This North Carolina Town Was Named One Of Most Underrated Places In America

Looking for a fun summer vacation idea? Are crowds maybe not your thing? If you want the fun, the memories, and the activities, but want to leave behind the droves of tourists then keep reading. Major attractions and cities can be great family vacation spots but so can the lesser-known spots. While there are some great tourist hot spots in North Carolina there are also some underrated places to visit as well. And the experts at Reader's Digest want to make sure you're aware of those destinations not just the big ones. The well-respected journal recently published a list of the 15 Most Underrated Places in America to visit. In the list, they give you a popular tourist destination in a state and then tell you another nearby destination to go to instead. For example, number one on this list is Washington DC. But they say instead of dealing with the crowds (which I can speak from experience are very overwhelming) try planning a visit to Charlottesville, Virginia.

And I'd say I agree with that. I had a wonderful time when I visited Charlottesville a few years ago. It was much less stressful than trying to park in a parking deck in downtown DC on a Wednesday morning. 0 out of 10, do not recommend at all. So when Reader's Digest tells its readers to “skip the throngs of tourists this summer and head to a lesser-known destination to experience incredible food, one-of-a-kind hotels, eclectic festivals, and more.” I'd say they are on to something. So where in North Carolina do they think is one of the more underrated places to visit? Well, they say instead of taking a trip to Asheville this summer, maybe plan a visit to nearby Hendersonville instead.

Hendersonville is just about 25 minutes away from Asheville and offers a similar feel without the hustle and bustle. In fact, my mom was just there this past weekend and commented on the unique shopping in downtown. Dine at one of the numerous locally owned restaurants or visit the Appalachian Pinball Museum. You may have heard of Bold Rock Cider, and their cidery is located in Hendersonville and is open to visitors and taste testers. Another fun fact I learned from Reader's Digest is that the massive film series 'The Hunger Games' was partially filmed in the nearby DuPont State Recreational Forest. If you're a fan of the movies, then that's a must-visit!

Now full disclosure, would I tell you to visit Hendersonville instead of Asheville? I'm not sure I could say that. I've never been to Hendersonville and Asheville is a place I visit almost yearly. I love visiting Biltmore Estate and The Grove Park Inn. That's not to say I wouldn't love to plan a day trip to Hendersonville. What do you think? Should I skip Asheville this fall?

You can read the rest of their 15 options here. Only you know what you want out of your vacation to know if visiting these places instead is worth it for you. Or perhaps maybe just do what I suggested above and add these secondary places on to a trip to the major city. Happy trip planning!

It seems like all of our Google searches are "best cheap travel destinations" and if you're in North Carolina then you don't have to travel too far from home to find it!

U.S. News & World Report ranked the best cheap vacations around the country. According to the website, "Whether you're seeking a fun national park adventure, a beach escape or a small-town getaway, you'll discover plenty of budget-friendly vacation options on this list."

"Located in western North Carolina, Asheville appeals to nature lovers and adventure travelers. Take a drive along scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, hike to breathtaking waterfalls in Pisgah National Forest or learn about Southern Appalachian plant species at the Botanical Gardens at Asheville. Save money on lodging by opting for a hostel or vacation rental downtown or test your wilderness skills on a camping trip. You'll also want to time your visit for summer when the town holds several free music festivals."

"Spending time in the sun is the main reason to make the trip to Nags Head, part of the Outer Banks region of North Carolina. The beach town's sky-high sand dunes in Jockey's Ridge State Park and great fishing spots in the surrounding Gulf Stream waters attract travelers with varying interests. When visitors are not lounging on the sand, they can explore Nags Head lighthouses or look for birds, sea turtles and more at nearby Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge. Fall and spring are the best seasons to visit thanks to fewer crowds and lower prices for accommodations."