When you think of traveling to the US, you probably think of New York City and Los Angeles. And while those two places are worth visiting, there are so many underrated places to visit in the US. So get your travel list out and add these places to it!
The US is a very diverse country, each city and nature gem has a very unique feel. From the bustling streets of Chicago to the desert mountains of West Texas, the US has so much to offer. It’s a great place for city lovers and nature lovers alike to visit.
It’s so big and there’s so much to see, that you honestly couldn’t run out of places to visit in the US. But what are some of the best unknown places to visit in the USA?
The Best Unknown Places to Visit in the USA
It’s time to explore the lesser-known places in the USA. From cities to nature gems, these places should all be on your US travel list.
🥾 Best for Hiking: Big Bend National Park, Texas
🏔 Best Mountain Views: Park City, Utah
⛷ Best Skiing: Winter Park, Colorado
🏙 Best City Vibes: Salt Lake City, Utah
🌮 Best for Foodies: Austin, Texas
🌍 Most European Feel: Alexandria, Virginia
1. Salt Lake City, Utah
Best Time to Visit: December through March for a winter wonderland/nearby skiing; June through September for warmer weather
Utah is home to five national parks. Plan the ultimate road trip exploring these 5 parks and make sure you add a stop in Salt Lake City! This small city packs a punch and is a great place to visit for city and nature lovers alike.
Explore the best of Salt Lake City, dine on delicious meals, go for a hike, go brewery hopping, hopping, or get cozy in one of the best coffee shops. This city makes for a great base if you want to go skiing in Park City, more on this below.
2. Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas
Best Time to Visit: April through May for smaller crowds; September through November for fall foliage
If you’re looking for an unknown nature adventure, this is your sign to plan a trip to Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas. Although it’s one of the smallest national parks in the US, it is so worth visiting.
And because it’s smaller, you won’t run into huge crowds of people. From hiking to camping to soaking in the natural spring water in the famous bathhouses, you need to visit this hidden nature gem in the southern US.
3. Winter Park, Colorado
Best Time to Visit: December through March for skiing; June through August for hiking
If you’re a mountain lover who enjoys a nice view, cozy coffee shops, and local pub vibes to end a day of scenic hiking, then Winter Park, Colorado is the place for you!
This small mountain town is located about an hour and a half from Denver. In winter, you can enjoy relatively affordable skiing at the Winter Park Resort, and in the summer you can enjoy local hikes or day tripping to the nearby Rocky Mountain National Park.
4. St. Louis, Missouri
Best Time to Visit: May through September for warmer weather (May and September for smaller crowds)
Have you ever heard of the Gateway Arch? Home of this iconic monument, St. Louis, Missouri is a very underrated city in the US. It’s much smaller than its midwest neighbor, Chicago, but well worth a visit.
From the incredible architectural feat of the Gateway Arch to delicious restaurants and the exciting City Museum, St. Louis is a mighty little city you need to visit. Some of our absolute favorite meals we’ve had were in St. Louis!
5. Charleston, South Carolina
Best Time to Visit: April through May, September through November for pleasant weather
Immerse yourself in diverse styles of architecture, treat yourself to southern delicacies, and stroll along the beach at sunrise while in Charleston. Located on the East Coast in South Carolina, Charleston is a quaint city so often overlooked by tourists. But it has so much to offer!
Here, you will find beaches to relax on, coffee shops to recharge in, beautifully designed buildings, delicious food, and more. Make sure you try She Crab soup, shrimp and grits, and fried green tomatoes while in Charleston!
If you’re an outdoorsy person, plan a South Carolina road trip with a stop in Charleston and camp at some of the best campgrounds South Carolina has to offer! The beach camping is unbeatable here.
6. New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia
Best Time to Visit: May through August for warm weather; September to November for fall foliage
This is another must-visit US national park! This hidden gem is located in West Virginia and offers so many outdoor adventure activities.
If you enjoy hiking, this national park is right up your alley. And along with incredible trails, you can find more thrills at New River Gorge National Park, such as white water rafting, rock climbing, and more. Plan the ultimate adventure to one of the best unknown places to visit in USA.
Read More About New River Gorge:
7. Austin, Texas
Best Time to Visit: September through May to avoid the Texas summer heat
Texas has much more to offer than just cow pastures, tractors, and oil fields. Take a trip to Austin, Texas and see for yourself! This southern city is growing, and it’s no surprise why. Known as the “Live Music Capital of the World,” Austin is bustling with students, families, and elders alike. Go shopping downtown, visit the Capitol Building, or paddle board on the Colorado River.
This city is actually one of the healthiest in the US as outdoor activities are so popular here. So if you enjoy city vibes, but you also want to stay active, then Austin is the place for you! Grab a bike and cruise downtown, it’s such a fun way to see the city.
