The US is full of popular vacation spots — from bustling cities to beach towns that are flooded with tourists from Memorial Day through Labor Day. But this country is also full of hidden gems. So I rounded up responses from the BuzzFeed Community of some of the best underrated small towns and cities in the US. These places don’t get all the attention they deserve, but they certainly deserve consideration for your travel bucket list.
1.
Eureka Springs, Arkansas: “I loooove Eureka Springs. It’s also super liberal, making it a fun change from the general attitudes prevalent in much of the surrounding area of the American south.”
2.
Stanley, Idaho: “Nestled right in the heart of the Sawtooth Mountains does, Stanley offers river rafting, yurt stays, and small town vibes all in one little slice of paradise. The landscape is made up of snow-capped peaks, pristine lakes, and endless hiking trails. It also boasts great small town vibes. You won’t find any big chain stores here. Instead, you’ll be greeted with local shops and a real sense of community. And if you’re lucky enough to visit during one of the town’s many festivals, then you’re in for a real treat.”
3.
Anchorage, Alaska: “This is one of my favorite cities in the US. It has the perfect mix of city and nature. The wildlife and mountains are always nearby, and you can see the mountain peaks from anywhere in the city. It has unique little shops and restaurants, too. I had dreamed of going there since I was a child, and it met and exceeded all of my expectations!”
4.
Morro Bay, California: “I’ve been to this coastal California city twice, and I loved every second of it. It’s a quiet spot, but you can still hear the sounds of the seals, boats, and nature in general. Also, the people are so friendly!”
5.
Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania: “I love this little town, which is often referred to as the Switzerland of America. It’s the most beautiful during the fall, thanks to the colorful scenery from the Pocono Mountains and Lehigh River.”
6.
Knoxville, Tennessee: “This city feels like how Asheville was before it got touristy. You’ll find great breweries, lots of culture, and an overall unique experience for a southern city. This place is definitely not what you would expect from a small mountain town in East Tennessee.”
7.
La Conner, Washington: “This sleepy coastal town comes alive during the spring with the La Conner Daffodil Festival, where thousands of colorful flowers bloom in fields near Mount Baker. Once you’re done exploring the local boutiques, cafés, and restaurants, it’s only about a 30-minute drive to the San Juan Islands ferry, from which you can spot orcas between April and October.”
8.
Grand Marais, Minnesota. “It’s my favorite small town I’ve visited. It’s set right on Lake Superior in far northeastern Minnesota. The people are friendly, the landscape is absolutely beautiful, and there are lots of things to do including shops, art galleries, great food, hikes, a lighthouse, a sailing school, and great rock collecting along the shoreline.”
9.
Madison, Indiana: “Madison is an adorable little town on the Ohio River. The main street is super walkable and historic, there’s cute little shops everywhere, and there’s an amazing state park nearby called Clifty Falls.”
10.
Boise, Idaho: “I can confidently say that Boise is easily my favorite state capital now. It was one of the cities that surprised me most in one of the most underrated states. Beyond Boise, Idaho boasts mountains, rivers, lakes, reservoirs, hot springs, and the fabulous Craters of the Moon National Monument.”
11.
Alexandria, Virginia: “This walkable town on the Potomac River has tons of restaurants and shopping. There’s also a boat taxi to Washington D.C., making it an easy day trip from the nation’s capital.”
12.
Northampton, Masachusetts: “It’s a quirky city filled with amazing restaurants and shops. You can find so many one-of-a-kind things there. Northampton even has a bar that’s built into an old train tunnel!”
13.
Bellingham, Washington: “It’s an amazing and super liberal little town right by the Canadian border. I absolutely love visiting this place.”
14.
Montpellier, Vermont: “This place has nailed the picturesque small town aesthetic. Montpelier is the country’s smallest state capital by population, but it has a surprisingly lively music and arts scene. It’s home to the New England Culinary Institute, so there’s no shortage of great food options. Being in New England, it’s obviously beautiful in the fall, and in winter, it’s also popular for snowshoeing, ice fishing, ice climbing, and skiing.
15.
Big Bear Lake, California: “It’s a quaint village on top of a mountain with nice shops and great restaurants. There’s a beautiful lake for boating, swimming, and fishing, plus there’s snow skiing in the winter. It’s only about two hours from Los Angeles, and it takes you on a beautiful drive through the San Bernardino National Forest.”
16.
Durango, Colorado: “Everyone always talks about Denver, Boulder, Aspen, and Breckenridge when they think of Colorado, but I think Durango deserves much more attention. It has a super cool, walkable downtown and a ton of nature right beyond the small city.”
17.
Traverse City, Michigan: “There are so many picturesque beach towns on Michigan’s Great Lakes. Because the Great Lakes are so big they behave like small seas with warm water in the summertime and waves plenty big enough to surf. Traverse City is on a bay in Lake Michigan, so temperatures are even warmer. The unique climate is perfect for grape growing and there are tons of wineries and breweries in general. It’s one of my favorite places to vacation.”
18.
Cincinnati, Ohio: “It’s the perfect midwestern city. There’s a beautiful riverfront park with bars, restaurants, and stadiums, as well as a super fun downtown area. There’s also amazing food at Findlay Market and were ranked the best zoo in the US last year.””
19.
St. Augustine, Florida: “I didn’t know what to expect before visiting, but St. Augustine was actually a really cute city. There’s a lot of neat history like Ponce de León, pirates, and the Spanish occupation. Not to mention I ate some of the best seafood I’ve ever had. As a bonus, it was not so crowded because most travelers go to places like Destin, Seaside, or other nearby beaches. At night, you could walk around and it was quite peaceful.”
20.
Saugerties, New York: “For NYC-dwellers craving a small-town escape, this is the place. This Hudson Valley gem offers a laid-back lifestyle with antique treasure hunting, hip watering holes, and a unique blend of small-town charm and big-city cool.”
21.
St. George, Utah: “The landscape of the southwestern Utah city is gorgeous wherever you go. Old town St. George is so cute and has some good shopping. There are many places to cliff jump or kayak, and you can go for a drive in the sand dunes. It’s just so much fun.”
22.
Catalina Island, California: “If you’re looking for a little taste of the French Riviera or the Italian coast right here in the states, Catalina Island is the place. The Mediterranean vibes are probably due to the fact that Catalina Island once belonged to the Spanish Empire. This sun-soaked gem sits just 26 miles off the coast of Los Angeles, but it feels worlds away from city life. There are beachfront restaurants and palm trees lining the seaside, yachts docked in the harbor, a botanical garden that houses rare, native plants, and the famous Garden to Sky Hike, which boasts infinite views of sea, mountains, and sky.”
23.
Providence, Rhode Island: “It’s a hidden gem for history, art, and food. It boats some serious old-world charm, which you’ll feel as you walk down historic Benefit Street. As home to the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design, Providence is teeming with creativity, art, cool exhibits, and performances. And the culinary scene in Providence is lit. From mouth-watering food trucks to cozy, local cafes, your taste buds will be seriously blown away.”
What are some of your favorite underrated places to visit in the US — small towns and low-key cities that travelers might not have on their radars? Tell us in the comments!
Source: https://www.buzzfeed.com/hannahloewentheil/best-small-town-vacations-usa