Flickr / Erik Drost
Cleveland, Ohio’s West Side Market.
Each state has its iconic landmarks
, but there are plenty of attractions that fly under the radar.
New York has the Empire State Building, but it’s also home to Letchworth State Park, unofficially known as the “Grand Canyon of the East.”
We’ve rounded up the most worthwhile but lesser-known tourist attraction in every state.
While some of these places have a significant amount of visitors each year, they remain hidden gems to many out-of-state travelers.
An earlier version of this post was written by Jill Comoletti and Eliza McKelvey.
ALABAMA: Mobile Bay bills itself as “secretly awesome,” and its many tourist attractions prove this to be true. Attend the world’s oldest Mardi Gras celebration, eat some fresh seafood, go kayaking and fishing, and take in the beautiful views of the Gulf of Mexico.
Learn more about Mobile Bay >
ALASKA: The ocean, ice, and mountains all meet at Kenai Fjords National Park in Seward, Alaska. Enjoy the park by foot or take a boat cruise along the coast in the summer.
Learn more about Kenai Fjords National Park >
ARIZONA: Reaching the Wave in Arizona requires both a permit and a rigorous hike. But the awe-inspiring view makes this attraction well worth the journey.
Learn more about The Wave >
ARKANSAS: The only facility in America that preserves the Ozark heritage and way of life, the Ozark Folk Center is located in the state parks of Mountain View and offers a restaurant, cabins, and concerts.
Learn more about the Ozark Folk Center >
CALIFORNIA: Most people have heard of the Golden Gate Bridge, but not everyone knows that some of the best views of the bridge and of San Francisco can be found by visiting the Marin Headlands, a hilly peninsula located at the southernmost end of Marin County.
Learn more about the Marin Headlands >
COLORADO: Visit the tallest dunes in North America at the Great Sand Dunes National Park. You can hike through the park, cool off in Medano Creek, and even go sand sledding.
Learn more about Great Sand Dunes National Park >
CONNECTICUT: Gillette Castle was built in 1919 as a home for the famous actor and playwright, William Gillette. Though the castle’s exterior looks like a cold medieval fortress, its interior is full of homey touches. You can tour the inside of the home from Memorial Day weekend to Columbus Day.
Learn more about Gillette Castle >
DELAWARE: Located on Pea Patch Island, Fort Delaware was built in 1859 and used to hold Confederate prisoners of war. You can now access the fort via ferry and be transported back to the summer of 1854, with the help of costumed interpreters.
Learn more about Fort Delaware >
FLORIDA: Originally a winter home built by businessman James Deering in 1910, the Villa Vizcaya is now a national historic landmark and museum complete with stunning gardens located in Miami. The lavish estate has an intriguing history and is definitely worth a visit.
Learn more about the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens >
GEORGIA: Described as “hauntingly beautiful,” Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah is the burial ground of military generals, famous poet Conrad Aiken, and Georgia’s first governor, among others. Its southern gothic style has been a source of inspiration for writers, photographers, and filmmakers alike for over 150 years.
Learn more about Bonaventure Cemetery >
HAWAII: It’s easy to think that Hawaii is all beaches and volcanoes, but it’s also home to the Iolani Palace. The palace, which is in downtown Honolulu, was built in 1882 as the official residence of the state’s monarchy. It’s since been restored and visitors can now tour the grand and opulent attraction.
Learn more about Iolani Palace >
IDAHO: Balanced Rock is exactly what it sounds like: a 48-foot rock that is perched precariously on an approximately 3-foot pedestal. After getting a close-up look at the rock, have a picnic in nearby Balanced Rock Park.
Learn more about Balanced Rock >
ILLINOIS: If you’re interested in history, a visit to the Driehause Museum in Chicago is a must. The museum itself is housed in one of the few remaining Gilded Age homes built during the late 19th century. The galleries feature artifacts from the private collection of the wealthy family who built the home.
Learn more about the Driehaus Museum >
INDIANA: Discovered by two school children in 1883, Marengo Cave in Marengo is one of only four show caves in the entire state of Indiana. Tours have been going on since the cave’s discovery.
Click here to learn more about Margeno Cave >
IOWA: The Amana Colonies are seven culturally rich German villages located in the prairies of Iowa. There are more than 60 shops in the villages, including studios and galleries where you can watch artists at work. There are also several wineries and a handful of delicious restaurants in the area.
Learn more about the Amana Colonies >
KANSAS: The Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center has the second-largest space artifacts collection in the United States and the largest amount of Russian space artifacts outside of Moscow. In other words, it’s a great place to learn about space.
Learn more about the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center >
KENTUCKY: USA Today called the National Quilt Museum in Paducah one of the best quilt displays in the world. There’s a primary gallery that’s home to 500 permanent works of art, and two other galleries that feature traveling exhibits.
