Welcome to City-Data.com Forum!
U.S. CitiesCity-Data Forum Index
Go Back   City-Data Forum > U.S. Forums > General U.S.
 [Register]
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
View detailed profile (Advanced) or search
site with Google Custom Search

Search Forums  (Advanced)
Reply Start New Thread
 
Old 11-20-2020, 11:52 AM
 
Location: Oregon Coast
15,190 posts, read 8,784,974 times
Reputation: 20220

Advertisements

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mezter View Post
Don't know if you'd consider it a must see but OK is a lot more beautiful than most people think. Which is why it's the perfect example of what this thread is asking for. The general public thinks that it's all flat prairie land (Which a lot of it is) but it has areas like these scattered throughout the state...

Quartz Mountain State Park
Quartz Mountain State Park

Wichita Mountains

Natural Falls State Park

Gloss Mountain State Park

Turner Falls

Robbers Cave

Little Sahara State Park

Black Mesa Preserve (This is technically the very extreme end of the "Rocky Mountains" near the NM/CO border)

When it comes to mountains OK has the best of both Worlds. More rugged hills/mountains in one part of the state and more lush green hills/mountains in another. They may not be huge but they're really pretty. It's also pretty diverse as far as landscapes/climates go. The only other state where you can go from semi arid high desert to subtropical swamp land with alligators is Texas. Interesting state imo
Okay, thanks. Those are some nice places. The sand dunes was a surprise to me. I didn't know that Oklahoma had anything like that.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message

 
Old 11-20-2020, 12:00 PM
 
Location: Taos NM
5,314 posts, read 5,039,092 times
Reputation: 6677
Quote:
Originally Posted by TacoSoup View Post
I think Wyoming’s location/accessibility and it’s lack of big(er) cities and amenities has more to do with it being in the bottom third of visited, or to visit, states, and not of a preconceived notion that it’s a “desert wasteland” or somehow lacks beauty? Not that it comes up in conversation often, or hardly ever, but the few times I can recall that it has everyone seems to have a high opinion of its beauty. Namely due to the Rocky Mountains. A lot of people know of Jackson Hole regardless if they ski or not.
If one wants to argue WY is underrated, it would be for the Wind River range or the Big Horns. Yellowstone is all over any sort of Netflix or TV provider that shows nature shows. That shot of the Tetons is maybe even more distributed than Maroon Bells. The problem with the state is the towns that are there aren't next to the scenery, except for Jackson Hole, which is basically another top 10% elite retreat like Aspen. Sheridan is the other exception.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 11-20-2020, 01:36 PM
 
Location: San Francisco
57 posts, read 52,457 times
Reputation: 106
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mezter View Post
Don't know if you'd consider it a must see but OK is a lot more beautiful than most people think. Which is why it's the perfect example of what this thread is asking for. The general public thinks that it's all flat prairie land (Which a lot of it is) but it has areas like these scattered throughout the state...

Quartz Mountain State Park
Quartz Mountain State Park

Wichita Mountains

Natural Falls State Park

Gloss Mountain State Park

Turner Falls

Robbers Cave

Little Sahara State Park

Black Mesa Preserve (This is technically the very extreme end of the "Rocky Mountains" near the NM/CO border)

When it comes to mountains OK has the best of both Worlds. More rugged hills/mountains in one part of the state and more lush green hills/mountains in another. They may not be huge but they're really pretty. It's also pretty diverse as far as landscapes/climates go. The only other state where you can go from semi arid high desert to subtropical swamp land with alligators is Texas. Interesting state imo
I had no idea!!! Wooowwww!!!!! Thank you!
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 11-20-2020, 02:22 PM
 
Location: Northern California
4,391 posts, read 2,876,185 times
Reputation: 8064
Idaho?
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 11-21-2020, 12:39 PM
 
Location: California
1,726 posts, read 1,695,893 times
Reputation: 3764
Quote:
Originally Posted by thinkertinker View Post
What are some specific areas or regions that on a national scale you think are severely underrated?

