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2 Area towns among finalists for ‘Coolest Small Town in America’

LeClaire, Iowa and Mt. Carroll, Illinois are among 15 finalist cities nominated to be the “Coolest Small Town in America.”
Sunset over the LeClaire Canal – Kathy Sidlinger

LeClaire, Iowa and Mt. Carroll, Illinois are among 15 finalist cities nominated to be the “Coolest Small Town in America.”

This is the eighth year Budget Travel is hosting voting to choose the winning town on its website.

LeClaire was nominated for its proximity to the Mississippi River and opportunities to attend events, cruise and view wildlife along the river.  Local shopping, crafts and businesses as well as the historical connection to Buffalo Bill Cody were also highlighted.

Mt. Carroll, Illinois got attention for “something gleefully, well, off about the place,” according to the post on Budget Travel’s website.  Attractions like the miniature horse farm just outside of town, the Victorian Mad Hatter-themed tea room at the local antiques store and the town’s year-round haunted house got attention.

The finalists were chosen from a list of 924 towns nominated for the award.  To be nominated, the towns must have a population below 10,000 and have “an edge and a heart.”

The other finalist towns are Bay St. Louis, Mississippi; Camden, Maine; Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin; Flagler Beach, Florida; Glenwood Springs, Colorado; Greenville, Kentucky; Gulf Shores, Alabama; Lititz, Pennsylvania; Put-in-Bay, Ohio; Quincy, California; Shepherdstown, West Virginia; Travelers Rest, South Carolina and Watkins Glen, New York.

Online voting is  open until midnight February 15.  Click here to see the list of finalist towns and to vote.

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