18 Most Underrated U.S. Cities (PHOTOS)

New York, San Francisco, and Chicago are among the most famous cities in the U.S., but there are many other fabulous--albeit smaller--cities in this country that don't get their fair share of the spotlight. Whether a neighbor metropolis steals their thunder or a recent city makeover remains undiscovered by the masses, the cities chosen by ShermansTravel.com's editors are oft overlooked by even the savviest of travelers. Text and captions courtesy of ShermanTravel.com, adapted from "Top 10 Underrated U.S. Cities." (Plus an additional 8 from readers!)

 

Have another favorite underrated city? Send us your pick!

17 Most Underrated U.S. Cities

Find a picture, click the participate button, add a title and upload your picture

1 of 18

Baltimore

1 of 19

First Slide

Previous Slide

@

Native blue crabs seasoned with Old Bay are reason enough to visit Baltimore, but there's much more to experience in this waterfront town. Take, for example, this underrated city's revitalized Inner Harbor area, where you'll find Kimpton’s Hotel Monaco; the upscale neighborhood of Mount Vernon, home to the nation's first large-scale Washington Monument and the 29-room boutique Hotel Brexton; and Harbor East, where a number of hotels and restaurants are opening their doors. Its new, contemporary look aside, you can still discover some 300 years of American history along Baltimore's cobblestone streets (the "Star Spangled Banner" was written here) and track down the settings for John Waters's films ("Hairspray" and "Pink Flamingos", among many others, were all shot here).

Big Bend National Monument Designated As International Dark Sky Park (PHOTOS)

Liftopia's Best Ski Airports (PHOTOS)

Costa Concordia Lawsuit: Passenger Sues Cruise Line Over Miscarriage (VIDEO)

Finding Sodom In Madaba, Jordan's Historic City (PHOTOS)

Among The Kazakh Eagle Hunters (PHOTOS)

Arnold Schwarzenegger Visits Taj Mahal, Finds It Closed (PHOTOS)

Native blue crabs seasoned with Old Bay are reason enough to visit Baltimore, but there's much more to experience in this waterfront town. Take, for example, this underrated city's revitalized Inner Harbor area, where you'll find Kimpton’s Hotel Monaco; the upscale neighborhood of Mount Vernon, home to the nation's first large-scale Washington Monument and the 29-room boutique Hotel Brexton; and Harbor East, where a number of hotels and restaurants are opening their doors. Its new, contemporary look aside, you can still discover some 300 years of American history along Baltimore's cobblestone streets (the "Star Spangled Banner" was written here) and track down the settings for John Waters's films ("Hairspray" and "Pink Flamingos", among many others, were all shot here).

comments(1006)

Total comments: 1006 | Post a Comment

1 of 19

City

Rank #2  |  Average: 4

Don't care. Let's go!

• 
  1
• 
  2
• 
  3
• 
  4
• 
  5
• 
  6
• 
  7
• 
  8
• 
  9
• 
  10

This City

loading...

This City

UserName

 | Become a fan

Picked These as the Top 5 Slides in the Slideshow

loading...

Top User Slides

← Prev|Next →

 | Become a fan

Picked These as the Top 5 Slides in the Slideshow

loading...

Users who voted on this slide

← Prev|Next →

loading...

Comments

[Debbie Harris Kommalan]

08:46 AM on 09/18/2010

Yaaay! Baltimore first! We know this! And Louisville and Providence­.... love them.

[bcrice]

02:05 PM on 08/26/2010

1000th post... Pittsburgh Rules!!!

[Mark Bradbourne]

10:34 AM on 08/26/2010

When did Kent State move to Akron? Someone needs a map and a tour.

[Meatgarden]

01:32 AM on 08/25/2010

Portland never has or will be the "City of Roses". There is a city in California with that name. Portland is the "Rose City".

[Theresa Heyser]

07:51 AM on 08/24/2010

I Luv Luavull!!!

[jtackeff]

01:20 AM on 08/23/2010

As somebody from NH, I would say don't go to Concord, go to Portsmouth­, Nice small city, nice small downtown area, and your right near outlet shopping in maine, tax free mall shopping in Newington, and the beaches in Rye

[galegal]

09:34 PM on 08/22/2010

PDX is one of my favorite cities in the world. Big enough to have nearly anything you could want and many things you wouldn't think of and small enough to get to them all easily. The surroundin­g rivers hills and countrysid­e are beautiful as well.
Love the place!

[Eva S]

05:43 PM on 08/22/2010

Baltimore is one of the most dilapidate­d cities in the Western world. It's true that the city government pumped millions into a few attraction­s, such as the sport stadiums downtown. But 90% of the city is scary and crime, abandoned homes and rats are the main attraction­s there. In most parts of Baltimore it's much easier to buy a gun or drugs than an apple or tomato. I've had the "pleasure" to live in Baltimore for 3 years, and it doesn't get any easier with time. It's hard to get used to this kind if city for a European. Sorry....

[RobinSeattle]

04:57 PM on 08/23/2010

Right on the money. What Baltimore was doing on this list is beyond me.

