Certain travelers practically copy and paste the same itineraries year after year, whether that means jetting off to Cancun or sticking closer to home in places like New York City.
But there are countless underrated getaways worth exploring — if only they could convince travelers to walk through the door.
The Travel Off Path team loves to peel back the curtain on under-hyped destinations that are genuinely worth visiting, not recycle another roundup you’ve seen time and time again.
We gathered 5 of America’s most unsung vacation spots, ranging from overlooked beaches of the Northeast to gorgeous desert havens where you might not expect to have such a good time.
These 5 destinations are forking over big bucks to capture your attention, which, given the current craze of overtourism, is actually pretty refreshing.
While you’re planning out logistics, you might as well double-check travel alerts and safety scores for your trip.
Rochester, Minnesota
You’ve seen the madness of Minneapolis in headlines lately, but I gotta say it’s a still a pretty cool city if you just turn off the news.
But Minnesota, in general, is one of America’s most underrated states, said to be home to more than 10,000 lakes — yes, really.
One waterfront city that hardly draws any hype except for medical tourism is Rochester, another Minnesota charmer I’ve visited with a quaint, walkable that’s downtown delightful to explore.
Even though you can fly in, Rochester is branding itself as a road-trip destination with its new “one-tank trip” campaign, hoping to lure those tired of the same-o, same-o summer hotspots in favor of low-key weekends full of an array of eats, live music, and summer festivals.
Moab, Utah
There are plenty of punchlines when it comes to Utah, but there’s no denying Moab is arguably its coolest escape, with beloved local watering holes, insanely beautiful hikes, and adrenaline-pumping adventures along the Colorado River.
If we’re being honest, many travelers flock to Zion National Park to witness the astonishing red-rock landscapes Utah has become famous for, but Moab offers 2 gorgeous national parks at its doorstep, plus everything from mountain biking and whitewater rafting to off-roading and canyoneering.
Just don’t watch James Franco’s 127 Hours before goin’ splorin’…
That said, tourism has taken a dip in Moab, but the town isn’t settling. Grand County approved an additional six-figure advertising blitz after bookings fell short of expectations, with the campaign aimed at winning over last-minute travelers and filling more rooms during peak summer.
Cape May, New Jersey
We know what you’re thinking: “Cape” and “New Jersey” might conjure throwback images of Snooki falling off barstools and Pauly D hailing cabs.
Cape May is the anti-Jersey Shore., boasting one of the East Coast’s dreamiest townscapes chock-full of colorful Victorian mansions, storybook inns, and flower-lined streets.
That’s not to mention is beautiful coastline too, as well as being one of America’s safest small towns.
If you’re looking for a truly relaxing beachfront getaway, Cape May delivers with scenic dolphin cruises, waterfront seafood, and golden sunsets over Delaware Bay, plus the simple fact you don’t have to keep your head on a swivel.
Cape May County is leaning into America’s milestone 250th birthday with a summer-long marketing push spanning all 16 shore towns, with the cheeky tagline: “George Washington crossed the Delaware, why don’t you?”.
The better question: why didn’t he cross paths with a dentist?
El Paso, Texas
Here’s one that’s a doozy…
El Paso gets a bad rap as a dusty border city travelers merely pass through, which is fitting for a place whose name translates to “The Pass.”
However, as someone who lived there and loved it, I gotta say there’s far more to Texas’s most culturally rich city beyond what you see from your airplane window.
First, it’s remarkably cheap. If you’re a lover of Mexican food, your budget feels endless.
Second, it’s not all bland, brown and dusty as its reputation suggests — it has some amazingly beautiful hikes through flower fields and even historic caves.
Third, it’s long been considered one of the safest cities in America, despite ironically backing up to Juarez, Mexico — a city that’s notoriously sketchy to visit.
Most recently, it’s been named to best big city to live in America, so if it’s good enough to call home, we say it’s even better to call for a weekend getaway at the least, right?
But the PR problem has lated vacationers from thinking El Paso is a desert oasis, no matter the award-winning hotels, new waterparks, epic eats, and even a nice casino across state lines.
Whatever the case, El Paso wants more visitors. In fact, it wants more flights — even international ones.
Old Orchard, Maine
If you crave quintessential New England without the summer crowds and price tag of Portland, little-known Old Orchard may just be the place for you.
This little-known beach town boasts an old-school feel oozing nostalgia for those who prefer simple pleasures over flashy resorts.
Its historic pier, beachfront hotels, and Palace Playland’s rides, make Old Orchard an ideal place to kick back and recharge, while other vacationers complain elsewhere about the lack of space.
The problem Old Orchard has isn’t that it’s not appealing; it’s that a majority of Canadians quit visiting, leaving a gap in formerly guaranteed bookings.
As a result, businesses are widening their net and targeting more American road-trippers with the goal to replace cross-border visitors by selling the town as an easy, affordable getaway at a time when rising airfare could make classic beach destinations more appealing the old-fashioned way.
Stacie Harris is a local resident and reporter of the Maple Grove area. Stacie reports on medicine and science for the Maple Grove Report.
