25 of the USA’s most underrated destinations

By Joe Yogerst, CNN
Updated 8:14 AM EDT, Sun July 2, 2023
<strong>Pioneer Valley, Massachusetts: </strong>The town of Northampton is one of Massachusetts' overlooked charms.
Pioneer Valley, Massachusetts: The town of Northampton is one of Massachusetts' overlooked charms.
Denis Tangney Jr./iStock Unreleased/Getty Images
<strong>Block Island, Rhode Island: </strong>Wildlife refuges and other nature areas make up a large part of this peaceful isle.
Block Island, Rhode Island: Wildlife refuges and other nature areas make up a large part of this peaceful isle.
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<strong>Buffalo, New York: </strong>Art Deco buildings, such as Buffalo's City Hall, are one of this underrated city's draws.<br />
Buffalo, New York: Art Deco buildings, such as Buffalo's City Hall, are one of this underrated city's draws.
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<strong>Pennsylvania Wilds:</strong> Stargazing is a top attraction at Cherry Springs State Park in Coudersport, Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Wilds: Stargazing is a top attraction at Cherry Springs State Park in Coudersport, Pennsylvania.
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<strong>West Virginia: </strong>Historic and scenic Harpers Ferry is just one of West Virginia's intriguing destinations.
West Virginia: Historic and scenic Harpers Ferry is just one of West Virginia's intriguing destinations.
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<strong>Durham, North Carolina:</strong> The Duke Lemur Center is a unique attraction in Durham, a city that's been transformed in recent years.
Durham, North Carolina: The Duke Lemur Center is a unique attraction in Durham, a city that's been transformed in recent years.
Chuck Liddy/Raleigh News & Observer/Getty Images
<strong>Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia: </strong>Wild horses roam this barrier island rich in nature and history.
Cumberland Island National Seashore, Georgia: Wild horses roam this barrier island rich in nature and history.
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<strong>Florida's Forgotten Coast:</strong> Powder-fine sand is part of this unheralded slice of the Florida shore's allure.
Florida's Forgotten Coast: Powder-fine sand is part of this unheralded slice of the Florida shore's allure.
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<strong>Western Tennessee: </strong>Memphis' famed Beale Street has a rich history and is home to numerous live music venues.
Western Tennessee: Memphis' famed Beale Street has a rich history and is home to numerous live music venues.
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<strong>Ouachita Mountains, Arkansas: </strong>Unlike the nearby Ozarks, the Ouachitas are exceedingly untouristy.
Ouachita Mountains, Arkansas: Unlike the nearby Ozarks, the Ouachitas are exceedingly untouristy.
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<strong>Kansas City, Missouri:</strong> The Nelson-Atkins Art Museum boasts a world-class collection in a city where barbecue and American jazz meet.
Kansas City, Missouri: The Nelson-Atkins Art Museum boasts a world-class collection in a city where barbecue and American jazz meet.
Bill Grant/Alamy Stock Photo
<strong>Southern Illinois:</strong> The Garden of Gods in Shawnee National Forest shows what visitors will find in this overlooked part of Illinois.
Southern Illinois: The Garden of Gods in Shawnee National Forest shows what visitors will find in this overlooked part of Illinois.
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<strong>Lake Superior: </strong>Touching three US states, this massive freshwater lake boasts two national lakeshores, a national park and other natural attractions.
Lake Superior: Touching three US states, this massive freshwater lake boasts two national lakeshores, a national park and other natural attractions.
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<strong>Oklahoma:</strong> In a state that many people fly right over, Oklahoma City has a rich and varied food scene, plus interesting attractions.
Oklahoma: In a state that many people fly right over, Oklahoma City has a rich and varied food scene, plus interesting attractions.
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<strong>Badlands of North Dakota: </strong>Painted Canyon is part of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, part of the lesser-known North Dakota badlands.
Badlands of North Dakota: Painted Canyon is part of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, part of the lesser-known North Dakota badlands.
Franz-Marc Frei/The Image Bank Unreleased/Getty Images
<strong>North Park, Colorado: </strong>An aerial view from Independence Mountain in North Park shows the landscape visitors will find in this wild part of Colorado.
North Park, Colorado: An aerial view from Independence Mountain in North Park shows the landscape visitors will find in this wild part of Colorado.
Marek Uliasz/Alamy Stock Photo
<strong>White Sands National Park, New Mexico:</strong> The world's largest gypsum dunefield stretches across 275 square miles of desert.
White Sands National Park, New Mexico: The world's largest gypsum dunefield stretches across 275 square miles of desert.
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<strong>Flagstaff, Arizona: </strong>Flagstaff tends to be a place travelers pass through on their way to the Grand Canyon or Sedona, but it definitely deserves a look-see.
Flagstaff, Arizona: Flagstaff tends to be a place travelers pass through on their way to the Grand Canyon or Sedona, but it definitely deserves a look-see.
James Schaedig/Alamy Stock Photo
<strong>West Texas: </strong>This wild and rugged part of the state still has its man-made curiosities, such as Marfa's famous Prada store art installation.
West Texas: This wild and rugged part of the state still has its man-made curiosities, such as Marfa's famous Prada store art installation.
Diana Robinson/Getty Images
<strong>Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah: </strong>This national monument sprawls across almost 1.9 million acres of largely roadless wilderness.
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah: This national monument sprawls across almost 1.9 million acres of largely roadless wilderness.
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