Underrated Cities In The Northern US You Shouldn't Skip Visiting, According To Buzz

Everyone is keenly familiar with popular northern American cities like New York City, Chicago, and Boston — these are some of the most-visited destinations in the entire country. We also know about the baggage that comes with popular destinations, namely tourist traps, sky-high prices, big crowds, long lines, and busy streets. However, you don't need to deal with those headaches to have a great trip to a northern city. There are plenty that are severely underrated, housing first-class dining scenes, fascinating histories, cutting-edge arts communities, beautiful architecture, natural landscapes, and so much more. The American South is packed with underrated cities, but the North more than holds up its end of the bargain.

We rounded up the most underrated of the bunch by determining which northern American cities were most often declared so by experts. We looked into which had the most unique histories and things to do and which were frequently (and wrongfully) overlooked in favor of other cities. There are underrated cities all across the United States, but these are the most underrated in the northern states.

It doesn't get more charming than Portland (Maine), best known for its Old Port neighborhood lined with cobblestone, pedestrian-only streets, surrounded by a mix of the old and the new. That means that while admiring buildings — dating back to the 1800s — you'll also have your pick of acclaimed, cutting-edge restaurants ranging from beloved seafood bar Eventide Oyster Co. to small-plates-style Central Provisions, which always has something new on the menu. Besides its killer food scene (undoubtedly one of the best in the country), Portland also has around 70 breweries, a total you'll struggle to match anywhere on the planet.

But there's a lot more to do than eat and drink in this habitually underrated city, which is perhaps overlooked due to its relatively small size — around 68,000 people live there, in stark contrast to the 650,000 plus people living in nearby Boston, Massachusetts. Portland is frequently called one of the country's most underrated spots by lifestyle blogs, but the city's parks and views make it a place worth visiting. The city sits on the coast of Casco Bay and has amazing views from landmarks such as Two Lights Lighthouses — the oldest lighthouse duo on the coast of Maine, dating back to 1828.

Saratoga Springs is an underrated city these days, but that wasn't always the case. Known as the "Queen of the Spas," Saratoga Springs has mineral springs with supposed healing properties that led to an influx of visitors in the late 19th century. It was around that time that Saratoga Race Course was born — the oldest race track in America — meaning even more tourists flocked here to watch horse racing and place bets. But as gambling rules tightened and the springs were nearly depleted, tourism numbers dropped. These days, Saratoga Springs is on the up once again, offering everything from a day at the races to tours of the springs and even treatments with their waters at the Roosevelt and Lincoln spas.

Even if those activities are your cup of tea, Saratoga Springs is well worth visiting. Located around 35 miles north of Albany, it is a picturesque city with a Norman Rockwell-like main street packed with cool restaurants, bars, shops, and historic architecture. Even a stay here can be a blast from the past, as the city has historic bed-and-breakfasts and inns — the Adelphi Hotel dates back to 1877. Saratoga Springs is also home to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, a popular venue that hosts performers like Pitbull and Walker Hayes, so you can always find a reason to visit. The music venue is part of the nearly 2,500-acre Saratoga Spa State Park, a National Historic Landmark with several other prominent attractions.

With a relatively homogeneous population and a long list of ghost towns, Wisconsin isn't exactly an epicenter of culture and development, but the same can't be said about Milwaukee, the largest city in the state. And yes, that goes way beyond cheese and beer, which the city is best known for to outsiders. Milwaukee is a diverse cultural melting pot, with significant Black, Latin, and Asian populations that make its restaurants, shops, and neighborhoods lively and interesting. Visitors can taste everything at once at the Milwaukee Public Market's 19 vendors, offering everything from pad Thai to tacos. For a culinary destination with entertainment, check out 3rd Street Market Hall, home to 18 food vendors, as well as a TopGolf Swing Suite and retro and backyard games.

It doesn't hurt that Milwaukee is beautiful. Located on the banks of Lake Michigan, the Cream City has a shore vibe but lacks the price tag of many other waterside cities — it is considered one of the most affordable cities in the country. Even with those low prices, Milwaukee has plenty of fascinating cultural destinations, such as the Milwaukee Art Museum, designed by the same man who later designed the World Trade Center Oculus in New York City. The city annually hosts Summerfest, the planet's biggest outdoor music festival — for only $20, visitors can enjoy shows by popular artists like Maroon 5, Motley Crue, and Keith Urban.

