Alabama is home to 3rd most picturesque small town in the US—can you guess which one?

A recent study by North Carolina Travel Guides (yep, this is getting scientific) just ranked the United States’ most picturesque small towns, and one Alabama town is #3. Keep reading to learn more about Orange Beach and why North Carolina Travel Guides ranked it so highly!

A perfectly picturesque city right here in Alabama

Out of 500 small towns that North Carolina Travel Guides compared, Orange Beach came in at #3. In case you’re skeptical about favoritism, North Carolina doesn’t come on the list until #50.

To compare the small towns, the study rated each one in three categories:

• Search trends
• Popularity with photographers
• Popularity for photography with the general public

Orange Beach was on the heels of the #1 spot, Fredericksburg, Texas, and the #2 spot, Cedarburg, Wisconsin. Orange Beach ranked particularly high in the “popularity for photography with the general public” category.

Here’s what they had to say about our beloved beach:

“Known for its gorgeous beaches and clear waters, Orange Beach, Alabama, is one of the most picturesque small towns in America. This town on the Gulf Coast of the state of Alabama has a lot to offer for those that love beautiful places. From going for a relaxing stroll on the town’s boardwalk to seeing Orange Beach from the water while doing a cruise to getting beautiful views of the water while hanging out at the beach, the beauty of the town will surprise you.”

North Carolina Travel Guides

We could agree more—Orange Beach is beautiful, and it offers tons to do.

Things to do in Orange Beach

Ready to visit this ultra-picturesque spot? We’ve got plenty of tips on how to make the most of a visit to Orange Beach.

• This guide to vacationing in Orange Beach is full of ideas for eats + experiences.
• These 9 spots have incredible food + views.
• If you’re looking for nearby Instagram-worthy spots, we’ve got you covered.
• There’s nothing like fishing at the beach—here are some of the best spots on the Gulf Coast.
• Check out the Gulf State Park and its incredible recreational trail.

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