Top Hidden Travel Gems In the US You Should Visit This Year

Are you an avid traveler and want to try something different? Or, do you want to enjoy your relaxing vacation crowd-free? If you go to a big city or a known tourist destination, you’ll have to weave through large groups and pay high fees. However, when you’re in these hidden locations, you’ll be able to fulfill your wanderlust by visiting quaint towns, national parks, and beaches.

A well-known local secret but often missed by tourists, Boothbay Harbor, is a small coastal town in Maine that doesn’t get as crowded as other New England locations. At Boothbay Harbor, you can take a boat ride along the coastline and see the state's many lighthouses. Take a road trip across the science Ocean Point route and visit the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens nearby.

Sedona, Arizona, is a city that rests in the Verde Valley, whose main attraction is its multiple red sandstone formations that glow red and orange when lit by the setting sun. Of the many things to do in Sedona, hiking and mountain biking are the most popular, with the Chapel of the Holy Cross being the prized jewel in the area. Feel free to tour inside and take pictures.

A couple of hours from Tallahassee rests the sleepy town peninsula called Cape San Blas. If you’re looking for a tourist-free getaway, shelling, and beach walks, you’ll enjoy the surrounding area. You can rent a small vacation home near the beach to maximize your retaliation and sunbathing time during your road trip. Short on time? Visit Port St. Joe and St. George Island.

Durango is a hefty 5.5-hour drive from Colorado Springs and 3.5 hours from Albuquerque, but it's worth the trek if you have a long weekend off. See historical sights like the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum to see how the town looked in the past. If you’re interested in outdoor activities, visit Animas River Valley for a hike and water rafting. 

Locals have nicknamed Grand Rapids the Beer City, as there are over 25 craft breweries in this city alone. Filled with small galleries, art museums, and shops, Grand Rapids has thousands of visitors each year, but it isn’t so busy that you’ll see an endless sea of tourists. Check out Yesterdog and Eastown’s for some great chow, and visit Holland or Muskegon for its beaches.

Off the beaten path of Eastern Sierra Nevada is the scenic June Lake, nestled in wine country, California. It’s only accessible by car, but once you arrive, you’re treated to hiking trails, a cozy general store, and a few restaurants. You’ll enjoy a relaxed pace when you’re deep in mountains surrounded by forests, so enjoy the local fishing, paddleboarding, and kayaking.

The state’s first resort getaway, Medicine Park, originally called itself the Summer Resort and Spa but dropped the name after it became a full-fledged town. Whether you’re going to enjoy the spa or examine the area, you’ll enjoy the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Turner Falls, and The Plantation Inn. Be sure to eat their famous peach cobbler and catfish while in town.

The Newberry National Volcanic Monument used to be an active volcano but hasn’t erupted for over 7,000 years. Around the volcano are waterfalls and beautiful lakes begging to be explored through its many hiking trails. If you manage to make it up to Paulina Peak, you’ll have an incredible view of the area, including its two lakes: The East and Paulina Lakes.