Budget Travel (BudgetTravel.com) announced today that Beacon, NY has been named this year's "Coolest Small Town in America." Sonoma, CA, claimed the runner-up spot in the annual contest celebrating small town America.

Each year Budget Travel encourages its multi-platform audience to discover travel beyond the big cities and experience something different: America's Coolest Small Towns. "Combining cultural diversity, cutting-edge cuisine, natural beauty, and vibrant community spirit, these towns offer visitors a truly authentic small town experience," says Editor in Chief Robert Firpo-Cappiello. "Beacon, in New York's Hudson River Valley, exemplifies those core values, with an incredible array of artists and artisans, chefs, a world-class museum, Dia: Beacon, and a revitalized downtown."

Budget Travel editors, writers, photographers, and videographers have been exploring small towns across the U.S. (each with a population under 20,000) to curate the "10 Coolest Small Towns in America 2018" package, which includes articles, video, social media posts, Facebook Live, a Twitter chat, and television appearances.  

Budget Travel's Top 10 list of the Coolest Small Towns in America for 2018:

#1 Beacon, NY: A haven for artists, artisans, chefs, and environmentalists

#2 Sonoma, CA: A wine lover's paradise

#3 Gatlinburg, TN: Gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park

#4 Durango, CO: For Southwest adventurers

#5 Ephraim, WI: The classic American lakeshore vacation

#6 Jackson Hole, WY: Outdoorsy fun in the Grand Tetons

#7 Eureka Springs, AR: A rich history and soothing natural beauty

#8 Sedona, AZ: For travelers seeking relaxation and enlightenment

#9 Ocean Springs, MS: The Gulf Coast's foodie magnet

#10 Point Pleasant, NJ: An awesome beach and boardwalk with a family-friendly vibe