Smaller towns are great to visit, as you can be a tourist without spending a lot of time driving from place to place, and you don't have to pay exorbitant parking fees. Therefore, you can get some work done AND you can see the sights.

Escanaba, Michigan is a smaller town that gives you a great taste of the UP, as those who live in Michigan's Upper Peninsula call it. It is very  accessible, since it is a town of about 12,000 people. The landscape is very enjoyable - it is like northern Minnesota, complete with evergreens, green grass, hot summers, and cold, snowy winters. And, whereas Minnesota has 10,000 lakes, Escanaba has one big huge lake: Lake Michigan.

For a smaller town, I certainly did find great restaurants and food, an inexpensive hotel with all you could want, and some marvelous parks and nature areas. The perfect spot to be able to work - while playing.