Hidden Travel Gems in the U.S.
The United States has many different travel destinations. From Los Angeles to New York City to the Midwest and South, the US is filled with famous landmarks that surely appear on thousands of bucket lists. Sometimes, however, the true adventure lies in places less traveled to. These unique places allow you to step out of popular tourist attractions into places that are little known to the public. Here are 10 hidden travel gems in the US that are sure to mesmerize you:
Shri Swaminarayan Mandir - California
Located in Chino Hills, a city in southwestern San Bernardino County in southern California, this mandir, or traditional place of Hindu worship, is truly an architectural masterpiece. This mandir is the first earthquake-proof mandir in the world! It sits on a 20-acre site with a 91-foot lotus shaped pond. Over 900 people volunteered to help construct this mandir, which took over 1.3 million man hours; it was completed recently in 2012. The solar panel system in place is predicted to greatly reduce carbon dioxide emissions, which would be the equivalent of “planting 62,244 trees” over the span of 25 years. According to Asian Media, the mandir has 35,000 individually fitted stone pieces, 6,600 hand-carved images, and 122 hand-carved pillars. The mandir is also built to last 1000 years!
For more information on the mandir, visit their site here!
Dupont Underground - Washington, DC
Dupont Underground is located in Dupont Circle, a central tourist hub in the nation’s capital! However, very few people know of Dupont Underground, as it is hidden and has odd opening hours. Dupont Underground is an old subway tunnel-turned-art gallery and is discretely located at the bottom of an alley. This public arts organization hosts a variety of events throughout the year, ranging from art exhibitions from local artists to showcases of World Press Photo, to live music and concerts. The entrance to Dupont Underground consists of a graffiti wall on which many people have left their artistic mark and others which continue to add to it today. Dupont Underground is a quaint yet vibrant place to visit to get away from the bustle of the city above!For more information on the organization, you can visit their site here.
Emerald Cove - Arizona
Located about a 1 ½ hour drive from downtown Las Vegas, the Emerald Cove is tucked away about 4 miles deep into the Black Canyons of Arizona. Located along the river that flows from the famed Hoover Dam, the Emerald Cove is a secluded place to relax and enjoy a picnic with some friends. Only accessible through a kayak or small boat, the cove is named for its emerald green waters that shimmer like diamonds when the sun’s angle hits just right. While the entirety of the Black Canyon trail is a beautiful and serene place to kayak or hike, the cove is a little-known place that will allow you to get away from the bustle, especially during the peak tourist seasons.
Bodie - California
If you are looking for more places that are atypical, look no further than Bodie, located in central California near the California-Nevada state border. Bodie is what is considered a ghost-town, or a “abandoned village, town, or city, usually one that contains substantial visible remaining buildings and infrastructure such as roads”. Often, these ghost towns are from the late 1800s or early 1900s that were suddenly abandoned, and due to this, they often have “old-west” type architecture, making them popular tourist attractions. Bodie (founded in 1876) was a former gold-mining town named after William Bodie who migrated to the west coast of the United States during the gold rush. Due to the economic failure of the town (lack of gold), many families moved out quickly, and by 1910, less than 700 people remained; By 1940, the population of Bodie was 0. Many parts of the town are still left untouched nearly 100 years later. Homes and shacks still stand, and silverware is still neatly organized on the tables of various homes - which you can still explore today! The eerie feel of this town has also attracted some paranormal (ghost/spirit) investigators, but no evidence has been found.
Photos retrieved via California Parks and Recreation Government website.
Rainbow Springs State Park - Florida
Located near northern Florida, Rainbow Springs State Park is a great place to get away into nature. Florida boasts a unique set of biomes (distinct environmental regions), such as mangrove forests, grasslands, and savannas. This makes Rainbow Springs a unique naturistic destination from the rest of the United States. Humans first set foot in Rainbow Springs nearly 10,000 years ago, making it a place of mystery and history! The state park features “ornamental gardens, man-made waterfalls and sloping hills” where you can also hike through lush hammocks towards the natural springs. At Rainbow Springs, you can go swimming in sapphire-blue waters, go fishing, go paddling or canoeing/kayaking. Rainbow Springs is a unique and beautiful place to visit, especially during the summer months.
