These underrated places in the U.S. will have you updating your bucket list! For this list, we’ll be looking at American cities, towns, and landmarks that might not be on your radar but are definitely worth checking out.
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00:00Welcome to Mizmojo, and today we'll be counting down our picks for the top 10 hidden gem destinations
00:05across the USA.
00:07For this list we'll be looking at American cities, towns and landmarks that might not
00:11be on your radar, but are definitely worth checking out.
00:18Wisconsin in general is an underrated destination for a cosy getaway with your significant other.
00:23Door County is especially easy to overlook, being a peninsula hidden away in the east.
00:29The area has earned a reputation as the Midwest equivalent to Cape Cod.
00:33With Lake Michigan, Green Bay and a variety of beaches surrounding the land, we'd argue
00:37that Door County is every bit as captivating as its Massachusetts counterpart.
00:42Having 11 lighthouses to track down, Door County calls to visitors like a legion of
00:47candles on the water.
00:49Even the Maritime Museum is distinguished with a lighthouse.
00:52While the six state parks all possess an enchanting atmosphere, Cave Point County Park is the
00:56best kept secret with its limestone cliffs and underwater caves.
01:03A trip to Germany might be out of your price range, or maybe now's not the best time
01:07for you to leave the country.
01:09In any case, Leavenworth has the essence of a timeless Bavarian village that makes tourists
01:13feel as if they've been transported to the high mountains of Europe.
01:17Leavenworth hosts a variety of events every season, the highlight being Oktoberfest.
01:22Winter may be the most festive time to drop by as the snowfall turns the town into a regular
01:26Santa's village.
01:27If the old-fashioned buildings covered in snow aren't enough to get you into the holiday
01:31spirit, the local Nutcracker Museum will, with over 5,000 unique finds.
01:37While Leavenworth transforms into a green paradise when the snow melts, its charm persists
01:42year round.
01:47Estes Park is one of the closest cities to Rocky Mountain National Park.
01:51So if you want to explore the mountains and alpine lakes, Estes Park is the ideal place
01:55to set up a home base.
01:57While you might come for the Rockies, visitors sometimes fail to realise the numerous amenities
02:02that the neighbouring town offers.
02:03For Stephen King aficionados, consider staying at the Stanley Hotel, which inspired the Overlook
02:09Hotel in The Shining.
02:11If that's a bit too spooky for your taste, the Ballpate Inn is also rich with history
02:15and natural scenery.
02:16You don't necessarily need to leave town to see the wildlife either.
02:20Don't be surprised to find a herd of elk wandering across the street or chowing down
02:25on some grass.
02:30America's small estate is full of small wonders that tend to slip through the cracks.
02:34Even if you live in Rhode Island, there's a strong possibility that Block Island has
02:38eluded you.
02:39That's because it's located nine miles off the southern coast.
02:42Whether you're from out of town or a Rhode Island native, Block Island offers a refreshing
02:46change of scenery.
02:48The secluded island is at its peak during the summer, when people take advantage of
02:52the 17 miles of public beaches, 32 miles of scenic trails, 50 stores and coastal cliffs
02:58that stretch 250 feet high.
03:00There isn't a better place to be on the 4th of July when the annual parade and fireworks
03:04take place.
03:05Why not hop aboard a ferry for a fairytale vacation?
03:12While New England attracts numerous visitors over the summer season, autumn brings its
03:16fair share of tourists looking to see the leaves change.
03:19Baxter State Park, in particular, is a foliage paradise during the fall.
03:23The shades of red, yellow and orange intensify the park's splendorous landscapes.
03:28The literal standout landmark would have to be Mount Caterdine, Maine's highest peak.
03:33With an elevation of more than 5,000 feet, the so-called Greatest Mountain provides a
03:37breathtaking view of the surrounding area.
03:40The mountain and multicoloured trees are perhaps even more mystical when viewed from the water's
03:44reflection.
03:45We're also inclined to find wildlife by the lakes and ponds, most notably moose.
03:50From the misty sunrises to the golden sunsets, every moment here is picture perfect.
03:58Even the most populated US state has its hidden gems.
04:01Heck, if anything, a state like California has so many iconic landmarks that some places
04:06are bound to get overshadowed.
04:08The next time that San Francisco's traffic and commotion are proving too stressful, drive
04:12down to Half Moon Bay for a relaxing weekend getaway.
04:16Distinguished by its crescent shape, Half Moon Bay might not be as well-known as Hunting
04:20Beach or Santa Cruz, but it's among California's best-serving destinations, with Mavericks
04:25bringing the big waves.
04:27For something a little less stimulating, take a boat out onto Pillar Point Harbour and catch
04:32fish until the sun goes down.
04:34If you think the Golden State lacks small-town charm, look no further than this haven's
04:39simple luxuries.
04:41Oregon is another state that should be at the top of everybody's dream destinations,
04:48but it sometimes gets lost in the shuffle.
04:50While Oregon is sprawling with wondrous wilderness, the Willamette National Forest captures the
04:54great outdoors at its most awe-inspiring.
04:57Covering just under 400,000 acres, the forest is a hiker's paradise.
05:02This isn't only because of the trails and mountains, but the majestic waterfalls you'll
05:06encounter along the way.
05:08Although summer vacationers enjoy biking and kayaking, not nearly enough people take
05:11advantage of the holiday season when a ski resort pops up.
05:15There's 555 acres to ski, but the terrain is also made for tubing and snowboarding.
05:21With snow decorating the countless trees, the winter wonderland is among the Pacific
05:25Northwest's best-kept secrets.
05:31Some people might brush off a glacier as nothing special.
05:34After all, we've all seen ice before.
05:36Once you see the Mendenhall Glacier in person, you'll not only understand why this ice
05:40giant is so grandiose, but you'll regret that you didn't make the trip sooner.
05:44It's unfortunate that this 13.6 mile long mountain glacier is considered a hidden gem,
05:50as it could be gone before some future generations have a chance to bask in its beauty.
05:55The glacier has been retreating for almost 100 years now, with no signs of stopping.
06:00The good news is that it'd take a few more centuries for the glacier to vanish entirely.
06:04Since we should always be thinking about tomorrow, though, we can't take wonders
06:07like Mendenhall Glacier for granted.
06:10If you're planning a road trip to Nevada, you'll likely be drawn to the glitz and
06:17glamour of Vegas.
06:20Before you get off at Sin City, pull over to experience Nevada's natural splendour.
06:24About 50 miles from the hotels and casinos is Valley of Fire.
06:28You won't find any neon lights, but this park lights up Nevada in a different way,
06:33with the red sandstone and the sun's reflections creating the illusion of a world on fire.
06:38Some might even say that it shares a resemblance to Mars.
06:42Valley of Fire doesn't merely need to be a pit stop on your trip, it can be the main
06:46attraction as you spend the day seeking out rock formations and the night camping under
06:50the stars.
07:10We're kind of amazed that Devil's Tower meets the criteria of a hidden gem.
07:13I mean, how can anyone overlook its massive size and imposing shape?
07:18Yet, when people consider natural US landmarks, Devil's Tower doesn't come up as often
07:22as, let's say, the Grand Canyon.
07:24Then again, when you're in America's least populated state, it can be hard to stand out.
07:29Of course, Devil's Tower does stand out, stretching over 1,000 feet above the Belfouche
07:34River into the sky.
07:36While this beaut should be on every rock climber's bucket list, its name shouldn't be taken
07:40lightly.
07:41The journey may be hellish, but if you can make it to the summit, you'll know what
07:45it's like to be on top of the world.