A Summer Weekend in Lexington, Virginia: Campus Walks, Main Street, and Music Under the Trees
Plan a summer overnight in Lexington, Virginia, with a downtown stay, a quieter walk through Washington and Lee, Main Street galleries and boutiques, dinner at an established local restaurant, and an evening performance under the trees at Lime Kiln Theater.
A Summer Weekend in Camden, Maine: Harbor Sails, Mountain Views, and Breakfast Worth Planning Around
Plan a summer weekend in Camden, Maine, with a character-rich stay, breakfast at Buttermilk Kitchen, mountain views from Camden Hills State Park, an afternoon schooner sail on Penobscot Bay, and dinner by the harbor.
A Summer Weekend in Hendersonville, North Carolina: Mountain Trails, Main Street, and Room to Roam
Plan a summer weekend in Hendersonville, North Carolina, with a local B&B stay or a family-friendly retreat at The Horse Shoe Farm, plus hiking, biking, waterfalls, Main Street wandering, and relaxed mountain-town dining.
A Summer Weekend in Dorset & Manchester, Vermont: Cool Evenings, Lincoln History, and a Very Civilized Saturday
Plan a summer weekend in Dorset and Manchester, Vermont, with a stay at Barrows House, Hildene, Manchester shopping, optional hiking or Land Rover adventure, a nostalgic Dorset quarry swim, and dinner plus theatre in Dorset.
Dahlonega Trails & Outdoors: Mountain Air, Gold Country Roads, and a Little Bit of Grit
Explore Dahlonega, Georgia’s best trails and outdoor adventures, from Lake Zwerner and Yahoola Creek Park to Six Gap cycling routes, Bull Mountain mountain biking, and Amicalola Falls camping.
Dwell: Imagine Living in Boone, NC
Thinking about moving to Boone, NC? Here's a candid look at daily life, housing realities, tourism pressures, and who truly thrives in this mountain college town.
Mainstreet Maven: Angela Higgs
Meet Angela Higgs, the biologist-turned-wine expert behind Accordia and Sama-Sama in Staunton, Virginia. From German wine country to Beverley Street, her story blends science, hospitality, and the kind of Main Street warmth that turns a wine bar into a true third place.
Sports & Recreation in Boone, NC: Golf, App State Football, Trail Rides & More
Your intro guide to golf, racquet sports, horseback riding, App State game days, and more in Boone, NC — from Kidd Brewer Stadium to mountain trail rides.
Trails & Outdoors in Boone, NC: Hiking, Skiing, Climbing & More
Your quick guide to hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, camping, and skiing in Boone, NC — from the Blue Ridge Parkway to the High Country's best known trails.
Quicktake: Hendersonville, NC
Hendersonville, NC is the rare small town that manages to feel both timeless and alive. From bear statues and rooftop toasts to waterfall hikes and a downtown built on genuine community pride, this Blue Ridge foothills town is less a weekend escape and more a quiet revelation. Come for a visit—leave rethinking what "home" could look like.
The Third Place: Where Small Towns Really Shine
There's a concept that explains why some towns feel alive the moment you arrive — and why others don't. It's called the third place, and small towns have been perfecting it for centuries. From a triangle park in a Vermont hamlet to a riverfront green in Georgia, here's what to look for and why it matters.
Prosper: The MoxieTowns Lens for Small Town Economic Possibility
Prosper is the MoxieTowns lens for economic possibility. Not flashy growth. Not the kind that arrives with a ribbon-cutting and leaves two years later. We're looking for the kind that grows in inches and sticks — because it's built on people, place, and genuine momentum.
We tell the stories behind adaptive reuse projects, new storefronts opened by first-time business owners, coworking sparks that turned into creative hubs, and the community champions who kept showing up long before it was trendy. These are the builders: entrepreneurs who bet on a small town, remote workers who chose a different kind of commute, investors who saw good bones and took a calculated risk, and civic leaders who kept the faith.
The Weather in Opelika: Warm Summers, Porch-Perfect Falls, and a Quick Winter Cameo
Thinking about living in Opelika, Alabama? Expect a warm, four-season rhythm: hot, humid summers (July highs around 89°F), an easy, outdoor-friendly fall (September ~83°F, October ~74°F), and a short, mild winter (January lows near 38°F). Spring warms quickly into the 70s and 80s with more wet days—great for porch time, gardens, and an everyday life that stays outside more months than not.
Big Small Towns, Villages & Hamlets: Why Size Tells a Story
Not every small town is the same size — and that matters more than you think. MoxieTowns breaks down why we use three size categories and how geography, proximity, and community shape what each town can offer visitors and future residents.
The Weather in Dahlonega, Georgia: Mountain Seasons with a Golden Glow
Dahlonega, Georgia’s mountain setting brings four distinct seasons—warm, muggy summers, crisp blue-sky falls, brisk winters with occasional snow, and a lush, rain-kissed spring. Use this practical weather guide to plan the best times for courthouse-square strolls, trail days, and vineyard weekends.
Hendersonville, NC Is an Outdoor Lover's Best-Kept Secret
Hendersonville, NC packs an extraordinary range of outdoor adventures into one small mountain town — from waterfall hikes in DuPont State Forest and world-class downhill mountain biking at Ride Kanuga to flat riverside greenways and surprise snow tubing right in town. Here's your complete guide to getting outside in one of western North Carolina's most underrated destinations.
Hendersonville, North Carolina: Small‑Town Soul, Main Street Magic
Discover Hendersonville, North Carolina—a walkable small town where retirees, families, and entrepreneurs share a vibrant Main Street and increasingly affordable housing options.
Mainstreet Maven: Cindy Loudenslager
Cindy Loudenslager traded 30 years of NYC banking for early mornings at the Dorset Union Store. Here's how she's keeping Vermont's oldest general store alive and thriving like never before.
The Weather in Hendersonville, NC: Four Seasons, Apple-Country Rhythm
Hendersonville, North Carolina delivers a true four-season mountain climate—warm, slightly humid summers, crisp fall afternoons, cool winters with occasional snowfall, and a springtime warm-up that brings fresh green scenery and regular showers. Use this practical weather guide to plan the best time to visit Hendersonville’s walkable Main Street, apple-country orchards, and Blue Ridge foothills trails—whether you’re chasing sunny fall days, cozy winter weekends, or spring blooms.
Mainstreet Maven: Jillian Minerva
Jillian Minerva didn’t plan to become the keeper of a small-town heartbeat — but sometimes life reroutes us toward where we truly belong. Today, she and her husband Joe run the Barnard General Store in Vermont, raising their family between morning muffins, lake views, and the hum of community life, while growing a modern family business that’s just as rooted in connection.