30 Under-the-Radar Vacation Destinations

Northern Illinois' Rockford may take a backseat to Chicago but it's easily one of the Midwest's most underrated gems thanks to its variety. There are a plethora of worthy tourist attractions like the Burpee Museum of Natural History as well as unique restaurants, bars and shops waiting to be uncovered.

A Great Lakes vacation calls for a trip to Michigan's Mackinac Island. The iconic Grand Hotel dates back to the late 19th century and is a great place to start when seeking out accommodations. Visitors to the island can take part in water sports, golf, horseback riding and celebrate alongside locals during lilac and fudge festivals in the summer.

Lauderdale-by-the-Sea boasts the perfect mix of calm and charm in South Florida. The quiet beaches extend for more than two miles, and most accommodations are both affordable and within walking distance to Anglin's Square, where you'll find shops and restaurants with ocean views.

Ocean City, Maryland is a beloved summer vacation spot for its beaches, boardwalk and nightlife. However, surrounding Worcester County offers plenty of other trip possibilities, including the ultra-charming Berlin and pristine Assateague Island, which is home to a variety of shorebirds and wild ponies that roam the unspoiled beaches.

South Dakota's Black Hills and Badlands are tremendous year-round and an absolute must for outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors to this region will be able to check Mount Rushmore off of their bucket list but also explore much more than the landscape, including museums, waterparks and casinos.

Travelers in search of a scenic getaway should also consider Chattanooga. It doesn't hurt that this photogenic city is home to top-flight tourist draws like Lookout Mountain and the Tennessee Aquarium, the largest freshwater aquarium in the world.

Spend your next week off cruising through Texas Hill Country to see a different side of the Lone Star State. Austin is a no-brainer for live music and world-class barbecue (Franklin Barbecue is otherworldly) while Bandera-the Texas Cowboy Capital of the World-is certainly worth passing through.

Straight out of a movie set, Harpers Ferry is a surefire vacation destination for Civil War history buffs. The West Virginia town located at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers is home to John Brown's Fort as well as many other 19th century landmarks and museums. There's also no shortage of trails and hiking paths to explore.

If you've already conquered Los Angeles and San Diego, consider making Catalina Island your next stop in Southern California. Go ziplining, take a boat tour, hike Hermit Gulch for breathtaking views or settle in at the historic Catalina Island Casino. Your imagination is arguably the only limit to what you can do here.

Nearby Long Beach is another overlooked vacation destination with plenty to offer unsuspecting visitors. The waterfront city is home to the iconic Queen Mary ocean liner and is an underrated destination for art enthusiasts, who will want to step inside both the Museum of Latin American Art and the Long Beach Museum of Art.

It's hard to believe the quaint village of Lake Placid hosted the Winter Olympics twice (and as recently as 1980). In addition to serving up a rich Olympic history, this Adirondack Mountain town is primed for outdoor activities, making it a premier vacation destination for athletes and campers alike.

Nine miles of beach means that you won't run out of new spots to unwind along the Pacific Coast in Cannon Beach. This slice of coastline is about as picturesque as vacation locales come and also plays host to the region's oldest annual sandcastle contest.

Pagosa Springs is named for its reinvigorating hot springs, which visitors can experience firsthand and round-the-clock at the local Springs Resort and Spa. Afterward, you'll be able to say you soaked in the deepest geothermal hot spring in the world.

Take your next vacation off the beaten path with a trip to Tucson. Notable attractions in this desert destination include the 18th century Mission San Xavier del Bac, the Pima Air & Space Museum and Sabino Canyon. Tucson's unique flavor is also showcased in its tremendous food offerings, which earned it the country's first UNESCO City of Gastronomy title.

A must-visit city for any sports fan, Pittsburgh is full of surprises that wow in the form of architecture, attractions and eats. The Steel City features well over 400 bridges, a slew of world-class museums and countless mouthwatering restaurants, none more famous than the Primanti Bros chain.

If a sudsy brewery tour sounds like your idea of a vacation, then circle Portland, Maine for your next Northeast escape. Home to the popular Allagash Brewing Company, Portland is quintessential Maine with a pleasant mix of unexpected twists and turns, many of which can be found in the Old Port neighborhood.

Situated on the Ohio River, Louisville is known to most as the site of the Kentucky Derby and for good reason. Equine-inspired attractions like Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby Museum are worthwhile attractions as are the Louisville Slugger Museum and historic Whiskey Row, where visitors will find the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience.

Asheville is certain to make a memorable vacation setting regardless of whether you're looking to discover something new or simply unplug. It has everything you need for a cozy winter break or a craft beer expedition and sights you didn't know you were missing, starting with the stunning Biltmore Estate.

Just an hour or so south of Asheville you'll find Greenville, South Carolina, which has been recognized for having one of the best Downtowns in the country. Visitors to this underrated southern destination will want to experience the suspended Liberty Bridge at Falls Park on the Reedy before doing anything else.

You don't need to be a spring breaker to enjoy Lake Havasu City. Although, it's easy to see why this region is such a hit with revelers. The relocated London Bridge is without question the most notable landmark, but after snapping a photo for your vacation album, you'll likely be drawn to one of the many pulse-pounding activities on the city's namesake lake.

Kansas City is much more than barbecue and jazz, even though it does both better than just about every place else. Explore the city's many fountains, pay your respects at the National World War I Museum and Memorial or stop by the National Museum of Toys and Miniatures for a more eccentric experience.

There's a ton of history and culture to absorb in Missoula, Montana. The Rocky Mountain destination is also among the best for getting in touch with Mother Nature, whether through fishing, hiking or kayaking.

Florida's Sanibel Island is an ideal landing spot for vacationing families, as its beaches are among the best in the world for collecting seashells. Sanibel is also home to The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum in case you aren't satisfied with your personal collection.

Nebraska's capital city boasts one of the country's most impressive State Capitol buildings. The 400-foot-tall structure features panoramic views of Lincoln and all of its sights, which include the Museum of American Speed and Wilderness Park.

Tulsa might be considered a museum of parks in and of itself. The city is home to dozens of them, so don't forget to pack your most comfortable pair of walking shoes. Visitors can also tour Tulsa via bike or Segway thanks to several miles of paved paths.

The desert town of Taos is one of the best places for skiing as well as soaking in Native American culture. In addition to its numerous museums and galleries, Taos is nearby to the ancient Taos Pueblo, where visitors can tour adobe buildings that have been continuously inhabited for over 1,000 years.

Located south of Seattle on the banks of the Puget Sound, Tacoma is an underrated destination for culture and, more specifically, world-class glass art. Beyond its intriguing museums, Tacoma boasts a flourishing craft beer scene that includes the must-try Odd Otter Brewing Company.

The Garden Isle isn't Hawaii's most popular island for tourists, but it's undoubtedly the most unique. Kauai is ideal for those who love spending time outdoors. After all, visitors can explore multiple state parks, hike scenic trails and kayak through the Wailua River.

Park City is much more than just a picturesque ski resort and therefore is guaranteed to surprise first-time visitors. While skiers and snowboarders flock here for the powdery slopes in the winter months, the fun is just getting started come spring and summer when the city plays hosts to a variety of music, art and food festivals.

Escape the East Coast beach crowds with a summer vacation to North Carolina's Topsail Island, a 26-mile-long barrier island offering something for every type of beachgoer. Attractions and activities include fishing, water sports, sunset cruises, charming shops and restaurants and even a museum showcasing the island's role in World War II.