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Blog featuring travel tips, packing guides, videos and photography from around the world.
Many of us are busy making plans for car trips we want to take soon. And while you may have a few favourite tourist spots and famous sites in mind, getting off the beaten path is one of the best ways to see amazing landscapes, strange roadside landmarks, and so much more.
Take a look at the top 20 undervalued destinations in the United States that you absolutely must visit.
Every place on this list is worth a visit, from North America’s highest paved road to the Smoky Mountains’ beautiful views.
Colorado’s Mount Evans
Mount Evans has the highest paved road in North America. It is not for people who are afraid of heights. But if you want to see some of the most beautiful views of the Rocky Mountains and a lot of wildlife, the drive to Colorado is definitely worth it.
Marfa, TX
This small town in the far west of Texas is a home for artists. It is best known as the place where the Elizabeth Taylor movie “Giant” was filmed. Use it as your home base to explore the high desert and, if you have time, Big Bend National Park, which is not too far away. The views there are out of this world and stunning.
Montana’s Flathead Lake
Flathead Lake is the biggest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. It is near the beautiful Glacier National Park in Montana. The high mineral content of the water also makes it very clear and full of colourful stones. Even in the summer, you shouldn’t be afraid to put your feet in because the water is cold but also relaxing.
Bar Harbour is in Maine.
Bar Harbour is known as a place where rich people go on vacation, but it’s also one of the most beautiful places on the East Coast. You can look around the shops, take a side trip to Acadia National Park, or just take in the beautiful scenery.
Moab is in the state of Utah.
Most people think of the desert as a place with nothing to do, but Moab is a great place to see the desert in a completely different way. Even if you don’t like skiing, you can enjoy rafting, climbing, and a lot of natural beauty here.
The Emerald Coast of Florida
The towns along Florida’s Emerald Coast are great for a family holiday because they have beautiful white-sand beaches, clear blue water, and lots of things to do. Almost anywhere along the 30A Highway, you’re sure to find a beautiful spot to relax in the sun.
The Wisconsin Dells
The Wisconsin Dells is a great place for a family holiday because it has theme parks, river tours, and great shopping. If you like being outside more, go to Mirror Lake State Park, where you can camp and see a lot of beautiful nature.
The Upper Peninsula of Michigan
The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is incredibly beautiful, which might astound you if you’ve never been there. It’s a great place to go in the summer for sailing, beach days, and seeing beautiful places like the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
Rhode Island’s Block Island
The Dutch first settled Block Island, a small island, in the 1600s. It has a lot of history, from the 1600s to the War of 1812. It’s also a great place to see old lighthouses, walk on beautiful beaches, and look for seashells.
Solvang, CA
From its name to its main architectural style, this California vacation town has a lot of Danish influence. More than a million people visit Solvang every year to taste wines, check out the Hans Christian Andersen museum, and see outdoor sites like the beautiful Nojoqui Falls.
The Smoky Mountains Tennessee has some of the most beautiful scenery in the South, especially in the autumn. And while you’re enjoying the beauty of the Smoky Mountains, you might want to take a side trip to Nashville or even the Dollywood theme park to experience some of Tennessee’s unique culture.
Wyoming’s Jackson Hole
Jackson Hole is a favourite of celebrities who probably didn’t even know Wyoming was a state before they moved there because of its natural beauty. It is near the tall Grand Tetons. Summer is probably the best time to go because you can see the mountains well and it’s not too hot or cold.
New Mexico’s Santa Fe
Santa Fe is where art and the beautiful scenery of the American Southwest meet. Visit the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, buy pottery and other handicrafts from local artists, and learn about Native American culture, all while taking in beautiful views.
Washington State’s San Juan Islands
Take a boat to the San Juan Islands, which are near Washington State’s coast. Depending on the time of year, you can watch orcas move, kayak on the Salish Sea, and watch birds in a great way.
Virginia, Chincoteague
This Virginia spot is perfect if you want to go to a beach where you can relax and it won’t be too busy. Assateague Island, which you may know from Marguerite Henry’s famous book “Misty,” has wild horses that can be seen in the summer.
Asheville is in North Carolina.
This strange little town has a huge number of things to do, but it doesn’t feel like too much. You can look at fine art in the luxurious Biltmore House, explore the Pisgah National Forest, and drive along the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway.
Salem, MA
Even if it’s not Halloween, Salem is a short drive from Boston, and the trip is well worth it. Visit the witch trials museum, spend the afternoon looking around the House of the Seven Gables, and don’t forget to stop by the Old Burying Point, one of the oldest graves in the United States.
Newport, OR
Use Newport as your home base to see as much of the wild and beautiful Oregon Coast as you can. There are many beaches and sites to see, and if you go far enough north, you’ll get to Haystack Rock, which you might know from “The Goonies.”
The Hill Country of Texas
Wine and a nice view? There’s nothing not to like. The Hill Country in Texas is a beautiful place to go in late summer or early autumn. You can go wine-tasting and explore an old town in Fredericksburg, or you can try glamping in a yurt in Wimberley.
Arkansas’ Eureka Springs
This small town in the Ozark Mountains is out of the way and very charming. Its mineral-rich waters were thought to be healing after the Civil War, and it still has a lot of good energy. Enjoy the beautiful scenery outside, then walk around the town’s cute shopping area.
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