Austin is also a foodie capital! If you enjoy trying local restaurants, bar hopping, and eating far too much on a quick city getaway, Austin is a great place to visit.
8. Park City, Utah
Best Time to Visit: December through March for skiing; June through August for hiking, kayaking, etc.
A short drive from Salt Lake City, Utah is the much smaller Park City. Mostly known for it’s incredible ski resort, Park City is a great place to visit at any time of year! If you enjoy skiing and snowboarding, Park City is one of the best places to hit the slopes in the US, but even if you don’t, it’s a charming place to visit.
Once a booming mining town, Park City has a very quaint downtown area to explore. And being so close to the mountains, it’s a great place for outdoor enthusiasts to visit as well. It also makes for a great base if you want to hike around some of Utah’s beautiful national parks. Check out our Park City Travel Guide for more info.
If you want to plan an epic skiing trip in the US, then Park City is the place to go!
9. Nashville, Tennesse
Best Time to Visit: year-round, but note that midsummer (July & August) can get hot
Even if you don’t like country music, Nashville will have you putting on some cowboy boots and learning how to two-step. If you enjoy going out, spending time with friends, and listening to fantastic music, then Nashville needs to be on your list.
While it’s often known for its country music, you will also hear bluegrass, R&B, pop, and rock while in Nashville. They just truly love their instruments and microphones here, and they won’t disappoint! Visit Nashville for a unique US city trip.
10. St. Augustine, Florida
Best Time to Visit: May through August for beach going; December for holiday activities
Plan a fun beach vacation to the oldest city in the United States. St. Augustine is on the northeastern coast of Florida and is hands down one of the best beach towns in the US.
But there’s so much more to explore here too. From Castillo de San Marcos National Monument to the downtown St. Augustine Trolley Tour, this Spanish-style city is a great place to head to the beach, eat all the seafood you can, and go shopping downtown.
If you’re heading to Florida, don’t miss out on Disney World! Plan a visit to the best parks, Magic Kingdom and Epcot!
Read More About St. Augustine, Florida:
11. Big Bend National Park, Texas
Best Time to Visit: March through May and September through November for nicer hiking weather
The US boasts amazing nature sites, including breathtaking national parks. One of the most surprising national parks is Big Bend National Park, located in rural West Texas. You might not think there is anything of note in middle-of-nowhere Texas, but nature has other ideas and you need to go see them.
Desert mountains fill the landscape here, hiking trails are abundant, and the wildlife is flourishing. If you want to experience the nature of the US, then Big Bend National Park definitely needs to be on your itinerary.
12. Alexandria, Virginia
Best Time to Visit: May through September for warmer weather
Located just outside of Washington, DC is the unassuming city of Alexandria, Virginia. The capitol’s neighbor boasts Europoean vibes with street-side cafes and quaint, colorful architecture, a walkable downtown and riverside walks.
Not only is Alexandria a cozy city and a great base for exploring DC, the city itself is home to some great historical sites from throughout history. See the house George Washington lived in here!
13. McKinney, Texas
Best Time to Visit: March through May and September through November for the best weather
Located about 45 minutes northeast of Dallas is the quaint suburb of McKinney. This Texas town is a must-visit if you’re in the DFW area.
Enjoy strolling around the picturesque historic downtown, shopping at local boutiques, and trying your fair share of delicious restaurants from Guava Tree serving up Cuban cuisine to Michelin recommended Harvest. You might get lucky an be in town during Oktoberfest or one of McKinney’s downtown events like the coffee and craft beer crawls.
Bonus: Chicago, Illinois
Best Time to Visit: November and December for holiday activities; June through August for amazing weather
Yes, Chicago is a big city well-known around the world, but it is still very overshadowed by NYC and LA. So if you want to experience “big city USA”, but you don’t want to lose yourself in the insanity, Chicago is the place for you. It still has Broadway shows, magnificent skyscrapers, food from all around the world, unique neighborhoods, and a waterfront!
But it’s so much more manageable than its bigger sibling cities. And the best part? It is SO easy to get around on public transportation! If you’re a coffee lover and you plan on visiting Chicago, take a look at our favorite coffee shops in town. You won’t be disappointed.
Visiting Lesser-Known Places in the USA
The US is a great country to visit, and a great place for nationals to travel around. There is so much to see and experience in this country. From bustling cities to mountains to beaches, the US truly does have it all.
While the most popular destinations are fun to visit, these are some of the best unknown places to visit in USA. The more “off the beaten path” places offer a more charming feel for a more unique trip.
If you have any more questions in regards to traveling in the US, reach out to us! We love exploring our home country and sharing our findings with others to enjoy! Of all the underrated places to visit in the US mentioned above, what made it to your list? Are you going to visit multiple places? Let us know in the comments below!
