The following is a list of places where there exists a sizable hippy population, where there is tolerance towards hippies, where hippies are free to pursue their lifestyle with community support.  Whether you're looking to visit or relocate, you can be sure there'll be places to stay, interesting things to see and do, and lots of other hippies in these places.  Please note, most of these were reader contributions! If you know of any other places to add to this list please write to us.

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The USA
Alabama-Alaska-Arizona-California

Colorado-Connecticut-Delaware-
Florida-Georgia-Hawaii
Idaho-Illinois-Indiana-Iowa
Kansas-Kentucky-Louisiana-Maryland
Massachuesetts-Michigan
Missouri-Montana-Nebraska-Nevada
New Mexico-New York
North Carolina-Ohio
Oregon-Pennsylvania
South Carolina-Tennessee
Texas-Utah-Vermont-Virginia
West Virginia-Washington-Wisconsin
The World

Asia
Canada
Central America
Down Under!
Europe
Other Places

 
Alabama
"We've got lots of forests in North Alabama and sometimes a group called the Rainbow People come to Mount Cheaha and harmonize with nature. There are a great number of hippies living in the Calhoun County area; mainly in Anniston, Oxford and Jacksonville, Alabama. If any hippies need somewhere to move to, come on to Alabama. We have plenty of room and the people of our land don't care what you look like."

Tuscaloosa, Alabama - We have a "smoking" hippie culture here. The music seen is about to explode with a phenonmenal acoustic player Adam Jason, a good friend and touring partner of Edwin Mc Cain's. Also there is Soulpatch, a " psychedelic hippie-funk rock-n-roll green grass with a southren fried twist" band that features former members of Dragon Lotion, Head East, The Mighty Pranksters, and Ko Ko Taylors Blues Machine. Both bands have Major label intrest and Soulpatch has secluded themselves for the winter to write an album. Adam has just released a new C.D. There is some kind food places if you like soulfood and plenty of kind for dessert!! the Rainbow Family has a strong presence with the Chalet Ridge Tribe in the area.


Alaska
"After spending the past few summers in the wonderful state of Alaska, I must let you know that the entire state is a great place to be. All summer long there are bluegrass shows, festivals and trips to be taken. Whether you are into the Matanuska thunderfuck, fruity pebbles, or any of the other delectables of the state, or just hitching around to see the land, you surely are welcome no matter what you are. I've had more amazing experiences in Alaska than I could ever imagine. My boyfriend and I hitched over a thousand miles to Homer. We had no problems getting a ride. Jerry's twin (right down to the nubby fingers) picked us up and let us camp in his front yard, fed us strawberry daiquiris and smoked all night. Let everyone know that Alaska is only part of the US because of it's government and monetary units. Go and visit, you may never come back :)"

I just wanted to emphasize how cool Alaska is. I have lived here my entire life, all 19 years of it. I have visited many other places but there is no place, no where like home, because home is where the weed is and we've got the best! Lookin' for the ultimate festival ? We've got the Talkeetna blue grass festival every year in the begining of AUG. its four days of camping in the woods and trippin' to the sounds of blue grass. a must for anyone who wants to meet thousands of other people lookin' for a happy, fun time. keep on tokin' 

Delta Junction, Alaska - according to a contributor is the "highest per capita weed smokin' community - about 85% of the town here does!" 

Homer, Alaska - Located on the southern tip of the Kenai Peninsula it's FULL of people living as they wish. Some in schoolbuses, some in cabins, many w/o running water, electricity or with all the amenities, but the hearts are full. There are people living off the grid and the entire town is geared toward spirituality. The town of Homer has been called for many years, 'the cosmic hamlet by the sea'. Check out available web sites...although most of those are geared toward tourists. Do the bay...you will find many interesting people living a conscious, purposeful life 

Matanuska Valley, Alaska - Here grows the wonderful Matanuska Thunder Fuck, people all over the country who have tried Alaskan weed beg for more of this! Many laid back hippies moved to Alaska because marijuana was legal until 1990.



Arizona

Bisbee, Arizona - This small community really flourished when the mining-company which owned the town bailed out in the mid-seventies and hippies from all over moved in. There is a great community here, with a co-op and lots of hippy artists living out in the desert. Check it out for yourself! Have a brew and a few games of nine ball at the Bisbee Grand, or play hacky sack in the grassy park in front of the mining museum right in downtown. 

Flagstaff, Arizona - a large community or family of hippies came here for the diversity of "the kind" and other "party favors." With the San Francisco Peaks and Sedona only twenty minutes away the opportunities for adventure are endless. 