Learn more about the National Quilt Museum >
LOUISIANA: The Oak Alley Plantation is one of the few southern plantations still in peak condition. You can tour the “Big House,” visit the Civil War encampment, view the permanent exhibit on the living conditions of slaves, and more.
Learn more about the Oak Alley Plantation >
MAINE: The Palace Playland has operated on the shores of Old Orchard Beach since 1902. It’s New England’s only beachfront amusement park, but its 25 rides are only open during the summer.
Learn more about Palace Playland >
MARYLAND: Kent Island brings together Maryland’s eastern and western shores and is located at the base of the Chespeake Bay Bridge; the channel that separates the island from the mainland is known as Kent Narrows. While there, you can enjoy the scenery, eat tasty food at cute restaurants, and check out Fort Kent, the third oldest English settlement in the country.
Learn more about Kent Island >
MASSACHUSETTS: Plum Island is the perfect summer getaway for nature lovers. Enjoy miles of sandy beaches that are home to more than 800 species of birds, plants, and other wildlife. You’ll also find a couple of great year-round restaurants.
Learn more about Plum Island >
MICHIGAN: Straddling the US and Canada, Belle Isle State Park is both an island and a park sitting on the Detroit River. Stroll through lush greenery and fountains while enjoying clear views of Detroit’s skyline.
Learn more about Belle Isle State Park >
MINNESOTA: Minnehaha Park is one of Minnesota’s oldest parks and stands out from the rest thanks to its majestic 53-foot waterfall.
Learn more about Minnehaha Park >
MISSISSIPPI: The Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo is the largest zoo in the state of Mississippi and features plenty of exotic animals from giraffes to buffalos to zebras and monkeys.
Learn more about Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo >
MISSOURI: Wilson’s Creek Battlefield is one of the best preserved battlefields in the country. This was the site of the Battle of Wilson’s Creek during the Civil War, where the first Union general was killed in combat. You can always tour the battlefield, but try to attend the annual candlelight tour or the ceremony for the battle’s anniversary on Aug. 10.
Learn more about Wilson’s Creek Battlefield >
MONTANA: Experience the natural beauty of a limestone cavern during the Lewis & Clark Caverns Tour. Inside, you’ll find stalagmites, stalactites, and other formations with the help of your tour guide. Regular tours only run from May 1 to Sept. 30.
Learn more about the Lewis & Clark Caverns Tour >
NEBRASKA: The Ashfall Fossil Beds are home to incredibly well preserved fossils of animals that roamed the Nebraska grasslands 12 million years ago when a volcano in Idaho spread a far-reaching blanket of ash. The animals died after grazing on ash-covered grass, but that same ash preserved their bodies in the exact way they died, down to the last meal in their stomachs.
Learn more about the Ashfall Fossil Beds >
NEVADA: The Neon Museum is a nonprofit that collects and preserves the neon signs of Las Vegas. Visitors can view the approximately 150 signs within the museum and learn about how they were made and what role they played in Las Vegas history.
Learn more about the Neon Museum >
NEW HAMPSHIRE: At more than 4,000 years old, America’s Stonehenge is possibly the oldest man-made structure in the United States. It is unknown who built the many stone chambers, walls, and structures at this location, which makes it a mysterious place to explore.
Learn more about America’s Stonehenge >
NEW JERSEY: Kittatinny State Park is the hidden gem of New Jersey parks. You’ll experience grassy meadows, mountains, glacial lakes, and 70 miles of hiking trails. The park also has a small airport.
Learn more about Kittatinny State Park >
NEW MEXICO: Pecos National Historical Park features the remains of an Indian pueblo and offers plenty of areas to explore. Take a ranger-guided ruins tour or venture 1.25 miles to the Pecos pueblo on your own. On the weekends, van tours to Civil War sites and the Forked Lightning Ranch are also available.
Learn more about Pecos National Historical Park >
NEW YORK: Letchworth State Park is known as the “Grand Canyon of the East,” probably because of its towering cliffs that reach as high as 600 feet. The gorge also features three major waterfalls formed by the rushing Genessee River. Take a guided walk, go white water rafting, or even take a hot air balloon ride.
Learn more about Letchworth State Park >
NORTH CAROLINA: The NASCAR Hall of Fame is home to 150,000 square feet of artifacts and interactive exhibits that appeal to everyone, regardless of their car knowledge. Test drive a racing simulator to feel like you’re actually racing in NASCAR, and make sure to visit the Race Week exhibit, which takes you behind the scenes to see how drivers prepare for a race.
Learn more about the NASCAR Hall of Fame >
NORTH DAKOTA: The International Peace Garden lies on the border of North Dakota and Manitoba, Canada, and serves as a token of friendship between the U.S. and Canada. This botanical garden is spread across 2,339 acres, and visitors can choose to visit a number of sites including a bell tower, a 9/11 memorial, and a large floral clock.
