Categories: Travel

Top 12 Most Boring US Destinations People Say You Shouldn’t Visit

Photo by Sean Pavone at Shutterstock

Our readers say that these are the most boring US destinations… Do YOU agree?

The US is a vibrant and exciting country that hosts various popular events yearly, attracting visitors worldwide. But not all places are created equal.

Must See Places took note of your comments over the years, and here’s what we learned: there are many boring US destinations that some folks claim you shouldn’t visit. But hey, who said boring can’t be intriguing?

So join us as we unravel the mystery of what makes these cities snooze fests. From seemingly uneventful landscapes to sleepy towns, we’ll explore every nook and cranny to find out what makes these places… not tick!

Continue reading as we shine a light on 12 seemingly boring US destinations, and tell us if you agree!

Photo by Kit Leong at Shutterstock

Boring US destination: Cheyenne, Wyoming

Located in one of the dullest and least exciting states in our nation, Cheyenne is considered one of the most uninteresting cities in America. Primarily consisting of a conservative and older population, only 6 people per mile live in this city.

According to locals, the city lacks entertainment and job opportunities. But all that aside, should you visit? We think it looks pretty!

Boring US destination: Indianapolis, Indiana

Indianapolis is one of the top 5 biggest cities in the Midwest and home to the Indy500. So what’s not to love? Apparently, much like a lot of the Midwestern cities, it’s pretty dull.

The capital of Indiana, Indianapolis has one of the most bland downtown areas among big metro cities in the nation, consisting of only a handful of restaurants and bars, and that’s really where the entertainment ends.

In fact, due to the boring atmosphere, the city has gotten a reputation for winning the nickname: “Naptown!”

Photo by Wangkun Jia at Shutterstock

Boring US destination: Mesa, Arizona

Mesa is an Arizona city with a population of roughly 500,000. So, you would think that with so many people, there must surely be lots of things to see and do in this city. Well, apparently, that’s not exactly the case.

The area has a small population of kids and basically no nightlife. Also, there aren’t many options for dining and entertainment, and the nearest beach is approximately a 6 hours drive from Mesa.

Boring US destination: Cape Coral, Florida

Who would’ve thought The Sunshine State would show up on this list? And as far as we know, Cape Coral is one of the largest retirement cities in the nation. So what’s the problem? The city doesn’t have much to offer for younger generations in terms of entertainment.

So, if you’re not a retiree, you’ll probably be bored here. It has a few expensive restaurants that are closed by 8:00 pm, and the bulk of its citizens, which are seniors, tend to vote in favor of extra bocce fields rather than youth programs.

But hey, at least the views are unbeatable!

Photo by Faina Gurevich at Shutterstock

Boring US destination: Aurora, Colorado

Aurora is the 3rd biggest city in this state. But it doesn’t come close to the big two cities, Colorado Springs and Denver, in terms of entertainment. If you want to live in a city with peaceful, serene surroundings, then Aurora is the place to be.

But if you’re looking for excitement, this isolated city doesn’t have any large entertainment hubs, theatres, or arenas to keep you busy while on vacation.

Boring US destination: Lubbock, Texas

The city of Lubbock has one of the lowest arts per capita rates, and also the lowest rate of music venues among Texan cities. Also, when it comes to non-fast food restaurants, this city is one of the worst places in the United States.

So, with restricted dining options, the city is also famous for being rather dull. Sorry Lubbock! But even though you’re not that popular, we still think you look lovely!

Photo by Kit Leong at Shutterstock

Boring US destination: Henderson, Nevada

We get it! When most people think of Nevada, they think of Vegas. So Henderson, being a city with minimal gaming zones, nightlife, and arenas, usually means it’s a city with no recreation.

Since the city is located so close to Las Vegas, its residents mostly go to Sin City to party and let loose on their weekends, leaving the people in Henderson with not much to do in their own metropolis.

Boring US destination: Anchorage, Alaska

Seeing one of the biggest cities in Alaska on this list might surprise you. But sadly, we think it might be because it’s also considered the most boring state in the United States.

Apparently, apart from recreational activities like fishing and skiing, there really isn’t much to see and do in this city. And even though it’s such a large city, it doesn’t have any sports arenas or entertainment hubs.