Prescott, Arizona - The home of Prescott, University. You will find a large number of artists, mountain bikers, hikers, and outdoorsmen in this town, along with communes galore. Dancing circles of hippies beating drums and enjoying life in the middle of the wilderness are seen on mountain tops near here. People tell me that the university here is one of the most open-minded in the world, and it offers a variety of alternative majors (mountain climbing, kayaking, etc.) and the majority of students are studying from abroad. 

Sedona, Arizona - A hippie haven since before the Harmonic Convergence, this little town grew way too big and unfortunately allowed Macdonald's and other chains to destroy the charm. They say the vortexes are still there, humming in the mountains and sacred secret places. 

Tempe, Arizona - A visitor wrote us that "every Sunday there is a gathering of kind brothers and sisters in Tempe at the Sail Inn. We have been getting together for about two years for an afternoon of kind vibes with the incredible Grateful Dead cover band Noodles. They play from 4:20 till? If you're ever in town, we would love to have you join us. Hope to see ya sometime." 

UPDATE: Noodles now plays at Nita's Hideaway, also in Tempe on Sundays starting at 7:00pm.

Tucson, Arizona - Home to the University of Arizona and a large hippy population, Tucson is happening! 4th Avenue is a hangout with lots of cool shops, cafes and clubs. The street occasionally gets transformed into a huge Art Festival. There's usually some good music around town, plus the nice climate and cheap smoke keeps everybody groovin'! That's why some call it "TooStoned".

Winkelman, Arizona -  there is a hippy type community....no phone lines there. it is an oasis in the dessert....many trees....you would be surprised at this place...i live there and it is awesome.....we ask that we are contacted prior to someone showing up....$2 a day ....camping spots limited....you can write to windspirit community, 4514 e. dripping springs rd. winkelman az 85292.



California
Arcata, California - "This is the best place to go if you're a hippie.. well, besides the Haight-Ashbury. It's located in Humboldt County, which is pretty well-known for it's marijuana growing. The community is great, there are always festivals going on about the earth, such as the Mushroom Fair, the Hemp Festival, North Country Fair, everything you can imagine. I love it here! The people are so supportive of you.. they've even made a law which states that women can indeed go topless around the plaza in the centre of town. ; ) 
Arcata is a totally unreal place to check out and LIVE too! The rents are cheap and it seems everyone is way laid back, with Humboldt next door and being amongst the greatest redwoods in the world, how can you go wrong!"

Berkeley, California - If there is anywhere in California where hippies hang out, it is definitely in Berkeley.  This is where a lot (if not most) of the hippy movement began.  It is famous for it's protests in the 60's and 70's and even today.  I have never been to a place where there are
more liberal people in one area in my life, or more marijuana.  Students and locals alike share the hippy mentality, just take a walk down Telegraph Ave.!

Humboldt, California - "I Personally Don't Think You Emphasized how Many Hippies And How Much Ganja There really Is Out in Humboldt, Humboldt Is Like One Of The Main Places. We are the center of the "emerald triangle"... need I say more?"

Lake Tahoe, California is not only one of the most beautiful places in the country, but everyone here is laid back, down to earth and totally into nature.  How could you not be when you're living in a paradise like this?

Mt. Shasta, California - "One of the most sacred places on earth. Everyone is so totally kind. The mountain pours out its love and watches over all its inhabitants. It snows for days in the winter, but in the summer I go live in the woods and draw off the healing energies. Another kind thing is that the cops realize that hippies are really laid back and we do a lot for the community and keep it beautiful, therefore we all do well living in harmony." 

San Diego, California - Especially Ocean Beach, Encinitas areas. Laid back mixture of surfers and hippies make for a cool scene. Check out The Black a famous headshop in O.B. Also "blacks beach every full moon at 8:00 p.m.".  The music scene in S.D. is really happening these days. Great concerts from major acts and lots of smaller venues showcase local talent. Many things to like about S.D. and you can't beat the perfect climate! Worse thing is how expensive it's getting.

San Francisco, California - Is still happening, especially the Haight-Asbury and Berkeley areas. The place where it all began in the Summer of Love, 1967 and where it continues to this day. 

Santa Cruz, California - "I'm not sure there is really a large population of hippies IN Santa Cruz--it's kind of a melting pot of all types of people--but if you're looking for some really beautiful scenery, kind people, and totally peaceful chillin', head to one of the towns a little bit north of Santa Cruz. Felton, Boulder Creek, Bonny Doon...it's way mellow there, and everyone's basically into mother nature and their brothers and sisters. It's also real close to the ocean. It's one of the prettiest areas you can imagine...head there on your travels. You won't be sorry!" 

