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Nicest Places

After hearing all your stories and submissions, we’ve found some of the nicest places in America. From metropolitan miracles to small-town hidden gems, our nation’s capacity for human kidness will amaze you. Did your town make the list?

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The Nicest Place in South Carolina: Lake Trollingwood

A transplant to the south has found a home in a town that is so nice, she says, “It’s made...


The Nicest Place in Louisiana: Houma

A toe-tapping city welcomes everyone to dance their blues away.


The Nicest Place in South Dakota: Rapid City

Each winter, people drape coats, gloves, and scarves on the town’s statues. It’s for the needy to take, and it’s...


The Nicest Place in Georgia: The Fugees Family in Clarkston

This non-traditional school uses soccer to help refugees learn, and it has a 100% college acceptance rate.


The Nicest Place in Tennessee: Franklin

To bring people together, this traditional Southern city embraces its past—both the good and the bad.


The Nicest Place in Hawaii: Ahuimanu

"Aloha" is a way of life on Hawaii, and this place truly embodies the spirit.


The Nicest Place in Utah: Springville

Every year, folk dancers and musicians from around the world come to this out-of-the-way town to strut their stuff, and...


The Nicest Place in Vermont: Barre City

Most people don’t want a drug treatment addict as a neighbor. In this town, they’re met with open arms.

The Nicest Place in Illinois: Fox Point in Barrington

An act of vandalism against an LGBT couple brings a neighborhood together and teaches a powerful lesson to the next...


The Nicest Place in Alaska: North Pole

Letters to Santa make their way to this frosty town, where folks keep the Christmas spirit alive for kids around...


The Nicest Place in Virginia: Colonial Beach

When young people in a small town need a place to play, residents do what it takes to give to...


The Nicest Place in West Virginia: B.A.R.K. Club at Doddridge County High School

A student club is making it their mission to make high school a friendlier place for kids who could use...


The Nicest Place in Washington: Kitsap Peninsula

For a period of 24-hours, no place in America has greater community spirit.


The Nicest Place in Kentucky: Winchester

A friendly town gets into an unfriendly battle with polluters, and wins!


The Nicest Place in Wisconsin: The Lingonberry Llama Coffee Shop in Belleville

Small towns need a place to meet, talk and share. In this tiny town, that need was met in a...


The Nicest Place in Maine: Bristol

Often, townies and tourists don’t gel. In this seaside town, they’re one in the same.


The Nicest Place in Maryland: Whitehurst Community in Severna Park

It's hard to find a house in this neighborhood because people hardly leave, and when they do, they sell to...

The Nicest Place in Massachusetts: Plymouth

The spirit of Thanksgiving lives on every day here as new settlers are as welcome as the very first pilgrims...


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The Secret to This Small Town’s Revival Is Making Everyone Want to Live There

Mount Vernon, Texas, could have become just another fading outpost. Folks in town weren’t about to let that happen.


How Did a Falafel House in Tennessee Become the Nicest Place in America?

“I’m not here just to make falafel and make money. I’m here to build this community.”


The Library That’s Writing a New Chapter for Baltimore

Find out why 20 minutes in this library can literally change someone's life.


The Powerful Lesson America Could Learn from This Tiny Town of 1,600

Kindness towards neighbors is the norm in Ellijay, GA; it’s their kindness towards newcomers that sets them apart.


Robin Roberts Reveals What Everyone Can Learn from 2018’s Nicest Place in America

The Good Morning America newscaster opens up about what it truly means to be nice.

PayItForward Inc. in Mower County, MN

Paying it forward is a way of life in Mower County, where one small plumbing business, built from the ashes...


McCrossan Boys Ranch in Sioux Falls, SD

Sometimes you need a little help getting your life on track, and that's what thousands of boys have gotten at...


LaBelle, FL

LaBelle is a sanctuary for those looking to reclaim balance in their lives. While the view of the Caloosahatchee River...


Mitchell, SD

Mitchell is a strong, close-knit community that is so much more than its most-famous attraction, the world's only "Corn Palace."


Hill City, SD

In Hill City, people pull together to get things done, like when a flash flood devastated downtown. Residents just grabbed...


Downtown at Sundown in Brookings, SD

Downtown at Sundown is much more than an outdoor concert -- it's a place where everyone in the community comes...