Some cities don’t make the headlines. They’re not packed with influencers or overrun by weekend tourists. But that doesn’t mean they’re short on culture, charm, or character. In fact, that’s often where their appeal lies. The most underrated cities in the U.S. are the ones that surprise you — places with rich local scenes, deep-rooted history, unforgettable food, and zero need for a filter.
These are cities that aren’t trying to be trendy. They’re just being themselves — and doing it well. If you’re looking to skip the crowds and find something fresh, this is your list. Here are the most underrated U.S. cities to explore this year.
1. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee has been quietly transforming itself from a beer-and-brats town into one of the Midwest’s most vibrant cultural centers. Yes, there’s still plenty of beer (and it’s excellent), but now it’s served alongside award-winning cuisine, thriving art galleries, and lakefront festivals that feel like insider secrets.
Explore the historic Third Ward, sample cheese curds at the Public Market, or bike along Lake Michigan’s shore. The Harley-Davidson Museum is a must, even if you’ve never been on a motorcycle. Milwaukee’s got grit, but it’s also got soul — and a genuine warmth that’s hard to fake.
2. Providence, Rhode Island
Too often overshadowed by nearby Boston, Providence punches well above its weight in terms of culture and creativity. Home to both Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), it’s a magnet for artists, academics, and makers.
The food scene is quietly phenomenal, especially if you love Italian cuisine. Federal Hill rivals Little Italy neighborhoods in much larger cities. And don’t miss WaterFire — a public art installation where over 80 bonfires light up the river downtown. It’s quirky, compact, and completely its own.
3. Greenville, South Carolina
Tucked in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Greenville has one of the most walkable, revitalized downtowns in the Southeast. Its Main Street is lined with trees, waterfalls, public art, and enough restaurants to keep foodies happy for days.
Falls Park on the Reedy is the city’s crown jewel — a natural waterfall right in the heart of downtown, complete with a pedestrian suspension bridge. Beyond the beauty, Greenville is growing fast but smart, maintaining its small-town charm while offering big-city perks.
4. Boise, Idaho
Boise often gets reduced to “that place near the potatoes,” but dig a little deeper and you’ll find a capital city with serious outdoor cred, a growing creative class, and a no-frills authenticity that’s refreshing.
The Boise River Greenbelt offers 25+ miles of biking and hiking trails. The downtown area is alive with breweries, live music, and independent bookstores. And the foothills are just minutes away for weekend escapes. Bonus: it’s one of the few cities where you can ski and kayak in the same day — if you’re ambitious.
5. Richmond, Virginia
Richmond’s history is deep — Civil War battlegrounds, cobblestone streets, colonial architecture — but the city has reinvented itself as a hub for food, craft beer, and modern Southern culture. Think murals, rooftop bars, and an unapologetically bold arts scene.
The James River runs right through town, offering kayaking and whitewater rapids just steps from downtown. If you like a mix of old and new — with some attitude — Richmond belongs on your radar.
6. Tucson, Arizona
Phoenix might be bigger, but Tucson is cooler — both literally (in elevation) and culturally. It’s a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, recognized for its blend of Native American, Mexican, and frontier influences. Translation: the food is phenomenal.
The Sonoran Desert provides a dramatic backdrop, with saguaro-studded trails and jaw-dropping sunsets. Don’t miss the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, which is more immersive experience than museum. Tucson is an artist’s town, a hiker’s haven, and a taco lover’s dream rolled into one.
7. Rochester, New York
Buffalo and Syracuse often steal upstate headlines, but Rochester has quietly become a magnet for creatives and entrepreneurs. It has strong roots in industry and innovation (Kodak, Xerox, and Bausch & Lomb all started here), but now it’s carving a new identity around tech, arts, and education.
The city boasts a serious live music scene, a thriving LGBTQ+ community, and festivals for every interest — from jazz to lilacs. Explore the Finger Lakes nearby for wine and waterfall chasers, and take a deep dive into upstate New York’s underrated charms.
8. Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is more than just the Kentucky Derby and bourbon (though it does both of those very well). It’s a city of neighborhoods, each with its own vibe. The NuLu district is full of indie shops and craft eateries, while Old Louisville has one of the largest collections of Victorian architecture in the country.
The bourbon trail starts here, but so does a new Southern food movement — progressive, playful, and rooted in local tradition. If you want charm without cliché, Louisville delivers.
9. Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines has quietly become one of the best small cities for quality of life — and it’s finally starting to catch travelers’ attention. The downtown core has been revitalized with restaurants, a modern sculpture park, and a riverwalk that makes you forget you’re in the Midwest.
It’s clean, affordable, and has a tight-knit creative scene that punches above its population. You’ll find art galleries inside old warehouses, food trucks outside tech startups, and a calendar full of outdoor festivals that feel more local than corporate.
10. Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage doesn’t scream “city break” — but it should. Where else can you spot moose on your morning commute, eat fresh-caught salmon for lunch, and hike a glacier after dinner?
It’s Alaska’s urban heart, but still connected to the wild. The Anchorage Museum mixes Indigenous history with contemporary design. The Tony Knowles Coastal Trail offers 11 miles of waterfront biking and wildlife viewing. And if you’re lucky, you might even catch the Northern Lights right from town.
What Makes a City “Underrated”?
It’s not about size or popularity. Underrated cities have:
- Strong identity: They know who they are and don’t pretend otherwise.
- Affordable appeal: Great food, culture, and experiences without insane price tags.
- Surprise factor: The feeling of discovering something before it’s mainstream.
- Community energy: Locals who love their city and want to share it with you.
How to Explore These Cities Like a Local
- Skip the top 10 lists: Head to the neighborhoods, not just the downtown.
- Visit a farmers market: Instant insight into what locals grow, cook, and care about.
- Talk to strangers: The best tips won’t be in guidebooks — they’ll come from bartenders, baristas, and Uber drivers.
- Walk or bike: You’ll see the soul of a place at street level.
- Go during events: Festivals, parades, and block parties are when underrated cities really show off.
Not every city needs to be a bucket-list staple to be worth visiting. In fact, some of the best travel experiences happen in places where expectations are low and authenticity runs high. These underrated U.S. cities offer more than you think — and they’ll probably surprise you in the best ways.
So skip the overbooked, overpriced usuals. Hit the places no one’s posting about (yet). You might just fall in love with a city you never saw coming.
