Disney World, Times Square and Yellowstone National Park are popular with tourists. But there are many other places in the United States that continue to be off the travel radar.
While there are literally hundreds of locations that fit this description, here are five destinations – from cities and national parks to regions and even entire states – that tourists overlook.
1. Buffalo | New York
Buffalo, once a booming city at the confluence of the Great Lakes and the Erie Canal, remained stagnant for most of the 20th century. As the upstate New York metropolis slowly wakes up again, people are realizing that all that inactivity has helped preserve the city’s classic architecture.
Among Buffalo’s tasteful buildings are the Art Deco City Hall, the Buffalo History Museum, the Victorian Glass Houses in the Botanical Gardens, and architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House.
2. The Forgotten Coast | Florida
Along the Gulf of Mexico, between Port St. Joe and the St. Marks, this unremarkable stretch of Florida coast is about as authentic as it gets.
The pristine beaches on the St. Joseph and on the island of St. George offer an uncrowded alternative to Florida’s more famous (and crowded) beaches. Manatees and butterflies are among the wildlife residents of Wakulla Springs and St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge.
3. Oklahoma
Oklahoma is one of the lesser known states to visit. Oklahoma City showcases a surprisingly rich and diverse dining scene, especially in the sophisticated Paseo, Plaza and Uptown 23rd neighborhoods, as well as the Asian Quarter.
The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum and the Oklahoma City National Memorial are both must-sees. For outdoor enthusiasts, Riversport OKC offers rafting, tubing, ziplines and sky trails downtown.
The long stretch of Oklahoma’s historic Route 66 is full of traditional restaurants, museums and quirky roadside attractions. Tulsa features local hero Woody Guthrie, the new Bob Dylan Center, and classic Art Deco architecture, while Medicine Park Village and the Wichita Mountains offer a taste of the days of the Wild West.
4. White Sands National Park, New Mexico
Like something made for a science fiction movie rather than a whim of nature, White Sands feels like visiting an unknown planet. Indeed, that’s how strange it is to explore the world’s largest gypsum dune field.
Visitors can hike or sled across the white sand dunes. If you haven’t brought your own sled, the gift shop at the visitor center sells/rents plastic trays. Overnight backpacking is available along a sandy wilderness trail.
5. Kaʻū District, Hawaii
Hikers and bikers can explore the remote Kahuku Unit or the Ka’u Desert in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, while Kealakekua Bay offers great kayaking, snorkeling, and Hawaiian history on the northwest side of the area.
