10 Small Towns in the U.S. That Are Dupes for Famous Filming Locations

Here at Only In Your State, we're not shy about our love for small towns. From Maine to Washington and every state in between, there are so many charming small towns in the U.S. worthy of the spotlight (and silver screen!).

Today, we're keeping it Hallmark cozy and Hollywood vibey with a list of our favorite small towns across the U.S. that are dupes for famous filming locations in all the best ways.

1. Harper's Ferry, West Virginia

West Virginia is a wholly underrated state, and yes, while New River Gorge is (ahem) gorgeous, there's so much more to discover (and fall in love with) about the Mountain State. Enter: Harper's Ferry. Not only is Harper's Ferry one of the most glorious mountain towns in the country (and a must for outdoor adventurers, boasting some of the best hikes in West Virginia),but this town is also an unexpected dupe for Cousins Beach, the fictional setting of The Summer I Turned Pretty.

2. Castine, Maine

Maine is easily one of the most romantic states in the country, with its small towns, mountains meeting the ocean, and a bevy of antique shops and a robust food culture. While there are certainly lots of Hallmark-perfect small towns in Maine to explore, Castine is an exceptionally dazzling hidden gem.

On a quiet peninsula along Penobscot Bay, Castine, Maine, is a village that seems frozen in time in all the best ways—where historic homes, tree-lined streets, and a serene waterfront create the kind of vibe for which Hallmark movies are made. With a population of just over 1,300, Castine offers the sort of small-town intimacy that's so Hallmark, and whether you come for the waterfront (and fresh seafood!), surrounding scenery, or charming downtown, you're sure to fall in love with Castine.

3. Seward, Nebraska

In Nebraska, there’s a small town where every street looks ready for a Hallmark movie moment. Hello and welcome to Seward, Nebraska, full of cozy shops, scenic beauty, and a festive spirit year-round. Though only a short drive to Lincoln, Seward feels like its own little (Hallmark movie) world in all the best ways. A day in Seward can include a wander through local shops, a coffee at a corner café, and a visit to nearby natural escapes. The area surrounding the town offers gentle hills, quiet trails, and views that look like someone painted them with broad, patient strokes.

4. Oak Park, Illinois

If it's a Hallmark movie moment you're seeking, Oak Park, Illinois, will capture your heart. Romantic and scenic, Oak Park feels distinctively small-town, despite being just 15 minutes from Chicago, Illinois. Shops and cafes line the downtown, parks dot the corners, but the real star of the show in Oak Park is the architecture.

5. La Conner, Washington

La Conner might be on the other side of the country from Wilmington, North Carolina, but this small town in Washington gives Dawson's Creek in spades. The downtown is full of local businesses and coffee shops, and the scenery (gorgeous trails, thriving fisheries, and fertile farmland), not only feels like the hit late 90's/early 2000's show, but also embodies Washington's Skagit Valley at its most gorgeous.

6. McGregor, Iowa

Experience Dawson's Creek in the Midwest in McGregor, Iowa. This small town is nestled right on the water, and the scenery is nothing short of spectacular: lush and green while also feeling distinctly "waterfront." Spend a day strolling the downtown district and be prepared to fall in love with all this Iowa town has to offer, for Dawson's Creek fans or otherwise.

7. Council Grove, Kansas

Another Hallmark-cozy town in the Midwest, Council Grove, Kansas, is proof positive that some of the most charming small towns in the U.S. are often found in the most unexpected, overlooked places. Historic and impossibly charming, Main Street in Council Grove isn’t just a street—it’s the old Santa Fe Trail.

Centuries ago, pioneers gathered under a grove of trees here, tying their wagons together for the long trek west. Today, when you visit Council Grove and walk down Main Street, you'll find it hard not to be charmed: the buildings have soul, the sidewalks are alive, and the town has that rare ability to make you slow down without even trying.

8. Eveleth, Minnesota

Eveleth is the very definition of the kind of small towns you'll find in a Hallmark movie. With a population of 3,400 and a bustling, well-supported business district, Eveleth is certainly the most Hallmark-movie member of Minnesota's Quad Cities (no offense to Virginia, Mountain Iron, or Gilbert—these towns are all equally delightful). Come in Christmas for the full Hallmark Christmas movie experience: a drink at Margie's Roosevelt Bar, skiing at Giant's Ridge, having a snowball fight in Biwabik, and wandering the picture-perfect streets of Eveleth.

9. Williams, Arizona

We love Williams, Arizona, for so many reasons: its Route 66 nostalgia, snowcapped mountains, and small-town festivities, a trio of qualities that give total Hallmark movie vibes. One of the most charming small towns in Arizona, Williams is located about 30 miles west of Flagstaff on historic Route 66. It's known as the "Gateway to the Grand Canyon" because the national park is just 60 miles to the north, though truthfully, you might have time pulling yourself away from this delightfully "Hallmark movie" town in Arizona.

10. Bend, Oregon

What's not to love about Bend, Oregon? This Central Oregon town is incredibly charming; between the stunning scenery, delightful downtown, and bevy of breweries, Bend is a real-life Hallmark movie town. The quaint and historic downtown area is lined with trees and thoughtfully planned foliage, and the storefronts are filled with mom-and-pop stores and local businesses.

Bend puts a lot of effort into its community, too, and this is reflected in the love that the locals give back to the city—going all-in for holidays and supporting local businesses as much as possible. Really, the city is just downright charming during Christmas, with lights everywhere, themed displays, parades, and festivals (SantaLand, the Holiday Lights Paddle Parade, the Bend Christmas Parade, etc). In other words, if you're looking for a real-life Hallmark movie moment in Oregon, you'll find it in Bend!

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