10 Underrated Towns In The United States That Are Worth the Drive in 2026
The United States lures in visitors from all over the world who travel far and wide to explore places like Los Angeles and New York City; however, the United States’ small towns have just as much to offer as its larger metropolitan cities do. The towns on this list, although no longer than a 2-hour drive from major cities and international airports within the state, are off the beaten path and are therefore less visited. But if you have a few extra days to spare on your vacation and are looking to exceed the city limits for a truly unique experience, then these towns are worth making time for. These are the 10 underrated towns in the United States that are worth the drive.
St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine is the longest continually inhabited European-founded city in the United States and is only a 45-minute drive from Jacksonville and a one-hour and 45-minute drive from Orlando. St. Augustine offers unique experiences you cannot do anywhere else in Florida, such as exploring the oldest masonry fort in the Continental United States, the Castillo de San Marcos. You will quickly discover that St. Augustine is loaded with history as it features the St. Photios National Shrine, the only Greek Orthodox National Shrine in the United States. While no longer an active parish, the site lures in over 100,000 visitors each year who come to light a candle or simply relax in the Mediterranean-style courtyard. Stop by Aunt Matilda's Steampunk Trunk, a standout store known for its goods and costumes marketed towards steampunk and Victorian-era costuming enthusiasts.
Leavenworth, Washington
Leavenworth is a Bavarian-themed village nestled amongst the Cascade Mountains of Washington. The town can be accessed by flying into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and followed by a 2-hour scenic drive through the Cascades to get to the town. For authentic Bavarian delicacies, stop by the Gingerbread Factory, which specializes in gingerbread cookies, treats, and desserts. As an added bonus, the exterior of the storefront is designed to resemble a real-life gingerbread house. For a truly unique experience, take the whole family to the Leavenworth Reindeer Farm, which allows visitors to interact with, feed, and pet reindeer in a mountainous setting. Alternatively, view one of the world’s largest collections of nutcrackers at the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum, which displays over 9,000 nutcrackers from all over the world.
Fredericksburg, Texas
Fredericksburg proudly displays its German heritage throughout town and is known as the second German town in Texas. It is conveniently located within an hour-and-a-half drive from both Austin and San Antonio. Visit the nation’s largest working wildflower farm at Wildseed Farms, which has over 1,000 cultivated acres in Texas and over 200 acres of wildflower fields at its headquarters in Fredericksburg. Go for a nighttime bat viewing at Old Tunnel State Park, which is the site of a former railroad tunnel that is a seasonal home for roughly 3 million bats. The park is open in the evening between May and October when the bats are there to allow visitors to view them entering and exiting the cave. To learn more about the town’s German heritage, explore the ten historic structures of the Pioneer Museum, which showcase artifacts, audio, and virtual experiences.
Solvang, California
Solvang is regarded as the Danish capital of the United States due to its strong Danish heritage. Today, Solvang is the perfect blend of California wine country and European-style streets and is conveniently located within a 2-hour drive from Los Angeles. Sample some authentic Danish pastries from one of the many bakeries, such as Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery, which serves fresh pastries, breads, and cakes produced by a third-generation baker from Denmark. Stroll through the Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum, which displays a collection of 95 rare and vintage motorcycles, most of which have never had the opportunity to be viewed before. As if the collection was not impressive enough, unlike other museums, this one does not cordon off the bikes, allowing visitors to view them up close. If visiting in September, be sure to attend the Danish Days Festival, which celebrates the town’s Danish heritage over three days, featuring activities, food, and drink vendors.
Taos, New Mexico
Taos is known for its long and expansive history, which has culminated in the Taos of today, which sees three different cultures living side-by-side and is only an hour-and-a-half drive away from Santa Fe. Taos Plaza is a focal point of town, and its fortress-like structure was originally designed to house families and protect them from attacks. Today, it hosts many festivals and events within the communities and is the site of popular shops, galleries, and restaurants. As a vibrant arts community, soak up Taos’ art culture at the Harwood Museum of Art, which stands out for permanently housing seven paintings of renowned artist Agnes Martin, who called Taos her home. Walk or drive across the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge at 650 feet above the Rio Grande River; it is the fifth-highest bridge in the United States and has even appeared in a couple of Hollywood films.
