Extended Weekend Getaways A new study has found the hidden gems gaining the most interest this summer, naming Crater Lake in Oregon as the most popular destination.
The study, conducted by travel information website Places to Travel, used TripAdvisor ‘hidden gems’ lists in every state to compile over 2,700 US areas. Places with between 100 to 1,000 reviews on the site and a rating of at least four stars were put into a list, and then search volume tool Google Keyword Planner was consulted to discover which places had the highest number of average Google searches per month. Whilst some locations may be known, especially to locals, the hidden gems on this list relate more to less-visited tourist spots.
The research revealed Crater Lake in Oregon is the most popular hidden gem destination, with an average of over 182,100 monthly searches on Google. Crater Lake, located in Oregon’s National Park of the same name, has over 500 TripAdvisor reviews and a 5-star rating.
The scenic blue lake is in the state’s southwestern region and was formed approximately 7,700 years ago. Globally, the lake is the tenth deepest in the world and claims the top for depth in the US. There is plenty to do around the lake, including hikes, fishing, and even skiing.
In second place is Havasu Falls in Arizona. Each month, there are more than 147,800 monthly searches for the spot. The waterfall is in Havasu Creek, in the Grand Canyon, and visitors can swim in the area behind it if they wish.
On TripAdvisor, the waterfall has a 4.5 average star rating with 429 out of 539 reviews rating it as ‘excellent’. The area gained some popularity after being featured in a Beyoncé music video in 2019, but it still remains less known than other falls in the state.
Ranking as third most popular is Roosevelt Island in Manhattan, New York, which has an average of over 199,500 monthly searches. Named after the former president, the island is just 0.24km wide and 3km long, with a population of 11,700, according to the 2020 census.
One of the most popular things to do is take a trip on the Roosevelt Tramway onto the island. Once you arrive, you can visit sites such as Southpoint Park or see the Roosevelt Island Lighthouse at the northernmost point. The cable car ride currently has a 4.5-star rating on TripAdvisor.
Next in line, California’s Pinnacles National Park, located an hour-and-a-half’s drive outside San Jose, comes in as the fourth most searched with over 92,200 average monthly searches. The park has just over 610 reviews on TripAdvisor, with an average rating of 4.5 stars.
The park is home to multiple trails, including the Bear Gulch Cave and High Peaks trails, and visitors can see the fascinating rock formations the park is named after. The park is also known for its wildflowers and makes for a great alternative to busier parks like Yosemite.
Following in fifth place is the Morton Arboretum in Illinois, which has an average of over 88,000 monthly searches. The botanical garden in Lisle covers 1,700 acres of land, making for a great day out with its 16 miles of hiking trails.
The spot has 989 reviews on TripAdvisor with an average rating of 4.5 stars. The garden is open all week and is easy to get to, located just 25 miles west of Chicago. Alongside scenic hikes, there is also a maze garden and a special children’s garden.
Top 15 most searched for hidden gems
| Rank | Hotspot | State | Average Monthly Volume |
| 1 | Crater Lake | Oregon | 182,167 |
| 2 | Havasu Falls | Arizona | 147,881 |
| 3 | Roosevelt Island | New York | 119,567 |
| 4 | Pinnacles National Park | California | 92,208 |
| 5 | Morton Arboretum | Illinois | 88,083 |
| 6 | Eastern Market Detroit | Michigan | 86,950 |
| 7 | Discovery Park Seattle | Washington | 86,858 |
| 8 | Descanso Gardens | California | 82,125 |
| 9 | Fall Creek Falls | Tennessee | 78,688 |
| 10 | Cuyahoga Valley National Park | Ohio | 77,807 |
| 11 | Mount Shasta | California | 73,133 |
| 12 | Mount Lassen | California | 67,742 |
| 13 | Congaree National Park | South Carolina | 59,000 |
| 14 | Black’s Beach | California | 58,900 |
| 15 | Garfield Park Conservatory | Illinois | 57,383 |
Next in line, Detroit’s Eastern Market in Michigan was found to have the sixth-most appeal. There are an average of over 86,900 monthly searches for the market, and TripAdvisor ranks it as the eighth most popular thing to do in Detroit overall. There are 497 reviews, with 349 of these rating the location as ‘excellent’.
The Discovery Park in Seattle, Washington, ranks seventh most popular on the list, amassing over 86,800 average monthly searches. The park has over 530 acres of land with plenty of scenic landscapes for visitors.
The eighth most popular spot on the list is Descanso Gardens in California. Another West Coast spot, the gardens are searched for over 82,100 on average each month, with its TripAdvisor rating currently standing at 4.5 stars. The botanical garden is only a short drive from Los Angeles and has over 300 (out of 467) ‘excellent’ reviews.
Fall Creek Falls in Tennessee is the ninth most searched-for hidden gem, gaining over 78,600 average monthly searches on Google. The beautiful waterfalls are some of the highest in the East of America and are surrounded by over 26,000 acres of nature. TripAdvisor reviewers have given the spot an average of 4.5 stars, with 482 ‘excellent’ reviews.
Lastly, rounding off the list is Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio with over 77,800 average monthly searches. Presently, the park has a 4.5 star rating out of 5 and 918 reviews, with 504 of these deeming the place ‘excellent’.
Commenting on the findings, Jason Wilson, CEO of Places to Travel, said: “Hidden gems across America provide an excellent alternative to crowded, popular destinations, adding a unique charm to your travels. Venturing off the beaten path can be incredibly rewarding and allows you to explore a diverse range of regions you may otherwise have missed.
“It is fascinating to see the variety of spots that capture people’s attention, as highlighted in the study. Each state can boast of its lesser-known regions that can make for the perfect day or weekend trips.
“Research consistently shows that spending time outdoors and traveling boosts mood, and there is no better way to achieve this than by exploring some of America’s most scenic, less-visited locations.”
Submitted by: https://www.placestotravel.com/.
