9 Underrated Places To Visit That Everyone Should Know About
Of course we all know about the well-known places when it comes to the best spots to visit in the US (we’ve even written about a few of them). While they’re popular for many good reasons, sometimes we want to explore the lesser known travel spots.
In this list, we’ll take a look at some often overlooked places to visit that offer just as much fun and excitement as the top destinations!
A state well-known for its famous potatoes, the city of Sandpoint, located on 43-mile-long Lake Pend Oreille, offers a great vacation getaway for anyone looking to soak in the rays and relax in comfort. The surrounding Selkirk and Cabinet mountains offer winter fun with skiing at the Schweitzer Mountain Resort only minutes away.
The town of Sandpoint itself is also an exceptional location featuring historic buildings, fine restaurants, shopping and a thriving arts community. Unlike more popular travel destinations, the attractions here are much more affordable and have fewer tourists around.
If you’re looking for a place to enjoy the beauty of the Rocky Mountains without the overwhelming crowds, Grand Lake is the hidden gem you’re looking for. Eclipsed by the more popular Estes Park on the opposite end of the mountain range, Grand Lake offers the charm of a small-town and is budget-friendly.
There are activities to enjoy year-round here including hiking, biking, boating, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. Enjoy breathtaking views while experiencing the local and abundant wildlife and greenery.
3. Waipio Valley, Big Island, Hawaii
The islands of Hawaii are some of the most sought after vacation destinations in the world. Unfortunately, that can lead to an abundance of tourists and crowded attractions. Waipio Valley is a the little known secret of the Big Island that offers all the frills of Hawaii with minimal crowds.
This part of the island is well-known for its hiking with trails that lead you to amazing lookout points and into the beautiful valley below. Explore the stunning black sand beaches and pristine waterfalls or watch the wild horses that roam the taro fields. The best months for visiting are September to October as they have the smallest crowds and best weather.
Just 6 miles from the city of Chattanooga, this small town on the boarder of Georgia and Tennessee offers some spectacular attractions including hikes, entertainment, and more. You can climb the mountain that bears the towns name and explore the gigantic boulders, gardens, swinging bridge and 90-foot waterfall. On a clear, cloudless day, the lookout point atop the falls offers you a view of seven surrounding states.
It also a great venue for music with weekend concerts going on throughout the summers. You can explore the Rock City Gardens or dine at the Cafe 7 on the Lovers Leap lookout terrace. This town may fly under the radar but it has a lot of activities for any traveller to enjoy.
One of the last wild places in America, Alaska offers untouched wilderness and awe inspiring landscapes that blow any visitor away. The 13-mile Mendenhall Glacier, located just outside the capital city of Juneau, contains cascading waterfalls, lush forests, pristine lakes, and the colossal glacier.
You can also explore the glaciers crystal ice caves that lie below by kayaking through them. The spot is great for hiking as well with some of the best trails in the country that provide stunning views of icebergs and snow-capped mountains.
This little-known town that was founded in 1846 has many of the attractions of the bigger cities like Austin and San Antonio but without the high volume of tourists and visitors. You can explore the food, vineyards and German-inspired architecture the town was built on by its German immigrant settlers.
Find authentic food, beer and wine that calls back to Fredericksburg’s heritage as well as a thriving music scene that rivals that of Austin. There are also beautiful lavender fields to explore which is another attraction the town is known for.
While it’s on the opposite coastline of its Oregon successor, Portland, Maine is a quaint vacation spot on the Atlantic coast. There’s a lot packed into this three mile long peninsula, from its cobblestone streets, magnificent art studios, and world-class dining, it’s a hidden gem waiting to be explored.
You can also wander along the rocky coastline while admiring the 19th century architecture of this historic fishing and trading settlement. Because Portland is directly on the coast, you can find some of the best seafood around, in its restaurants or for sale in its markets.
This idyllic northeast vacation spot is well off the beaten path providing a place to escape, relax, and unwind. Accessible only by plane or ferry, Block Island is a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. There’s no big chain stores or even stoplights on the island, just a slower, leisurely pace to enjoy life's simple pleasures.
You can take just a day trip to the island, or, be treated to incredible sunrises and sunsets while you stay at one of the historic hotels or inns. There’s also hiking and biking to partake so you can roam this nearly unchanged late-1800s time capsule. It’s all the charm of places like Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket without the hordes of tourists.
An astounding natural feature, Devils Tower is not only a breathtaking phenomenon but a sacred site for North Plain Indians and indigenous peoples. Experts aren’t quite sure how the tower formed, making it a mysterious and unique wonder worthy of a visit.
Take a hike on the 2-mile Tower Trail with viewpoints of the tower from all angles. You can also head off the beaten trail and enjoy great technical rock climbing with hundreds of parallel cracks for some of the best crack climbing in North America. Just make sure you register for a permit ahead of time to avoid receiving a citation and fine.
