CNN names unexpected Washington city among best towns in US

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A Pacific Northwest destination located less than 150 miles away from Portland was dubbed one of the top towns to visit in the U.S.

CNN published its inaugural list of America's Best Towns to Visit earlier this week. The media company’s travel editors named 10 destinations nationwide that “offer loads of personality and plenty to see and do without the elbow-to-elbow crowds of the big tourist cities.” Each place holds between 50,000 and 225,000 residents.

The top three towns were Richmond, Va., Providence, R.I. and [checks notes] Tacoma, Wash.

The Washington destination was recognized for its landscape, outdoor access and arts community. It was also celebrated as a more relaxed alternative to Seattle, which is just over 30 miles north with more than triple the number of residents.

It received bonus points for its central location between Puget Sound and Mount Rainier.

“There are some pretty spectacular sights in the city, too, thanks to Dale Chihuly, the art glass master and Tacoma native,” CNN wrote. “At the Museum of Glass, exhibits and glassblowers at work in its hot shop tell the story of the medium. And flightseeing tours will give you a good look at the sacred ancestral lands of the Puyallup Tribe.”

The media company recommended Tibbitts at FernHill and The Table as must-visit food spots. The latter’s Derek Bray was selected as a semifinalist for the James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef in the Northwest award.

Silver Cloud Hotel Tacoma and Hotel Murano were recommended as the best hotels in the area.

Portland — Maine, not Oregon — and San Luis Obispo, Calif., rounded out CNN’s top five for the best American towns.

Flagstaff, Ariz., Macon, Ga., Grand Rapids, Mich., Knoxville, Tenn., and Duluth, Minn. were also listed.