The Nicest Places in America

A falafel shop that redefines the American dream, a city made strong by tragedy, and eight more inspiring exemplars of civility and kindness.

We often talk today about division in this country, but that is clearly not the whole story. The caring and kindness demonstrated in this year’s Nicest Places in America nominations— almost 500 of them—show how innate it is for Americans to help one another. Their stories are seeds of goodness to plant around the country. As for the winning place—well, if your faith has been wavering, it will be restored. Being a judge in the Reader’s Digest Nicest Places search is my personal way of saying hope exists all around us. Feel the pure joy of this year’s ten finalists.