Bardstown, Kentucky
No trip to Kentucky would be complete without making the time to visit Bardstown, the bourbon capital of the world, which is only a 50-minute drive from Louisville. Learn more about the history of bourbon at the Oscar Getz Museum of Bourbon History, which displays more than 1,500 bottles of whiskey and bourbon, many of which are rare and unique. For a more hands-on bourbon experience, tour Bardstown’s oldest fully-operating distillery: Barton 1792 Distillery. Tour 29 barrel aging warehouses, unique outdoor fermentation tanks, the world’s largest bourbon barrel, and top it off with a tasting of their sophisticated high-rye recipe. Visit the Old Talbott Tavern, originally built in 1779, making it the oldest Western Stagecoach stop in the United States. On-site facilities include a restaurant, gift shop, and the oldest bourbon bar in the world.
Hood River, Oregon
Oregon is known for its rocky peaks and rugged coastlines, with many towns accessible to one or the other, but Hood River offers the best of both worlds as Oregon’s only mountain-beach town. At just over an hour's drive from Portland, it is worth the drive to visit this unique Oregon town. Ride the Mount Hood Railroad, which takes passengers through vineyards, forests, and near the base of Oregon’s highest peak, Mount Hood. Also regarded as the windsurfing capital of the world, take to the water in the Columbia River Gorge, which has steady and reliable winds with areas that are beginner-friendly or a challenge for more experienced riders. The WAAAM Air and Auto Museum is home to one of the largest collections of still-flying antique planes and still-driving antique automobiles in the country, as well as other vehicles such as motorcycles, tractors, and military jeeps.
Bisbee, Arizona
Bisbee is known for its dramatic transformation from a mining town rich with mineral sites to a bustling creative arts hub that is only a one-hour and 40-minute drive from Tucson. Explore the town’s history by signing up for a tour of the Copper Queen Mine. Suit up in hard hats, head lamps, and slickers before descending 143 miles deep into the mine on an underground train, which is guided by retired miners, making for an authentic and unique experience. The Lavender Pit allows visitors to view a 950-foot-deep, open-pit mine that was used as an economic way to increase ore yield. Today, it has scenic viewing platforms and informative placards for visitors to read. Spend some time walking down Erie Stree,t which is said to have preserved its classic storefronts and historic downtown in a way few other towns have been able to.
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Lake Geneva is a resort town in Wisconsin that is historically known as a holiday destination for wealthy Chicago residents. This heritage can still be seen in town today, as many Gilded Age mansions are still dotted around the shore of the lake. While it was frequented by residents of Chicago, it is only a one-hour and 50-minute drive away from Milwaukee. Visit Black Point Estate and Gardens, which is open to the public seasonally for tours and is a prime example of period Midwest architecture and one of the oldest homes in Lake Geneva. To view even more mansions, walk or bike the Lake Geneva Shore Path, which allows you to get a closer look at historic estates and their landscape gardens while sailboats and antique vessels sail past you on the lake. Catch a show at the Tristan Crist Magic Theatre, a unique venue that hosts performances of magic, comedy, and illusions
Newburyport, Massachusetts
Many towns in New England are by the sea and loaded with maritime history, but Newburyport stands out as the birthplace of the U.S. Coast Guard. The Custom House Maritime Museum features exhibits showcasing the history of the port, privateering, shipbuilding, and Newburyport's claim as the birthplace of the U.S. Coast Guard. Explore the 19th-century gardens of Maudslay State Park, which is home to one of the largest naturally occurring mountain laurel in all of Massachusetts. The Parker River National Wildlife Refuge is regarded as one of the top destinations in Massachusetts for bird watching. As a wildlife refuge, it also has recreational activities with many different trails throughout the refuge, and opportunities to go surf fishing. This unique blend makes it unlike anywhere else in other Massachusetts towns.
There is no denying that the big cities in the United States are filled with famous landmarks, great places to eat, and countless other sights. But the small towns of the United States offer their own unique experiences and attractions that cannot be replicated in larger metropolitan areas. Whether that is small towns that are filled with European themes like Leavenworth and Solvang, towns with history tracing back as old as the United States like St. Augustine or Taos, or towns that hold key parts of United States culture like Bardstown’s bourbon heritage, there is something these towns have that is uniquely their own. These are the 10 underrated towns in the United States you should make the drive to in 2026.
