Old Lyme is Runner-Up in ‘USA Today’s’ National “Best Small Towns Art Scene” Poll

“Thrilled [to be] Considered … a top pick” (Cheryl Poirier, Old Lyme EDC Chair)

OLD LYME—Yesterday, USA Today announced the results of its 2025 Readers’ Choice Award for Best Small Town Arts Scene. Old Lyme came in second behind Vermillion, S.D.

The full list of winners in descending order is as follows:

• Vermillion, South Dakota
• Old Lyme, Connecticut
• Saugatuck, Michigan
• Orange Beach, Alabama
• Tubac, Arizona
• Lucas, Kansas
• Saratoga Springs, New York
• Abingdon, Virginia
• McCook, Nebraska
• Stowe, Vermont

The article in USA Today revealing the results states, “Bigger isn’t always better, especially when it comes to these 10 small towns, each with a population of fewer than 30,000 people (as of the last census). They were selected by an expert panel and voted by [USA Today] readers as the best in the U.S. for their arts scenes, because what each of these towns lacks in size, they make up for with museums, art galleries, performing arts, and busy event calendars.”

Asked for her reaction to the result, Old Lyme Economic Development Commission Chair Cheryl Poirier told LymeLine exclusively, “We are thrilled that USA Today considered us a top pick as one of America’s Best Small Town Arts Scenes, and are full of gratitude for the many people who voted for us this past month. Many folks were voting daily as permitted and telling their friends to vote as well.”

She continued, “Although we came in second to another great small town, we are still proud to consider ourselves tops. Our many community members who take part in our arts organizations help to make Old Lyme the very special place that it is, and are just one reason why so many people love to call us “home.”

USA Today had previously cited these reasons for including Old Lyme in their finalists: “This town was once home to a thriving artist colony which later became the Lyme Art Association. The work of many important American artists from the colonial period to today can be found at the Florence Griswold Museum.”

The article continued,“Both are part of the Old Lyme Arts District, a vibrant central village area with art galleries, live music and the prestigious Lyme Academy of Fine Arts. Artists of all experience levels appreciate painting en plein air in the town’s beautiful natural surroundings. Old Lyme has an annual Midsummer Festival in July that is a celebration of art, music, and classic cars.“