16 Astonishing Places in the U.S. You’ve Never Heard Of
We all love to visit the classic posts in the United States. Unsurprisingly, the most visited tourist attraction is Times Square, with 41.9 million visitors annually. Other popular destinations are Central Park (40 million), Union Station (36.5 million), and Walt Disney World (17.1 million).
But if you’ve seen the classics and want to go to lesser-visited destinations, it’s hard to know what to visit and what to skip. You may want to venture out of state, and sometimes, you want something that’s just a stone’s throw away.
Luckily, there are plenty of other wonderful places across the country that are under the travel radar yet worthy of your attention.
1. Block Island, Rhode Island
Block Island is a pear-shaped paradise south of the mainland. Ball O’Brien Park is the perfect spot for a family day. It has a huge playground, a skate park, a picnic pavilion, and more.
In addition, the Block Island Maritime Institute has fascinating aquariums that show local wildlife. The Block Island Farmers’ Market is the place to be if you’re looking for gourmet foods like artisanal cheeses, fruits, and shellfish.
2. White Sands National Park, New Mexico
With 275 square miles, the White Sands National Park is the biggest gypsum dune field across the globe. Its location is in the Tularosa Basin in southern New Mexico, between the Sacramento and San Andres Mountain ranges.
The park has a wide collection of outdoor things to do. You can pitch tents, ride horses, sled down the dunes, and they even offer Full Moon hikes around the park that’s a must-do if you’re an adventurer at heart.
3. Pioneer Valley, Massachusetts
The Pioneer Valley is in Western Massachusetts, around the Connecticut River. It is the perfect place for people who seek a little more solitude.
If you love poetry, visit the Emily Dickinson Museum. Or, if you are a fan of the outdoors, head to the Mount Holyoke Range State Park. You can also explore Downtown Northampton for its art galleries, bookstores, and restaurants.
4. Channel Islands National Park, California
Take a break from the hustle and bustle of city life and go to the Channel Islands National Park for some serenity. The Anacapa, Santa Cruz, San Miguel, Santa Barbara, and Santa Rosa Islands are something that you absolutely have to see.
Experience a surge of adrenaline as you go hiking, kayaking, or diving. Or you can go the relaxing route and go camping, whale-watching, or bird-watching in the area.
5. Cumberland Island, Georgia
Another undiscovered piece of nature is Cumberland Island, which is the largest and southernmost island in Georgia. You can go beachcombing on 17 miles of underdeveloped beach or cruise around Cumberland Sound.
The island is also home to amazing architecture. Explore the 35,000-square-foot Dungeness Ruins or stand in awe in the Plum Orchard Mansion.
6. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah
Spanning 1.87 million acres, the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is something you have to see to believe. Yes, it’s cliche, but if you look at the image, you’ll see that it’s something very special. It has staircase-like cliffs, slot canyons, and even dinosaur fossils.
This spot in Utah may take a little drive to get there, but it’s certainly worth it. You can hike, drive off-road, and camp in this remote and rugged wilderness.
7. The Forgotten Coast, Florida
The Forgotten Coast is another underrated travel spot in America. Why the name? It is due to the pristine, unspoiled beaches on the panhandle of Florida. The proof is in the serene and coastal landscape on St. George Island.
Apalachicola, for example, has a fun historic downtown to walk around in and some museums to visit. Alligator Point is a place for impressive wildlife, including American alligators, as the name suggests. But it also has great, unspoiled beaches you won’t find in the south of Florida.
8. Flagstaff, Arizona
Flagstaff is a mountain town in the north of Arizona. You may have heard about it, but not many people stop to actually visit Flagstaff. The people who visit often only come to visit the nearby Grand Canyon and never explore what Flagstaff has to offer.
Here, you can witness impressive views of the night sky at Lowell Observatory. You can also hop on a ski or snowboard at the Arizona Snowbowl for an exhilarating ride. If you want to explore a little more, the Walnut Canyon National Monument is fun to visit with its curved canyon walls, pueblos, and ancient cliff dwellings.
9. Kaʻū District, Hawaii
Kaʻū is a peaceful area you’d want to stop by, as the southernmost and biggest district of the Big Island of Hawaii. It is home to the Pāhala and Nāʻālehu communities as well as the Punaluʻu Beach, famous for its black sand.
Also, Kīlauea in Kaʻū is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Besides that, you will also find the Kahuku Unit there, which is a cattle ranch with 116,000 acres of hiking bliss.
10. North Park, Colorado
North Park is another gift of nature that’s truly incredible to see. The State Forest State Park has stunning peaks, forests, and lakes perfect for activities like hunting, snowmobiling, and birding.
If fishing is your hobby, the nearby North Platte River or Lake John Resort will be perfect for you to explore. Additionally, North Park is also known as the Moose Viewing Capital of Colorado.
11. Ouachita Mountains, Arkansas
The Ouachita Mountains are around 225 miles of incredible green. Dense forests of oak and pine look like a blanket over the hills, covering 1.8 million acres of land.
The Ouachita National Forest is a fun place to explore because you can drive around, hunt, fish, camp, or bike on mountain trails. While you’re in the area anyway, the Hot Springs National Park is just a short drive away and has 47 thermal springs with an average temperature of 143°F.
12. Pennsylvania Wilds
The Pennsylvania Wilds is more than 2 million acres of natural beauty. It has the Allegheny National Forest and the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Allegheny and Clarion. Also, it offers hundreds of miles of scenic trails for hiking, biking, and paddling.
Under its dark skies, the Pennsylvania Wilds is a stargazer’s dream, providing unparalleled views of the sky because of the little light pollution in the area. The region is also home to abundant wildlife, including their herd of wild elk.
13. Southern Illinois
If you are a camper at heart, head to Southern Illinois’ Camp Manitowa–Cedar Point or Garden of Gods. If hiking is your cup of tea, visit Bell Smith Springs or Giant City Nature Trail.
Alternatively, you can go fishing at stunning lakes and enjoy horseback riding at countless ranches. And while you’re there, why not wander around historical museums or taste wine at vineyards? Southern Illinois is seriously undervalued as a destination.
14. Badlands, South Dakota
The buttes and canyons of Badlands give an otherworldly vibe and take your sci-fi fantasies out of the books. Let the Big Badlands Overlook take your breath away, and the Badlands Loop Road will make sure that there are enough photos to show your family.
Get your heart pumping on the Notch, Castle, and Fossil Exhibit Trails. Also, admire astounding wildlife by day and star-filled skies by night in South Dakota.
15. Tacoma, Washington
Tacoma, Washington, is a place that’s packed with unique experiences that are often overlooked. At the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, you can see all different sorts of animals and marine life.
At the Museum of Glass, watch or even try glassblowing. Or, why not gaze at beautiful antique cars at the LeMay Car Museum? If you are a sports lover, 24 hours of bowling and indoor mini-golfing at Tower Lanes might be for you.
16. San Luis Obispo, California
San Luis Obispo is a great place to visit, but for some reason, it still flies under the radar for most people. I understand there’s a lot to see in California, but this is certainly a place you should check out, too. The nearby Avila Valley is a local favorite for its hot springs and hiking trails. Higuera Street in the downtown area has a very good farmer’s market every Thursday night.
The Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area, only a short 15-mile drive, has open dunes and sandy beaches on its 1,200 acres of coastal terrain. If you still have energy left, Bishop Peak has several trails for both moderate walking and serious climbing and a summit of more than 1,500 feet.
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