Most underrated US city to visit

ArrowFlyer86

ArrowFlyer86

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We've got people from everywhere here. I'm curious, of the places you have lived or been to, which cities do you think don't get enough credit for what they offer? Or which cities were way better than you would expect?

We all know the biggest metros and their reputations. I'm looking for inspiration to places that aren't in that top list (NYC, LA, Chicago, Dallas, LV, Miami, ...).

For instance, while not a small town, I really enjoyed Pittsburgh when I took the plane there. It was Midwest friendly and had all the amenities of a big city, but less expensive. It has its own personality. And Little Rock AR was also a positive surprise where I opted to stay an extra day. Even the AirBnB hosts were surprised I was vacationing there. But I have zero regrets! I'd go back.

Where would you recommend? Doesn't have to be the best GA destination, but a good city.
 
I recently visited a friend in Stanley ID and had my shields on maximum for redneck foolishness that the Gem State is known for --- but it's like a little island of sanity and culture, and the drive through was stunning through the mountains.

Not sure that a GA trip would be fun without access to the trimmings of rented RV/Bikes or SxS/Car/whatever, but it was definitely idyllic through there and made me want to figure it out for a return trip ala plane.
 
Ed Haywood said:
Fayetteville, AR.
Charleston, SC.
Steamboat Springs, CO.
St Augustine, FL.
Nashville, TN.
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I've been to Nashville and Steamboat several times. They're both fantastic.. but they're also both really expensive places!

Charleston is similar. Been there a couple times. It's expensive! Not uncommon to see exotic cars on the road and $15 cocktails at the bar.

My brother is moving from PNW to Fayetteville, so I'll be visiting there! That I can get excited about. Good to know about St Augustine.
 
schmookeeg said:
had my shields on maximum for redneck foolishness
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Did you divert power from life support to main shields? (Sorry, I just was watching Star Trek TNG).

I haven't been to Idaho since I was a kid. But seeing stuff people post here, it makes me wanna buy a bush capable plane and move there.
 
Several years ago, driving our road RV out tho the Canyon we stopped in Albuquerque for one night. Ended up staying for I think three nights because I needed a break from driving, but we remember it as a great town for a few days.
 
SWMBO and I both love St Augustine. If you avoid the tourist traps and if you enjoy history, it’s a great weekend getaway. Visit O’Steens for outstanding shrimp.

Nearby Fernandina is also a lovely, relaxing town.

We liked Idaho Falls, too. There’s a beautiful park along the Snake River that was very pleasant for an evening walk. Lots of families, kids playing, nice scenery.

Santa Barbara is also quite nice, but I haven’t been there in 8 or 9 years.
 
asicer said:
I've a friend in Coeur d'Alene and didn't get that vibe. Maybe that part of Idaho is better described as "East Spokane"?
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O h*ll no. Spokane foolishness pretty much stops at the border.

Stanley, like Coeur D'Alene, are wonderful places to visit, and both are close enough to 'peak redneck foolishness' for this part of the country to show that Idaho isn't all that redneck. Friendliest state I've ever lived in.
 
ArrowFlyer86 said:
My brother is moving from PNW to Fayetteville, so I'll be visiting there!
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Fayetteville has 2 draws. First, the University of Arkansas. Classic SEC college town. Second, big influx of funds from various Walmart billionaires. Bentonville is just north of there. I've never been to the Bentonville airport, but the FBO looks completely over the top. And it appears illegal to build a house not on a golf course.
 
Santa Fe. Maybe not the city itself. But the surrounding areas to get there.
 
I moved to Richmond VA and for me it’s the perfect small city - great music scene, beautiful architecture, several colleges, and white water running through downtown.

Other spots that I’ve enjoyed:
Lawrence, KS
Traverse City, MI
Portland, ME
Ithaca, NY
St Pete, FL
 
Cody WY
Rapid City, SD
San Antonio TX
St. Simon's Island, GA

Great thread idea. I'll be adding some of these to my list.
 
I was surprised, and you might be too, at how much there is to offer in Duluth, Minnesota. I lived there five years, and would happily move back.

For perspective, I also lived in Appleton, WI, Columbia, MO, Topeka, KS, Chandler, AZ, Green Bay, WI, Eau Claire, WI, Rochester, NY, Kalamazoo, MI, Toledo, OH, Murfreesboro, TN, and now in Wausau, WI.
 
