO 
Savannah, GA 
Beacon, NY 

Check Out Last Year's Winners:

The 16 Best Places to Live in the U.S.: 2015