Ask anyone to name one city in Washington, and you'll hear Seattle again and again. But there's a reason why Olympia has been the state capital since 1853 — it has a little something for everyone. Located on Puget Sound, this waterfront city has stunning coastal views and the staggeringly beautiful nature that Washington is known for, particularly in spots such as the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. Stretching over 4,500 acres, the preserve is a haven for bird watchers and hikers alike, with gorgeous hiking trails and at least 200 types of birds. For more nature vibes, head to Tumwater Falls to see the annual run of Chinook salmon in September, or bike the spectacular Yelm-Rainier-Tenino Trail surrounded by lush natural wonders.

You can then cool down with a visit to one of Olympia's brilliant bars, among them the Cheeky Martini Lounge, which is known for its plant-based sips. For a bite, head to the massive Olympia Farmers Market, which runs four days per week and sells everything from fish to jam. If you're not the outdoorsy type, Olympia is also the place to go for history and politics in Washington. The Washington State Legislative Building is here, along with other buildings of importance, such as the Old Capitol Building (used through 1928) and the 1909-constructed Governor's Mansion.

Established in 1623, Portsmouth (New Hampshire) is one of the oldest settlements in the country, not to mention its oldest port, and is packed with fantastic historic attractions. And while Portsmouth pays homage to its antiquity through its museums — such as the Strawbery Banke Museum and its recreation of a historic town — it isn't stuck in the past. Portsmouth is a vibrant hub of culture, home to the New Hampshire Film Festival and tons of art galleries. It has even been named one of the top arts destinations in the country. In this working port, people can do everything from enjoying big-name artists like Ingrid Michaelson for free at Prescott Park to supporting local theater at Portsmouth Music Hall.

Portsmouth's creativity extends to its food scene, and this place was doing farm-to-table before it was cool. The University of New Hampshire — only 20 minutes from Portsmouth — was the first American school to offer a major in ecogastronomy. People are so enamored with good food here that there are more restaurant seats than people in the city, and people from Boston often make the 60-mile journey to Portsmouth for a good meal.

Countless people descend on the Hamptons every summer, resulting in busy beaches and traffic-ridden streets. Meanwhile, 950 miles inland, people are having the same experience without the crowds. Traverse City, Michigan, is called "the Hamptons of Michigan," thanks primarily to its spectacular 64 miles of shoreline along the Grand Traverse Bay. There are tons of beaches in this city, named as one of the country's most underrated by Reader's Digest, as well as the most tall ship sailing vessels in all of the Great Lakes ports. And like the Hamptons, Traverse City also has a happening winery scene marked by hilly vineyards with spectacular views.

Grapes aren't the only fruits they know how to grow in Traverse City. The Michigan destination is the cherry capital of the world and holds the mostly free National Cherry Festival every summer. Tradition is important, but Traverse City knows how to embrace modernity. The Village at Grand Traverse Commons is a converted asylum that covers 480 acres of shops, galleries, restaurants, and more — it is also the perfect place to go for a walk or bike ride.

With a smaller population than other New England cities like Boston and Worcester, Providence (Rhode Island) is often overlooked in favor of those busier sister cities, but those who drive past it are the ones who are missing out. This historic city, which dates back to 1636, is a perennial name on lists of the most underrated cities in the world, and for good reason. Providence has a hip, college-town feel, thanks primarily to the abundance of activity at nearby Brown University and Providence College. With education comes inspiration, and that's definitely true in the many neighborhoods of Providence.

It has 15 friendly neighborhoods, including Federal Hill, a destination for authentic Italian eats and shops, and West End, which is now arguably the most exciting hangout in town. No matter where you go in Providence, you'll find delicious restaurants, as every neighborhood seems to have at least one acclaimed must-visit spot. Those include Bayberry Garden, where people can devour the famous New England seafood they expect on a visit to Rhode Island, and Los Andes, which shows off the city's multiculturalism through Bolivian and Peruvian fare. That artistic flair also flourishes away from the dining room, as Providence is a paradise for art lovers. The Rhode Island School of Design Museum houses 100,000 art pieces, and the WaterFire Arts Center always has a cutting-edge new exhibit to see.

Montpelier is the capital of Vermont, but it doesn't seem to get as much travel love as it deserves. Besides being the center of Vermont politics and home to the Vermont State House — which is available for tours — Montpelier is a buzzing city with trendy shops and restaurants, as well as activities perfect for experiencing the glorious nature that is everywhere in Vermont. One of the neat things about the eateries lining Montpelier's walkable downtown is that many have embraced Vermont's ethos and heritage — CreeMee's soft-serve ice cream stand offers a Vermont maple flavor, while Positive Pie pizzeria lives up to its motto of serving "Italian flavors with a Vermont sensibility." 

