101 most comfortable cities for travelers

Some may recognize this city from the HBO series, Deadwood, which takes place during the 1876 gold rush. At this time, the South Dakota frontier town was a lawless playground for gun-toting legends like Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok. Today, some visit Deadwood to get a glimpse of the city showcased in the series, while others are drawn to the town’s lively past. Deadwood is a national historic landmark, where you can pan for nuggets at the Broken Boot Gold Mine and marvel at the antique treasures at Deadwood’s Wild Bills Trading Post. Discover the true Wild West during a shootout on Main Street or a reenactment of the Trail Trial of Jack McCall.

Crested Butte, Colorado, was made for the outdoor enthusiast. Surrounded by the Elk Mountain Range in the Colorado Rockies, this nature spot welcomes adventurers to breathe in crisp mountain air and get pumped for the surge of an adrenaline rush. Charge down the dirt trails on mountain bikes by summer, and carve up the backcountry terrain at Crested Butte Mountain Resort by winter. During the cooler months, this rugged destination transforms into what the locals like to call the Nordic Ski Capital of Colorado.

Tucked in the northwest corner of Arkansas, Rogers, is home to the world’s first Walmart, which opened in 1962. In addition to its retail history, the city is overflowing with stories of its early days. The Rogers Commercial Historic District includes buildings that date back to 1885, while the Historical Museum is where you’ll find relics and artifacts. Climb aboard the caboose in Frisco Park and explore the Hawkins House to get a deeper sense of this city’s past.

Katy, Texas, features a small-town feel, but it’s just close enough to Houston to soak up some big city vibes. It sits in the eastern region of Texas, just 30 miles west of Space City. Every year, Katy hosts a number of family events that showcase the Texas town’s colorful personality. Catch the Katy ISD FFA Livestock Show and Rodeo, which rounds up some of the best bull riders in the nation, or celebrate the city’s heritage at the annual Katy Rice Harvest Festival.

Although Marco Island is only 6 miles by 4 miles, it’s home to more than 100 miles of waterways. Surprisingly the largest of Florida’s Ten Thousand Islands, Marco Island fits a lot of adventure into such a compact space. Sun worshippers and water lovers often venture to Marco Island to kayak along the mangrove forests at Naples Bay Resort, paddle board along the coast of Tigertail Beach, and cruise around in a swamp buggy in the Everglades. During your Florida romp, cast a line for some snook in the backwaters, and take a sunset sail around the Gulf.

Minot may be a small town in North Dakota, but its size doesn’t keep it from packing a powerful cultural punch. Known as Magic City, it has a strong connection to Scandinavian heritage and it even hosts Norsk Høstfest, the biggest Scandinavian festival in North America. Along with its northern European influence, Minot is big on the arts scene. During your visit, listen to the sweet sounds of the Brass Band of Minot, Minot Symphony Orchestra, or Minot Chamber Chorale, and don’t miss a performance by the Minot Area Theatrical Society.

If only describing the crescent-shaped beaches, fiery sunsets, and tranquil ambience could do Wailea, Hawaii, justice. This resort community in South Maui is the epitome of a vacation paradise with palm-tree lined shores and golf courses boasting ocean views. While sojourning in this island oasis, mosey around the high-end boutiques at The Shops at Wailea, snorkel around sun-drenched Polo Beach, and relish an authentic Hawaiian luau.

With a name like Cranberry Township, this city is bound to be sweet. Located 20 miles north of Pittsburgh, it’s a quaint Pennsylvania town that features a number of inviting parks that attract both visitors and locals. During the summertime, cannonball into the pool at Cranberry Township Community Waterpark, where you’ll find a massive 120-foot waterslide, or land a handplant at the AE Ride Skatepark. Cranberry Township also features Graham Park, North Boundary Park, Rotary Dog Park, and other open spaces.

Victoria is another Texas city that made it in the top ten. This destination is teeming with history, as it features a whopping 80 properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Some vacationers mosey over to Victoria to grab a bite to eat at Fossati’s Delicatessen, one of the oldest restaurants in the United States, while others explore De Leon Plaza, which is an area marked by the original colony’s founder, Martin De Leon. Other places for a history lesson include the Museum of the Coastal Bend and the Hiller House.

South Yarmouth, Massachusetts, ranks number 10 on the list. A quintessential Cape Cod town, South Yarmouth is a charismatic waterfront region that overlooks Bass River and is just minutes from Nantucket Sound. Summertime sojourners beeline to Bass River Beach to bask on the shores, collect seashells, bait some bluefish, and nosh on the freshest seafood.