Earlier this year, I visited my 50th state after decades of travel.
Since then, when people ask me for domestic travel recommendations, I rarely point them to cities like Los Angeles or Miami. Instead, my brain goes to places that fly under the radar.
That mindset lines up with my travel style, too. I’m naturally drawn to the places most people wouldn’t typically consider — like a weekend outing to Anchorage, Alaska, in the dead of winter.
Here are six underrated American cities, towns, and villages I can’t wait to revisit.
If I could, I’d move to Wickford Village in Rhode Island.
Located about 30 minutes south of Providence in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, Wickford is a gorgeous, walkable harbor village.
It’s full of quality, independent shops like World Store — a nature-inspired gift shop — and local restaurants like Wickford on the Water.
I’m always so impressed by how well maintained it is, too. The landscaping always seems to be immaculate, and everything feels well preserved.
Next time I go, I want to visit in July for the Wickford Art Festival. The event takes over the village every summer, and I remember a local gallery artist telling me about how much fun it is to attend.
Clinton, New York feels like a postcard for small-town America.
Clinton is a small village in upstate New York, right outside Utica. The main square is lined with independent shops and cafés, and it looks like a scene from a Hallmark holiday movie set.
I love the coffee shops in particular. I’m a big fan of maple lattes, and one of the best ones I’ve ever had was at Utica Coffee of Clinton.
Clinton Cider Mill, which is open from late August until Thanksgiving weekend, is another big draw. The fresh cider doughnuts are absolutely delicious.
I think Charlevoix, Michigan, is one of the prettiest towns in the Midwest.
Charlevoix is a city that sits on a strip of land between Lake Michigan and Lake Charlevoix. There are water views in almost every direction, which makes it incredibly scenic.
The downtown drawbridge regularly rises to let boats pass from lake to lake, and an iconic red lighthouse is positioned at the end of the pier. During my visit, I remember relaxing on a bench in the area and just taking it all in.
I also loved walking past the city’s mushroom houses, a set of cute stone cottages built by local builder Earl Young. They look like they’re straight out of a fairytale.
I underestimated Fargo, North Dakota.
Admittedly, I judged Fargo, North Dakota, too early. I expected it to be a sleepy prairie town, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much it has to offer.
For example, the city has everything you’d expect from a much bigger city, like a walkable downtown anchored by the Fargo Theatre.
My favorite stop was Brewhalla, a brewery and food hall in an industrial part of the city. The service was great, and there was a real community feel.
I love visiting Columbia, South Carolina.
Although it’s the state capital, I feel like Columbia, South Carolina, doesn’t get the same attention as Charleston or Hilton Head Island. After a couple of visits, though, something about the city keeps calling me back.
Columbia has all the attractions you’d expect from a midsize city, from a great zoo to plenty of restaurants and parks. The zoo’s koalas and giraffes, in particular, really captured my attention.
What sticks with me most, though, are the people I met. Strangers complimented my outfits on the street, I saw people helping older pedestrians across crosswalks, and restaurant servers seemed genuinely happy to help.
I’ve been to plenty of Southern cities known for their hospitality, but in my eyes, Columbia takes the cake.
Glenwood Springs, Colorado, is one of my favorite places in the state.
As a Colorado native, I’ve been to plenty of small mountain cities. However, Glenwood Springs is my favorite.
If you’re coming from Denver, getting to Glenwood Springs is an attraction in itself. I-70 cuts through the Glenwood Canyon just east of town, and I typically lose cell service along the way. But honestly? It’s great because I have no choice but to look out the window and admire the scenery.
Once you arrive, downtown Glenwood is easy to explore on foot. There’s also a convenient pedestrian bridge over the Colorado River that connects to the Glenwood Hot Springs Pool.
I was most impressed by the size of the primary pool, but the spa and facilities are great, too. My favorite time of year to go is winter, during or right after a light snowfall.
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