Venice Beach, California - every Sunday people get together and form a drum circle. "It's a hippie haven and it lasts until sunset. Come visit us!" 



Colorado

Boulder, Colorado - "As one who has lived in and visited Boulder, CO over the years, I must warn everybody not to judge a book by it's cover. Sure, Boulder is a very hip & fun town, but times are changing. Due to an ever-increasing influx of "hippies", Deadheads, Phishheads, etc., the local law enforcement has been cracking down on the free-spirited mentality of our lifestyle. I have personally witnessed numerous human rights violations & unnecessary arrests all stemming from pressure by the local government & Boulder residents to "clean up the town". I mean, how many places can you go where both you AND YOUR DOG get arrested in the same day?!!! Don't laugh, because it has happened!" 

Manitou Springs, Colorado - Located in the mountains at the foot of Pikes Peak. Lots of hippies live here, mainly older ones along with many artists and other cool folks too. Musicians playing on the street is encouraged by the town and every February Manitou Springs host one true hippie Mari Gars called "Carnivale". Do stop by and check out this neat town! 

Nederland, Colorado - 17 miles west, up the canyon from Boulder. This town has old to young hippies from all over the country. Very awesome music scene for a little mountain town (Leftover Salmon, etc...). "Majical place." "Very kind in many ways." 

Paonia, Colorado - is a Hippie Haven from way back.  In fact all of the hippies in Boulder that didn't become wealthy yuppies (and some that did) are now in Paonia and have been for
quite some time.  Paonia is on the western slope of Colorado.  It still is an affordable place to live for hippies, unlike Boulder. We even have a person in the next town over, Hotchkiss, who is named Hippy Lereaux (quite an infamous character, a real outlaw).



Connecticut

Ellington, Connecticut. "Because, like there's a lot of hippies here - it's a real trip man." 


Delaware

Newark, Delaware - this place is the home of the University of Delaware. "Tons of hippies here. Most live on Madison which consists of apartment/townhouses and this friendly group is very intelligent and KIND." 

I would have to agree with everything that the previous person said. But, the town is very small, and there is not all that much to do in the way of nightlife and entertainment and there are a lot of annoying frat boys who drive around in jeeps and chuck things at people. The drug scene is somewhat unstable here, there is a lot of laced and bad stuff, gotta be careful!



Florida

Orlando, Florida - "Gainesville is not all the bomb that you say it is. it is not the "hippy capital" of phlorida. there are kydz there cause there is a college. that's it. just a college. if there were no college, the town would be non-existent. there are some nice kydz there, but no family. they have some good shows maybe once a month. i live in Orlando. it is mofuckin awesome! i have lived in many places and for about 6 mos. in different places in phlorida. The "hippy capital" is definitely St. Augustine. SUCH A fabulous family!! there's a beach, there's plenty of places to sell crafts on the street all year round. there's tons of cool shit like an old fort that you can trip around in and plenty of kynd folks. not much of a nightlife unfortunately. They never have big name bands. Orlando on the other hand is a mecca. we get awesome shows here pretty regularly. we've got the house of blues, we've got a university, we're an hour from the beach, an hour from Daytona Beach, not much further from Gainesville, a little less from St. Augustine. we've got the big ekon river. two drum circles every week. we've got the Orlando family. we've got the hippy hole." 

Key West, Florida - "Despite the commercialism, the boat people and street performers, still living the good life. The town is tolerant of long hairs and pot is available from Jamaica. Love the town but there are some drawbacks." 

St. Augustine, Florida.  It is a HUGE hippy hangout town.  Rain or shine, you can always go down to St. George Street and find street musicians, vendors, and tons of cool kids just hanging.  There are drum circles at the fort every week.  Also, tons of hippy stores, like Gyspy's Moonrose (they have the best jewlery!) and Dreamstreet, a book store that has couches and stuff to chill on.  And everybody there is friendly, you can just go up and talk to random people... some of them turn out to be really interesting. 



Georgia

Atlanta, Georgia - "There is a certain area in Atlanta that is known as Midtown which houses an area known as Little Five Points. This is truly the hippie haven of the south - or at least Georgia. In this little portion of town there are many body art and vintage shops, including a favorite of the locals called Groovy Girls. Other odds and ends are sold around here such as African drums, futons, and crystals. Just like the goods that are sold here, the people are an assorted mixture as well. New age Flower Children, aging Flower Children, skateboarders, and Rastafarians line the streets daily. Drum circles are common practices here. Little Five Points and the nearby Piedmont Park also host the Pot Festival every year." 

