11 Under-The-Radar Tourist Towns (PHOTOS)

We all know about places like Orlando and Las Vegas. These world-famous vacation hotspots draw countless crowds year after year from around the world. However, peppered across the United States are countless regional tourist towns visited mostly by people who live nearby. These smaller, unique places offer something that Orlando never can--a more personal, intimate experience of classic Americana. If your plans call for something beyond the standard tourist destinations, here are ten of America's best tourist towns that you may not know about

Text, captions and some photos courtesy of Tourist Town Guide's Dirk Vanderwilt.

 

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Astoria, Oregon

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Where does Hollywood go when it needs a picturesque small-town setting? On the border of Washington State and surrounded by Oregon’s scenic, natural beauty, Astoria has been a filming location for many mainstream films, including "The Goonies," "Free Willy," "The Ring," "Kindergarten Cop," and even "Short Circuit."

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Where does Hollywood go when it needs a picturesque small-town setting? On the border of Washington State and surrounded by Oregon’s scenic, natural beauty, Astoria has been a filming location for many mainstream films, including "The Goonies," "Free Willy," "The Ring," "Kindergarten Cop," and even "Short Circuit."

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Town

Rank #2  |  Average: 4

Boring. Best!

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Comments

[SBrooksB]

03:47 PM on 11/14/2010

I'd like to see a list of authentically charming American towns that haven't been castrated by the forces of gentrification, Disneyfication, and corporate-fueled consumerism. If any rugged holdouts exist, they're an endangered breed.

I grew up in New Orleans, and have lived in Manhattan since 1970. While still interesting places by American standards, neither city is as interesting as it was 20-50 years ago. Slowly but surely, they're being absorbed into our bland, homogenized USA — one T.G.I. Friday's, one Starbucks, one soulless glass tower at a time.

Our environment reflects who we are and what we've come to value.....and it makes me sad.

[Turtleposer]

06:47 PM on 11/13/2010

We went to Gatlinburg 20 years ago. Very touristy. The neatest thing there was seeing biblical graffiti in the bathroom stalls. Beats going to church.

[Rasberry]

05:07 PM on 11/10/2010

Not one place in Florida, huh? There are still a few places in Florida that are charming and uncrowded, like Panacea. Beautiful beaches, fresh seafood and oysters (well pre-bp, anyway), located within an hour from the tacky touristy area of Panama City. Further East, between Panama City and Pensacola, is Fort Walton Beach where they have some great annual festivals including Billy Bowlegs (pirate festival) and the Mullet Festival (nearby).

[boyer37212]

03:13 PM on 11/10/2010

Gatlinburg? Head three and a half hours west to Nashville. You can hear ALL sorts of great live music, stay in some nice hotels, eat some good food and just chill.

[Rasberry]

04:59 PM on 11/10/2010

Or 2 hours southwest, to Chattanooga. Nature, Music, Arts, Hotels.. and some really great BBQ:)

[boyer37212]

05:17 PM on 11/10/2010

Chattanooga is a GREAT visit. The Read House is a great, old hotel. Then there's is Lookout Mountain, which has an old school kishyness to it, but it something I would do again. The National Park is great (dedicated to the Battle of Chattanooga). Plus riding that tram up the side of the mountain (scary). And white-water rafting, watching hang-gliders at one of North America's top hang gliding spots. And of course, The Pickle Barrel!

[lillibet]

01:48 PM on 11/10/2010

Solvang? Talk about overrated! And overcrowded. It's the tourist trap between LA and SF. Stop at the many lovely wineries that aren't far off 101 (Laetitia Winery is a must) and eat lunch in Paso Robles instead.

[camanokat]

04:33 PM on 11/10/2010

The charm is that it is a ticky tacky tourist trap. I like Solvang!

[TravisMay11]

01:46 PM on 11/10/2010

Frankenmuth is a cool little town, but it's not like you would/should travel 1000 miles to see it. Unless the idea of the world's biggest Christmas store makes you very excited.

[exile]

01:21 PM on 11/10/2010

john wayne ??
snicker
sorry true americans
lol
hahaha
actor makes good
weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[theryan]

01:09 PM on 11/10/2010

Are these sappose to be nice little towns? Not going to knock on them, but drive 2 hours in 'Generic State A' and you will see some nice little towns.

[antonymous]

12:52 PM on 11/10/2010

Wisconsin Dells is the tackiest place in the Midwest. It's like Florida sneezed and a little glob of garish, overdeveloped snot landed in Wisconsin.

[The Albany Kid]

01:01 PM on 11/10/2010

LMAO...excellent (and true) metaphor!

[babyboomerorig]

09:56 PM on 11/11/2010

If you stay away from the tourist traps, there's a lot to see.....well, not that much actually. I live there and don't have a lot of good things to say. Do love the scenery, though. Upper Dells Boat trip is good. Also like renting a pontoon for the afternoon, fishing on the WI River and stopping on a sandy beach for a picnic. Just have to get off the traps and see what else is there.

[Charlie Ham]

12:49 PM on 11/10/2010

sandusky, ohio? make sure to stop by callahans auto parts

[johnqsittinzen]

01:10 PM on 11/10/2010

Tommy like wingees.

[exile]

01:20 PM on 11/10/2010

good idea

[Rightlygay]

12:48 PM on 11/10/2010

Cedar Point ,in Sandusky, Ohio, has consistently been voted best amusement park in the country.....If you like coasters its the best in the world....and pretty inexpensive compared to Disney....but still a LOT BETTER!

[SukiTheCat]

12:18 PM on 11/10/2010

I've never counted so many men with mullets than the time I was in Ocean City MD

[marianproletarian]

12:16 PM on 11/10/2010

Sandusky, OH--home of Callahan Auto Parts?

[yappnmutt]

11:44 AM on 11/10/2010

thank god a few of my favorite places aren't mentioned. the last thing they need are tourists to spoil the locals with a lot of aggravation.

[bettyx1138]

11:40 AM on 11/10/2010

mystic CT is kind of heinous.

[Delaney]

11:49 AM on 11/10/2010

Madison County, Iowa IS heinous.