THE FUSE

When you picture a US getaway, it's easy to think big cities, national parks and marquee attractions. But some of the most rewarding American trips right now are happening far from the spotlight, in humble small towns effecting big change.

Across the country, these communities are weaving sustainability into everyday life. Farmers supply restaurants with hyper-local and seasonal produce; composting programmes keep waste out of landfills; and shops and cultural hubs run on renewable energy. When you visit, you are rewarded with a sense of ease and a slower pace. You also help sustain a way of life rooted in care for the land and the people who call it home.

"Sustainability is more than a guiding principle; it's a core identity of who we are," says Brianne Engles, a sustainable winemaker in San Luis Obispo, California. "[It] is the lens through which every core decision is made."

Here are 10 small towns where you can see that ethos in action – and have a genuinely memorable holiday along the way.

1. San Luis Obispo, California

San Luis Obispo – or "SLO" to locals – blends sunny Californian charm with environmental ambition. The small town is home to one of the first municipal high-heat, dry anaerobic digestion facilities in the US, which transforms thousands of tons of organic waste into renewable power each year.

Tucked between the Central Coast and the vineyards along the foothills of the Los Padres National Forest, SLO encourages visitors to slow down and settle in. Start with a Thursday evening stroll through the historic downtown area's farmers' market, a local institution since the 1970s. With more than 100 vendors spanning five blocks, it's one of California's largest certified markets and an important community hub. After admiring the district's Mission-style architecture and compact, walkable streets, lean into the slow-paced elegance of Edna Valley with wine tasting at Chamisal Vineyards. Its proximity to the Pacific Ocean (just 5 miles away) means the grapes are brushed with a coastal mist, producing wines that are crisp, vibrant and famously unoaked.

2. Missoula, Montana

Located on Montana's western edge and cradled by five mountain ranges, Missoula is a river town that lives and breathes the outdoors. On a crisp morning, challenge yourself with a hike up the 1.8 mile (2.9km) "M" trail on Mount Sentinel for panoramic views of the city and mountain peaks, or head out of town to find your rhythm fly-fishing along the legendary Blackfoot River.

Even as the region adapts to more intense wildfire seasons, Missoula's spirit remains resilient. Initiatives like Climate Ready Missoula ensure that the adventure doesn't have to stop when the air gets hazy. The city's network of "clean-air spaces" in beautiful public buildings offers cool, filtered respite on smoky days, reflecting the town's commitment to keeping both its land and its visitors healthy.

As the sun sets, head downtown to The Wilma, a gorgeous 1921 theatre that hosts emerging artists and local productions. When you leave the performance at the end of the night and gaze up into the vast horizon, you'll understand why Montana is called Big Sky Country.

3. Flagstaff, Arizona

At nearly 7,000ft above sea level, Flagstaff is where mountain air meets desert views – and where you'll also find a fierce commitment to sustainability. The city is known for its Fix-It Clinics, where residents volunteer to repair broken appliances, jewellery and electronics, keeping countless items out of landfill. This culture of reuse extends through the city's dense cluster of second-hand stores like Trash Panda Thrift; while community workshops like Coco-op Marketplace show that "waste" is simply a starting point for creativity.

Lowell Observatory sits at the heart of Flagstaff's long-running efforts to protect its night skies (Credit: Getty Images)

But Flagstaff's greatest legacy might be its night sky. In 2001, it became the world's first International Dark Sky City, protecting its star-filled heavens as a shared natural resource. Head to the Lowell Observatory (where Pluto was discovered in 1930) for telescope sessions that make you feel as if you're floating among galaxies.

4. Hanover, New Hampshire

This leafy New England town, home to Ivy League Dartmouth College, is making sustainability a part of daily life. Hanover has committed to transitioning toward 100% renewable electricity, with 2030 targets guiding local planning.

Visitors can explore the walkable downtown and pop into Still North Books & Bar, equal parts independent bookstore and neighbourhood pub where you can pull book off the shelves and settle into a corner booth with a local craft pour or maple latte. When the afternoon sun hits the water, grab a bike and head for the Hanover River Trail that winds through a cathedral of towering pines and hardwoods, tracking the steady Connecticut River. If you can, visit in autumn when the surrounding hillsides explode into classic New England colour, drawing photographers and leaf-peepers to witness the changing of the season.

5. Ithaca, New York

Set among the rolling vineyards, cascading waterfalls and deep gorges of New York's Finger Lakes region, the small city of Ithaca was one of the first US municipalities to adopt a Green New Deal, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2030.