Photos retrieved via Rainbow Springs State Park website
Duke Lemur Center - Durham, North Carolina
Nestled in Durham, North Carolina, the Duke Lemur Center (DLC) is a one-of-a-kind research and educational facility located a short ways from Duke University’s campus. According to its website, the DLC was established in 1966 and is the world’s leader in the study, care, and protection of lemurs, which are mammals that belong to the primate group, but they are quite different from apes or monkeys. With more than 200 lemurs that encompass 14 distinct species, the DLC hosts the largest and most diverse population of lemurs outside of their native Madagascar. The mission of the DLC is to engage in public education and outreach, conduct relevant research (that does not harm the lemurs), and contribute to conservation efforts, which is crucial since lemurs remain an endangered species. The DLC is open to visitors, who can learn more about lemurs by booking a tour.
Amish Country - Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Growing up, my family used to travel from our home in Texas to Pennsylvania, where my mother’s side of the family lived. One of our favorite pastimes was driving into Amish country. The rolling fields, picturesque farmhouses, animals, and hearty food were a respite from the bustle of the city. Along the way, we would catch glimpses of the Amish, a tight knit religious community with roots in the Protestant faith.
Image by David Mark from Pixabay
The Amish reject many modern day inventions, such as cars, and prefer to distance themselves from the rest of society, leading a life devoted to their religion and community. It’s typical, for example, to see them riding by in a horse and buggy, and, oftentimes, there are tours offered by some Amish. However, it’s important to always respect the privacy of the Amish by not photographing or harassing them. One of my favorite aspects of Amish country is that there are an abundance of buffets, known as smogashboards, which serve traditional Pennsylvania Dutch fare, such as noodles, meats, vegetables, and desserts, such as shoofly and whoopie pies.
George Ranch Historical Park - Richmond, Texas
Another childhood memory of mine is my school field trips to George Ranch Historical Park. Dedicated to preserving Texas history, George Ranch offers activities suitable to any age group. There are historical reenactments of famous battles in Texas history and, around the park, there are actors dressed up in clothing from the 1800s. You can also pick your own cotton, watch a blacksmith at work, and tour an 1860s prairie home.
Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum - Dallas, Texas
In light of the recent Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah), another hidden gem in Texas is the newly opened Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum. Though founded in 1984 and having existed in a couple of different spaces in the Dallas area, the newest Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum opened just in 2019! According to its website, it is the only Holocaust museum serving North Central Texas as well as the surrounding states of Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana. The museum offers interactive permanent and special exhibits, survivor testimonies, especially those from survivors in the Dallas area, and school tours. If you are in Texas, but cannot visit the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum, then consider the Holocaust Museum Houston.
Plantation Architecture - Charleston, South Carolina
A trip to the American South would not be complete without a tour of the grand, sweeping plantation homes that characterize the Antebellum era. Plantations were often a sign of wealth and were passed down through generations. Crops such as rice, cotton, tobacco, and indigo were harvested with the use of slave labor. While there are several Southern cities with gorgeous plantation homes, Charleston particularly stands out. Visitors can tour the beautiful gardens of Magnolia Plantation, explore Boone Hall, which includes a special presentation about the history and culture of African slaves, and marvel at the statuesque Drayton Hall.
ABOUT CO-AUTHOR
A Texas native, Bianca Navia is currently in her junior year at Arizona State University, pursuing a dual major in Political Science and Global Studies. She is most passionate about international affairs, diplomacy, foreign languages, traveling, and teaching. A fun fact about her? She’s the oldest of four sisters in a big Cuban-Italian-American family!
ABOUT CO-AUTHOR
Annik Brar is a student at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C. studying International Affairs and Psychology. In her free time, she manages a support page for people with Type 1 Diabetes. She also loves photography and traveling and can speak Punjabi and Hindi fluently!