Beachy said:
We liked Rapid City, SD. Stayed there on two different cross-country road trips - and, in fact, spent an extra night.
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Rapid is nice and the Black Hills are great. E-bikes on the Mikkelson Trail (northbound) from Hill City are an absolute treat and the small museum at the Homestead Mine is interesting, especially the model of the tunnels below.

Kansas City is also good. The WW I museum is good plus sites in Independence, MO. And the Arabia is a hidden gem. KMKC is a good stop.
 
I had to stop and spend a rainy day in Greenville, SC and really enjoyed walking through the town. Also loved Portsmouth, NH so much we moved near there.
 
Gilbert Buettner said:
I was surprised, and you might be too, at how much there is to offer in Duluth, Minnesota. I lived there five years, and would happily move back.

For perspective, I also lived in Appleton, WI, Columbia, MO, Topeka, KS, Chandler, AZ, Green Bay, WI, Eau Claire, WI, Rochester, NY, Kalamazoo, MI, Toledo, OH, Murfreesboro, TN, and now in Wausau, WI.
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I flew over to Duluth Sky Harbor (KDYT) for the first time a couple weeks ago and it might be my new favorite day trip. The beach was steps away from the FBO and the drive into town felt like I was in a completely different part of the country!
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Lando said:
I flew over to Duluth Sky Harbor (KDYT) for the first time a couple weeks ago and it might be my new favorite day trip. The beach was steps away from the FBO and the drive into town felt like I was in a completely different part of the country!
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I love the look of that field :cool:
 
Winnemac IN. Its appeal has a lot to do with how happy I was to be on the ground and not still airborne in a blizzard… story for another thread.

Tippy’s pizza rocks.

DO NOT go to the Indian Hills Inn… yet ANOTHER thread…
 
AlleyCat67 said:
I moved to Richmond VA and for me it’s the perfect small city - great music scene, beautiful architecture, several colleges, and white water running through downtown.

Other spots that I’ve enjoyed:
Lawrence, KS
Traverse City, MI
Portland, ME
Ithaca, NY
St Pete, FL
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I was going to say Portland ME.
We used to live in the Old Port, and cannot say enough good about it…. Especially if you are a party person. At least that’s the way it was in the ‘90s
 
AlleyCat67 said:
I moved to Richmond VA and for me it’s the perfect small city - great music scene, beautiful architecture, several colleges, and white water running through downtown.

Other spots that I’ve enjoyed:
Lawrence, KS
Traverse City, MI
Portland, ME
Ithaca, NY
St Pete, FL
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And a marvelous bakery!
 
We've been to Pella, IA so many times I kind of forgot about it, but it's worth a couple days if you've never been. Also a nice stop whenever you're flying over Iowa.
 
Ed Haywood said:
Fayetteville has 2 draws. First, the University of Arkansas. Classic SEC college town. Second, big influx of funds from various Walmart billionaires. Bentonville is just north of there.
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The Walton family has also invested much in developing a gravel bicycle trail network that is fantastic.

Boise ID
Rapid City SD
Cedar Falls IA
Bridgeport CA
Gardiner MT
Moab, UT -> even though touristy I thoroughly enjoyed staying downtown and walkng the town
 
Oh, and both Rapid City and Boise have nice alleys where folks do street art and murals. Go take a walk thru those they’re great. My favorite Boise mural:

IMG_8271.jpeg
 
Stewartb said:
Fredericksburg, Texas.
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Aside from the popular Hangar Hotel and diner on the field, the “Nimitz Museum” or National Museum of the Pacific War is outstanding and can take a full day to appreciate. It’s one of the few museums that really tells a story and isn’t just a collection of old stuff. And it’s four distinct buildings/areas.
 
Oh man, the memories came flooding in, there are so many places. My wife and I lived full time in an RV, a 34’ 5th wheel trailer, for 8 years and have criss crossed the Country. Been to many of the places already mentioned here. So I’m gonna pick one not already mentioned. Brattleboro, VT. That’s where we dropped anchor on our New England in the fall leaf peeping trip.
 
I’ll echo a couple others and endorse both Portland ME and Rapid City SD. For a southern one toss in Pensacola.
 
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