Big cities certainly have their perks, but sometimes, the pace of a small town beckons. Luckily, you don’t always have to choose one or the other — some of the largest U.S. cities have neighborhoods that feel like their own little worlds. Whether it’s a historic district with deep cultural roots or a waterfront escape with a laid-back lifestyle, these five neighborhoods offer small-town charm without sacrificing city conveniences.

Lincoln Square – Chicago, Illinois

Located on the city’s North Side, Lincoln Square was settled in the 1840s by European immigrants, many of whom came from Germany. The charming neighborhood still carries remnants of its European roots, from the cobblestone stretch of Lincoln Avenue to the beloved annual German-American Oktoberfest.

Today, the area is an enticing blend of old and new. Heritage bakeries such as Hellas Pastry Shop, which opened in 1969, sit alongside trendy spots such as Oromo Cafe and plenty of independent book, record, and furniture stores — giving the residential neighborhood a small-town feel while maintaining the Windy City’s vibrant energy.

The heart of the neighborhood — which is easily accessible via the CTA’s Brown Line — is Giddings Plaza, a quaint pedestrian square that hosts outdoor concerts, community events, and bustling weekend farmers markets. Locals also frequent the historic Davis Theater — its vintage marquee is unmissable — and enjoy the neighborhood’s many family-friendly green spaces such as Welles or Winnemac parks, both of which feel worlds away from Chicago’s iconic skyline just a few miles to the south. 

City Island – The Bronx, New York City

With its quaint marinas, seafood shacks, and picturesque beaches on just about every block, City Island feels more like a New England fishing village than a New York City neighborhood. This small island is actually part of the Bronx and is connected to the borough by a single bridge. City Island was purchased in 1654 from the Lenape people and developed into a farming and fishing community before oysters and shipbuilding became the primary industries.

The charming main street, City Island Avenue, is lined with mom-and-pop shops selling handmade jewelry and curated antiques, while no-fuss restaurants such as Johnny’s Reef and the Original Crab Shanty serve every kind of fresh seafood imaginable — often with a waterfront view.

The City Island Nautical Museum is open on weekends, and renting a boat from Jack’s Bait and Tackle will allow you to take in the views from Long Island Sound. The 1.5-mile-long City Island may be tiny, but the small-town vibe within the “City That Never Sleeps” is precisely what some residents prefer.

Linden Hills – Minneapolis, Minnesota

Tucked between the serene waters of Lake Harriet and Bde Maka Ska, Linden Hills will almost make you forget you’re in a city of almost half a million people. Settled in the late 1800s, the charming neighborhood experienced rapid development when the Como-Harriet streetcar line started traveling through in the 1920s — a piece of history that lives on in the old-fashioned trolley that still passes through Linden Hills today.

Named for the area’s abundance of linden trees, the neighborhood is picturesque and highly walkable. Check out the nearly 3 miles of trails around Lake Harriet for stunning views and, in the warmer months, beach access.

The smell of fresh bread wafting from the beloved Turtle Bread Company will be irresistible among the many independent local shops. Nearby, Wild Rumpus Books, a whimsical bookstore with live animals, entertains visitors of all ages. Though just a short drive from downtown Minneapolis, Linden Hills’ easygoing, scenic spaces make it a treasured escape within the City of Lakes.

Mount Airy – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Even the name Mount Airy sounds like a breath of fresh air. Located 20 minutes from Center City, the neighborhood stands out with its historic, tree-lined beauty. Nature lovers flock here, whether for the 57 miles of trails that wind through Wissahickon Valley Park’s woods, the peaceful fishing at Wissahickon Creek, or a challenging climb up Livezey Rock. 

Foodies and shoppers, meanwhile, can enjoy a walk along Germantown Avenue, the neighborhood’s main street. Grab a coffee at Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee and Books before browsing vintage clothing at Pax Flora Goods or making your way to the Johnson House, a preserved 18th-century home that once offered refuge to enslaved peoples as they sought freedom along the Underground Railroad.

The Heights – Houston, Texas

In a city known for its sprawling freeways and towering skyscrapers, the Heights (also known as Houston Heights)  is an outlier of quiet, small-town charm.

The neighborhood, located just 4 miles northwest of downtown and named for its elevation — 23 feet higher than most of low-lying Houston — dates back to the 1890s, when it became the first planned community in Texas. The Heights quickly grew into a vibrant community. Folk Victorian and Craftsman bungalows and local businesses still define much of its tree-canopied streetscape today. 

