The Western US certainly has a reputation for being friendlier than New England, but is that really true? Expedia used data from traveler reviews to rank the most welcoming towns in the country, as well as offer suggestions for what to do there. They examined reviews written between January 2019 and December 2020 based on cities and towns with the highest percentage of comments using words like “friendly,” “friendliest,” and “amiable.”
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The Friendliest Towns in the US, According to Travelers’ Reviews
At the top of the list is Whitefish, Montana, which is known for its proximity to Glacier National Park. Sister Bay, Wisconsin, popular among boaters and fishermen, came in second, while Manitou Springs, Colorado, came in third.
The 20 friendliest towns in the US in 2021 according to travelers’ reviews:
- 1. Whitefish, Montana
- 2. Sister Bay, Wisconsin
- 3. Manitou Springs, Colorado
- 4. Easton, Maryland
- 5. Lihue, Hawaii
- 6. Sierra Vista, Arizona
- 7. Kennebunkport, Maine
- 8. Chincoteague, Virginia
- 9. Ogunquit, Maine
- 10. Provincetown, Massachusetts
- 11. Carolina Beach, North Carolina
- 12. Kahului, Hawaii
- 13. Alamogordo, New Mexico
- 14. Manhattan, New York
- 15. Kapaʻa, Hawaii
- 16. Bar Harbor, Maine
- 17. Grants Pass, Oregon
- 18. Deadwood, South Dakota
- 19. Hilo, Hawaii
- 20. Aspen, Colorado
As for bragging rights, Hawaii and Maine each had three towns on this list’s top 20. And if you’ve ever been to either state, you won’t be surprised. One surprise, however, might be Manhattan, New York, which ranked number 14. New Yorkers aren’t exactly famous for their friendliness, but maybe this list will start to reverse that stereotype. 