9 Overlooked Towns In The United States Worth Visiting

A vacation should be an intimate experience. There is no need to follow the crowds to some touristy attraction — even if it is insanely beautiful — where you appreciate only an eighth of the view while constantly stepping on each other's toes. We call it the curse of fame. The worst part is that sometimes it comes down to the promotional efforts of the local chamber of commerce or other relevant agencies. If you want to have a place to yourself, skip the big names for below-the-radar spots, especially if the indoor and outdoor offerings are just as epic. But where are these locations? Keep reading to discover the 9 overlooked towns in the United States worth visiting.

Camden, Maine

Maine's shoreline is drenchingly beautiful, and while it is worth ogling, don't skip some beautiful underappreciated gems like Camden, which packs a lot of mind-rousing attractions to see or experience. There is Camden Hills State Park, just outside the town, where you can inhale one of the most famous views in New England, especially from the summit of Mount Battie. Also, the park is criss-crossed with many lovely trails, some of which lead to the shores of Lake Megunticook, a popular spot for kayaking, fishing, and swimming.

Just south of Camden is Rockland, a vibrant, artsy location that almost looks designed for strolling and window-shopping. If you have a thing for fresh seafood, you can't go wrong with Marriner’s Restaurant. Just don't miss the beautiful views from their back deck. If you can sit all day and just listen to the water, go to the harbor and the Megunticook Falls, preferably just in time for sunset.

Patagonia, Arizona

Patagonia is a hidden gem that reveals the state's remote desert beauty. It is a birding paradise, an art colony, and an outdoor playground, yet still criminally overlooked for places like Sedona. The drive along Arizona State Route 83 is also just a special appetizer, especially with the oak-lined hills and panoramic views. Patagonia is home to the majestic Patagonia Lake State Park, an adorable haven for nature lovers with plenty of outdoor activities. It offers a beautiful lake with opportunities for swimming, fishing, and birdwatching. A special way to enjoy it is to carry an inflatable boat with oats and then spend an entire afternoon bobbing about. There's a cool bridge to walk over, as well.

At the Patagonia Museum, you will enjoy interesting stories about the town's early years, while the Paton Center for Hummingbirds is a neat birdwatching space and a cool place to see the many beautiful birds of the Arizona southern scrub forest. The trick is to start with a Veggie breakfast bowl at Gathering Grounds, a small-town gem that also serves great pancakes and sandwiches.

Yachats, Oregon

If you know something about the Pacific Northwest, you know that the entire Oregon Coast should be made a mandatory stretch for Americans to visit, if just once in a lifetime. The fact that Yachats is on the spectacular Oregon coast already speaks to its visit-worthy credentials. With sea cliffs and tidepools, and the occasional bald eagle wheeling overhead, the atmosphere here is soft and soothing, just what you need to unwind.

After a hearty (and heavy) breakfast at Bread & Roses Bakery, where you will enjoy Danishes and gluten-free brownies, work your way to Yachats State Park, an oceanfront destination and a cool area to see migrating whales. Taking the cue, Yachats Ocean Road State Natural Site is a beautiful place to walk, climb rocks, watch a glorious sunset, or just drift into bliss. Alternatively, you can wash your face in the fresh air at Ya'Xaik Trail, a peaceful place that always makes you feel like you are in a nice green forest.

Leadville, Colorado

Even if you have a thing against the Centennial State, it sounds improbable to overlook the highest incorporated city in the U.S. Leadville is beautiful, and the setting itself is a whole different subject. The town is flanked by Colorado's highest fourteeners: Mount Elbert and Mount Massive. So, you can imagine the outdoor opportunities available in the precincts. Twin Lakes, the shimmering glacial lakes that reflect the area's surrounding peaks, are just south of town. No wonder Leadville was named one of "The 15 Best Small Towns to Visit in 2023" by Smithsonian Magazine.

The iconic Tabor Opera House is a beautiful piece of history and a nice place to catch an afternoon show. If there's nothing lined up, a guided tour of the facility may still turn out to be a trip highlight. Still, a visit to Matchless Mine, once one of the highest-producing mines in the region, will leave you walking away with an understanding of what life was like in the town's childhood years. Treeline Kitchen, a nostalgic red-brick building loved for its rooftop seating, is the go-to place for delicious fried chicken. Just don't miss the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum.