Learn more about the International Peace Garden >
OHIO: Cleveland’s West Side Market is the Ohio’s oldest publicly owned market, dating back to 1840. It started as an open air market, but is now enclosed and heated during the colder months. Shoppers can find everything from fresh meat and vegetables, to seafood, to cheese, baked goods, and flowers.
Learn more about West Side Market >
OKLAHOMA: Turner Falls Park is located within the Arbuckle Mountains in Oklahoma and offers a bunch of outdoor activities. See the 77-foot waterfall, swim in the mountain water, and make sure to visit the abandoned Collings Castle.
Learn about Turner Falls Park >
OREGON: The Oregon Vortex and the House of Mystery are home to some super weird occurrences. Balls defy the law of physics by rolling uphill, brooms stand on their own, and people appear to change height while standing on a level platform. Skeptical? Come check it out for yourself.
Learn more about the Oregon Vortex and the House of Mystery >
PENNSYLVANIA: Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public about art. The gardens feature Isaiah Zagar’s mosaic art and murals in both an indoor and an outdoor space. The outdoor mosaic sculpture garden is massive, taking up half a block on South Street.
Learn more about Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens >
RHODE ISLAND: The International Tennis Hall of Fame is located at the Newport Casino, the site of the first U.S. National Championships in 1881. Visitors can learn about the history of tennis through interactive exhibits, videos, and memorabilia.
Learn more about the International Tennis Hall of Fame >
SOUTH CAROLINA: Brookgreen Gardens was named one of the top 10 public gardens in the U.S. by TripAdvisor. This incredible attraction has art exhibits, a butterfly garden, and an accredited zoo, among other things. Luckily, admission tickers are good for a week so don’t worry if you don’t manage to see everything in one day.
Learn more about Brookgreen Gardens >
SOUTH DAKOTA: The Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota, calls itself “The World’s Only Corn Palace,” and we’re pretty sure that’s correct. Every year, artists create new murals on the outside of the building made entirely of naturally colored corn as a tribute to the building’s history. The Corn Palace also hosts concerts, sports games, and other events.
Learn more about the Corn Palace >
TENNESSEE: The Lost Sea, which is 140 feet below ground level, is the largest underground lake in the country. A guided tour will give you the chance to observe the area’s caverns, which are full of interesting geological formations. You will also get to take a glass bottom boat ride along the lake.
Learn more about the Lost Sea >
TEXAS: Bracken Cave is home to the world’s largest bat colony. Millions of the winged creatures can be spotted at dusk when they emerge from their cave to hunt for insects. It’s best to view this natural wonder during July and August, because baby bats that were born in June will just be starting to fly.
Learn more about Bracken Cave >
UTAH: Natural Bridges National Monument was Utah’s first national monument. It features three stunning natural bridges, named “Kachina,” “Owachomo,” and “Sipapu” in honor of Native Americans who previously lived in the area. Hiking trails and overlooks allow for close-up views of these natural phenomena.
Learn more about Natural Bridges National Monument >
VERMONT: Lake Champlain ferries can take you from Vermont to upstate New York in just over an hour. Try taking a ferry from Burlington to Port Kent, New York, and take in the beautiful mountain views. You might even catch sight of “Champ,” the rumored Lake Champlain monster.
Learn more about Lake Champlain ferries >
VIRGINIA: Luray Caverns make up the largest series of caverns in the eastern U.S. As well as exploring this cave of stalagmites and stalactites, you can also visit the Car and Carriage Caravan Museum, get lost in the garden maze, and fly through the Rope Adventure Park.
Learn more about Luray Caverns >
WASHINGTON: Olympic National Park sits on more than 922,000 acres and contains three major ecosystems — forest, alpine, and coastal — which means you’ll have a wide variety of photo opportunities.
Learn more about Olympic National Park >
WASHINGTON, DC: The International Spy Museum has the largest public collection of espionage materials in the world. Visitors will learn about the strategies used by spies during famous missions and can even complete a mission of their own in the Operation Spy exhibit.
Learn more about the International Spy Museum >
WEST VIRGINIA: Harpers Ferry was the site of many historical events, including the largest surrender of Federal troops during the Civil War. Visiting this park is like stepping into another time period, especially when you attend one of the “Living History” workshops, where you experience realistic scenes from the 19th century with the help of costumed interpreters.
Learn more about Harpers Ferry >
WISCONSIN: Ten Chimneys is the enormous estate in Genesse Depots built by broadways legends Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne. There are estate tours which showcase the Lunts’ private collection of memorabilia and artifacts, as well as exhibitions, and even shows.
Learn more about Ten Chimneys >
WYOMING: Located in Jackson Hole, the National Museum of Wildlife Art overlooks an elk refuge and houses American art from both the 19th and 20th centuries. The museum building itself is impressive — it’s 51,000 square feet and was inspired by the ruins of Slains Castle in Scotland.
Learn more about the National Museum of Wildlife Art >
The post The 50 best US tourist attractions you’ve never heard of appeared first on Business Insider.