Okay, so here’s the deal—I’m not anti-Grand Canyon or anything. It’s stunning. Majestic. Larger than your mom’s Costco haul after she got her membership reinstated. But listen. There are so many places in the US that somehow didn’t make the typical Instagram-travel-blogger-with-a-hat-and-floating-dress list.
And I’ve got beef with that. Real talk: some of the best vacation spots in the US aren’t the ones you’ve seen on every “Top 5 Must-See” YouTube reel. They’re the ones you stumble upon by accident when your GPS glitches or when your friend Karen (the cool one, not the one who argues with baristas) tells you, “Oh, you’ve never been to THIS place?”
So here it is. My totally biased, semi-chaotic list of 10 underrated US best vacation spots in the US vacation spots you probably missed. And if you did know about all these already—can we be friends? You’re clearly cool.
1. Bisbee, Arizona – The Town That Forgot to Get Boring
I swear to you, Bisbee feels like someone mashed together an old mining town, a steampunk festival, and your artsy cousin’s sketchbook. Tucked into the Mule Mountains, this little town is quirky in all the best ways.
There’s this bar—I think it was called The Quarry?—where I sat next to a man who claimed he built his house out of reclaimed railroad parts. And I believed him. Because in Bisbee, that kinda checks out.
What to do:
- Ghost tours (not cheesy, actually spooky)
- Eat pie at High Desert Market (trust me)
- Explore the abandoned mine (with a hard hat and everything)
2. Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado – Like a Beach… But With Mountains?
You ever hike a sand dune? No? It’s harder than it looks, especially when you’re carrying a backpack filled with snacks and shame.
But man, when you get to the top and look out over the dunes—with snowcapped peaks in the distance—it’s like your brain short circuits for a sec. “Am I at the beach? Am I on Mars? What is happening?”
Pro tip: Go sledding on the dunes. Yes, it’s a thing. Yes, you will eat sand. Worth it.
3. Marfa, Texas – Where Art Meets UFO Energy
Okay, I was skeptical. Everyone’s like “Omg, you gotta go to Marfa!” and I’m like… Texas? Really?
But dude. MARFA. It’s like someone dropped a super minimal art museum into a tiny desert town and then added a sprinkle of alien weirdness for flavor.
I watched the sunset with a bunch of strangers waiting for the mysterious Marfa Lights (they’re real, they’re weird, don’t ask too many questions). Then we all got tacos. 10/10 evening.
Musts:
- Prada Marfa (fake store in the middle of nowhere = excellent IG bait)
- Chinati Foundation (modern art that makes you go “…wait, is this genius or nonsense?”)
4. Apostle Islands, Wisconsin – Kayak Through Sea Caves Like a Dang Explorer
Wisconsin. Yes. I said it. Come at me.
But seriously—if you’ve never paddled through those eerie, echoey caves up in the Apostle Islands, are you even living?
In the winter, they sometimes freeze and you can walk inside. I haven’t done that (yet), but I’ve watched videos and screamed internally the whole time.
5. Taos, New Mexico – Adobe, Aliens, and best vacation spots in the US
Okay, if Santa Fe is the popular artsy sibling with a wine collection, Taos is the cool cousin who makes ceramics, reads sci-fi, and owns a pet snake.
It’s got wild energy. Old adobe buildings, spiritual retreats, and one time I saw a guy playing didgeridoo on a sidewalk in front of a turquoise door. Not sure why, but it worked.
What you’ll love:
- The Taos Pueblo (a literal UNESCO World Heritage site, no big deal)
- Rio Grande Gorge Bridge (don’t drop your phone)
- Local breakfast burritos (green chile = life)
6. Cumberland Island, Georgia – Wild Horses and Zero Wifi
If you’ve ever wanted to pretend you’re in a historical drama while also lowkey getting sunburned—this is your spot.
Cumberland Island is like this magical blend of Southern gothic vibes, Spanish moss, and wild horses just chilling like they own the place (they kinda do).
No cars. No fast food. Just you, your thoughts, and probably some sand in your shoes.
7. Ely, Nevada – Not Vegas, Not Reno, and That’s the Point
You ever drive for hours and suddenly arrive somewhere that feels…almost too quiet? That’s Ely.
But then you stay a night. And take the old-school train through the desert. And meet locals who’ll tell you ghost stories and lend you a fishing pole like it’s nothing.
The stars out here? Unfairly good. Like “I should sell everything and become an astronomer” good.
8. Door County, Wisconsin – Like a Hallmark Movie, But With Better Cheese
I only meant to stop for gas. Ended up staying three days. It’s all red barns, cherry pie, lakeside cliffs, and antique stores where you’ll find your grandma’s exact casserole dish.
Go in fall if you want to weep over leaves.
Eat everything fried and dipped in butter. This is not a wellness trip.
9. Letchworth State Park, New York – The “Grand Canyon of the East” (But Nicer, IMO)
I know, I know. Big claims. But Letchworth is stupid pretty. Massive waterfalls, deep gorges, and enough hiking trails to make your legs beg for mercy.
I had a full-on spiritual moment sitting on a rock watching the sunrise. Then I dropped my protein bar down a cliff, so, balance.
10. Lava Hot Springs, Idaho – You Deserve This Tub of Warm Earth Juice
Here’s the thing—Idaho doesn’t get enough love. And I get it. Potatoes, right? But this tiny town with geothermal springs is like the spa vacation your inner goblin didn’t know it needed.
I soaked under stars while snowflakes hit my face. Felt like the plot of a Hallmark movie but directed by Wes Anderson.
No big chain hotels. Just charm and steam. And maybe that one squirrel who definitely judged me.
Honestly? The best vacation spots in the US is the One That Surprises You
I could go on (and maybe I will—Part 2, anyone?). But here’s the real thing: you don’t need some epic, passport-stamped, perfectly filtered destination to have a good trip.
Sometimes the best memories happen when your phone dies, the map’s wrong, and the town has one diner and a weird roadside museum about buttons. Check https://kohopoho.com/budget-travel-destinations-2025/.
Go where the weird signs lead you. Say yes to the detour. And maybe—just maybe—you’ll end up in your new favorite spot.
Outbound Links to Sprinkle In
