When most travel to the United States, they travel to the tried and true suspects: New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Miami, and of course, Route 66 staple. They’re staple cities for a reason – vibrant, familiar, action-packed. And yet, there are beautiful places to visit in the US not on the typical tourist circuit.
There is tremendous value in traveling to lesser-visited places. Practically all of these under-the-radar spots offer great natural beauty, authentic local character, and real cultural immersion without crowds and cost of larger destinations.
If your priorities for your next vacation are exploration of untapped potential and real adventure potential, it is well worth exploring some of these under-the-monocle places that never appear to make top-of-the-bill news but are every bit as full of potential as their more popular counterparts. There are some beautiful places to visit in the US.
1.Door County, Wisconsin
Ringed by Lake Michigan and Green Bay, Door County is the “Cape Cod of the Midwest” for all eternity. Natural beauty isn’t in short supply there picture stunning coastlines, traditional lighthouses, and cherry orchards. Winter, fall, or summer, something to capitalize on is always outside: summer kayaking and backpacking, fall color, or winter fireside warmth. For the traveler, and for the business traveler as well, Door County has just the right combination of sightseeing boat tours, village boutique shopping, and open hospitality always within reach.
2. Great Basin National Park, Nevada
Most folks hear “Nevada” and they just picture Vegas glitzy signs, those slot machines singing their siren song, all that jazz. But man, Great Basin National Park? That area is a whole other world that only a handful of humans talk about. With its more than 4,000-year-old petrified bristlecone pines, the beautiful Lehman Caves, and Wheeler Peak, the park is a serene escape into the midst of the wild. And astronomers are not ignored Great Basin is one of the beautiful places to visit in the US because it has very little light pollution.
3. Taos, New Mexico
Taos has art, culture, and knock-your-socks-off views all mixed together. You get these funky adobe houses everywhere, plus artists crawling out of the woodwork, all in a town that somehow feels ancient and fresh at the same time. Oh, and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains? Unreal backdrop. As a winter resort for ski holidaymakers, Taos is the ultimate skier’s paradise, but during summer it can be climbed, soared over in hot air balloons, and ridden through in local art galleries.
4. Apostle Islands, Wisconsin
If you’re looking for a hidden gem, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore up in Wisconsin is where it’s at. Tucked away on Lake Superior, this place is basically paradise for anyone who loves messing around outdoors. During winter, and if one is lucky, the backpacker can trek over frozen lakes to see fairy-tale-like ice caves.A warning that the best of the most beautiful places to visit in the US lie beyond city lights.
5. Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga gets totally slept on. Nashville and Memphis hog all the limelight, meanwhile Chattanooga’s just there, chillin’, easily the coolest spot in the South. The riverfront? Killer views. Those old-school neighborhoods? Packed with charm. And if you’re into climbing, hiking, or just messing around outside yeah, this place is basically your playground. The Tennessee Aquarium and Lookout Mountain (and its breathtaking views) are just two reasons that this fly-under-the-radar city must cut it on your list.
6. San Juan Islands, Washington
Honestly, if you’re craving a break from real life, hit up the San Juan Islands off Washington. The vibe? Super chill. Think: orca-watching for a minute, face-stuffing with good food the next, and then just meandering around cute little towns like Friday Harbor. That’s the kind of spot you can dump the chaos, forget what time it is, and act like grown-up is not really a requirement. For real, if you’re in the market for calm and breathtaking views, this is your party.
7. Kanab, Utah
Utah is not unfamiliar with stunning landscapes, but Kanab’s close second to its better-known neighbours Zion and Bryce Canyon. Red rock and slot canyon territory holds some of the area’s best hiking and photography amidst this small town. And it’s the gateway to the infamous “Wave” rock formation, a hiker’s destination.
Wrapping Up
America has plenty of famous destinations, but exploring off the beaten path earns rewards that are real, true, and connected. Walking art-lined streets in Taos, kayaking Apostle Islands, or star-gazing Great Basin night skies are just some examples of these off-the-grid options that remind travelers that the list of beautiful places to visit in the US to explore is much longer than everyone even thinks.
And the next vacation you take, skip the familiar haunts and go somewhere different you never know where the new favorite piece of America might be.
