11 US Places Only Locals Know About

The first thing people do when traveling is search for the local tourist attractions.  For example, you know where to find the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, and the Empire State Building. Those are very well-known places and don’t get me wrong. You won’t be led astray by visiting any of them.

But there are those hidden gems that only the locals know about that AREN’T listed in any best attractions list that are just as good to see, if not better. There will be fewer crowds and a different experience than your typical, cliché tourist spots.

That’s why when traveling, talk to locals and ask them what to see and do.  We’ve rounded up 11 hidden gems for you to check out when visiting through the country.

House Of Eternal Return, Santa Fe, NM

George R.R. Martin, author of the Game of Thrones books, bought an empty bowling alley in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and rented it to a 135-member group of artists. What did they choose to do? They created an elaborate interactive art installation.

This place is a 3D environment, part haunted house, part choose-your-own-adventure, and part jungle gym. According to Atlas Obscura, the 20,000sqft space is fully explorable, with visitors piecing together a random story on their own. It’s not your typical museum where you just see and observe. You are part of the art! There are a total of 70 distinct interconnected spaces that fill the house.

Baha’i Temple, Wilmette, IL

Those in the Chicago area are familiar with the Baha’i Temple, though most probably know nothing about the religion itself. We’ve discovered that it’s a gorgeous building that makes for a pleasant visit to spend a short time roaming its gardens and appreciating its intricate stonework.

It began with the purchase of a couple of plots of land along Lake Michigan in 1907, north of Chicago, in the town of Wilmette. The project was already delayed because individual contributions funded it, but the Baha’i Temple was further held up by the two World Wars and the Great Depression. The foundation stone was laid in 1920, and construction ended with the temple’s formal dedication in 1953.

Underground Tunnels, Los Angeles, CA

During prohibition, corrupt city officials ran speakeasies under the streets of Downtown Los Angeles. Anyone heading to LA is probably thinking beaches and fun in the sun, not dark underground tunnels.

But these hidden tunnels of Los Angeles are full of history from the roaring 20s because the party never stopped as the 11 miles of tunnels were what people used to move around without worrying about the authorities.

To get into these tunnels today, you have to take an elevator down into a passageway filled with graffiti and rusted machinery, while iron gates limit you to places that are earthquake safe.

The Last Bookstore, Los Angeles, CA

While in LA, there is time for a little light reading on the beach, so check out this unique bookshop housed inside an abandoned bank. The Last Bookstore is California’s largest new and used book and record store. Owner Josh Spencer took his years of experience selling everything from cars to clothes online and focused instead on his first love, books!

The grand atrium of a forgotten bank was converted into this unique bookstore and offers low-cost and vintage books. Sculptures are made from overstocked or damaged books, hardbacks arranged by color, and every book in the upstairs area is just $1.

Hamilton Pool, Austin, TX

You probably aren’t thinking of the beach when you’re in Austin, but if you go to the Hamilton Pool, you’ll see a naturally formed spring in the limestone bedrock. It looks as if it was plucked from a tropical island and dropped into the middle of Austin’s limestone hills.

The cave and waterfall are part of a now protected preserve, and visitors will be blown away by the overhanging dome that once hid the entire grotto until it collapsed. It’s safe now, but before you go, make reservations because they are required to swim in this gorgeous and refreshing water.

City Hall Station, New York City, NY

The City Hall Station in NYC is unlike any subway station you have ever been to before. The station was the first subway station in NYC, opening in 1904 and closing in 1945. It’s beautiful from top to bottom, with lavished fine architectural details, including glass tiles and giant chandeliers. Today, the station is abandoned but open for tours if you are a museum member.

While it would seem only locals can be members, for tourists, it’s only $60 to join and get a behind-the-scenes view of a massive transit system. Bonus Tip: It’s also at the Manhattan end of a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge, so it makes for a great add-on to your visit.

Coyote Buttes Ravine, Marble Canyon, AZ

The Wave is one of the most incredible geological formations globally, and it was only discovered in the 90s in the Coyote Buttes ravine. Over millions of years, immense sandstone structures have been shaped by rain, wind, and ice because these dunes have been calcified horizontally and vertically.

It’s not your typical destination when heading to Arizona, and they are tough to see because only 20 visitors are permitted into the ravine to walk through daily, with grants being issued through lotteries. This is an excellent place for the adventurous because there are many things to do like hiking, rafting, ATV rentals, horse riding, camping, and a sanctuary tour.

Plan ahead because it’s only open five days a week. Saturday and Sunday it’s closed.

The Pirate Tower, Laguna, CA

You may have heard about this legendary 60ft pirate tower in Southern California but perhaps never found it. A Senator built the tower in the 20s for easier access to the beach but later sold it to a pirate enthusiast who transformed it into a storytelling and treasure hunting castle. Getting to this place is a bit difficult, seeing as it’s hidden underneath a neighborhood!

Your best bet is to park your car along the highway next to the Montage hotel and follow the beach access stairs of the hotel to Victoria beach. From there, walk about 1/4 of a mile to get to the tower. The tower and the rocks surrounding it make the whole place look like you’re on a European beach somewhere. Since this is an obscure place, not too many people go here. You have the entire area to yourself to watch the sunset and enjoy the ocean.

Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia, PA

I know that Jail doesn’t sound like a prime vacation spot, but the locals in Philadelphia will tell you to stop in at the Eastern State Penitentiary for a look back at prison history. Don’t worry, the inmates are long gone! It was open between 1829 and 1971 and housed people like Al Capone.

It may look like a castle, but the massive building was designed to be the type of prison where inmates were always isolated, even while eating. The fortress on the outskirts of the city is a unique experience! Self-guided audio tours are available and narrated by Steve Buscemi and include audio from former inmates and guards talking about their experiences in prison. Most of the cells are “as is” with the rubble and decay of many decades, while others are used as art installations.

Apostle Islands, Bayfield, WI

The 60ft high sandstone walls are almost too perfect to be naturally made, but they are, and this is a hidden gem of Wisconsin. This region is filled with 21 islands framed by 12 miles of Wisconsin shoreline and is a stunningly beautiful Lake Superior escape.

The islands lay scattered around off the Bayfield Peninsula. For those interested, organized tours are a popular way to see the islands (and don’t forget lighthouses) without breaking out tent stakes or a sweat over paddling. Also, Lake Superior can be temperamental, so proceed with when it comes to the weather, and bring good maps.

Pier 54, New York, NY

It’s not “Studio” 54, but this pier has an attachment to one of the biggest disasters in sailing history. Pier 54 was supposed to be the dock where the Titanic reached New York City, which got the Carpathia instead of the massive ship that sank after hitting an iceberg.

In its heyday of Atlantic crossings, one could see magnificent ships from famous companies such as Cunard, White Star, and French Line. While not an entire museum, the old gate at the pier is still available to see today, and it’s a look back at some history that never was. So if you’re in the area, check it out!