My vote goes for Michigan's west coast and upper peninsula. Outside of the midwest, I don't think people really know how beautiful the beaches are in Michigan. Add to that its forests and charming seaside towns. I would even dare to say that Michigan's west coast and upper peninsula beaches are more beautiful than what you find in most of the Atlantic coast (except for Florida and New England, perhaps a tie). By far, Michigan's coastline is much more beautiful than anything you can find in the Gulf Coast part of the US (again maybe except for Florida, although Florida beaches aren't as dramatic as some Michigan ones).

Yet, outside the Great Lakes region you rarely ever hear anyone talk about its beauty or its beaches.
I vacationed in northern and western Michigan in the summer of 2019, and I completely agree with you: the scenic beauty of northern and western Michigan is highly underrated on a national scale. In fact, I would argue that Michigan is one of the most scenic states in the entire country, especially in the area stretching from Saugatuck in the Lower Peninsula to Copper Harbor to the northernmost reaches of the Upper Peninsula.

I am a native of Rhode Island, which has an extensive Atlantic Ocean coastline and is officially nicknamed the "Ocean State." Even though Rhode Island's beaches are very popular among New Englanders and New Yorkers alike, the only coastal area of the state where I have found "breathtaking" coastal scenery is Block Island. I believe the sand dunes of Cape Cod (Massachusetts), the seaside cliffs along the Maine coast and the Lake Champlain bluffs of Vermont are infinitely more scenic than the mainland beaches at Rhode Island, although I am sure there are many people who would disagree with me.

Aside from Michigan, I think New York is very underrated in terms of natural beauty, especially on a national scale, because so much of the state's commercial business and tourism activity occurs in and revolves around New York City. I have included links to photos of various areas of New York State that are very scenic and mostly unknown, even to many people throughout New York State and adjacent areas:
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 11-21-2020, 06:37 PM
 
92,032 posts, read 122,173,887 times
Reputation: 18141
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bert_from_back_East View Post
I vacationed in northern and western Michigan in the summer of 2019, and I completely agree with you: the scenic beauty of northern and western Michigan is highly underrated on a national scale. In fact, I would argue that Michigan is one of the most scenic states in the entire country, especially in the area stretching from Saugatuck in the Lower Peninsula to Copper Harbor to the northernmost reaches of the Upper Peninsula.

I am a native of Rhode Island, which has an extensive Atlantic Ocean coastline and is officially nicknamed the "Ocean State." Even though Rhode Island's beaches are very popular among New Englanders and New Yorkers alike, the only coastal area of the state where I have found "breathtaking" coastal scenery is Block Island. I believe the sand dunes of Cape Cod (Massachusetts), the seaside cliffs along the Maine coast and the Lake Champlain bluffs of Vermont are infinitely more scenic than the mainland beaches at Rhode Island, although I am sure there are many people who would disagree with me.

Aside from Michigan, I think New York is very underrated in terms of natural beauty, especially on a national scale, because so much of the state's commercial business and tourism activity occurs in and revolves around New York City. I have included links to photos of various areas of New York State that are very scenic and mostly unknown, even to many people throughout New York State and adjacent areas:
Some other areas...

Labrador Hollow Unique Area, about 20 minutes SE of Syracuse: https://www.google.com/maps/@42.7902...7i10240!8i5120

Tinker Falls in the same general area: https://www.google.com/maps/@42.7822...8!9m2!1b1!2i37

Fair Haven Beach on Lake Ontario in Fair Haven State Park: https://www.google.com/maps/@43.3441...2!9m2!1b1!2i37

Blue Mountain Lake in the Adirondacks: https://www.google.com/maps/@43.8548...4!9m2!1b1!2i37

Chimney Bluffs also on Lake Ontario: https://www.google.com/maps/@43.2886...2!9m2!1b1!2i37

Cascadilla Gorge Trail near Cornell University and Ithaca's Collegetown neighborhood: https://www.google.com/maps/@42.4424...4!9m2!1b1!2i37

