If you’ve done a bit of traveling around the US, chances are you’ve hit the major destinations like Manhattan and Los Angeles. But it’s a big country full of hidden gems just waiting to be discovered. So Redditor u/stevie855 asked, “Which American city is criminally underrated in your opinion and why?” Here’s how Americans responded.
1.
Taos, New Mexico: “The whole state is underrated, but specifically Taos and the surrounding high desert. The scenery is utterly breathtaking, the culture and history are unique, and the food is delicious. You’ll know why people call it ‘The Land of Enchantment’ as soon as you see this place.”
2.
Twin Cities, Minnesota: “Minneapolis-St Paul has an awesome arts and culture program, great restaurants and bars, and a bangin’ Irish music scene. It’s relatively affordable to visit or live and is conveniently located near other popular travel destinations like Chicago. Even the cold winters are cozy and fun.”
3.
Richmond, Virginia: “It’s affordable, has a great food and beer scene, mildish weather, and thanks to it’s location it’s pretty much driving distance to anywhere on the east coast.”
4.
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.”
5.
Boise, Idaho: ‘”When I tell people I love visiting Idaho, almost everyone I tell reacts with ‘really, what the heck is in Idaho?’ Well, I can tell you this state boasts mountains, rivers, lakes, reservoirs, hot springs, and the fabulous Craters of the Moon National Monument. I can confidently say that Boise is easily my favorite state capital now.”
6.
St. Louis, Missouri: “I have visited twice now after moving from the South to the Midwest, and I’ve fallen in love with St. Louis. It gets a bad rap in the US, but it is such an interesting place to visit. There is lots of unique local history and culture, and some really cool neighborhoods. I particularly loved finding Gum Ball and Magnolia trees in the Midwest after leaving the South. There are many European-style parks in the city — huge green spaces with fountains, statues, and boulevards. There’s just so much more to see here than most people in the US probably suspect!”
7.
San Antonio, Texas: “This city is often overshadowed by Austin, but it feels like a well kept secret. It’s got great food, art, bars, parks, and lovely people.”
8.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: “It’s honestly one of my favorite cities in the country. It boasts great food, it’s very safe, and there’s an excellent art scene if you’re into that.”
9.
Providence, Rhode Island: “”It’s a hidden gem for history, art, and food. It boasts 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.”
10.
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.”
11.
Montpelier, 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.
12.
Wilmington, North Carolina: “This whole area, like Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach, Fort Fisher, Southport, and Oak Islan is great. The Outer Banks gets a lot of hype, but Wilmington and the surrounding towns have beautiful beaches, amazing history, and an extraordinary lack of built-up, overpriced monotony. There are also lots of mom-and-pop, unpretentious restaurants, breweries, and low-key food trucks.”
13.
Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania: “It’s become a place that attracts artists and other creative types. There’s mountain scenery because it’s close to the Poconos, historic buildings, and lovely restaurants. As a bonus, it’s only about an hour and a half from Philadelphia.”
14.
Columbus, Ohio. “Ohio’s cities often get a bad rap, but I lived in Columbus for 10 years and I loved it. It’s a beautiful city full of lots of interesting, educated people. There are great restaurants and bars, and it’s affordable to live there. I would love to move back.”
15.
San Juan, Puerto Rico: “Technically a US territory, this destination gets completely overlooked. The food scene throughout the city is incredibly cool, and it stacks up to that of any hip, international city. You get beaches right in the city, and the historic center dates back hundreds of years. The Condado neighborhood in particular has a great nightlife. Plus, it’s just a short flight from many major US cities.”
16.
Albuquerque, New Mexico: “This city has amazing food, a great beer scene with tons and tons of breweries, a lot of culture and history, easy access to the great outdoors, and a relatively good climate with hot days during summer but cold nights. As an added bonus, the cost of living is relatively cheap.”
17.
Kansas City, Missouri: “It has a thriving art community, awesome museums including the WWI museum, shopping, and all the coffee shops, bookstores, barbecue, and breweries you could ever want. The people who live there are just so nice. It often gets treated like a flyover city, but it really is a worthwhile destination in its own right.”
18.
Sacramento, California: “Sacramento really benefits from its amazing location. Set right between the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Bay Area, from Sacramento you can go skiing in Tahoe, drink wine in Napa, and have an amazing dinner in San Francisco before watching the sun set over the Pacific. You can live here and experience the benefits of NorCal without paying Bay Area prices.”
19.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin: “Milwaukee has a lot of the same stuff Chicago has, but on a smaller and less crowded scale. There’s a cool art museum, a beautiful lakefront with ample trails to walk along, a great food and bar scene, and usually friendly people. Plus, it’s quieter than other major cities like Chicago so you don’t experience congestion and traffic.”
20.
Chattanooga, Tennessee: “You’ve got breweries, distilleries, and a dense downtown scene in this vibrant college town. The entire downtown area is walkable and there are bike lanes everywhere. It’s super dog friendly, affordable to live here, and so welcoming. I have lived in or worked in 25+ cities and towns all over the US and I have never found a more friendly city than this one.”
21.
Eugene, Oregon: “This city is beautiful, especially in the summertime when the weather is best. It’s, affordable and there is great scene of food, wine, beer, and even weed. The city offers lots of access to nature, including rivers, hiking, biking, and more.”
22.
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!”
23.
Alexandria, Virginia: “This walkable town on the Potomac River has tons of restaurants and shopping. There’s also a boat taxi to Washington DC, making it an easy day trip from the nation’s capital.”
24.
Eureka Springs, Arkansas: “Eureka Springs is a haven for creatives, foodies, and nature lovers. It attracts a diverse and vibrant arts community so it’s no surprise that art galleries, music events, and theaters can be found on every corner. It also has a surprising culinary scene, boasting everything farm-to-table fare to southern comfort food. Finally, it’s surrounded by lush forests, countryside, and lakes. Hike the trails, go on a horseback ride, or kayak the rivers. The changing seasons only add to the town’s charm, making it a year-round destination.
What’s a US destination that is seriously underrated and well worth a visit? Tell us in the comments.
Source: https://www.buzzfeed.com/hannahloewentheil/americans-sharing-most-underrated-us-cities