5 Underrated Cities to Visit if You Love Nature
If you’re like me, you LOVE a good mountain town. There’s something to be said about cities that are both fun to visit and close to plenty of outdoor activities.
All of the cities on this list are a good mixture of a small-town feel with a lot to do in nature. They are also places you can visit without needing to be adventurous or outdoorsy! Sometimes it’s just nice to go to a place that has a slower pace of life and values the beauty in the outdoors.
While there are obviously many more cities on my bucket list, these 5 cities are places I could go back to again and again.
1. Asheville, North Carolina
If you’ve never been to Great Smoky Mountains National Park or driven on the Blue Ridge Parkway, this one is for you! And if you’ve been to Asheville, you know how fun this city can be. The options for getting outdoors are almost limitless, because there are so many different hikes and activities around the area.
One of my favorite places to visit outside of Asheville is Max Patch Mountain. I could write an entire essay on how breathtaking this place is. Max Patch is located along the Appalachian Trail, so you know it’s bound to be incredible.
Other places to go include the Blue Ridge Parkway for a drive or to some of the famous hikes along the parkway. If you like more challenging hikes, you can go to the nearby Great Smoky Mountains and do some of the major trails there. This does require a little bit of driving. If you are staying in a cabin or in the city for a while, it’s definitely worth taking a drive out there.
If you’re up for adventure, you can do zip lining, kayaking, mountain biking, horseback riding, rock climbing – you name it. There is a little bit of something for all types of adventure loves. Asheville is also known for its art and beer scene. There are tons of breweries, and the River Arts District is well-known for a reason.
If you’re looking to get away this year, definitely consider Asheville. For a more detailed guide on things to do in Asheville, click here: The Ultimate Asheville Travel Guide
2. Boise, Idaho
Now, most people consider Idaho just the land of potatoes. It also isn’t on many people’s radar in terms of places to visit. But, if I could recommend one place it would definitely be Boise. I would also say go before it starts getting even more popular! When we were there, one of the locals told us about how fast it was growing and how many more people were visiting. If you’re looking for somewhere underrated for us southerners, it would definitely be this.
If you didn’t know, Boise and southwest Idaho is home to the Idaho Wine Trail. Yes, you read that right. Forget Napa or Virginia – head here for some unique wineries and over 65 options for your trip!! Click here to learn more about Idaho’s wine trail: Visit Idaho Wine Trail.
Now, on to the outdoors. Idaho has numerous hot springs, which was totally unexpected to me when I first read about them. While my time in Boise was far too short knowing what I know now, I could easily spend a week both here and all over the state of Idaho.
They have plenty of hot springs under 2 hours from Boise, so you could spend an entire day (or more) driving or hiking to them. Some hot springs are right off the road and you just park and you’re there.
Others have beautiful hikes that take you to sweeping views while relaxing in the warm (and sometimes boiling hot) water. To see all of the hot springs, click here: Idaho Hot Springs. For a detailed guide on our entire road trip, click here: Washington, Oregon, and Idaho Road Trip Itinerary.
3. Eureka Springs, Arkansas
If you’re a sort of witchy type of person, Eureka Springs is the place for you. It’s got a sort of creepy and haunted vibe about the place, but it still feels very welcoming. If you’re into that, you can choose to go on one of the many ghost tours or haunted tours.
Like Idaho, people love to look over Arkansas, but it’s one of my favorite trips I’ve ever taken. Arkansas is home to Hot Springs National Park. It is quite a ways away from Eureka Springs, but if you’re looking to hit all the parks, you can definitely do this all in one trip (heck, me and my sister did it all in one weekend).
Now, Eureka Springs is way up in northwest Arkansas, and it can be a little bit of a drive to get there because it is so remote. It is a definitely a mountain town, and it is located in the famous Ozarks. There are tons of outdoor adventures and activities surrounding the area. This includes things like hiking, getting out on the river, and going to nearby caverns.
The architecture of Eureka Springs alone makes it worth visiting, but it is also a great place for nightlife, music, and events of all kinds. You’ll definitely have more luck when visiting in the warmer months though! If you go to Eureka Springs, make sure to book a fun cabin or hotel in the area. They have some pretty unique stays that would just add to the whole experience.
For more information on things to do in Eureka Springs or events happening there, click here: Visit Eureka Springs. For a guide to visiting Arkansas and what we did on our quick weekend trip, click here: Epic Arkansas Road Trip in 2 Days.
4. Leavenworth, Washington
Oh man, oh man – I LOVE Leavenworth. You could say I’m a sucker for a themed town, and this did not disappoint. Leavenworth is a couple of hours east of Seattle. It gets you out of the big city and into what some could consider a fairytale.
The entire town is based on a Bavarian town. Every store, hotel, and restaurant is designed to match this theme. The restaurants serve brats and good beer, and there are even stores that are Christmas all year round. They also go all out during Christmas and it’s my dream to go during the winter!!
If you haven’t been to the Pacific Northwest before, the landscape is already naturally stunning. This town is nestled in the mountains, and it is an adventure lover’s dream. If you’re looking to get outdoors while here, try hiking, climbing, mountain biking, rafting, kayaking, or camping to name a few. These are all offered in the warmer months!
If you’re there in the winter, you can try skiing, sledding, snowboarding, sleigh rides, and so much more. This town has something for everyone. For more information on what to do or to just take a look at more of the town, click here: Visit Leavenworth. For a detailed guide on our Washington, Idaho, and Oregon road trip, click here: Adventurous Pacific Northwest Road Trip Itinerary
5. St. George, Utah
I didn’t spend a ton of time in St. George while going on a southwest road trip. But, St. George is located perfectly between so many outdoor adventures, AND it is only an hour and a half from Las Vegas! This makes it a pretty easy place to get to.
My friend lived in St. George for a year, and she said it has year-round outdoor activities including hiking, mountain biking, trail running, golfing, skiing, and visiting the many nearby state and national parks. It is a safe and friendly town that continues to grow! The most iconic parks nearby are Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park (pictured above and below!). Both of these parks are full of incredible hiking and unique rock formations. St. George is the perfect place to rest your head after a day of exploring.
St. George can be a sort of quieter town, as a lot of older folks end up here. It can get quite hot in the summer but it has pretty moderate winters, making it a great golfing destination. They also have lots of good eats and views of the iconic red Mojave dessert in all directions.
From St. George, you also have a somewhat easy drive to the North Rim at the Grand Canyon. The North Rim can be underrated, because most people opt to visit the South Rim from Phoenix or Sedona. This makes the North Rim a lot less touristy.
All this being said, St. George is a sort of middle man for tons of outdoor adventures. And if you’re feeling like getting glam, just head to Vegas! For more information on this outdoor-loving town, click here: St. George, Utah. For a more detailed itinerary of our trip, click here: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, and Vegas in 3 Days.
For More:
To check out more trips and guides in the United States, click here: Domestic Destinations.
For things to do in Nashville from a born-and-raised local, click here: Best of Nashville.
