Virgin River. Grayson Maxwell Gurnsey as Ricky in episode 403 of Virgin River.

11 TV Shows That Bring the Magic of Small Towns to Your Screen

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Most people will agree that there’s something especially comforting and cozy about curling up on the couch and hitting play on a TV series that takes place in a quaint, small town.

TV Shows Set In Cute Small Towns

Locke & Key - Production Still Image
Image Credit: Netflix.

 

Guaranteed to come with an array of quirky side characters and scenery that’s escapism at its finest, shows set in small towns are the perfect way to unwind after a long day. Below is a list of 11 binge-worthy shows set in the cutest small towns ever created for TV.

1. Gilmore Girls

(Left to Right) Lauren Graham and Scott Patterson in GILMORE GIRLS
Image Credit: Saeed Adyani/Netflix.
This fast-paced, quick-witted dramedy is as good as it gets when it comes to small-town charm. Set in the fictional town of Stars Hollow, the series was inspired by the cute towns in the Litchfield Hills region of Connecticut.
The show focuses on the unique relationship between independent teen mom Lorelei and her book-smart and endearing daughter Rory as they both come of age in Stars Hollow. They create a life for themselves while navigating love, their relationship with Lorelei’s estranged parents, and friendships with the quirky but lovable townsfolk.
The show’s perfect backdrop of a town gazebo, Luke’s Diner, and the Dragonfly Inn will have you booking your trip to rural Connecticut in no time!

2. Hart of Dixie

Rachel Bilson and McKaley Miller in Hart of Dixie (2011)
Image Credit: The CW/IMDB
Viewers will be sad to learn that Bluebell, Alabama, isn’t a real place after watching the insanely addictive series Hart of Dixie. Over the course of four seasons, big city doctor Zoe Hart navigates her way around this small town in the south, all while finding herself in love triangles, petty wars with southern belle Lemon Breeland, and discovering what she truly wants in life.
With a set that feels too idyllic to even be real, scenes from the show transport you to a picture-perfect southern town with colorful streets, a town gazebo, and willow-lined roads.

3. Ginny & Georgia

L to R) Antonia Gentry as Ginny, Brianne Howey as Georgia in episode 205 of Ginny & Georgia.
Image Credit: Marni Grossman/Netflix.
A newer Netflix series that debuted in February 2021, Ginny & Georgia, takes place in the cute fictional town of Wellsbury, Massachusetts. Complete with fall foliage, charming downtown scenery, and the rustic Blue Farm Café & Bistro, where all the characters love to hang out, you’ll be planning your move to Massachusetts after watching the first episode. While the show is filmed in Ontario, it does an awesome job replicating the appeal of small-town New England.
While the show is also a feel-good dramedy, it immediately pulls you in with the charismatic and enigmatic mother of two, Georgia, whom you can’t help but root for. It also boldly addresses issues like complicated mother-daughter relationships, racism, high school drama, and mental health.

4. Locke & Key

Locke & Key - Production Still Image
Image Credit: Netflix.

An exciting fantasy drama, Locke and Key ran for three incredible seasons on Netflix. And while the true hook of the show is the mystery behind the special Locke family and its mysterious keys, the cute little town of Matheson, Massachusetts, creates the perfect fictional backdrop while all the secrets are unveiled.

Most of the scenery for the series was filmed in Nova Scotia, but Matheson still feels like an authentic coastal Massachusetts small town that’s the perfect place to escape to during each episode.

5. Newhart

Julia Duffy, Mary Frann, Bob Newhart, Tony Papenfuss, Tom Poston, William Sanderson, and Peter Scolari in Newhart (1982)
Image Credit: MTM Enterprises via IMDB.com.

The classic series Newhart is one that remains timeless for a reason. Between the traditional New England countryside atmosphere and Bob Newhart’s lovable humor, this show feels like a warm hug from start to finish.

The series begins with the Newhart moving from New York City to Vermont to run the Stratford Inn, and of course, they encounter some quirky and fun characters along the way. And fans of Newhart can stay in the actual inn that was used for the exterior footage on the show! The Waybury Inn in East Middlebury, VT, is still open and welcoming visitors and takes pride in its Newhart history.

