To really experience the heart and soul of the USA, you need to move beyond the nation’s biggest cities and attractions and head to its quieter and lesser-known corners. These overlooked places, from chilled-out spots with an Old West spirit to chic villages packed with galleries and boutiques, reveal what makes this great country really tick.
Click through this gallery to see 20 of our favorite underrated towns in the USA...
It’s a real mystery as to why storybook Lanesboro flies under most travelers’ radars. Nestled in the Root River Valley, it offers a blend of scenic beauty and rich history.
Visitors can start at the Lanesboro History Museum or learn the past through the interactive History Alive! tours. Lanesboro Art Gallery is another draw, and the town is the start of the Root River State Trail, which follows former rail lines into meadows and forests.
Alaska’s coast is dotted with appealing waterfront communities, and Petersburg – often missed by travelers – is one of its most delightful. Set along Frederick Sound on Mitkof Island, it acts as a starting point for adventures into Alaska’s wild landscapes, including the glaciers of the Stikine-LeConte Wilderness Area.
In town, storefronts are brightened by local murals, and sculptures of bears and fishermen bring extra character to the streets.
Located within New York’s iconic Finger Lakes, vibrant Skaneateles sits at the northern tip of its sparkling namesake lake. The town has a friendly, small-scale feel, with elegant boutiques, galleries, and classic inns anchoring its center.
But the lake remains the heart of local life, best experienced with a boat cruise or paddle on its clear waters.
Oregon’s coastline is studded with natural treasures, and quiet Neskowin is among its most underrated. The small community offers a couple of quirky cafés, a popular RV resort, golf course, and dramatic beaches perfect for photography.
Its signature sight is the Neskowin Ghost Forest, where the weathered stumps of an ancient Sitka spruce stand stark against the sand below forested cliffs.
This rugged mountain community still reflects its past ties to mining, ranching, and lumber, with aging barns and Gold Rush-era structures dotting the surrounding countryside near the Salmon River Mountains.
Modern-day visitors come for the arts scene and plentiful outdoor recreation – browsing small galleries before heading out to raft, hike, or bike. The annual Blues and Brews Fest is a favorite local celebration.
Torrey is best known as the doorway to Capitol Reef National Park, yet it has plenty of character in its own right. Downtown views showcase brilliant red cliffs, and the exceptionally clear skies, free from light pollution, have earned the town an International Dark Sky Community designation.
Visitors can snap photos of landmarks like the old Log Church and Schoolhouse, then relax on a sunny patio with classic American fare and live tunes.
Delaware’s shoreline is sprinkled with lively small towns, and sunny Bethany Beach is among the most underappreciated. Located in the state’s southern reaches and close to busier Dewey Beach and Rehoboth Beach, it’s a worthwhile detour.
The town's broad, champagne-hued beach is the star attraction, while family-focused fun – from pirate-themed mini-golf to surf shops, candy stores, and relaxed seafood eateries – keeps visitors entertained.
This palm-lined little hideaway in the Sonoran Desert lives up to its breezy name. Life unfolds slowly here, with favorites like the cactus-filled Desert Gardens and the town’s shimmering downtown sundial – the largest in the nation – drawing visitors.
When the sun dips, locals gather for warm summer evenings of live music at the open-air Sanderson Lincoln Pavilion.
Despite its name, Hill City feels every bit the small town. It sits in the middle of South Dakota’s Black Hills, within easy reach of Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Memorial, and the vast scenery of Custer State Park.
The town itself offers attractions such as the family-friendly State Railroad Museum, along with easygoing places to eat and stay.
California’s polished beach communities are plentiful, and many are famed for their beauty. Yet Avila Beach, tucked along the Central Coast, somehow remains below the radar, overshadowed by spots such as Morro Bay.
The town charms with its Front Street promenade lined with boutiques and cafés, and with ocean-facing inns perfect for a coastal escape. Golfers also flock to the upscale Avila Beach Golf Resort.
Unwind and breathe in the ocean breeze in Seaside, a pretty coastal town on the Florida Panhandle, lapped by sparkling gulf waters. Its striking beachfront pavilions define the look of the community, which is also beloved for its powder-white sands dotted with cabanas, cheerful homes, and indie bookstores and record shops.
If it feels familiar, it may be because it served as the filming location for The Truman Show in 1998.
Red Lodge brings the spirit of the Old West to life and also acts as a launch point for adventures into Yellowstone National Park.
Set at the base of the dramatic Beartooth Mountains, it becomes a winter haven for skiers and a warm-weather base for hikers and bikers. After a day outdoors, travelers return to town for live saloon music, hearty steak dinners, or a pint in a rustic taproom.
With Texas being so vast, it’s no surprise that even towns as appealing as Dripping Springs can get lost. Known as the “Gateway to Hill Country,” it’s also near several beautiful natural water features – most famously the Hamilton Pool Preserve, a historic swimming hole.
In town, you can sip local wines or catch live music, which is on offer nearly every night.
Hawaii’s small towns range from tranquil beach retreats to lush upland gems, and Hawi – set in the Big Island’s northern reaches – is one many travelers miss.
Once a hub of the area’s now-faded sugar industry, it’s today known for its relaxed, creative spirit. Its compact center is rich with galleries and craft shops, and it’s also a convenient jumping-off point for exploring the verdant northern coast.
Danish heritage is woven throughout the Midwest, and Elk Horn stands out as one of its most charming examples. With a tiny population under 1,000, the town showcases a historic working windmill from 1848 and the engaging Museum of Danish America, which tells the story of Danish immigration.
Don’t miss Bedstemor’s House either – a lovingly restored early Danish home.
Just 45 miles from New Orleans, across Lake Pontchartrain, charming Abita Springs is packed with character. It’s also a paradise for beer enthusiasts, home to the popular Abita Brewery along with a variety of craft taphouses and brewpubs.
A popular stop on the Tamany Trace, a 31-mile cycle path that connects Covington and Slidell, the town is known for the Abita Springs Opry, a year-round series of country and bluegrass performances.
Berlin proudly calls itself “America’s coolest small town – artistically alive, eternally young,” and it has the credentials to prove it. Its Arts and Entertainment District buzzes with independent music venues, galleries, and studios.
A quirky highlight is the Mermaid Museum, a whimsical attraction devoted entirely to these mythical sea creatures.
More of a village than a town, Madrid in Santa Fe County is a pint-sized hub of creativity. Once a coal-mining settlement that later fell quiet, it has thrived again thanks to an active arts community.
Wander between galleries showcasing fine art, then settle into a local tavern for an evening of bluegrass or rock. Its position in the scenic Ortiz Mountains only adds to the appeal.
Medicine Park, considered Oklahoma’s first resort town, drew affluent visitors in the early 1900s with its mountain setting and the rumored healing powers of Medicine Creek.
Today, swimming holes, comfortable inns, and an abundance of natural beauty continue the tradition. The community is also famed for its distinctive red cobblestones that shape its streets and buildings.
Decades ago, Wyoming was filled with frontier towns, and Pinedale still carries that authentic Western feel. Calling itself “Real Wyoming,” it’s perfectly positioned for exploring some of the state’s finest wilderness, bordered by the Wind River Range and the Bridger-Teton National Forest.
After time on the trails, the town offers plenty of spots to sit down to hearty American comfort food.