The United States of America, just the name brings up images of bustling cities and unending natural beauty that keeps calling out to people all over the world. No wonder the US visa is one of the most requested visas in the world. With its obviously massive size and countless amazing things to see and do, there are many best places to visit in the USA, you simply need to know the right place to look for them. But what about the offbeat places in the USA?
There’s no doubt that when visiting a fabulous country like the USA, the common and the obvious tourist attractions would be crowded, also frequent visitors would be bored of them and so visitors head towards the unique places in the US to visit, the un-crowded and unknown sites of the land. But when it comes to offbeat places in the USA, these are the true gems of the land, hidden away from the hustle and bustle of the crowd, a special secret just between those who have gone beyond the old treaded paths and dared to explore the unexplored.
1. Eternal Flame, New York
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Hidden behind 35 feet tall waterfall is a small lit flame that is said to be burning for thousands of years. It is truly one of a kind and amongst the most magical offbeat places in the USA and the world, its 100% worth a visit. Believed to be lit by the first Native Americans, this flame has been at the center of mystery and many studies. Scientists have assumed there might be pockets of gas escaping from the cracks in the hard bedrock due to which the flame burns. However, keep a lighter on hand when visiting, as sometimes this “eternal flame” goes off due to heavy winds and flow of water.
Location – Chestnut Ridge Falls, Shale Creek Preserve, New York.
2. Thor’s Well, Oregon
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Sorry to disappoint you but this “well” has nothing to do with the God of Thunder and Lightning. Set on the beautiful Oregon coastline on a rocky beach, Thor’s Well is a sink hole in rocks created due to merciless ocean tides. Thought to be a bottomless pit ending in the center of the Earth, this hole is merely 20 feet deep, but it is one of the highly dangerous offbeat places in the USA due to cracked and jagged rocks covering it all over from the inside, so scratch every thought you had of taking a dip in it.
Location – Siuslaw National Park, 2 hours away from the city of Eugene.
3. Lookout Mountain, Georgia
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Lookout Mountain is a great hiking point for those who seek pleasure in it and a perfect spot to soak in the breathtaking view of a waterfall flooding a small pond at its base. The highlight of this hike to one of the offbeat places in the USA is the Seven States Monument where one can stop and marvel at the sights ahead and also spot the states of Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama and of course Georgia. Where else in the world can we say we were present in seven states at the same time? Nowhere!
Location – It is closest from Chattanooga in Tennessee, almost half a mile.
4. Glass Beach, California
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Sunny skies, bluest ocean water and no sand in toes because Glass Beach is covered in “glass” pieces instead of usual sand. This beach is a beautiful wakeup call from the nature. Years of dumping garbage in the ocean, has caused this beach to be covered in smooth and naturally polished pieces of garbage or “glass” including wood, glass, plastic, etc. As it is one of the protected beaches you can’t take along any souvenirs of your trip from the beach but don’t let that deter you from adding it to your list of offbeat places in the USA to visit.
Location – Fort Bragg, California.
5. Monument Valley, Arizona
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The Monument Valley in Arizona can be considered among the most recognized offbeat places in the USA. It was featured in famous movies like Forrest Gump, The Lone Ranger, and Mission Impossible: II, etc. and is a sacred place of the Native American people. You will have to enter the Navajo Nation Reservation territory to marvel at the Monument Valley and see the behemoth sandstone towers that stood the test of time for thousands of years.
Location – Arizona – Utah Border.
6. Mendenhall Glacier, Alaska
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Unexplored and untouched, Mendenhall Glacier is the hidden gem of all the offbeat places in the USA. Up to 20 kms long this glacier that is frozen in time will leave you in awe. Mirror lakes, flowing green fields, and waterfalls around – visiting the glacier will truly be an unforgettable experience. What’s more? If you have an adventurous streak you can venture inside the caves below the glacier by kayaking and witness the bluest and brightest ice caves.
Location – Mendenhall Valley, Juneau, Alaska.
7. Assateague Island, Virginia
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Wild ponies running freely about on beaches or swimming to migrate towards the Chincoteague Island annually, nowhere else you can see such sights. It is believed that these ponies arrived on the Assateague Island after a cargo ship carrying them crashed on the island and since then they have populated and habituated the island as their home. One of the most unusual offbeat places in the USA, the Assateague Island holds an annual festival to watch the migration.
Location – Between Maryland and Virginia.
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Read also : Best Places to Visit in The USA