The Ithaca Farmers Market connects local growers, makers and musicians under one roof (Credit: Getty Images)

You can feel this eco-spirit on a Saturday at the Ithaca Farmers Market, which is held under a wooden pavilion surrounded by trees and flowering plants overlooking Cayuga Lake. Musicians play folk tunes while vendors sell everything from hand-spun wool to solar-powered lanterns. That same ethos carries into the afternoon at Cayuga Ridge Estate Winery, one of the region's heritage vineyards that pairs its deep history with sustainable farming practices. Sunday mornings are for hiking at one of the area's 150 waterfalls, like Buttermilk Falls or Taughannock Falls, which is three storeys taller than Niagara Falls; both are just a short drive from downtown.

6. Lander, Wyoming

Lander is fuelled by a tight-knit community of climbers, trail runners and backcountry skiers who actively maintain the land. Groups like the Central Wyoming Climbers' Alliance bridge the gap between recreation and responsibility, working directly with the US Forest Service to repair eroded trails, protect sensitive habitats and ensure footpaths remain pristine and accessible.

A weekend here is defined by high-altitude energy. Spend a morning hiking the geological wonders of Sinks Canyon State Park, where a river vanishes into a limestone cavern. Then swap your boots for a stroll through the Lander Art Center to see works inspired by the sagebrush steppe. Cap off the day at the Lander Bar, a historic wood-beamed watering hole that perfectly captures the town's untamed "Old West" soul.

7. Vail, Colorado

Tucked into the Gore Range, Vail has become a blueprint for sustainable mountain tourism. Certified under the Mountain IDEAL standard, the town's efforts – from wildlife protection to zero-waste goals – are independently audited and transparently tracked.

Ecological stewardship is woven into the high-altitude luxury experience. Ditch the car keys and navigate the valley via the free, town-wide bus system to reach the iconic Back Bowls or alpine meadows with ease. Explore the pedestrian village, where an extensive underground snow-melt system keeps the cobblestones dry and clear without the need for harsh salts or heavy ploughs. Beyond the slopes, the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens is a serene sanctuary that doubles as a living laboratory for climate-sensitive plants.

Designed as a pedestrian-first resort town, Vail has channelled its alpine popularity into year-round, low-impact tourism (Credit: Alamy)

8. Silver City, New Mexico

This high-desert town serves as a base for exploring the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, where you can climb ladders into ancient, temperature-regulating homes constructed within natural cliff-side caves. The same ingenuity that allowed the Mogollon people to thrive in this arid landscape is alive in Silver City's modern commitment to conservation: with 300-plus days of sunshine, solar energy plays a growing role in powering local infrastructure.

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Spend an afternoon wandering the vibrant downtown where red dots on the pavement lead you to a dense collection of artist-owned galleries and studios. Stop for coffee at Tranquilbuzz Coffee House, an eclectic local favourite with a patio built around burbling recycled-water ponds; then pop into Power & Light Press, a letterpress studio that revitalised a 50-year-dormant craft. For a dose of local history that doubles as a greenway, walk The Big Ditch Park, a former main street reclaimed by nature and transformed into a lush, urban pedestrian trail system.

9. Arcata, California

Long before sustainable travel was a buzzword, Arcata was quietly doing the work. Its pioneering 225-acre Arcata Marsh uses wetlands to treat wastewater while creating a thriving habitat for birds and native wildlife. It's a must-visit for twitchers and trail walkers. In addition, the town's walkable core, co-ops and renewable energy programmes are a draw for eco-minded travellers.

A perfect weekend might include an afternoon at Finnish Country Sauna and Tubs where visitors can relax in a hot tub among the lush forest trees, decompress in a traditional sauna cabin and sip specialty coffee by the fire. Continue the Northern California adventure with a hike through Arcata Community Forest, admiring the ancient Redwood trees. End the day on the coast, watching the sunset over the Me-le'l Dunes.

With multiple Dark Sky Parks nearby, Moab has become one of the US's most reliable places to see the Milky Way with the naked eye (Credit: Alamy)

Best known as the gateway to the red rocks of Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, Moab is pioneering a new kind of tourism that protects the fragile desert environment that draws visitors in the first place. The town's "Do It Like a Local" initiative encourages travellers stay on trails to protect the fragile soil crust, pack in and out to reduce litter and support certified sustainable businesses.

Rise early to explore red-rock trails, cool off with a tasting at The Moab Brewery and end your visit with a night of stargazing at a certified Dark Sky Park, of which Moab has three.

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