Photo by Nicholas J Klein at Shutterstock

Boring US destination: Fort Wayne, Indiana

Geez, what do people have against this state?!? Fort Wayne is a city with a population of roughly 268,000, which hosts a few festivals each year. But other than that, there really isn’t much to see and do here.

The population of Fort Wayne is mostly seniors, and there are minimal options for a nightlife or non-fast food restaurants. Also, this area barely has any music venues or stadiums.

Boring US destination: Stockton, California

California is home to some of the most exhilarating cities worldwide, but according to our readers, Stockton is definitely not one of them. It’s considered one of California’s most boring cities and possibly the entire nation.

It’s a farming city with low scores when it comes to culture and arts. In fact, watching TV is the most popular activity in the town apparently… Harsh! Have YOU been here? What do you think?

Photo by Lou Taylor at Shutterstock

Boring US destination: Chesapeake, Virginia

To begin, there aren’t many nightlife and music venues in Chesapeake. There are equally few arts amenities and only a fair amount of active life options to make matters worse. So, this isn’t an exciting spot to plan a vacation.

That is unless you’re into birdwatching, swamps, or taking naps. If so, be sure to pack a good pair of binoculars for bird peeping on your adventures!

And another thing: this city is home to a huge part of the Great Dismal Swamp. Yes, that’s what it’s called, and we think it might be fitting.

Boring US destination: Plano, Texas

Plano is a relatively pleasant and calm location to live, but calm hardly equals an exciting travel destination. The nightlife of this city was ranked 93rd in the US and 97th regarding most music venues per person here.

Things could be better regarding art centers and fine dining options as well. And even though this city is indeed located in an affluent state with excellent schools, it lacks a lot of entertainment most look for when planning their vacation.

Final note from Must See Places: Even though most of the cities on our list are wealthy cities in big states, they aren’t exactly outstanding options if you’re looking for entertainment.

This just goes to show that a city can be developed socioeconomically, but that doesn’t mean it’s an exciting place to visit too.

What are YOUR thoughts. Do you agree with the cities mentioned in our list? Please let us know in the comments section below.

And if you ARE planning your next trip, Must See Places has ALWAYS got you covered! For example, check out the 9 Incredible Shoulder Season Travel Destinations in the US for Your Bucket List!

View Comments

  • I've lived in Henderson, NV for most of my life and don't quite know why it's on this list. My son, his wife and I went for a walk last night in an extremely interesting park/trail in a wash with abundant desert vegetation and amenities such as sports courts, amphitheaters, dog parks etc. Henderson has many urban parks for all sorts of activities including mountain biking and climbing. And, truthfully, you can't separate it from Las Vegas for entertainment. Of which, Las Vegas calls itself the adult entertainment capital of the World. This fact is arguable, of course, but can be justified.

  • Dismal Swamp/Chesapeake VA is the ABSOLUTE BEST! You just need to do it by boat. We’ve done it 4 times, and loved every minute! Stop at the Welcome Center and the State Park buildings for cool info. Amazing to find this next to Norfolk VA.

  • It's had that name for at least 50 years. I grew up in Kokomo 50 miles due north of Indy and moved to Denver Colorado only to return a few years ago. Culture shock is putting it mildly and not a lot has changed in the 45 or so years I was gone. Being bored isn't even the worst part, it's the crappy weather no matter what time of year. It's humid and hot all summer with 2 weeks of autumn that is nice and then gray and ugly til spring for 6 windy weeks then it rains
    We do have a lot of fairs and festivals and car shows though, might be the DIY/craft capital of the nation.lol

Share
Published by
R. C.

Recent Posts

When NOT to Visit These 7 Famous US Cities… and When to Go Instead

Keep reading to find out when NOT to visit some of the best cities in…

7 Charming Appalachian Trail Small Towns With Stunning Views

Going on a trip? Take a little detour to these adorable Appalachian Trail small towns!…

11 Low-Cost Beach Vacations for an Affordable Summer

Forget spending an arm and a leg! These low-cost beach vacations are just what you…

8 Charming All-American Hotels That’ll Take You Back in Time

What are YOU doing this summer? How about planning a trip and staying in one…

8 Stunning Budget-Friendly Destinations Where a Dollar Goes Far

Going on a vacation doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg...Check out these…

8 Beautiful Chesapeake Bay Hidden Gems You MUST SEE

Looking for your next getaway? Check out these Chesapeake Bay hidden gems! Get ready fellow…