The USA is a vast country with countless things to see and do. In fact, you could easily create an entire bucket list based on the nation’s most famous tourist attractions alone. But what if you’re looking for the best attractions and landmarks that are a little more off the beaten path?
From the Golden Gate Bridge and the Las Vegas Strip on the West Coast to Times Square and Walt Disney World Resort on the East Coast, there’s no shortage of iconic destinations. However, some of the country’s most memorable experiences can be found away from the crowds.
“Garden of the Gods ranks first, earning a Hidden Gem Score of 9.95 and a near-perfect 4.9-star review rating. Located in Colorado Springs, the park is best known for its huge red rock formations, which rise hundreds of feet above the ground to create one of the state’s most striking views.”
So, what about the tourist destinations you may not have heard of? As one of the largest and most diverse countries in the world, the USA is packed with hidden gems to visit that offer unique experiences, stunning scenery, and a chance to explore somewhere different.
But which regions are home to the greatest number of these hidden gems, and which lesser-known attractions are truly worth adding to your travel bucket list?
Top 30 US States with the Most Hidden Gems to Visit
Check to see if your state ranks in the Top 30 US States for hidden gems to visit, in the table below:
| Rank | State | Hidden Gem Attractions | Total Attractions | % Hidden Gem Attractions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | 309 | 2,823 | 10.95% |
| 2 | Wyoming | 114 | 1,486 | 7.67% |
| 3 | Utah | 217 | 3,108 | 6.98% |
| 4 | Hawaii | 424 | 6,123 | 6.92% |
| 5 | Maine | 209 | 3,378 | 6.19% |
| 6 | South Dakota | 70 | 1,161 | 6.03% |
| 7 | New Mexico | 157 | 2,731 | 5.75% |
| 8 | Tennessee | 300 | 5,283 | 5.68% |
| 9 | South Carolina | 269 | 4,833 | 5.57% |
| 10 | Idaho | 92 | 1,676 | 5.49% |
| 11 | Arkansas | 97 | 1,777 | 5.46% |
| 12 | Vermont | 90 | 1,651 | 5.45% |
| 13 | Kentucky | 135 | 2,580 | 5.23% |
| 14 | Colorado | 360 | 7,234 | 4.98% |
| 15 | Louisiana | 155 | 3,134 | 4.95% |
| 16 | Montana | 133 | 2,697 | 4.93% |
| 17 | North Carolina | 412 | 8,565 | 4.81% |
| 18 | West Virginia | 64 | 1,346 | 4.75% |
| 19 | Arizona | 275 | 6,020 | 4.57% |
| 20 | Nevada | 176 | 3,860 | 4.56% |
| 21 | Virginia | 267 | 6,076 | 4.39% |
| 22 | Florida | 1,123 | 25,948 | 4.33% |
| 23 | Wisconsin | 244 | 5,679 | 4.30% |
| 24 | Oklahoma | 81 | 1,897 | 4.27% |
| 25 | Massachusetts | 285 | 6,773 | 4.21% |
| 26 | Alabama | 102 | 2,427 | 4.20% |
| 27 | Missouri | 172 | 4,205 | 4.09% |
| 28 | Kansas | 66 | 1,620 | 4.07% |
| 29 | Ohio | 241 | 5,965 | 4.04% |
| 30 | Indiana | 139 | 3,452 | 4.03% |
Top 3 States
1. Alaska
- % of hidden gem attractions: 10.95%
- Hidden gem attractions: 309
- Total attractions: 2,823
Known for its dramatic landscapes featuring icy glaciers and fjords, Alaska is famously the most remote US state. This can mean that many parts of the state are very hard to get to, so it’s packed full of lesser-known places waiting to be discovered.
According to listings on Tripadvisor, just over 1 in 10 of the state’s attractions are deemed to be hidden gems, including the Mendenhall Glacier and Kodiak Island.
2. Wyoming
- % of hidden gem attractions: 7.67%
- Hidden gem attractions: 114
- Total attractions: 1,486
Second in our list of best US states for hidden gems is Wyoming, which is the least populated state in the country but clearly has a lot of attractions to entice visitors. Like Alaska, Wyoming is a state popular with tourists who love the great outdoors and a sense of adventure.
In total, 7.67% of its attractions are listed as being hidden gems, such as Devils Tower and the Midway Geyser Basin.
3. Utah
- % of hidden gem attractions: 6.98%
- Hidden gem attractions: 217
- Total attractions: 3,108
Completing a top three of states located in the West of the USA is Utah, where just under 7% of attractions are listed as being hidden gems.
Utah has three distinct geographical regions and a history stretching back thousands of years, which means there’s an adventure to be found in every corner.
Some of the attractions you might not have heard of include: Capitol Reef National Park, Kanarraville Falls, and Fifth Water Hot Springs.
