Underrated Places to Visit

Image: Breathtaking aerial view of Rarotonga, Cook Islands in the Pacific islands (Photo Credit: Svetlana/Adobe Stock)

by Noreen Kompanik
Last updated: 5:00 PM ET, Sun May 18, 2025

No doubt we’ve all heard the stories of or personally experienced overcrowded tourist destinations like Venice, Barcelona and even U.S. cities to include Miami Beach and New York City. And while each of these destinations have their positives, there are some amazing underrated travel destinations in the U.S. and the world to consider. Without the crowds.

Whether you’re looking for awe-inspiring natural beauty, exploring local traditions, a romantic getaway or finding under-the-radar secret treasures, U.S. News & World Report has ranked the best underrated places in the U.S. and the world for travelers seeking a lesser-known-vacation experience.

Best Underrated Travel Destinations in the U.S.

1. St. Simons Island, Georgia
2. Sawtooth National Recreation Area, Idaho
3. Door County, Wisconsin
4. Chattanooga, Tennessee
5. Block Island, Rhode Island
6. Big Bend National Park, Texas
7. Portsmouth, New Hampshire
8. Duluth, Minnesota
9. Charlottsville, Virginia
10. Crested Butte, Colorado
11. Des Moines, Iowa
12. Baxter State Park, Maine
13. Yachats, Oregon
14. Omaha, Nebraska
15. Black Hills National Forest
16. Flagstaff, Arizona
17. The Catskills, New York
18. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan
19. Gloucester, Massachusetts
20. Winston-Salem, North Carolina
21. Cambria, California
22. Brown County, Indiana
23. Stone Harbor, New Jersey
24. Paducah, Kentucky
25. St. George Island, Florida
26. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Best Underrated Travel Destinations in the World

1.Malawi, Africa
2. Cook Islands, South Pacific
3. Triglav National Park, Slovenia
4. Taipei, Taiwan
5. Montenegro
6. The Abacos
7. Fukuoka, Japan
8. Alexandria, Egypt
9. Cariff, Wales
10. Namibia
11. Bonito, Brazil
12. Ninh Binh, Vietnam
13. Bath, England
14. Gothenberg, Sweden
15. Ottawa, Canada
16. Tallin, Estonia
17. Santiago, Chile
18. Sumatra, Indonesia
19. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
20. Perth, Australia
21. Grenoble, France
22. Samoa
23. La Paz, Mexico

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Noreen Kompanik

Noreen Kompanik is a San Diego based journalist who is also the co-owner and publisher of Rovology, Travel By Vacation Rental and Book Cottages magazines. She transitioned to freelance writing after spending 35 years as a registered nurse. She is also a regular contributor to Europe Up Close, GoNOMAD, Edible San Diego, International Living, and San Diego Explorer. When she’s not home in sunny San Diego, you’ll likely find her in an exotic beach destination or exploring the backroads of Europe. You can find her on social media as @noreenwriter.