The United States is famed for having a massive variety of cities, sights, sounds, and landscapes. Every state offers something new and unique, and you can almost feel like you are stepping into a new world when you cross a state line. However, many people tend to overlook and skip some of the country’s most incredible hidden gems.
Valley of Fire State Park
The Valley of Fire is one of the most beautiful natural sites in the entire country. You can access it via Las Vegas, either by driving or using a private jet charter. The 46,000-acre park is in the Mojave Desert and is home to different types of plants and wildlife. While it can get extremely hot and nearly impossible to explore because of the heat, the Valley of Fire Park is often overlooked due to visitors choosing Death Valley instead. However, you will be missing out on some of the most breathtaking views you could ever imagine.
Blackwater Falls State Park
The Blackwater Falls State Park in West Virginia is another hidden gem due to any visitors thinking it is just like any other park; this couldn’t be further from the truth. Found in the Allegheny Mountains, the 62-foot-high waterfall is the centerpiece of the park. Surrounded by amazing walking and hiking trails, the area is perfect for a picnic, a day at the falls, and spending a night or two camping amongst the trees and under the stars.
Meow Wolf’s House of Eternal Return
Meow Wolf’s House of Eternal Return is easily one of the most unique locations in the United States. Created by Meow Wolf with the help of George R.R Martin, this art installation is an experience like no other. You go on a journey through the house, discovering a non-linear story and all the secrets it has to offer. You follow the Selig family, discovering the story of their disappearance and interdimensional time travel.
Solvang
If you are in California and happen to stumble upon Solvang, you might think that you are still asleep and woke up in some strange new world. However, fear not; Solvang is simply a small city that is designed to look and feel like a city in Denmark. The architecture is incredibly unique, the city is full of windmills and delicious traditional food, and there is a nod to Denmark around every corner.
Mackinac Island
Another destination you would likely miss if you didn’t know about it beforehand is Mackinac Island. Found in Lake Huron off the coast of Michigan, Mackinac is the perfect place for a relaxed and laid-back holiday or weekend away. The quaint island has the feeling of the old world, and while you can still have all of your modern-day comforts, you can unplug on Mackinac and forget about the world’s stresses for a little while.
Page, Arizona
You would be hard-pressed to find a location with more natural beauty than Page in Arizona. While locals know all about what it offers, too many tourists still miss out on what could easily be one of the top ten locations in the United States. Found north of Phoenix and east of Las Vegas, the valleys and canyons of Page look like something out of Star Wars. Photos don’t do the area justice, and therefore, if you are in or near Arizona, a visit to Page is well worth the effort.
Devil’s Tower
The Devil’s Tower is one of the most iconic landmarks in all of Wyoming, and for good reason, too. Standing over 260m tall, the giant rock formation is the centerpiece of the national park it is part of. For the adrenaline seekers out there, climb the tower, as it has a climbing history dating back to before 1900. Besides the building, the national park had the same exquisite beauty we all know and love about Wyoming: wide open spaces, countless trees, and the smell of fresh air and freedom.
Garden of the Gods
Finally, the Garden of the Gods is a public park in Colorado Springs. The park spans over 1,300 acres and is home to abundant fauna, flora, and several famous and beautiful rock formations. Popular amongst hikers, mountain climbers, and horseback riders, the Garden of the Gods lives up to its name, as it is often described as one of the most incredible public parks in the country.
Unsurprisingly, the United States has a long list of hidden gems in its bounds. While this list is only the tip of the iceberg, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of extraordinary and unique sights and locations for you to discover, no matter where you are in the country.
Looking for more ideas for travel in the USA? We have city guides to help plan your next vacation while incorporating some of these hidden gems.
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