100 Best Small Towns In America: 1 MD Town Makes List

MARYLAND — One small town in Maryland has been named among the best in the country, according to a new report.

The travel media company Far and Wide recently ranked the 100 best towns with fewer than 10,000 residents.

The list includes well-known towns across the country — including Harpers Ferry in West Virginia, Rehoboth Beach in Delaware, and Cooperstown in New York — and as well as lesser-known gems such as Monowi, Nebraska. Monowi, with a population of one, has ranked as the No. 1 small town in America.

Only one Maryland town made the list: St. Michaels, population 1,026. It came in at No. 26 on the list.

Located on the Eastern Shore, St. Michaels is a tourist draw that offers water sports and delicious seafood dishes. Visitors spend their days water skiing, kayaking and sailing, and then treat themselves to the fresh catch of the day. Several historic Victorian homes have been turned into quaint B&Bs.

The St. Michaels Business Assocation describes the historic seaside community this way:

"St. Michaels is a picturesque harbor on Maryland's Eastern Shore and was named as one of the Top 10 Best Small Coastal Towns in America by USA Today. Its harbor and some homes date back to the mid-1600s, and is home to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, where you can immerse yourself in our maritime history.

The St. Michaels area is perfect for outdoor activities including sailing on historic Skipjacks, kayaking, golfing and bicycling.

St. Michaels is also known for exceptional restaurants, from quaint romantic bistros to waterfront restaurants, serving fresh seafood including the best tasting crab cakes. For shoppers, you will find an eclectic range of boutique shops offering specialty foods, jewelry, clothing, home decor and art galleries throughout the town. For overnight lodging, we have many small B&B's, award-winning inns and full-service hotels to welcome you."

Related: 2 MD Resorts Named In 10 Best Mid-Atlantic Resorts By Travel + Leisure

The Midwest and South regions were home to several of the best small towns in America, according to the report. Towns in Nebraska, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Missouri, Alabama, West Virginia, South Dakota, and Kentucky all cracked the top 10.

1. Monowi, Nebraska
2. Mooresville, Alabama
3. Stockholm, Wisconsin
4. Medora, North Dakota
5. Watch Hill, Rhode Island
6. Rocheport, Missouri
7. Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
8. Keystone, South Dakota
9. Trinidad, California
10. Grand Rivers, Kentucky