Nothing can ruin a trip faster than running into too many crowds and being stiffed at tourist traps.
When planning a vacation, many travelers consider the most trending or perennial destinations, only to find out everyone else had the same idea. As a result, their trip involves waiting in long lines or searching for a restaurant that caters to locals with affordable menu items.
There are a slew of slept-on domestic destinations, however, that provide the same level of activities, food, history, and arts and culture to enjoy – just without the crowds or high price tags.
To help travelers decide on which hidden gem to visit next, the travel experts at luxury vacation rental service Wander released a ranking of the 10 most overlooked U.S. destinations. In May, the experts analyzed data from Google searches, TripAdvisor, Instagram and Numbeo to identify hidden gems in the United States, based on lists from media outlets like CNN and Yahoo. Specifically, the team analyzed the number of restaurants, museums, landmarks and more along with factors such as safety and cleanliness.
From the arts and culture in Bentonville, Arkansas, to the slow-paced mountain town of Bozeman, Montana, here are the nation's top 10 hidden gems.
5. Bentonville, Arkansas
Bentonville has long been a beloved destination by mountain bikers for its year-round trail access, but it's quickly rising as an arts and culture hub. In 2023, The Wall Street Journal declared the city "the new capital of cool" for its growing dining scene and numerous public art installations.
