No offense to Bozeman or Billings, but sometimes the comfort and charm of a small Montana town is just what you need in your life. Luckily, our beautiful state consists mainly of cozy communities with welcoming locals and a laid back way of living. Here are a few of our favorites.

1. Fort Benton

Often called the Birthplace of Montana (an honor shared with Stevensville), Fort Benton is absolutely beautiful. If you enjoy learning about local history, you'll love it here.

2. Plains

Located in Sanders County, this peaceful valley is perfect for everyone who enjoys quiet living. It's reasonably close to bigger cities like Missoula (73 miles away), but it definitely has plenty of small town charm.

3. Deer Lodge

From great fishing to the impressive Old Prison Museum, this small town is anything but ordinary.

4. Glasgow

We've mentioned before that Glasgow is Montana's best kept secret. For a small Eastern Montana city, there's a lot to love about it (like an awesome underrated brewery).

5. Chinook

You'll find Chinook about 22 miles east of Havre, and it's just as beautiful. This peaceful community remains largely unchanged by time, and that adds to its appeal.

6. Livingston

What's not to love about Livingston? With a population of about 7,000, this is the biggest "small town" on our list. Between its close proximity to Yellowstone and its cultural amenities, it's a wonderful place to live and a beautiful place to visit.

7. Bigfork

Downtown Bigfork transforms into a picturesque Christmas village every winter, but for the rest of the year, it's a laid back town with great restaurants, shops and one amazing playhouse.

8. Troy

Troy is called the Gateway to Montana due to its northwest location. The town itself is quite charming, and it's also surrounded by some of the most stunning natural beauty you'll ever see.

9. Sidney

This small city lies on the North Dakota border. While it's an easy place to overlook, the Sunrise City is actually a pretty cool place.

10. Manhattan

Manhattan feels like a relaxing escape from the nearby city of Bozeman. In the mid-90s, Manhattan was featured on the "Real Food for Real People" national advertising campaign by the beef industry.

11. Darby

This tiny town of 720 people is located in the stunning Bitterroot Mountains, and it's a paradise to all who enjoy outdoor recreation.

12. Jordan

Jordan is located in Garfield County, and only around 400 people call it home. Needless to say, it's a great place to go to get away from it all.

This is a great list, but of course, there are plenty of charming small towns scattered all across Montana. Here are a few more of them.