America is home to so many beautiful sights, for locals and tourists alike. There is also no shortage of beautiful main streets in the country. Some of the most gorgeous main streets come from rich history and culture and some were made just to ensure your strolling experience was a memorable one.
Either way, these streets are made to be visited and enjoyed. And the cherry on top? They all make great photo backdrops for all of you who love to document your adventures like I do!
In this post, I’m sharing a round up of the most beautiful main streets in America that you should consider visiting.
19 Most Beautiful Main Streets In America
Main Street – Walla Walla, Washington
There is so much to see on Main Street in Walla Walla, Washington. From the antique clock standing tall outside of Falkenbergs Jewelers to the canary-yellow storefront of Cayuse Vineyards. A scenic stroll will lead you past tasting rooms for local wineries, bed and breakfasts, public art installations, and even the Walla Walla Symphony. The oldest continuously operating American symphony orchestra west of the Mississippi River.
Make sure you stop by one of the local restaurants for a bite to eat. Walla Walla was named one of just eight “Best Small Towns for Food” in the country! Walla Walla has also been recognized as one of the 24 “best places to live and work” by Sunset Magazine, one of the ten “Best Small Towns in America” by Fodors, and number one on the list of “Best Small City Road Trip Destinations” by Travelocity.
Main Street – Eureka Springs, Arkansas
The entire Victorian town of Eureka Springs, Arkansas is on the National Register of Historic Places. Eureka Springs is located in the Ozark Mountains. So, it isn’t too surprising that it’s known for its winding, hilly streets, including Main Street. In fact, there isn’t a single traffic light in town since no two streets cross perpendicularly!
Colorado Avenue – Telluride, Colorado
In Telluride, Colorado, the mountains provide a breathtaking backdrop for the town’s main street, Colorado Avenue. But it’s not just the views that deem Colorado Avenue worth visiting. This main street features upscale ski shops as well as an impressive lineup of local boutiques and restaurants. During the warmer months, you can usually catch some live music at one of the local bars. This is a popular way for locals and visitors alike to wind down after hitting the slopes.
Main Street – Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina is such a picturesque small town that you can take the perfect selfie practically anywhere. Southern charm drips from nearly every corner of this town, thanks in part to the rich history still evident in the pastel-painted structures scattered throughout Main Street.
If you plan to visit Charleston, I recommend going in the fall. There’s nothing quite like seeing the streets of Charleston lined with the vibrant hues of fall foliage.
Main Street – Franklin, Tennessee
On Main Street in Franklin, Tennessee, a town twenty miles south of Nashville, you’ll find the historic Franklin Theatre as well as modern boutiques and restaurants. This town has managed to perfectly blend history and modernity by lining Main Street with antique shops and vintage bookstores as well as trendy fashion boutiques and modern art galleries.
When you come to visit, you can catch a free ride on the green and red trolley to explore some of the beautiful sights of the district. Including the public square and the Downtown Local Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Broadway – Paducah, Kentucky
In 2000, Paducah, Kentucky offered incentives to artists who would relocate to historic downtown Paducah. The influx of artists to the area eventually led to Paducah being named a UNESCO Creative City of Crafts & Folk Art in 2013. Today, you can visit the Kentucky town and see the many ways art continues to be celebrated there.
There are several art galleries lining Broadway, Paducah’s main street as well as local shops and restaurants. Elsewhere, you can find Floodwall Murals and rotating exhibits at the National Quilt Museum that contribute to the creative flare that flows from this small town.
Main Street – Nantucket, Massachusetts
The entire town of Nantucket, Massachusetts is on the National Historic Register. But, the cobblestone-lined Main Street remains the heart of the charming town. Take a walk down Main Street and you’ll see gorgeous buildings, elm trees, and several of the finer details that make Nantucket such a charming small town. Just make sure you stop by Nantucket Pharmacy. The old-fashioned soda counter serves heaping scoops of ice cream and old-style milkshakes.
Front Street – Natchitoches, Louisiana
Founded by the French in 1714, Natchitoches, Louisiana is the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase. Front Street, nestled alongside the Cane River Lake, is lined with oak trees and historic buildings with cast iron gates and balconies that are now home to various shops and restaurants. One of the most popular restaurants on Front Street is Lasyone’s Meat Pie, where they serve a delectable favorite from the Civil War era.
Beverley Street – Staunton, Virginia
A list of the most beautiful main streets in America wouldn’t be complete without Beverley Street in Staunton, Virginia. It was the first in Virginia to be awarded the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Great American Main Street Award.
Staunton, which is located in the gorgeous Shenandoah Valley, is the hometown of President Woodrow Wilson. It has six historic districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places. But, it’s Beverley Street that continues to earn time in the limelight.
Given that Staunton has the highest concentration of late 19th century architecture in the United States, it’s no surprise that Beverley Street is lined with brick buildings. The most notable buildings include the Blackfriar’s Playhouse and the Camera Heritage Museum.
Main Street – Galena, Illinois
The town of Galena, Illinois is named after the mineral galena, which has been mined there for centuries. Galena’s Main Street takes on the shape of the Galena River and leads visitors to a picturesque riverfront walkway.
The street is lined with brick storefronts featuring large bay windows. Trolley cars frequently make their way down Main Street and past the famous DeSoto House Hotel. With more than 125 independently owned shops and restaurants, it’s no wonder Main Street in Galena is nicknamed Helluva Half Mile.