To see the best that Montpelier has to offer, visitors need to make room in their schedule for a hike. Options include the 200-acre Hubbard Park, which has a tower with views of the city, or Siboinebi Path, which is parallel to the Winooski River and has a great spot for picnicking. To get a closer look at the many animals in and around Vermont, check out the 28-acre North Branch Nature Center, which offers classes, presentations, and activities for families — including owl spotting adventures. Montpelier is where Vermont's nature and community intersect, which is readily apparent at award-winning distillery Barr Hill. Its gin is infused with honey, and the distillery is located on a picturesque property with yard games.

As the home of the University of Oregon, Eugene hits all the marks of a college town with its artsy ambiance, vibrant bars, and eclectic roster of activities. However, unlike every other college town, Eugene was also one of the settings of the classic college film "Animal House." It is also the base of TrackTown USA— a nonprofit running organization that celebrates Eugene's long history of track running, thanks in part to legendary runner Steve Prefontaine's time at the University of Oregon. But if running through the mall is more your style, check out one of Eugene's many markets, as this underrated town is a shopping haven.

Eugene is home to the colossal 5th Street Public Market, which has wonderful wineries interspersed around its stores and restaurants, as well as the Eugene Saturday Market, an outdoor market that dates back to the 1970s and is the perfect place to find unique items. Eugene is a destination for both beer and wine, and it's home to more than 20 breweries and over 25 wineries — the city is a part of Willamette Valley Wine Country. One of the wineries that pay homage to Eugene's mindset is Antiquum Farm, a sustainable winery that keeps its grapes free of pests by using farm animals rather than pesticides. Visitors can bask in Eugene's natural glory from behind a pair of handlebars since the city is also in the second-most bike-friendly state in America, according to the League of American Bicyclists.

Americans often jump into December's festive spirit with trips to the incredible Christmas markets in Europe, but they don't have to fly nearly as far for a magical holiday experience. For obvious reasons, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, is known as the Christmas City. Every holiday season, it transforms into a winter wonderland with its massive Christkindlmarkt offering artisanal items and a variety of tours, like its Christmas City Stroll. If you're searching for a picture-perfect winter holiday vacation in the United States, look no further than Bethlehem. However, you don't need to save your visit for the chilly weather. Every summer, Bethlehem hosts America's biggest free music festival — Musikfest, featuring hundreds of A-list acts like Kesha and Jason Mraz.

Musikfest takes place before the backdrop of SteelStacks, the former Bethlehem Steel Plant that possesses a curious urban beauty, especially when the sun is setting. The 10-acre plant is now a cultural hub hosting historic tours and festivals nearly every month. For indoor fun, those who want to let loose can do so at Wind Creek, the city's casino with hotel rooms, concerts, restaurants owned by celebrity chefs, a spa, and an outlet mall. Throw in a bustling downtown with tons of shops, restaurants, and breweries, and Bethlehem is the best of all worlds in one small, underrated city.

Move over, New York City — it is time for Rochester to shine. The Big Apple's sister city in upstate New York is known as one of the most artsy cities in the country, thanks to its abundance of museums and galleries. Those include the Memorial Art Gallery — which houses works from acclaimed artists like Claude Monet and Andy Warhol — and the Strong National Museum of Play, which holds the largest toy collection on the planet. The museum is great fun for visitors of all ages and is packed with vintage pinball machines and other games. Undoubtedly, it is one of the best children's museums in the United States.

Rochester has plenty of urban excitement, but they don't call it the Flower City without reason. Every year, Rochester displays the world's biggest collection of lilacs at the Rochester Lilac Festival. Another well-known festival taking place here is the Rochester International Jazz Festival, which is also one of the biggest jazz festivals in the world. Need more proof that Rochester knows how to combine its urban cultural attitude with natural beauty? Just look downtown. The 96-foot-tall High Falls waterfall is smack in the middle of the downtown area, offering an unmatched shopping and dining view.

American travel guides are often packed with stories of big-name northern cities like New York City, Seattle, Boston, and others, but you don't need to spend the big bucks — and battle the crowds — to get a fabulous travel experience. That's where these underrated cities come in, with cool restaurants, hip shops, history, and cultured vibes without all the pretense.

In order to assemble this list, we researched which northern U.S. cities rea frequently declared as being underrated by well-known sources and blogs. We focused on cities with the most interesting and unique things to do, determining which cities had the most well-rounded visitor-friendly qualities. This could include thing like award-winning dining scenes and beautiful, natural scenery. All of these northern cities are often overlooked due to their proximity to more well-known locales.