When planning your ideal summer travel destination, you'll probably consider some of the usual must-sees: the Grand Canyon for hiking, Las Vegas for entertainment and nightlife, Miami for the beach. But Andrew Nelson, a travel writer for National Geographic, says overcrowding and sky-high prices dilute the appeal of must-see spots. He argues that adventurous travelers should explore other, lesser-known but equally rewarding destinations.
His new National Geographic book, “Here Not There: 100 Unexpected Travel Destinations,” documents places around the world that serve as worthy substitutes for any type of traveler tired of the “overtourism” that makes cities like Nashville, Venice, new York and Amsterdam fills with large and often unruly hordes of tourists during the peak tourist season.
“You can love places to excess,” he told ABC News. “I'm not saying you shouldn't visit iconic destinations, but as (actor Humphrey) Bogart said, 'You'll always have Paris.' There are places that are similar but not as crowded.”
“Here Not There,” a new book from National Geographic.
National Geographic Books
Nelson has visited more than half of the “dupe destinations” in his book. For those considering a trip to the United States, here are recommendations designed for five different types of travelers.
For Southern Charm: Natchez, Mississippi, Not Savannah, Georgia
Situated on 40 manicured acres, Dunleith is a historic 1856 inn, a National Historic Landmark, in Natchez, Mississippi.
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This Gothic town on the lower Mississippi River offers a vast collection of stately homes listed on the National Register of Historic Places, scrumptious cuisine at several restaurants, and, of course, great spirits at happy hour. But beyond that, Natchez has renewed its commitment to telling the story of slavery through tours and educational sites. In doing so, the city is “both real and opulent,” Nelson says.
For music tourism: Tulsa, Oklahoma, not Nashville, Tennessee
The skyline of Tulsa, Oklahoma, next to the Arkansas River.
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Downtown Tulsa pulses with musical history, with two museums dedicated to America’s greatest songwriters: the Woody Guthrie Center, which honors the Depression-era folk singer, and the Bob Dylan Center, which opened in 2022 and houses his archives. Church Studio, once operated by legendary Oklahoma musician Leon Russell, and Cain’s Ballroom, the birthplace of Western swing, also remain in operation. Tourists can also visit Gathering Place, a 100-acre natural playground that opened in 2018 and features walking trails, children’s areas and outdoor concert lawns—“a model of what a 21st-century public space could be,” Nelson says.
For Urban Cyclists: Indianapolis, Indiana, Not Amsterdam
Cityscape of downtown Indianapolis, Indiana.
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Group bike rides along downtown canals are possible in the heart of the Midwest thanks to the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, an 8-mile-long, two-lane path that parallels the waterways and passes through cultural landmarks such as the world's largest children's museum; the Bottleworks District, anchored by a 1931 former Coca-Cola bottling plant, now a boutique hotel; and the Madam Walker Legacy Center, which honors America's first self-made female millionaire.
“It’s an example of an American city that has embraced cycling,” Nelson says. “It’ll make you feel like you’re in Amsterdam for a weekend.”
For the theater: Cleveland, Ohio, not New York
Playhouse Square in Cleveland, Ohio.
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Cleveland's Playhouse Square theater district is the largest performing arts district in the United States after Broadway, Nelson says, and it's much more affordable for families on a budget. Ten theaters are in operation, and they feature touring Broadway shows, ranging from musicals to classics to comedies.
“You can fly into the city for the price of a Broadway ticket and enjoy” at least four shows in a single weekend, Nelson says.
Architectural tours of the sites, most of which are centuries old, take place on Saturdays.
For nature: Letchworth State Park in western New York, not the Grand Canyon
Hot air balloons fly over Letchworth State Park in New York State.
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Known as the “Grand Canyon of the East” for its dramatic cliffs that reach 550 feet (168 meters) high, this park offers breathtaking views of a verdant 17-mile (27-kilometer) canyon. Located two hours from Buffalo, New York, the park was donated to the state by William Pryor Letchworth, who made his millions making buggy whips. Today, hikers can hike and camp on more than 13,000 acres of wilderness and return in the fall when the colors are in full display. The 23-mile (38-kilometer) Finger Lakes Trail allows hikers to travel continuously through the park, while others follow the park’s three major waterfalls.