Savannah, Georgia -  is great. There are a few colleges there, including Savannah College of Art & Design, so there is a nice community. They have lots of festivals all year.  The weather is nice, especially in spring. It is old & historic. Beautiful houses, churches, apartments. It's easy to walk around (hard to drive), tons of huge trees, statues. All types of stores, second-hand shops, restaurants, coffeehouses. Lots of movies have been made there, some books.  Artists are all over. It's on the river, a short drive to the ocean. Near the South Carolina border, 'bout 2 hours north of Florida. The people are so nice, & it's real easy to find something to do. Just walk around, you'll see people. Liberty Street is the main street w/coffeehouses & good, mellow restaurants. Be sure to get a map, though, because it's easy to get lost, & avoid "new" Savannah, it's suburban, like any other town.  You can find cheap motels near the interstate, or in the next town south.

savannah is a beautiful, diverse community. it's easier to walk than drive  around, beautiful "squares" which are little parks in the middle of the roads. there are veggie places, & you can 
drink in public, on the roads & all. i went to the art school's sidewalk art fest last year (every april), had so much fun, tons of music, & got to see a free show, laying out on the grass, emmy lou harris. you can see artist, painters, photographers, & writers all over, lots of old bookstores, 
cementaries, antique shops, you name it. there is your share of tourist, but it is worth it. 


Hawaii

Big Island and Kauai - Lots of growers here. Scene is low key and laid back. Communes around. On Big Island, the hippies are all in the Puna District mainly in the Pahoa area from Kalapana to Pahoa and from Pahoa over to Volcano. 

Maui, Hawaii - Still full of hippies living on the slopes of Haleakela, the dormant volcano, in places like Kipahulu, Kula, Hana, Paia. You'll need a few gold cards to visit here. This scene is expensive. 



Idaho

Moscow, Idaho - "You will find some of the most absolutely wonderful people there! Besides the people, Moscow is the Mecca of outdoor activities and being one with nature and life." 

Stanley, Idaho - the towns population is 69 doesn't that say it all. Located 110 miles north of Boise. Beautiful lakes, hiking trails, sawtooth mountains, laid back people, hot springs, lots of drumming and lots of love. Unbelievable town to go check out!


Illinois

Chicago, Illinois - The ground is so fertile here in Illinois that when you drop a nickel it turns into a quarter before you pick it up. You'd imagine there'd be plenty of hippys and longhairs crawling all over Illinois, right? Nope, not really. You'll find some transplants downstate at the universities but mostly you'll find 'em up in Chicago. With plenty of health food stores, hemp shops and tons of yoga centers, there's a nice underground network of hippie folk. The best hangout for hippies I've seen is a place called Healing Earth Resources up on the north side (Ashland & Belmont) that deals in your usual clothes & music as well as being a great central hub for a lot of hippie-minded communities. 

Makanda, Illinois - It's way out there among hills in a forrest,but onceyou set foot on the "sidewalk" of the town square (which is barely anything)you notice the overall atmosphere of art. The place SCREAMS hippie haven!! It's a calm,peaceful town,it's creative and close to nature,a favorite for me!! And nearby is a grate collage town,Carbondale,Il. it's big and booming,but if your in the right part of town you run into some groovy stuff. There's a wonderous hippie hang out cafè with alot of college kids working there who are into the all natural hippie way of life. There's local artwork on the walls,alot of food for thought. There's a vietnam poet who hangs out in the back dining room of the cafè with long hair and a beard,but kind eyes. And the next room toward the back is the 'Babba Shop' which is very middle eastern,lots of clothes, prayer shawls, philosophy books.....which i didn't really get into. But for that type of hippie...it's prob'ly heaven. LOL behind that is a vintage clothing shop....

Also a great college town is Charleston,Il. There's a head shop called absolutely 4th street
records(on 4th street)and a bar or something called the rabbit hole. And a shop called the Alice Emporium or something like that.

Waukegan, Illinios - Has a "hippie college" in the least likely of places - Shimer College is one of THE most liberal of colleges and no one in the world seems to know about it. There are no lecture classes, we discuss books (actual sorces, no textbooks that have been biased by someone elses' ideas) in groups of 12 or less.  People here are allowed to live as they please and most importantly to think as they please.  The education is as liberating as the lifestyle.  The most kickass thing about Shimer is that its not just hippies, all kinds of wierd people hang out here and are accepting of each other.  Its a hippie commune like you've never seen, I promise.


