8 Cities to Visit Before All of Your Friends Catch On

By ITV Contributor 4 min read

It’s always a challenge to pick your next travel destination. There are tons of places around the world that will amaze and delight anyone who comes to visit, but visiting somewhere with a lot of people means dealing with tourists.

Sometimes it’s nice to get away to a quiet spot that hasn’t been visited by other travelers. The hard part is figuring out where you can go that actually has interesting things to do without massive crowds.

Think about heading to some of the more underrated cities in the U.S. for your future travel plans. Pick from these eight cities to visit now before all of your friends catch on, so you can claim bragging rights about seeing them first.

1. Duluth, Minnesota

Everyone should see Lake Superior at some point in their lives, but staying in Duluth is the best way to experience it. The city provides a scenic backdrop to the magnificent lake and plenty of things to do.

Stroll through the visitor center museum to see artifacts from the history of the city. Stop by the railroad museum with the kids or spend your time skiing down the slopes outside of town. You’ll leave with memories and pictures you couldn’t get anywhere else.

2. Twin Falls, Idaho

People like to go to Niagara Falls to get a picture of the famous spot, but Twin Falls in Idaho is known as the “Niagara of the West.” It has multiple grand falls that all lead to the same pool below. Kayak around the base of the falls or rent a mountain bike and ride past an old Evil Knieval launch ramp. Everything is serene and peaceful in this quiet town.

3. Flagstaff, Arizona

Flagstaff, Arizona is located near the Grand Canyon, so travelers often miss it. Young people from all over the country move to Flagstaff for their education, but stay for the city’s charm. Enjoy the historic downtown district before you tour ancient cliff dwellings in Walnut Canyon to step back into history.

4. Lititz, Pennsylvania

There’s a little something for everyone in Lititz, Pennsylvania. Drive through the mountainous hills surrounding the town to discover their chocolate factory, the first pretzel bakery in the U.S., and the Lancaster County food tours. Make sure you go when you crave something delicious and ready for a culinary adventure.

5. Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Lovers of history will find themselves fascinated with Eureka Springs, Arkansas. It’s a well-known historic district where you can get around on old trollies or horse-drawn carriages. Walk through the vast woods in the afternoon and tour the many haunted locations once the moon rises in the night sky.

6. Lewisburg, West Virginia

Lewisburg is a small city in West Virginia where you can go to escape the roar of daily life. There are different historical homes and sites people tour to learn the local history. Visitors can also explore the nearby Lost World Caverns, which contain natural formations and colors meant to amaze anyone who takes a tour.

7. Buffalo, New York

Located in upstate New York, Buffalo is a city that treasures the arts and the history of the area. Before you go, look at local attractions like the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, the Buffalo Zoological Gardens and the Niagara Wine Trail. People of all ages enjoy what Buffalo has to offer, so go see it before your adventurous friends discover how much fun they’ll have when they visit.

8. Bozeman, Montana

If you consider yourself an outdoor adventurist, Bozeman should be your next big trip. You’ll find food from all over the world when you try their local food scene in between festivals and hikes through the Rockies. Bozeman is where you go when you want to breathe fresh mountain air and snap a few photos with towering, snow-capped mountains in the background.

Start Packing Today

Lose yourself in the history, adventure, and unique attractions of these bustling but underrated cities in the United States. You may be the first of your friends to explore each place, so plan out your vacations and line up trips filled with one-of-a-kind experiences only these cities can offer.

Kacey Bradley is the blogger behind The Drifter Collective, an eclectic lifestyle blog that expresses various forms of style through the influence of culture and the world around us. Along with writing for her blog, she has written for sites like U.S. News, Hotel Online, SevenRooms, Point 2 Home and more!