5. Tivoli
Tivoli is the smallest town on this list with a population barely surpassing 1,000. Although not as glamorous as its namesake in Rome, Tivoli is a beautiful, quaint Hudson Valley town that charms each of its visitors. Rows of wood-trimmed Victorians, an art gallery, and a whiskey bar make up much of the town, but there is more than what meets the eye in Tivoli.
Coined by a former mayor in the seventies, Tivoli backward reads “i-lov-it,” and visitors and residents alike will surely agree. Check out Tivoli’s infamous Fortune’s Ice Cream, with a range of flavors as you’ve never seen, including mulberry and leaf, rosewater saffron pistachio, and corn blueberry. Visitors can also go horseback riding at Panorama Farm, or visit nearby Bard College. Then finish off your stay in Tivoli with a trip to GioBatta Alimentari, a well-known Italian restaurant run by award-winning chef Francesco Buitoni, ancestor of the creators of the Buitoni pasta brand. An even more shocking find in Tivoli is Traghaven’s Pub. At this tiny pub visitors will find the largest selection of Irish whiskey in the entire United States. All-in-all, those looking to forego city life for a small-town getaway should consider Tivoli near the top of their list.