Indiana

Bloomington, Indiana - "This town has a modest, but decent, hippie community. At 4:20 (p.m.) at a park on 9th Street, there is a drum circle. Also a cafe/restaurant called the Runcible Spoon is visited by many hippies and other interesting people. A few hippies (roughly 6) work there as well. The restaurant is located on 6th Street downtown. Across the back parking lot of this restaurant is a little natural foods Co-op store called Bloomingfoods, where many hippies are employed, and where most hippies buy all their essentials. On Kirkwood Avenue, the most active part of the downtown, there is a little shop called the Dharma Emporium, owned and frequented by lots of groovy people. On Walnut Street, there lies a shop called the Magic Bus, owned and operated by a bunch of hippies that live in the back; kind and gentle folk. Also, the town of Bloomington is mostly liberal, and there are a lot of interesting people. Just stay away from the west side of town: this is a "thriving" commercial part of town with no trees and a lot of new subdivisions. Bad, bad, bad." 

Broad Ripple, Indiana - a suburb of Indianapolis. I almost didn't mention this one, except you've listed Bloomington and that is a MAJOR college-party city, and Broad Ripple is the same way with all of the bars. I can tell you, though, that there are a plethora of vintage stores all in a row and there is also a Magic Bus and a Grateful Threads. There are a lot of ethnic restaurants to fit all budgets, a lot of local bands come play, there is an annual art festival in the warmer months and there is a nice little picnic park an a hill on the river. The Monon trail- popular walking/riding trail that goes through much of central Indiana, goes right by the Ben and Jerry's, and there is a nice health food store with lots of organic fruits to eat while you're out and about. This place is used to meeting and seeing "hippies" and they are very welcome, along with anyone else who comes along. An ideal place for a sunny day. 

Needmore, Indiana - "This is a tiny, tiny place way, way out in the boonies, but an ideal location for a commune, wouldn't you say? Yes, Lothlorien is the name of the place and is just south of Bloomington a ways. Lothlorien is the beautiful location of many festivals throughout the year, and they have an open season during which space can be reserved for celebrations. Lovely, lovely place. Their website is: http://www.kiva.net/~elf "

New Harmony, Indiana -  TOTALLY peaceful and a prefectly friendly and historic enviroment. In the middle of town there is a beautiful garden with benches,completely fenced in like an oasis. I always walk bare foot in that town,in new harmony there is no other way to do it that gives you the full force of the peace there.



Iowa

Quad Cities, Iowa - "We have started a small hippie community. Our Rainbow Family has potlucks every other Sunday campouts every month or so." 



Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas - The place is very chill and down to earth.  As much as marijuana seems to be a symbol of hippydom, i would have to say that Lawrence grows some of the finer buds in the states, of course next to Oregon and Boulder. 



The Rainbow Gathering - This movable community gathers for a few weeks each year in some remote location.  Check out their web page for more info.
Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky - - "Bardstown Road is a large street where you can not only find hippies, but every kind of person there is. The best parts of Bardstown Road stretch for about 3 miles. It's lined with eclectic shops, head and hemp and beads and vintage clothing...as well as vegetarian cuisine. It's a great place to just take a walk. It really does look like it's straight out of 1968. There are great coffee shops with outdoor cafes, "gently used" book stores, instrument and record shops, head shops, vintage clothing stores, specialty stores and everything in between. It's absolutely the best place in Louisville to visit!!!" 

"There is a happy thriving hippie community here. Cherokee Park is home to many drummers and smokers. This city also has a solid gay community, and a well-known affinity for birthing original bands--there are very many opportunities for budding musicians to meet like-minded folks...Also many poets and artists claim Louisville for their home. It is groovy." 


Louisiana

Louisiana's got a Hippie Haven in the forgotten little village of Abita Springs. The town is located on the northshore of Lake Pontchatrain, about 40 miles north of New Orleans. Once a resort for turn-of-the-century New Orleanians who wanted to flee the summer heat and yellow fever of the city, the old hotels and cottages remained, long after the tourists stopped coming. During the 1970's hippies moved in to the old houses to raise children, make art in community, and swim naked in the cool artesian water. At one point there were 16 jewelry artists living in this town of 1200, and the old "Longbranch Hotel" was a celebrated hippie commune and sight of now mythic hippie parties and gatherings.  Today, we have a funky folk art museum, a microbrewery, a town shadow play, a monthly blue grass hootenanny called "The Piney Woods Opry" held in the old town hall, and the most thoughtful "controlled growth" plan of any northshore community. But there are lots of hippies and coffee house scenes sprinkling the northshore, Covington's Columbia Street Grocery, Mandeville's Java Grotto, and I don't know if they qualify as hippies, but damn near everyone gets stoned in Lacombe. Hippies new and old have a loose affiliation of spirit thriving on the northshore. We'll see if it can survive the rampant development and violent loss of greenspace that's occuring as thousands flee suburban New Orleans to build and live here. 

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