Main Street – Cape Girardeau, Missouri
The river town of Cape Girardeau, Missouri is home to 57 different structures that are registered on the National Register of Historic Places. It also won the Great American Main Street Award, which recognized its charming blend of history and modern technology. Some shops situated on Main Street have been in business for more than 75 years!
M Street – Georgetown, Washington, D.C.
You’ll find M Street at the center of historic Georgetown, a Washington, D.C. neighborhood that was originally built at a tobacco port town. You can still see the Old Stone House. It was built in 1765 and is now the city’s oldest still-standing structure. It’s supposedly one of the most haunted locations in the district, despite being run by the National Park Service.
In 1967, Georgetown was recognized as a National Historic Landmark and is also included in the National Register of Historic Places. But don’t worry, despite its age, this street looks anything but old. It’s as lively and vibrant as a street built yesterday, which is why it’s worth seeing in person.
Main Street – Bar Harbor, Maine
Bar Harbor, which was originally called the Town of Eden in 1796, has maintained a reputation as a luxurious summer vacation destination for the elite. For most of the late 19th century, big names like Joseph Pulitzer, Frederick Vanderbilt, and William Proctor built homes on the island.
Main Street is lined with local boutiques, cafes, and restaurants, each one more enticing than the last. To experience Main Street in Bar Harbor the way it’s meant to be experienced, visit during the summer. But to avoid the crowds and enjoy a quieter getaway, see this town for yourself during the spring or fall.
Mission Drive – Solvang, California
Solvang, California is a small town in the hills of Santa Barbara County that was founded in 1911 by a group of Danes. Over a century later, Mission Drive, the town’s main street, still boasts that same Danish charm.
As you stroll down Mission Drive, you’ll pass restaurants, bakeries, boutiques, and art galleries. Many of which still feature traditional Danish facades and architecture. There’s even a 1:3 scale replica of Copenhagen’s Round Tower in the center of town, with statues of Han Christian Andersen and the Little Mermaid close by. Also nearby is Mission Santa Ines, a National Historic Landmark.
There are plenty of opportunities for a photo op in Solvang!
Broadway Avenue – Saratoga Springs, New York
Saratoga Springs, New York has been a popular destination for horse racing fans ever since Saratoga Race Course opened in 1863. Now, there is so much more to do away from the track. And Broadway Avenue is at the center of it all.
Broadway Avenue is home to Colonial Revival-style buildings that house boutiques, restaurants, museums, art galleries, and dance halls. Adorable sidewalk cafes are often crowded, but none compare to the crowd that typically gathers at Caffe Lena, the oldest continuously operated coffeehouse in America. Even Bob Dylan once played there! Grab yourself a drink and snap a memorable photo in front of this famous spot.
Broadway Avenue – Red Lodge, Montana
With the Beartooth Mountains as a backdrop, Broadway Avenue in Red Lodge, Montana is undeniably one of the most beautiful main streets in America. Shockingly, Broadway Avenue is just one part of the 80-mile Main Street that takes you to Mountains Rocky Fork Trail.
Like another location on this list, Broadway Avenue was once where Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok came to play, as well as the Sundance Kid. These days, Broadway Avenue is home to establishments that still have their original Wild West facades, but have been restored to house modern shops, galleries, and restaurants.
During your visit to Broadway Avenue in Red Lodge, Montana, make sure to stop by the Pollard Hotel. The hotel was built in 1893 and once welcomed Buffalo Bill and Calamity Jane as guests.
Sherman Avenue – Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Sherman Avenue, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho’s main street, was once called “a little slice of Heaven” by Barbara Walters. It’s no wonder, given that the small town is surrounded by 55 glacier-filled lakes as well as the Coeur d’Alene Mountains.
The lakeside Sherman Avenue is lined with art galleries, restaurants, cafes, and mom-and-pop shops. Thousands of visitors come to Coeur d’Alene every year for the IRONMAN competition. But for a truly spectacular sight (and a great photo op), visit during the holidays to see the annual holiday light show featuring 1.5 million lights and one of the largest living Christmas trees in the world.
Main Street – Deadwood, South Dakota
There are very few, true Wild West towns left in America – Deadwood, South Dakota is one of them. Deadwood grew fast during the Black Hills Gold Rush, when casinos, saloons, and other establishments were built. Some of those century-old structures are still standing today.
If you’re a fan of American folklore, there is a good chance you’ve heard of Wild Bill. Well, the legendary gunslinger met his fate in 1876 while playing poker in a saloon on this very same Main Street. You can hear all about his shenanigans, as well as those of Calamity Janes, when you visit Deadwood.
Even if you’re not as familiar with the tales of Wild Bill and Calamity Jane, this gambling town is one to visit. At least for some exciting gaming and drinking inside one of its historic establishments.
Main Street – Park City, Utah
Main Street in Park City, Utah is the focal point of the popular mountain town. There, you’ll find densely-packed art galleries, shops, and restaurants that cater to higher-end clientele.
Skiers and snowboarders come from all over to hit the slopes. Once you hit Main Street, it takes less than ten minutes to get to either Deer Valley Resort or Park City Mountain.
What are some memorable main streets you’ve visited?
Which main street do you think deserves to be recognized as one of the most beautiful in America? Tell me about it! Then, head over to the blog to learn more about other destinations worth visiting.