7 Spots Tourists Miss When Visiting These Popular U.S. States

One of the best things about living in the U.S. is how each city, state, and region offers a veritable "choose your own adventure." Here at Only In Your State, we believe the adventure lies in the journey and we love taking a low-key approach to travel that allows for plenty of detours and hidden-gem discoveries.

That being said, when visiting each of the states of the great US of A, there are certainly places locals and well-seasoned travelers would recommend. Below you'll find some of the must-visit spots in our readers' most must-traveled states. Don't miss these tourist spots when visiting the following U.S. states:

1. Michigan: The Heidelberg Project

I lived in Detroit during grad school and have so much love for Motor City. The Heidelberg Project is everything I love about Detroit, Michigan; it's all the things about this oft-overlooked city that makes it special, unique, strong. In this living art exhibit, Tyree Guyton turned his childhood street into a living art environment built from found objects, painted houses, towering sculptures, and installations that shift with the seasons. It's dynamic and dramatic and absolutely worth experiencing the next time you visit Michigan.

2. Oregon: The Oregon Garden

It's always the most obvious places that go overlooked by locals, like the eponymous Oregon Garden in Silverton, Oregon. Oregon tourists: don't make this mistake! The Oregon Garden is best-known for hosting the Silverton Christmas Market during the holidays, but this beautiful attraction is worth visiting all year long. Spanning more than 100 acres, this botanical garden highlights the beauty of the Pacific Northwest, showcasing the fabulous flora of this glorious region of the United States.

3. New Jersey: Pine Barrens

Also known as the Pinelands, the Pine Barrens encompass over 1.1 million acres in southern New Jersey and showcases the lush beauty of the Garden State. Accounting for approximately 22% of the state's land mass, its unique ecosystem consists mainly of forests, as well as underground freshwater aquifers that provide water for millions of people to drink and for agriculture. If you're looking to get lost in the glorious landscapes of the Garden State, do not miss this New Jersey destination.

4. Florida: Warm Mineral Springs Park

While hot springs certainly might not seem appealing in Florida, Warm Mineral Springs Park is a horse of a different color. Averaging a balmy 85 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, Warm Mineral Springs Park is the perfect place to rest your body after a hike through one of Florida's many lovely parks and preserves. Tourists often miss Warm Mineral Springs Park, favoring the ocean or an elite Airbnb with a pool instead; however, this hidden gem is blissfully relaxing and incredibly accessible making it a worthy addition to your next Florida trip.

5. Kansas: Rock Town Cove at Wilson Lake

In central Kansas, there is a lake and rock formation that remains a hidden gem even to longtime locals. Only In Your State Contributor Stephanie Frias tipped us off to Rock Town Cove at Wilson Lake, a must-visit spot in Kansas tourists simply cannot miss. As Frias explains: This remote cove with clear, emerald water, lush rolling hills, and a sandy beach is studded with towering sandstone pillars that reach nearly 30 feet into the sky. It does take almost an hour to hike to this spot along the Rocktown Trail, and there are zero services once you arrive, but it’s undeniably worth the effort.

6. Arizona: Cathedral Wash Trail, Marble Canyon

Arizona attracts hikers from across the globe, but the Cathedral Wash Trail was a surprise to even longtime resident and Only In Your State contributor Melissa Mahoney. This 3-mile trail in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is perfect for adventure-seekers, leading down to the Colorado River through a series of slot canyons. If you're new to slot canyon hikes, proceed with caution as there are some tricky spaces to navigate, however, Mahoney says the views "are mind-boggling, and this is such a hidden gem that you're unlikely to encounter anyone else on the trail."

7. Maryland: Solomon's Island

There's no shortage of charming coastal towns to visit in Maryland, but Solomon's Island remains under-the-radar to even longtime locals. Also referred to as "Solomons," Solomons Island is a charming, remote coastal town where the Patuxent River meets the Chesapeake Bay. This is a fantastic day trip destination in Maryland, featuring attractions such as the Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center, Spring Cove Marina, the Calvert Maritime Museum, and Drum Point Lighthouse.

How many of these hidden gems have you visited in the above states? Is there a place in your home state you'd like to share with the world? Please submit your picks through our nomination page, and tell us all about your selections.

And if you're feeling inspired, plan your own trip with Only In Your State’s AI-powered itinerary planner.