Travel

The most extreme towns in the US

If you think all small towns around the country are boring and there’s nothing special about them, you might be wrong. The United States is known more for its big cities where tourists usually go, but the thing is that there are tiny towns across the country that have surprisingly rich history, life, and customs.

For the ones who never believed in the magic of America’s small towns, here’s a list of few interesting places to visit this summer.

Hell, Michigan

U.S. weather station sign in Hell – Author: Sswonk – CC BY-SA 3.0

Hell is a tiny town in Michigan state, 30 miles north of Ann Arbor. Temperatures in winter average around 15 degrees, so yes, Hell has been know to freeze. A vibrant tourist destination, it has only a handful of streets and a unique name.

Hell is a bit bigger than New York’s Central Park and has just over 70 residents. Its name (according to one story) originates from 1842, when local farmer’s wives referred to the whiskey bar where their husbands went to drink as hell. Every time a woman was asked where her husband is, she would say “He’s gone to hell.”. That’s how the name became popular, marking the small town forever.

Cassadaga, Florida

Historic Southern Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp – Author: Ebyabe -CC BY-SA 3.0

Cassadaga is the oldest spiritual center in the southeast part of the country. It’s a refuge for aura readers, spiritual healers, and mediums. The town itself has ten streets with about 50 houses where 250 people live. Each year thousands of visitors come to Cassadaga seeking a psychic experience and to meet the restless spirits who’s favorite hangout is Cassadaga Hotel.

Metropolis, Ilinois

Photo of the Superman Museum from the main street – Author: Slorge – CC BY-SA 3.0

The hometown of Superman is an extremely proud small town in Illinois with 7,000 residents. Metropolis has one post office, a courthouse, and small shops. It’s nothing like the movie set you would expect to see here, but it’s living in the spirit of Superman. The town streets and buildings are named after characters from the beloved comic. There’s even an annual summer festival that celebrates everything about Superman. At first, it was just a community thing but know more than 25,000 people go to Metropolis each summer in honor of the superhero.

North Pole, Alaska

Frequently photographed “Welcome to North Pole” sign at the eastern end of Fifth Avenue, near its intersection with the Richardson Highway – Author: Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man) – CC BY-SA 2.5

North Pole is a small town near Fairbanks in Alaska and has nothing to do with the Arctic North Pole. It has around 2,300 residents, 74 streets, and a post office that’s the most famous post office in the world. People from all over the country send letters to Santa for Christmas. What’s interesting is that the letters get responded to by a few volunteers who write back in the name of Santa. So, if you want a Santa to reply your letter, send your wishes to the North Pole post office.

Greater World Community, Taos, New Mexico

Solaria Earthship (Taos, New Mexico) – Author: Domenico, Karena – CC BY-SA 3.0

This eco-conscious community is the largest self-sustaining town in the entire world. All the earthships are built out of plastic bottles, cans, tires, and dirt. If you ever wanted to have a home that produces its own electricity and water, then this is the place for you. This project started in 1994 with just 10 earthships while today there are more than 90.

These are some of the most extreme towns in the United States that you can visit depending on your interests. Never underestimate small towns because they have their own extreme stories that make them some of the most unique places in the whole world. For all of you who are tired of traveling to crowded places where everybody else goes, these tiny towns will change the way you see your own country. The diversity is what makes the United States an incredible place that needs to be explored until the last corner. Enjoy your small-town trip and good luck!

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We live in a beautiful world, get out there and enjoy it. Outdoor Revival – Reconnecting us all with the Outdoors.

Stef Zisovska

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