Top 30 USA Best Hidden Gems to Visit
| Rank | Attraction / Landmark | State | Monthly Google Searches | Google Review Score | Overall Score (/10) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Garden of the Gods | Colorado | 368,000 | 4.9 | 9.95 |
| 2 | Outer Banks | North Carolina | 450,000 | 4.8 | 9.68 |
| 3 | Grand Teton National Park | Wyoming | 201,000 | 4.9 | 9.44 |
| 4 | Mackinac Island | Michigan | 301,000 | 4.8 | 9.31 |
| 5 | Anna Maria Island | Florida | 246,000 | 4.8 | 9.12 |
| 6 | Badlands National Park | South Dakota | 135,000 | 4.9 | 9.07 |
| 7 | Shenandoah National Park | Virginia | 201,000 | 4.8 | 8.94 |
| 8 | Mount Vernon | Virginia | 301,000 | 4.7 | 8.81 |
| 9 | Devils Tower | Wyoming | 165,000 | 4.8 | 8.75 |
| 10 | Big Bend National Park | Texas | 165,000 | 4.8 | 8.75 |
| 11 | White Sands National Park | New Mexico | 165,000 | 4.8 | 8.75 |
| 12 | Meow Wolf | New Mexico | 246,000 | 4.7 | 8.62 |
| 13 | Watkins Glen State Park | New York | 135,000 | 4.8 | 8.57 |
| 14 | Jekyll Island | Georgia | 135,000 | 4.8 | 8.57 |
| 15 | Silver Falls State Park | Oregon | 74,000 | 4.9 | 8.51 |
| 16 | Great Sand Dunes National Park | Colorado | 110,000 | 4.8 | 8.38 |
| 17 | Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore | Michigan | 49,500 | 4.9 | 8.14 |
| 18 | Smith Rock State Park | Oregon | 49,500 | 4.9 | 8.14 |
| 19 | Dry Tortugas National Park | Florida | 74,000 | 4.8 | 8.01 |
| 20 | Capitol Reef National Park | Utah | 74,000 | 4.8 | 8.01 |
| 21 | Valley of Fire State Park | Nevada | 60,500 | 4.8 | 7.82 |
| 22 | Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail | Tennessee | 49,500 | 4.8 | 7.63 |
| 23 | Mammoth Cave National Park | Kentucky | 74,000 | 4.7 | 7.51 |
| 24 | Mendenhall Glacier | Alaska | 40,500 | 4.8 | 7.45 |
| 25 | Chiricahua National Monument | Arizona | 22,200 | 4.9 | 7.39 |
| 26 | Blue Lake | Colorado | 22,200 | 4.9 | 7.39 |
| 27 | Great Basin National Park | Nevada | 60,500 | 4.7 | 7.32 |
| 28 | Fort Jefferson | Florida | 9,900 | 4.9 | 6.64 |
| 29 | Apostle Islands | Wisconsin | 40,500 | 4.5 | 5.94 |
| 30 | Mount Hood National Forest | Oregon | 2,900 | 4.8 | 5 |
1. Garden of the Gods, Colorado
- Monthly Google Searches: 368,000
- Google Review Score: 4.9
- Hidden Gem Score: 9.95
Garden of the Gods ranks first, earning a Hidden Gem Score of 9.95 and a near-perfect 4.9-star review rating. Located in Colorado Springs, the park is best known for its huge red rock formations, which rise hundreds of feet above the ground to create one of the state’s most striking views. Visitors can explore easy walking trails, scenic driving routes and popular landmarks such as Balanced Rock. Clear views of Pikes Peak also add to the park’s appeal.
2. Outer Banks, North Carolina
- Monthly Google Searches: 450,000
- Google Review Score: 4.8
- Hidden Gem Score: 9.68
The Outer Banks takes second place with a Hidden Gem Score of 9.68 and 450,000 monthly Google searches. This chain of barrier islands stretches along the North Carolina coast. It’s known for its wide sandy beaches, scenic lighthouses and relaxed seaside towns. Visitors can climb the famous Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, see the wild horses that roam Corolla’s beaches, or visit the Wright Brothers National Memorial.
3. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
- Monthly Google Searches: 201,000
- Google Review Score: 4.9
- Hidden Gem Score: 9.44
Taking into account the number of searches on Google as well as reviews by visitors, the most popular of the US’s hidden gems is the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. While it’s undoubtedly a popular place, Grand Teton is often overlooked by visitors in favor of the neighboring national parks of Yellowstone and Glacier. The park stretches over 300,000 acres and is home to the Teton Range of mountains as well as the Jackson Hole valley.
Methodology
The states with the most hidden gems
For each state, the number of total attractions listed on Tripadvisor was sourced. The number that is listed as being ‘hidden gems’ was then also sourced and calculated as a percentage of the total.
The USA’s best hidden gems
Using a number of articles we built a list of over 150 hidden gem attractions and landmarks across the USA.
For each, we then found the number of U.S. Google searches using search intelligence tool seoClarity. We also recorded the average review score for each site on Google Maps.
Finally, we gave each attraction a normalized score out of ten for both of these factors, before taking an average of these two scores to reach our overall score out of ten.
Main image: Katherine Coonjohn – Unsplash