Winthrop, Washington

Every repeat visit to Winthrop almost feels like a discovery. The town is an Old West-themed gem beautifully tucked in the Methow Valley, with incredible scenes and incredible atmosphere. The best part is that it is rarely crowded, not like Leavenworth or Port Townsend. The Fainting Goat Restaurant, a convenient spot on White Avenue, is a well-known culinary rite of passage. The salads are show-stoppers, and the peanut bowl always hits the taste buds with a punch. After this, take the beautiful Spring Creek pedestrian bridge over the Methow River to get to the boardwalk, a nice, rustic stretch that brims with life and energy. You will find a lot to see and do here, whether shops or just views. There is the Winthrop Town Trailhead, the go-to place for fat tyre bike-riding, and the nearby Pearrygin Lake State Park, which features a shimmering beauty with hiking trails and wildlife-viewing opportunities.

Silver City, New Mexico

It does not like hogging the spotlight, but Silver City is an artsy, historic location near the Gila Wilderness that effortlessly punches above its weight. There is the Western New Mexico University Museum, associated with the NAN Ranch Collection, the largest and most complete collection of Mimbres material from a single pre-contact site.

Additionally, Boston Hill Open Space is a great location to meander for an hour or two, and its trailheads are accessible from many points in town. There's also Gough Park, which acts as the starting place for the Tour of the Gila, one of the most important cycling events in America. Since the race’s inception in the 1980s, competitive cyclists at every level have used it as a career launching pad because of the challenge it offers. Of course, the Gila National Forest is in the backyard and provides countless recreational opportunities. The trick is to start with tasty breakfast burritos at Adobe Springs, preferably while sitting outside and seeing the traffic on Main Street.

Cassadaga, Florida

Vacationers seeking an all-out eccentric destination will want to discover Cassadaga, the self-styled "Psychic Capital of the World.” The Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp, whose history dates back to the 1870s, is known for its unique historic homes and mysterious beginnings. It features a central auditorium, a memorial temple, a bookstore, a healing center, an educational building, and a library. It is an interesting place to visit, even if you don't consider some of its claims as credible. The town itself is beautiful, even bucolic. The streets are lined with oak trees draped in Spanish moss, while the environment is dotted with brightly-painted Victorian-style homes. The Ann Stevens House is a historic Bed & Breakfast, whose grounds ostensibly have two vortexes, spots on the earth considered by some to be energy centers. Don't skip the Cassadaga Bookstore & Welcome Center, where a front sign reads “Home of Certified Mediums Est 1894.” The bookstore is the main hub of the camp, and a great place for first-time visitors to start. For something different, Horseshoe Park and Fairy Trail offer a whimsical path with painted rocks and memorials.

Galena, Illinois

Galena is a beautiful river town with 19th-century charm, awesome wineries, and a paint-worthy backdrop. There are a lot of red-brick buildings and lush greenery, and with the Galena River flowing through, it has the right dose of rustic allure. Before renting a kayak or stand-up paddleboard at Nuts Outdoors to float down the Galena River, nab a chair at Galena Bakehouse, an adorable Main Street establishment that whips up decadent empanadas along with other tongue-tingling delicacies, including hot and cold coffee, tea-based drinks, and even wine. There is the chance to hike or bike the Galena River Trail, an 8-mile beauty with interpretative signs for flowers and wildlife, or visit the Ulysses S. Grant Home, an interesting piece of history and a nostalgic place to see where President Grant once lived and raised his children.

Clarksdale, Mississippi

It's nice to travel to a place whose highlight is a sparkling waterfall, an awesome park, a sugar-white beach, or an ice-capped mountain. However, sometimes you just crave a slightly different experience. And that's where Clarksdale comes into the picture. Clarksdale bills itself as the Birthplace of the Blues, and it lives up to that evocative nickname. At any time of the year, music is always in the air. Some of Clarksdale’s music-themed attractions include the legendary Crossroads, where the famous bluesman Robert Johnson allegedly made a deal with the devil to secure his highly acclaimed guitar skills. After this, get a crash course in blues history at the Delta Blues Museum, the oldest music museum in Mississippi. After browsing one of the most complete collections of blues memorabilia in America, head to Cat Head—where you’ll find plenty of blues records and CDs. Just remember to ask about the relationship between a cat, its head, and music records. To grab a delicious meal, Lil Sistas is 5-star on Google Reviews, and you are likely to join its long list of devoted fans.

So, next time you want to visit a place, whether for an epic adventure or just to kick back and relax, skip the big names for some incredibly beautiful but overlooked destination. You will have fewer crowds breathing down your neck, and in most cases, have a phenomenal attraction all to yourself. It's not always uniform across the board, but in most cases, many under-the-radar locations also offer a more authentic and intimate experience. The trick is to pick carefully.