6. October Road

October Road (2007)
Image Credit: ABC via IMDB

While short-lived, it’s undeniable that October Road has all the cozy New England vibes that make it the perfect choice for a fall night binge. Running for two seasons, October Road is a drama that examines the power of family when a best-selling writer moves back to his hometown of Knights Ridge, Massachusetts.

At every turn throughout the show, you’ll get your fill of comforting tree-lined neighborhoods, charming local hangouts, and gorgeous fall colors, despite the fact that it was filmed in Georgia.

7. Virgin River

Virgin River. (L to R) Martin Henderson as Jack Sheridan, Alexandra Breckenridge as Mel Monroe in episode 404 of Virgin River
Image Credit:  COURTESY OF NETFLIX.

Based on the book series, this Netflix show follows nurse practitioner Mel as she moves from the city to a small town in northern California for a fresh start after life-changing events. While she tries to find her place in Virgin River, as well as at her new job where the set-in-his-ways doctor refuses to accept her help, she navigates a new life, accepting her past and finding new love.

Laced with mystery along the way, the series’ picturesque surroundings of rivers, pine tree-covered mountains, Jack’s Bar, and the conveniently never-crowded Paige’s Breakfast food truck all make it easy to imagine a perfect life in Virgin River.

8. Schitt’s Creek

Catherine O'Hara, Eugene Levy, and Annie Murphy in Schitt's Creek (2015)
Image Credit: Not A Real Production Company/IMDB

Schitt’s Creek, no doubt, became a cult classic after launching on Netflix in 2017 and has since provided all the quotable lines and memes that are incredibly relatable in everyday life.

But at the center of the show is the actual (but fictional, of course) Schitt’s Creek, a rundown town where the wealthy Rose family is forced to live when their former business manager leaves them broke. Taking up residence in the less-than-5-star Rosebud Motel, the family of four hilariously acclimates to small-town life while most definitely not fitting in at all.

The show does a fantastic job of showcasing the importance of family, acceptance, and advocating for the LGBTQ+ community, and is a true feel-good comedy with a perfect ending.

9. Pretty Little Liars

Troian Bellisario, Lucy Hale, Ashley Benson, and Shay Mitchell in Pretty Little Liars (2010)
Image Credit: ABC Family/IMDB

Set in the fictional town of Rosewood, Pennsylvania, Pretty Little Liars spends seven seasons answering the question, “Who is A?” creating the perfect escape from reality.

When four high school girls think their friend Alison has died, they begin to get mysterious texts that are signed with “-A.” While they solve the addictive mystery where everyone in the affluent town is a suspect, the gorgeous small-town scenery at every turn makes for the perfect backdrop.

10. Once Upon a Time

Gabe Khouth, Jennifer Morrison, Keegan Connor Tracy, Jared Gilmore, and Jeffrey Kaiser in Once Upon a Time (2011)
Image Credit: ABC/IMDB

This unique spin on fairy tales explores what happens when storybook characters live in both the real and fantasy world, all while set in the perfect fictional town of Storybrooke, Maine.

When real-world Emma is faced with the realization that she may be the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming in an alternate universe, these two worlds merge together and introduce beloved characters like Belle, Little Red Riding Hood, and Hook. And it goes without saying that both worlds offer an incredibly picturesque small-town charm that you can’t help but love.

11. Dawson’s Creek

James Van Der Beek and Lukas Behnken in Dawson's Creek (1998)
Image Credit: Outerbanks Entertainment/IMDB

Cult 90s teen classic Dawson’s Creek is the perfect escapism that highlights coastal New England charm. Taking place in the fictional town of Capeside, that’s supposed to resemble the Cape Cod region of Massachusetts, the series follows the lives of four teenagers while they navigate small-town life, young love, relationships, and all the drama you can ask for.

While filmed in Wilmington, NC, the show did a great job of capturing the natural beauty of the Cape Cod region with gorgeous salt marshes, sand beaches, and the fun Icehouse waterfront restaurant.

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Elisabeth Moss as Peggy Olson in Mad Men.
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