While the classic tourism hot spots – think Paris, London, Barcelona… – will forever be popular, travellers are always seeking out the elusive “hidden gem”.
Influencers may tout any old spot as underground in a bid to create original content, but uncovering genuine lesser-known destinations has numerous benefits outside of social media kudos.
You get crowd- and stress-free travel (and often cracking deals). The place you’re visiting gets your hard-earned money, which is reinvested in the community. It’s a win-win.
Which is exactly why Airbnb has compiled its first “America off-the-map” list, a collection of 20 rural US destinations to visit in 2026.
Created by looking at small and medium-sized destinations with limited traditional accommodation options such as hotels, the list covers the length and breadth of the US.
“Short-term rentals have fundamentally changed who gets to benefit from tourism,” Jordi Torres, Airbnb managing director for the Americas, said.
“When travellers discover a unique Airbnb listing in a town they’ve never heard of, more than half say they’re inspired to visit for the first time. We want to help spread tourism opportunities to new areas, to lessen the burden on crowded hot spots and give these communities the chance to benefit from this growing trend.”
Under-the-radar destinations to visit in 2026
Always wanted to visit Yosemite National Park but don’t want to deal with the crowds? Coarsegold might be the alternative you’re looking for.
An hour’s drive away from the park, exploring Yosemite is very much on the cards but once you’re done for the day, you can retreat to the peace and quiet this small town offers.
Plus, Coarsegold has its own historic village filled to the brim with antique stores, with flea markets held every weekend.
Another option for hikers is Pine Creek Gorge, also known as Pennsylvania’s Grand Canyon. You can hike the rim trail around the 75.6-kilometre gorge, or rent a kayak and go paddling through the creek.
If you’re more of a beach holiday kind of person, consider Na’alehu in Hawaii instead. The southernmost town in the US, you’ll be just a 12-minute drive from Punalu’u Black Sand Beach, which is known for its hawksbill turtles.
Over in Montana, Fort Peck Lake, one of the largest man-made lakes in the US, is “one of the country’s great undiscovered recreational destinations”.
Here, you can go walleye and paddlefish fishing, camp by the lakeshore and just generally enjoy an escape in nature.
History buffs will want to check out Goldfield in Nevada. Once the largest city in the state, now less than 300 people call it home, and the numerous abandoned buildings make a visit here feel like you’re stepping back in time.
For the full list of all 20 destinations, and the reasons to visit, you can check out Airbnb’s America Off-the-Map list here.
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