A woman who has accomplished the remarkable feat of visiting all 50 American states has revealed which popular tourist destinations she believes fail to live up to the hype, alongside the secret spots that truly deserve your attention.
From Burnout to a Life on the Road
Emily Hart, a 40-year-old from Boulder, Colorado, began her extensive travels relatively late. It wasn't until her thirties, while feeling completely burnt out from her career as a middle school mathematics teacher, that she embarked on a life-changing road trip to the Grand Canyon.
That week-long journey from Colorado to Arizona, stopping at several national parks, ignited a passion. "I realised pretty quickly that it was something that had been missing in my life," Hart explained in an exclusive conversation. She immediately fell in love with exploration and set herself an ambitious target: to visit all 50 states and all 63 US National Parks by 2025.
Nine years after that first trip, she has triumphantly completed her goal. Her adventures led her to quit teaching and become a full-time freelance content creator, now sharing tips with over 185,000 followers on Instagram.
Hart's Top Hidden Gems Across America
Through her travels, Hart discovered a collection of spectacular locations that often fly under the radar. She strongly recommends travellers seek these out:
Santa Fe, New Mexico: Described by Hart as 'otherworldly', this city tops her list of must-visit places.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming: "This was one of the first national parks I ever visited, and even now, after visiting all 63 parks, it remains my favourite," she shared. "There is something magical about the jagged peaks here that I haven't found anywhere else."
The Coast of Maine: "Driving the coast of Maine is something everyone should do at least once," Hart advised, praising the dramatic coastline, quaint towns, and amazing lobster rolls from Kennebunkport to Lubec.
New Orleans, Louisiana: Hart finds this city uniquely captivating. "It has a soul of its own and something new to find on every trip," she explained.
Cumberland Island, Georgia: This coastal island off Georgia completely stole her heart, standing out as a true hidden gem.
The Overrated Destinations You Could Skip
However, Hart was equally candid about several famous destinations that disappointed her. She clarified that while they have merits, she prefers to spend her time elsewhere.
Her list of overrated spots includes Los Angeles, California; Miami, Florida; and Las Vegas, Nevada. Of Las Vegas, she said, "It is fun for a short time or for a specific event. Otherwise, I'd rather explore the beautiful nature surrounding it," like Valley of Fire State Park or the Grand Canyon.
She also named Boston, Massachusetts, preferring the quaint towns in the surrounding area, and Phoenix, Arizona, noting she likes nearby Scottsdale, Sedona, and Flagstaff much more.
Proven Travel Hacks to Save Money
Having travelled extensively on a budget, Hart has honed several key strategies for saving money. Her biggest advice is booking well in advance and travelling during the off-season.
"Planning and research have saved me the most throughout the years. If you are left to find last-minute lodging or a rental car, you will ultimately pay a premium," she stated.
She also recommends setting a strict daily budget beforehand to make spending decisions easier and leveraging credit card points, hotel rewards, and airline miles, which she called a complete 'game changer' for affordable travel.
