Every year, Hallmark holiday movies drop us into snow-dusted towns full of glowing storefronts, festive markets, and built-in nostalgia. The question is which real U.S. towns actually feel that way. To answer that, we pulled data on more than 3,000 towns, looking at small business count, historic sites, and December snowfall. From there, we found the city in each state where a Hallmark-style story is most likely by the numbers.
Now we can’t promise a big-city professional is falling for a plaid-wearing tree farmer in these places, but they all grade out pretty well for it.
Puyallup, Washington
Puyallup comes out on top, with a 5.4% chance of a Hallmark-style movie happening in real life. Washington cities in general rate well thanks to a mix of snowfall and strong small-business numbers. Puyallup has a downtown area that evokes that cozy, small‑town feel: walkable streets, local shops and cafés, where you can easily imagine townsfolk bumping into each other at the bakery or coffee shop. Because Washington winters can bring crisp air (and nearby mountain snowfall), Puyallup could easily shift into a winter‑wonderland setting — a classic hallmark of holiday romances
Farmington, Michigan
Farmington is second on the list with a 5.0% chance. Farmington has real ties to Hallmark‑style storytelling: its Lagoon Park (with its “Pioneer Village”) has been used as a holiday‑movie set, giving it built‑in “storybook” scenery and charm. The town features a good mix of natural landscapes — hills, wetlands and walking trails — which gives the setting flexibility: cozy village scenes or an escape to nature for reflection and romance. The size and make-up of the community (not too big, with a friendly suburban/small‑town feel) lends itself to that sense of familiarity where “everyone knows your name,” often seen in Hallmark‑type plots.
Poughkeepsie, New York
Poughkeepsie comes in third with 4.6% chance. Nestled along the Hudson River, Poughkeepsie offers scenic river‑views and a mix of urban history and small‑city charm – perfect for a “return‑home” storyline with a bit of nostalgia. Its historic architecture and classic Northeastern vibe give it the kind of timeless feel many Hallmark movies rely on, cobblestones, old brick buildings, leafy streets in autumn or winter. The surrounding region provides natural beauty and changing seasons (fall foliage, possibly winter snow), setting the stage for cozy cafés, seasonal festivals, or holiday decorations. All Hallmark staples.
Price, Utah
Price is perfect for a Hallmark movie with its 42 historic buildings per 1,000 residents, more than any other city in the study, which helps it win fourth place and a 4.4% probability of Hallmark magic. Carbon County’s high‑desert landscape surrounding Price, with rugged terrain, open skies, and the flowing Price River, gives the town a quiet, remote‑town atmosphere. That kind of setting works for stories about rediscovery or simpler living. Because it’s relatively small and off the beaten path, Price could easily feel like a “hidden gem” — a place where two strangers meet accidentally, or a protagonist returns for a fresh start.
Naples, Florida
Christmas-at-the-beach isn’t a bad thing, and Naples, with 4.3%, leads the country in business count, which gives it serious Main Street energy. Naples offers beach‑town charm with palm‑lined streets, coastal sunsets, and a relaxed vibe — the kind of place that works for summertime or holiday romances that don’t rely on snow. A picturesque downtown and waterfront scenes can serve as lovely backdrops for meet‑cute moments: think strolls along the pier, brunch at a seaside café, or seaside sunsets. The contrast between a fast‑paced urban life and the gentle pace of a coastal town could provide the perfect “fresh start” setting. Very Hallmark‑style.
Bangor, Maine
With its Northeastern New England atmosphere, Bangor brings that classic small‑town, cozy‑winter potential — think cold weather, snow, warm lights in windows, and community gatherings. It lands at 3.8%. Historic houses and traditional architecture lend it an old‑world charm that feels like classic holiday movies: ideal for a story involving old‑family homes, warm firesides, or returning home for the holidays. The mix of natural beauty (rivers, nearby forests) and a tight-knit community makes it easy to imagine seasonal festivals, local fairs, or charming local shops where the main characters meet.
Burlington, Vermont
Burlington’s classic New England town feel, with walkable downtown streets, brick buildings, and proximity to both lakes and mountains, gives it that layered charm: both cozy and scenic. The seasonal variety (colorful autumns, snow‑blanketed winters, summer lake views) offers multiple moods for different types of Hallmark plots: romantic winter‑wonderland, cozy spring love story, or summer‑by‑the‑lake retreat. The feeling of community with small businesses, local events, possibly winter markets or seasonal festivals, makes it easy to imagine that locals know each other, giving it the “everyone knows your name” warmth.
Fairbanks, Alaska
Fairbanks delivers dramatic, cinematic backdrops: snow‑covered streets, frosted landscapes, possibly the northern lights, perfect for a dream‑like holiday or winter romance. The remote‑town vibe paired with genuine Alaskan wilderness gives it a sense of escape and simplicity, a common theme in stories where characters turn away from chaotic city life toward a slower pace. The combination of small‑town warmth with wilderness beauty makes Fairbanks a great fit for plots where nature plays a big role in healing, romance, or second chances.
Littleton, Colorado
Littleton offers the kind of cozy suburban‑meets‑mountain lifestyle where you could picture two people bumping into each other at a local bookstore or café, that everyday, honest romance feel. Its proximity to the mountains means snow in winter, offering a natural setting for holiday‑season plots or cozy winter getaways, while other seasons could bring leafy warmth or springtime renewal. The classic‑town vibe, with small businesses and local flavor, makes it feel authentic, like a place where long‑lost friends or high‑school sweethearts might reconnect.
York, Pennsylvania
York’s American‑East‑Coast history and traditional architecture give it an authentic, timeless feel, ideal for Hallmark tales with a nostalgic or “return home” angle. In winter or colder months, snow‑covered streets and historic buildings can conjure the cozy, twinkle‑lights‑in‑the-window vibe that’s a staple in holiday romances. Its sense of rootedness, old families, long‑standing buildings, perhaps tight‑knit communities, can add depth to stories about reconnecting with one’s past or rediscovering love in a hometown. York rounds out the top 10 with 3.1% probability.
You can see the full article and methodology here.
Laura Lynch, creator and writer of Savored Journeys, is an avid world traveler, certified wine expert, and international food specialist. She has written about travel and food for over 20 years and has visited over 75 countries. Her work has been published in numerous guidebooks, websites, and magazines.