Historic 19th Street serves as the eclectic and colorful heart of the Heights. Here, you can grab a coffee from local favorite Boomtown before spending some time flipping through rare vinyls at Vinal Edge, a staple of the community for 40 years. Also be sure to plan a walk or bike ride along the trails of the nearby White Oak Bayou. Even with Houston’s skyline looming in the distance, the green space and leisurely pace of the Heights will give you the small-town fix you’ve been craving.

Europe has long boasted an extensive train network, but the continent is experiencing a “rail renaissance” as of late, with a slew of exciting new long-distance routes in the works. And savvy travelers know that buying a train ticket allows you to explore Europe and skip the expense and stress of a rental car, all while sitting back, relaxing, and enjoying the view. We’ve compiled six bucket-list train trips throughout Europe that you won’t want to miss.

The Jacobite – Scotland

Chugging along an 84-mile round-trip journey through the splendid Scottish Highlands, the Jacobite steam train is one of the most thrilling ways to see northern Scotland. The route begins in the historic port town of Fort Williams before meandering all the way to Mallaig, a coastal village with ferry service to the scenic Hebrides Islands.

Along the way, riders are treated to spectacular views of the windswept Highlands from the comfort of a train car. Notable sights include Ben Nevis (the highest mountain, or what locals call a “Munro,” in Scotland) and Loch Morar (the deepest freshwater lake in the British Isles). The vintage steam-powered train also passes over the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct, a dramatic arched bridge that appears in the Harry Potter movies as part of the Hogwarts Express.

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express – Various Countries

Connecting 16 cities across 10 countries, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express transports riders back to the golden age of train travel, with renovated cars from the 1920s featuring fine French dining and high-end accommodations. Paying homage to the original Orient Express, the priciest cars include butler service, in-cabin dining, and private marble bathrooms.

The most well-known route travels from London to Venice, with a stop in Paris. The train also travels to Istanbul annually, with various connections in Budapest, Florence, and Rome. Whichever route you choose, the Orient Express is a true throwback to a bygone era: Formal evening attire is required every night, and guests can mingle in Bar Car 3674 to grab a cocktail, listen to live music on the baby grand piano, or enjoy the chef’s special midnight brunch.

Bernina Express – Switzerland and Italy

Over the course of three hours, travelers on the Bernina Express are treated to front-row views of alpine lakes, intact glaciers, and soaring mountains while traveling on the UNESCO-listed Rhaetian Railway, one of the steepest railways in the world. Connecting Tirano, Italy, and Chur, Switzerland, the journey begins in a climate that is home to palm trees and ends in a charming Alpine town. 

The train passes through 55 tunnels, 196 bridges, and two viaducts, including the sky-high Landwasser Viaduct and the heart-pumping Brusio Circular Viaduct. Climbing to 7,392 feet above sea level, the journey includes stops in the charming villages of St. Moritz and Pontresina, where riders can disembark and explore.

Flåm Railway – Norway

The journey might be brief, but the Flåm Railway is a scenic stunner through Norway’s famous fjords. Connecting Myrdal, a stop on the Oslo-Bergen Railway, with the village of Flåm, the 12.6-mile trip takes roughly one hour. With an elevation change of 2,841 feet at a 5.5% incline, it’s also one of the steepest train journeys in the world.

The trains run year-round, traveling through 20 tunnels and treating riders to arresting views during all four seasons. The showstopper is Kjosfossen, a waterfall that descends an astonishing 738 feet in summer and is frozen during winter. Visitors can disembark the train to watch a theatrical impersonation of Huldra, a forest spirit who dances beneath the falls.

Semmering Railway – Austria

Dating back to the Hapsburg Era, the Semmering Railway was completed in 1854 as the first European mountain railway, “one of the greatest feats of civil engineering” in the early era of the rails, according to UNESCO. Connecting Vienna with Trieste, a port on the Adriatic Sea, it was a significant railway for trade, commerce, and military transportation.

Today, the railway is mostly used for scenic purposes. As part of the Eurail, it connects Vienna and Carinthia, with stops in Semmering and Graz that allow for extended connections to Slovenia. The train travels through dark tunnels, over brick viaducts, and along rocky outcrops with incredible views for much of the way.

Le Petit Train Jaune – France

Adrenaline junkies won’t want to miss Le Petit Train Jaune, or the “Little Yellow Train,” a historic track that runs through the Pyrenees Mountains. Nicknamed “the Canary” by locals, the narrow-gauge railway was originally built as a link between remote Catalan mountain communities.

