My Town Travels

About My Town Travels

Welcome to the Travel Small Towns Podcast (formerly My Town Travels). The Only Podcast Dedicated to Small Town Travel Destinations, Culture, & Lifestyle from a small-town perspective. We are a biweekly podcast bringing you Destination Stories, Experiences, and Tips with Expert Interviews, including Travel Professionals, Writers, Bloggers, Influencers, and Special Individuals who uplift their Small-Town Communities! Listen to travel stories and insights you’ll love, whether for an escape, a laugh, to relate, or to find the best Small-Town Destinations! Join us to discover Small Town Travel!

Publisher

My Town Travels

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

14 Oct 2020

Latest episode

21 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

78 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   21 Oct 2026

   Episode 1 - How Galena, Illinois Became a Small-Town Destination

   How Galena, Illinois Became a Small-Town Destination Travel Small Towns opens Season 6 with a conversation about what makes a destination feel authentic, memorable, and worth returning to. Kristy Burns speaks with Terry Mattson, president and CEO of Galena Country Tourism, about how Galena, Illinois balances growth, preservation, and visitor appeal without losing its small-town character. Key topics ·        In this episode, Terry Mattson shares how four decades in destination marketing shaped his approach to tourism, branding, and community development. ·        We discuss why Galena’s identity is rooted in lead mining, river commerce, and 19th-century architecture, with the town tracing its name back to 1826. ·        Kristy and Terry talk about what makes Galena hard to replicate: the historic downtown, the hills, the river, and the broader Driftless Area of Jo Daviess County. ·        Terry explains why recent national attention has grown as Galena has become more strategic and more consistent in telling a fuller story beyond Main Street. ·        We discuss the importance of local people, local businesses, and being a trusted planning resource for visitors. ·        Terry shares that many travelers come for the expected highlights, then leave with the unexpected moments, such as conversations with residents, scenic backroads, and hidden viewpoints. ·        We talk about the idea that the best tourism destinations are also good places to live, with authenticity and historic preservation serving both residents and visitors. ·        Terry explains why small towns are increasingly seen as “the new luxury” because they offer space, slower pacing, and a stronger sense of place. ·        We discuss traveler types, including couples, girls’ weekends, empty nesters, young families, midweek visitors, motorcyclists, car clubs, and international travelers. ·        Terry highlights the range of experiences available year-round, from downtown shopping and museums to skiing, zip lines, Halloween events, Oktoberfest, and holiday traditions like Luminaria and Living Windows. Topics By Chapter: - Season 6 opens with Galena as a small-town destination - Terry’s four decades in destination marketing - Why Galena’s history begins with lead and river commerce - What makes Galena nearly impossible to recreate - Why Galena is getting more national attention - Telling the fuller story beyond Main Street - The moments of discovery visitors remember most - Why a great destination must also be a great place to live - Off-the-radar spots like Casper Bluff and gravel roads - Why authenticity and slower pacing matter right now - Who visits Galena and how they plan their trips - Why repeat visitation matters more than one-time hype - How visitors can plan with the visitor center, website, and app - Why Galena is seeing growth despite changing search behavior - What a Galena weekend looks like in practice - Year-round activities from skiing to zip lines - Holiday events that make Galena feel like a Hallmark setting - Final travel details and why Terry loves small-town tourism Notable quotes by Terry Mattson: “In order to be a truly successful destination, you also have to be a nice place to live.” “People love Galena Country as much for what it doesn’t have as what it does have.” “I personally find something very satisfying and very real about small town tourism.”

2. 

   7 Oct 2026

   Welcome to Season Six of the Travel Small Towns Podcast!

   Small towns are finally getting the attention they deserve. If you love finding the places everyone else is just now discovering, subscribe now. Travel Small Towns is all about Small Town Gems: The towns making noise on Facebook and Instagram The local stories behind why they stand out The travel creators and guests with the best small-town finds I’m so excited to share the destinations that are quietly becoming must-visits across the U.S. What’s one small town you think deserves way more love?🎧 Tune in to Season 6 of the Travel Small Towns

3. 

   2 Sept 2026

   Episode 20 - Nate Spangle, Founder, Get Indiana, and Host of Get IN

   In this episode of Travel Small Towns, host Kristy Burns sits down with Nate Spangle, founder of Get Indiana and host of Get In, to talk about the power of storytelling, small-town pride, and why Indiana has far more to offer than many people realize. Nate shares how his love for conversations and community led him to build a media brand focused on uplifting, positive content across the state of Indiana. From tiny towns with fewer than 1,000 residents to major regional hubs, he explains how Indiana’s communities each have their own identity, history, and hidden gems worth exploring. The conversation dives into: -The Birth of Get Indiana -Road to a Thousand Towns -Exploring Indiana's Unique Regions -Impact on Small Towns and Businesses -The Power of Storytelling in Business -Promoting Indiana's Hidden Gems -Exploring Small Town Favorites -Innovative Small Towns: Wabash and Beyond -Get Indiana: Uplifting Local Content - Epic Adventures: Exploring Indiana's Rivers Follow Nate Spangle & Get Indiana: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557872195082 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natespangle YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@natespangle

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Contact My Town Travels

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.