The Best of the West (Towns)

Here is my ranking of the smaller towns I have visited:

4.




Flagstaff, Arizona (pop. 60,611)

Pros:  Great college town atmosphere; history; BNSF; microbreweries (Beaver Street, Lumbaryard, Flagstaff Brewing); mountains; inexpensive
Cons:  Only good for a day
Thoughts:  Flagstaff is definitely a hipster, mountain, college town as the home to Northern Arizona University.  The railroad history and hiking also seem like a cool part of the town.
Description in a few words:  Mountains, trains, beer, college

3.




Sedona, Arizona (pop. 10,031)

Pros:  Red rock; hiking; green forests; Tlaquepaque center (Oak Creek Brewery); driving down Oak Creek Canyon
Cons:  Hard to navigate; expensive
Thoughts:  Definitely check out Sedona's beauty.  It's worth the money and the effort, but can be a lot cheaper if you find a nice secluded camping site in a small canyon.  Bring lots of water.
Description in a few words:  Red, rock, dry, hot, green, retirement community

2.




Santa Fe, New Mexico (pop. 67,947)

Pros:  Spanish heritage; old, old, old buildings, food, art scene, location (where desert meets mountain); camping in the Santa Fe National Forest
Cons:  Really expensive; many things closed on Sunday
Thoughts:  I was quite impressed with Santa Fe.  Yes, it is expensive, but you can also enjoy the free and cheap sides of the town, like the historical site and many restaurants with reasonably priced, delicious.  I had a hard time deciding between Santa Fe and Sedona.  The latter has, I think, more outstanding sights in nature with the red rock and is a bit less expensive.  However, as a town, which is what this lists looks at, Santa Fe is just more fun of a town and still has great views of nature.  I would definitely check out the art galleries and San Miguel Mission.  Also, there seemed to be some great food stands in the centro.  I had some amazing beer and BBQ, and great French crêpes and coffee.
Description in a few words:  Español, art, religious, food, mountains, desert, colorful, expensive



1.




Durango, Colorado (pop. 16,887)

Pros:  Rocky Mountains; deciduous trees and changing leaves; Old West town; locomotive trains; art scene; young, relaxed, athletic atmosphere; Christmas; beer (Irish Embassy, Barley Exchange. Carver Brewing); old hotels (Palmer, Strater and its Old West saloon); hiking up steep mountains
Cons:  None.
Thoughts:  Durango seems familiar and new, yet it doesn't.  You see the trees, the up and coming restaurants, stores, and bars, then you see the last steam locomotive train still in operation driving past Old West hotels and saloons.  Hikes take you above the edge of the high desert to the tree line, right below the Rocky Mountains.  Perfection.
Description in a few words:  Mountains; trees; leaves; steep; old; trains; beer