Today it traverses the French-Spanish border, with an exhilarating open-air car that affords passengers unfettered views of the region’s mountains and valleys. Connecting 22 stations, the Canary traverses 19 tunnels before reaching an altitude of 5,250 feet, allowing passengers access to Bolquère, one of the highest ski stations in France. All told, the journey from Saillagouse to Villefranche de Conflent takes just under 2.5 hours.

Capital cities are natural draws for travelers. As the seat of government, they are often home to a country’s most important museums, monuments, cultural institutions, and historical sites. But of course, some capitals draw more visitors than others. (We’re looking at you, London and Paris.) If you’ve already checked the big hitters off your travel list, or if you’re simply looking to avoid crowds and chart a less-traveled path on your next adventure, check out seven underrated world capitals worth visiting.

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Try saying the name of Slovenia’s capital five times fast. (For the record, it’s pronounced “lyoo-BLYAH-nuh”; both J’s are silent.) Ljubljana is the country’s largest city, but it’s only home to around 285,000 people, making it one of Europe’s smaller capitals.

Ljubljana’s old town is separated from its new commercial center by the Ljubljanica River. Known for its green spaces and for being a university town, the capital draws artists (with a number of world-class museums), coffee lovers (outdoor cafes line virtually every street), and historians alike (be sure to check out Ljubljana Castle and Dragon Bridge).

The existence of Dragon Bridge stems from the fact that the Slovenian capital has long claimed the dragon as its symbol. According to legend, Ljubljana was founded by Greek mythological hero Jason and the Argonauts after they fled Greece. Jason was said to slay a dragon in a lake near the source of the Ljubljanica River. The dragon later became a symbol of protection for the city, appearing on a medieval coat of arms, the city’s flag, and, since 1919, the Dragon Bridge crossing the Ljubljanica River.

Located in Triglav National Park, about 35 miles from Ljubljana, is Lake Bled — famous for a view that comes straight out of a storybook. A 15th-century, Gothic-style church towers over the tiny tear-shaped island in the middle of the lake and is often mirrored on the water’s surface, creating one of Slovenia’s most picturesque scenes.

San Marino, San Marino

Tucked within a landlocked microstate of the same name, the city of San Marino boasts a trio of medieval fortresses that have helped preserve its uninterrupted status as the nation’s capital since the 13th century.

These fortifications — known as the “Three Towers of San Marino” — are individually named Guaita, Cesta, and Montale, and were built between the 11th and 14th centuries to both defend the city and hold prisoners. Though they no longer serve an active military purpose, the towers now house several museums and are located atop the peaks of Mount Titano, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that offers breathtaking views as far as the Adriatic Sea.

With an area of just 2.74 square miles, the city of San Marino is exceptionally walkable — a convenient fact considering most cars are banned in the town center. The city’s rich history and charming cobblestone streets and architecture attract over 3 million annual visitors, a number that dwarfs the permanent population of just over 4,000 residents. Many of them arrive via a scenic funicular route originating from nearby Borgo Maggiore, which is more easily accessible from the surrounding Italy.

Quito, Ecuador

More than 1,000 individual UNESCO World Heritage Sites dot the globe, but a select few cities and towns are so full of cultural experiences and landmarks that their entire area has been named a UNESCO Heritage Site. Quito, the capital city of Ecuador, is one such cultural treasure. The city was founded in the 16th century on Incan ruins, and it remains one of the best-preserved and least-altered historic cities in South America. 

The art and architecture of the Baroque school of Quito — with Spanish, Italian, Moorish, Flemish, and Indigenous influences — is present in monasteries and churches across the city. The city has preserved its original layout of checkerboard cobblestone streets dating back to 1734, despite numerous earthquakes over the centuries. A trip to Quito will allow travelers to experience Latin America at its finest, with parks, craft markets, impressive art, magnificent churches, and views of the Andes mountains.

Another highlight of Quito is its teleférico (Spanish for “cable car”) — one of the highest aerial lifts in the world. Visitors who hop aboard the transparent six-person gondola cars that rise from the city center (at 9,000 feet, already the world’s second-highest capital), will ride up the east side of Pichincha Volcano and be treated to spectacular views at Cruz Loma.

Ottawa, Canada

While Toronto is Canada’s largest city, home to nearly 3 million people, Ottawa, the national capital, is much smaller, home to under a million. Its name originates from the Algonquin word for “trade,” due to its history as an important trading post. Queen Victoria chose Ottawa to be Canada’s capital in 1857, as it was located on the border of Canada’s two biggest provinces, Quebec and Ontario. 

