7 Underrated U.S. Cities That Are Way Cooler Than the Overhyped Ones
By Scarla Vexroot – Travel Whisperer, Urban Treasure Hunter, and Certified Chaos Tourist
Let’s be honest, sweet traveler — the big cities are bloated. Overpriced, overcrowded, over-Instagrammed. You don’t need another overpriced latte in L.A. or a shoulder-check on Fifth Avenue to feel like you’ve “seen America.”
You need mystery. You need flavor. You need a destination that hasn’t been chewed up and regurgitated by ten thousand TikToks.
So I made you this list. Seven U.S. cities that fly under the radar but hit way above their pay grade. Quirky, cultural, deliciously local — the kinds of places where the bartender still makes eye contact and the murals tell real stories.
Now grab your bag and your sense of mischief — let’s get lost.
1. Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville is what happens when mountain magic marries bohemian buzz. It smells like fresh hops and woodsmoke, and the locals treat street art like gospel.
- Scarla’s Tip: Hike the Blue Ridge Parkway in the morning, rooftop gin cocktail by 5. Don’t fight it — let the duality win.
- Weird & Wonderful: The River Arts District. It’s half paint-stained wizard town, half industrial-chic fever dream.
- Who it’s for: You like your air crisp, your beer craft, and your music live.
2. Boise, Idaho
Oh, you thought Boise was just potatoes? Darling, Boise’s the West’s best bait-and-switch. Clean air, cute cafes, and riverside trails so pretty they might forgive your sins.
- Scarla’s Secret: Grab a bike and cruise the Greenbelt at sunset. You'll understand.
- Odd Little Gem: Freak Alley. Street art that changes faster than your last relationship.
- Who it’s for: Chill adventurers who appreciate a cider flight and a city that doesn’t try too hard.
3. Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth hugs Lake Superior like it’s hiding a secret. Cold? Sometimes. Magical? Always. It’s got ships, cliffs, fog, waterfalls, and enough weird charm to make you forget coastal cities exist.
- Scarla’s Dive-In: Fitger’s — an old brewery turned lakeside hotel. Bathtub, lake view, local brew. Yes.
- Can’t-Miss: Superior Hiking Trail. Just a few miles’ll get you that “off-grid goblin glow.”
- Who it’s for: Water witches, trail junkies, and cold-loving romantics.
4. Providence, Rhode Island
You ever meet a city that makes you want to dress better? That’s Providence. Smart, strange, and seductive — it’s Boston’s eccentric cousin with a secret candlelit speakeasy and an art degree.
- Scarla’s Obsession: WaterFire — the rivers literally burn with floating fire sculptures. You will feel things.
- Best Bite: Grilled pizza at Al Forno. It’s spellbindingly good.
- Who it’s for: Poets, punks, and those who prefer their cities with a hint of mystery.
5. Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe isn’t just a place — it’s a vibe. It’s adobe walls, psychic energy, and sunsets that hum. Everything here feels older than time and somehow trendier than Brooklyn.
- Scarla’s Spiritual Awakening: Meow Wolf — an immersive art maze that might unlock your third eye or a goblin portal. Or both.
- Art Crawl: Canyon Road. Over 100 galleries packed with texture, color, and soul.
- Who it’s for: The barefoot bougie and art-loving desert dreamers.
6. Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is where Midwest manners meet artistic rebellion. One minute you’re sipping an award-winning IPA, the next you’re in a sculpture garden questioning existence.
- Scarla’s Route: Start at Founders Brewing, then spiral into downtown’s murals, jazz bars, and river views.
- Hidden Wonder: Frederik Meijer Gardens — it’s part botanical jungle, part outdoor museum.
- Who it’s for: Craft beer geeks, gallery-hopping hipsters, and wandering goblins with refined palettes.
7. Richmond, Virginia
Richmond’s got layers. One foot in Civil War history, the other on a skateboard headed to a punk show. It’s the kind of city where you learn something deep, then find a bookstore that serves absinthe cocktails.
- Scarla’s Sin: Whitewater rafting through downtown. It’s the chaos I crave.
- Art Lover’s Feast: The city’s a living canvas. Follow the street art trail and let it take you somewhere weird.
- Who it’s for: Story seekers, rebel hearts, and anyone who prefers tattoos with their espresso.
The travel world keeps shouting the same cities. But you’re smarter than that.
You want color. You want culture. You want stories whispered in alleyways and stumbled upon in basement galleries. These cities are the places where I go when I want to fall in love with travel again.
So skip the flash. Chase the weird. Find the hidden doors and the places that haven’t yet been flattened by fame.
The road’s waiting — and it’s a lot more fun when you’re the only goblin on it.
— Scarla Vexroot
Explorer, list-maker, and local-mischief magnet