Onondaga Valley south of Syracuse in LaFayette: https://www.google.com/maps/@42.8929...2!9m2!1b1!2i37

Howe Caverns: https://www.google.com/maps/@42.6962...!7i7680!8i3840

https://www.google.com/maps/@42.6953...2!9m2!1b1!2i37

Salmon River Falls north of Syracuse/south of Watertown: https://www.google.com/maps/@43.5478...2!9m2!1b1!2i37

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.5479...4!9m2!1b1!2i37

Delphi Falls, SE of Syracuse: https://www.google.com/maps/@42.8657...8!9m2!1b1!2i37

Niagara River Gorge near Lewiston/north of Niagara Falls: https://www.google.com/maps/@43.1425...7i13312!8i6656

https://www.google.com/maps/@43.1574...0!9m2!1b1!2i37

Sodus Point also on Lake Ontario: https://www.google.com/maps/@43.2740...6!9m2!1b1!2i37

Corning from over the Chemung River: https://www.google.com/maps/@42.1450...0!9m2!1b1!2i37

Last edited by ckhthankgod; 11-21-2020 at 06:56 PM..
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 11-21-2020, 06:58 PM
 
4,086 posts, read 2,391,904 times
Reputation: 6413
Driving across the country in order: WV in the fall; Kansas - I was expecting it to be flat as a pancake, the gentle rolling hills were stunning (while driving on the interstate and not another vehicle in sight on it); Pawnee Buttes in CO - just you and the badgers and the sky.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/arp/...a/?recid=32178
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 11-24-2020, 08:05 PM
 
2,448 posts, read 881,700 times
Reputation: 2421
Good grief, I'm seeing Ohio, Indiana, Oklahoma mentioned here?

Some correct answers:
1. Wisconsin in general, from the Driftless Area, to the Bayfield Peninsula on Lake Superior, to Vilas County on the border with the UP, Door County, and on and on.
2. The aforementioned UP. It's all been said.
3. The top 2/3 of Idaho. Just Idaho in general. It's the most underrated state.
4. The North Shore of Minnesota and the Boundary Waters.
5. New Mexico runs a close second to Idaho as the most underrated state in general. Amazing high desert scenery, great food.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 11-25-2020, 03:15 AM
 
24,509 posts, read 17,974,587 times
Reputation: 40204
I’d have to go with New Jersey. The image people get is the blight visible from the highways around NYC.
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
 
Old 11-30-2020, 06:27 PM
 
Location: Oklahoma
17,625 posts, read 13,438,260 times
Reputation: 17542
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cloudy Dayz View Post
Okay, thanks. Those are some nice places. The sand dunes was a surprise to me. I didn't know that Oklahoma had anything like that.
here is what I consider the "prettiest place" in Oklahoma that wasn't a part of those links.

Ouachita/Kiamichi Mountains




Here is "The Great Salt Plains"


So we have a mini version of the Smoky Mountains and we have a mini version of the Utah Salt flats.

What I think makes Oklahoma "underrated" and "unique" is not that these things are necessarily spectacular compared to other places but they are all within a few hours of each other. The thing about it though is that all these places are relatively small in terms of how much land area they take up. So there is plenty of your standard hills and trees and your standard farm land that are intersperced with these truly unique and beautiful spots.

The two images I posted of the mountains and the salt flats are probably about 4 hours apart.

Last edited by eddie gein; 11-30-2020 at 06:35 PM..
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.

Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.


Reply
Please update this thread with any new information or opinions. This open thread is still read by thousands of people, so we encourage all additional points of view.

Quick Reply
Message:


Over $104,000 in prizes was already given out to active posters on our forum and additional giveaways are planned!

Go Back   City-Data Forum > U.S. Forums > General U.S.
Similar Threads

All times are GMT -6.

© 2005-2024, Advameg, Inc. · Please obey Forum Rules · Terms of Use and Privacy Policy · Bug Bounty

City-Data.com - Contact Us - Archive 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37 - Top