Perched atop Parliament Hill along the Ottawa River are Canada’s Parliament Buildings, an outstanding example of Gothic Revival architecture. Originally built in 1866, the complex includes three buildings: the East Block, West Block, and Center Block at the hill’s highest point, which houses the Library of Parliament at the rear and the iconic Peace Tower at the front of the facade.

Carved with gargoyles and grotesques, the Peace Tower soars 300 feet above the Ottawa skyline. Inside the landmark, you can view the Memorial Chamber with its stained glass windows and stones collected from European battlefields, serving as a remembrance of those who fought during World War I.

Ottawa is also home to seven national museums, including the National Gallery of Canada, the Canadian Museum of History, and the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum — making a must-visit for history buffs and culture vultures looking to learn more about the Great White North.

Budapest, Hungary

When you visit Budapest, you experience two distinct histories in one location. That’s because the Hungarian capital is the result of a merger between areas opposite each other on the Danube River, Buda (on the west) and Pest (on the east).

The hills of Buda and the flatland of Pest weren’t made one until 1873 when the two merged — along with Obuda — into one city. In fact, there wasn’t even a bridge connecting the two sides until 1849. Today, Budapest’s metropolitan area is home to a third of Hungary’s population.

Budapest is a city with a number of nicknames, including “Paris of the East” and “Pearl of the Danube.” But ever since the 1930s, the Hungarian capital has held the particularly apt title of “City of Spas.” The moniker was bestowed because Budapest is home to 118 thermal and medicinal water springs — more than any other capital city in the world. 

The city’s thermal waters have been enjoyed as early as the second century by the Romans, but the bath culture really took hold during the Turkish occupation in the 16th century. Today, there are 15 public thermal baths in Budapest, but the most popular is Széchenyi Thermal Bath. This palatial bathing site opened to the public in 1913, with 18 mineral-rich, spring-fed pools of varying temperatures. It is the largest thermal bath complex in Hungary and one of the largest on the continent.

Tórshavn, Faroe Islands

The capital city of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn is named for Thor, the Norse god of thunder, and the city’s viking roots run deep. Vikings settled here and established a parliament on the Tinganes Peninsula around 825 CE.

Today, the Faroese government is still located there — making it among the oldest Parliamentary meeting places on Earth. The parliament is located in Reyni, the oldest neighborhood in the city, which features winding waterfront streets lined with colorful grass-roofed structures dating back to the Middle Ages.      

Tórshavn is the largest city among the 18 Faroe Islands — a territory of Denmark, located between Iceland and Norway in the North Atlantic — but it’s still one of the smallest capital cities in Europe. There are only about 19,000 residents and three traffic lights.

The terrain surrounding the city is rugged and striking — drive about 10 minutes to find remote hikes and incredible bird-watching along waterfalls, inland lakes, and cliffs. There’s plenty to see if you stay in town, too. A free shuttle will whisk you around the harbor, providing access to music venues, art exhibitions, and cozy restaurants.

Baku, Azerbaijan

The residents of only two cities on Earth can say they live in a national capital below sea level. And those cities are Baku and Amsterdam. Baku is the lowest-lying of the national capitals, at 92 feet below sea level. The so-called “City of Winds” — named for the ever-present blustery conditions — is also the world’s largest city below sea level, with over 2.2 million people residing across its 822 square miles. 

The Government House in Baku is the main building in which many ministries in the country congregate. The impressively ornate building, constructed between 1936 and 1952, was originally commissioned by the Soviet government as the Baku Soviet Palace. In 1955, a monument to Vladimir Lenin was installed in front of the building; the sculpture remained there until an Azerbaijani uprising in 1990.

Meanwhile, the Maiden Tower is the oldest structure in Baku’s historic walled city — and it’s filled with mystery. The building has stood since at least the 12th century, but some experts think the original structure may date back even further to 600 BCE. It may have served as a Zoroastrian temple or possibly an astronomical observatory. 

Whatever its intended purpose, the Maiden Tower has inspired countless poems and fairy tales, as well as “Maiden Tower,” the first Azerbaijani ballet. It’s become one of the most recognizable symbols of the city and can even be found on the national currency, the Azerbaijani manat. A climb to the top of the 97-foot-tall tower offers lovely views of the walled city and the Bay of Baku.