In terms of travelling responsibly, ‘undertourism’ is a wise option. Not only can it help struggling economies, it offers a selection of personal benefits such as evading overpriced restaurants and hotels as well as unearthing the true personality of a country, away from the ubiquitous souvenir shops.
Visit The USA has compiled a list of eight emerging American destinations for your 2020 bucket list.
- Baltimore, Maryland – For modern art and an award-winning food…
This city has a blossoming food, drink and art scene due to it having one of the biggest explosions of artists and entrepreneurs in the country. For the lovers of art, the Baltimore Museum of Art, is an obvious place to visit with the largest collection of Henri Matisse in the world. The American Visionary Art Museum is another option, here you can see the work of self-taught artists and even participate in walk-in weekend workshops. Similarly, you can explore the city’s food scene, which has also experienced a culinary renaissance with new food hall markets such as the Lexington market and restaurants with James Beard award-winning chefs at the helm like The Woodberry Kitchen.
- Mammoth Lakes, California – For wilderness and adventure…
If you’re looking for the exhilaration of wilderness camping, mountain biking, hiking and fly fishing or skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing then the Mammoth Lakes is the ultimate option, ideal for summer as well as winter. In addition, Mammoth Lakes also offers humbling scenery and excellent culinary options. Accommodation ranges from cool campsites and luxurious hotels to the Tamarack Lodge—Mammoth’s most secluded resort, where cosy cabins line the water’s edge of Twin Lakes.
- Dallas, Texas – For arts districts and craft beer…
Here you will discover a thriving art scene and some of the best bars and restaurants in the state. The Dallas Museum of Modern Art features 5,000 years’ worth of historical art; North Oak Cliff, the Bishop Arts District showcases an array of independent shops selling locally designed jewellery, art and all-natural beauty products; and Deep Ellum hosts colourful mural-lined streets and craft-beer bars sitting side-by-side with blues music venues.
- Tulsa, Oklahoma – For jazz and art deco architecture…
Tulsa boasts a beautiful art deco downtown with features such as Decopolis – a museum that offers free walking maps highlighting the city’s magnificent architecture, including the Philcade Building, with it’s art deco architecture exhibit. And for music lovers: the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame at Union Station where you can learn about music legends and attend Sunday jazz concerts on the concourse.
- Portland, Maine – For history and seafood…
First settled in 1632, the port city has a rich maritime heritage that can be experienced through a historic walking tour or a visit to the Maine Historical Museum in downtown Portland. A lobster roll from one of Portland’s many seafood shacks is the option for seafood lovers, or, for a more elevated experience: the James Beard Award-winning Eventide Oyster Company, which offers some of the best seafood dishes in town served with a signature Bubbly Mary (a bloody Mary with cava).
- Tucson, Arizona – For gastronomy and the great outdoors…
Only an hour’s drive north of the Mexican border, the USA’s first UNESCO City of Gastronomy has some of the best tacos in the country. It also offers a wide selection of activities for adventurers, such as hiking through the Sabino Canyon and Saguaro National Park, exploring three miles of passageways and caves at Colossal Cave Mountain Park or horse riding and rock climbing at White Stallion Ranch. Stay at Hotel McCoy —a colourful mid-century-inspired modern art hotel suitable for laid-back travellers; or Posada by Joshua Tree House — a serene five-suite inn located within 38 acres of forest, perfect for nature-lovers.
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida – For beaches and a vibrant LGBTQ+ scene…
With beaches and bars to rival its famous neighbour, Miami, Fort Lauderdale is the ultimate fun holiday destination. Visit the highly anticipated Seminole Hard Rock Hotel – a massive casino and hotel complex built in the shape of a guitar featuring 469 rock-star worthy rooms and suites, waterslides and live events – only opened in late 2019. In addition, Fort Lauderdale is one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly destinations in the world and is home to the world’s first LGBTQ+ Visitor Centre, which showcases the attractions and bars that may interest visitors.
- Louisville Kentucky – For dining and distilleries…
Louisville is the ideal easy-going city stay with excellent restaurants, the Kentucky Derby and the Muhammad Ali Centre. The city’s burgeoning food scene ranges from contemporary American cuisine with city-skyline views at the rooftop restaurant 8UP, to thick and cheesy Louisville-style pizza at Impellizzeri. Imbibers can enjoy the state’s national drink, bourbon, at their pick of distilleries and bars such as Gerstle’s in Crescent Hill, serving signature deep-fried cheese balls with bourbon and side of live blues and rock’n’roll, and Old Louisville’s 610 Magnolia, which pairs locally distilled bourbon and wine with multi-course tasting menus.