Edmond, Oklahoma
The home town of athlete Shannon Miller — America’s most medal-winning Olympic gymnast — Edmond is nestled in the Sandstone Hills region of Central Oklahoma, along historic Route 66. The Oklahoma City suburb is home to nearly 100,000 residents, as well as the University of Central Oklahoma — one of three universities in the area, and a major employer.
With an abundance of clear weather, residents can enjoy Edmond's nearly two dozen public parks, including Arcadia Lake, where locals fish for bluegill, catfish, and bass. (The city even maintains a heated, covered dock there for year-round activity.)
Edmond has also made a concerted effort to promote public art around town. The Downtown Edmond Arts Festival has been an annual tradition for about four decades, showcasing works by over 100 artists from across the U.S. — Sergei Klebnikov