Also, Houston ain't no garden spot either and didn't Kansas City close a big chunk of its schools recently?

Yeah, it is famous for music, baseball and barbecue, but it is mainly another crime ridden rotting fixture of urban America with crappy sports teams. In fact, they have lost several major league franchises (the Kings, the Scouts, the Knights/Sp­artans and the A's).

[Ashley Bigham]

02:50 PM on 08/24/2010

Kansas City has not closed any schools recently. Some of their schools were moved to another school district since they were in that city anyway. They are struggling a little bit but so are many others right now with the economy. There is crime in every big city! I'm also sure that they're not the only ones who have struggling sports teams! They don't have the money to spend on the big name talents like others cities. But hey, if you don't like it--stay away!! Won't break our hearts!

[geraldr5]

03:09 PM on 08/22/2010

I have visited most major U.S. cities at one time or another. Most recently, I visited one where I had never been and which is now my No. favorite 1 city. It's Pittsburgh­!!! What a gorgeous, sensationa­l place to be. All the culture and entertainm­ent you can handle. The best sports facilities in the country. And most important the nicest people on earth. I could not believe the beauty of the city, the great architectu­re and the cleanlines­s. I can summarize it in three words: I LOVE PITTSBURGH­!!!

[Ashley Willis]

01:56 PM on 08/22/2010

Great to see Grand Rapids on the list! With numerous college campuses and new medical developmen­ts popping up downtown, the city is atracting a young, enthusiast­ic crowd. I go to Grand Valley in downtown Grand Rapids and am truly enjoying the city which is clean, overlooks the Grand River and has a great night life and amazing restaurant­s. Given the poor economy in Michigan, I've always wanted to move away after graduation­, but Grand Rapids is winning me over with its charm.

[Ashley Willis]

01:59 PM on 08/22/2010

..by the way, I know that I spelled attracting wrong. woops!

[Aqua Marine]

01:47 PM on 08/22/2010

Portland Oregon is a filthy city. I live and work downtown. Every morning I have to step over drug addicts sleeping off last night's party or the vomit some drunk left on the side walk. The city is broke so no one is cleaning the streets or sidewalks. We have a very misguided mayor who would rather paint bike lanes than fix crumbling bridges. Our potholes are epic. We have beautiful parks and brick work but they are covered in dog poop, vomit and other messes. Word is out that Portland is the place to be if you want to hang out, do drugs, get drunk, and panhandle. There are entire communitie­s of homeless people who have taken over our parks and public areas. I have lived in several west coast cities and Portland easily is the worst for quality of life. The Oregon coast, Hood River, wine country all are beautiful and very unlike Portland. It is Multnomah County that is so mismanaged and misguided.

[m2b]

08:10 PM on 09/02/2010

Sounds like every big city to me. Generally if you live and work downtown in any big city you are going to start noticing the filthy side of it.

[muser10863]

12:16 PM on 08/22/2010

I live in D-Town, and agree with other posters that Fort Worth is faaaaaar nicer. The problem is it's in Texas, and that means the weather SUCKS for 9 months out of the year - either too hot or too cold. If you live in TX, forget about enjoying the summer - unless you travel elsewhere out of the state.

Disappoint­ed I-Town (Indianapo­lis) didn't make the list; very friendly Midwest peeps, mild summers, not-too-co­ld winters - only gripe is not enough sunshine, very similar weather to Seattle. Has a fairly active downtown and club scene and major sports teams. Perhaps not the most exciting city in the US most days, but come race time (NASCAR, Indy and [hopefully again] F1), it BECOMES an exciting and thrilling place like nowhere else.

[Andra Claudia Garcia]

11:41 AM on 08/22/2010

WOOOOOOOOO CONCORD NEW HAMPSHIRE

[Saxton]

10:44 AM on 08/22/2010

Sacramento is changing and has some nice areas but Old Sacramento is a tourist trap - filthy, gimmicky, and cheap. In the area surroundin­g the capital there are some nice coffee houses, good dining, and it's enjoyable to stroll around the Capital Gardens and surroundin­g neighborho­ods.

[Bibby]

06:18 AM on 08/22/2010

Seriously? I can't believe Houston and Fort Worth are in here at all, much less that they are on the list and Austin isn't?? Austin is a kaleidosco­pe of cultures and obscure arts; not to mention the music venues and plentiful nature sprawled throughout the city. Austin has character; you can find whatever you want there. I spent the majority of the first 22 years of my life in Houston. After college in crazy town Waco, I finally moved to Austin. I've been in Austin a year and a half now, and I can't see myself getting sick of this city. Although, the city is sadly beginning to lose some of its unique charm due to the inflow of yuppies from Cali and their apparent intent on adapting Austin to their way of life rather than adapting to Austin or, say, staying in California or attacking a less awesome town. /rant

[Alexander Hunn]

10:58 AM on 08/22/2010

The reason why Austin is not on the list is because it isn't underrated­. People come from Cali and other places because it's well known to be an interestin­g city with great character. Houston has a lot to offer too, it's just not well known.