After decades in decline, a handful of flyover or underrated cites are now attracting first-time visitors. With careful urban planning, corporate support, and community collaboration, these cities are nodding to their pasts while moving toward a more modern, and in some cases, sustainable future. Here are 10 industrial cities emerging as prime travel destinations.
1. Birmingham, Alabama
Best for: Southern sophisticates
Once Birmingham’s largest ironworks, Sloss Furnaces is now a hands-on museum and arts venue. Greenspaces, including the Botanical Gardens and Vulcan Park, are abundant and found throughout the city. Five Points South is home to upscale restaurants (including the must-not-skip French favorite Chez Fonfon) and boutiques. The city’s role in the fight for equality comes to life at the Civil Rights National Monument and Institute.
“No matter your interest, you can find it here,” says University of Alabama at Birmingham assistant professor Michelle Forman, who returned home to work on Spike Lee’s documentary, 4 Little Girls.
2. Buffalo, New York
Best for: Architecture lovers
Frederick Law Olmsted’s greenway system links Buffalo’s neighborhoods via circles, places, and parks. Walking tours reveal a variety of building types spanning nearly 200 years, from Federal style to Frank Lloyd Wright designs.
“Some of the very best architects in the United States were here, and did some of their best work here,” said Robert Shibley, University of Buffalo SUNY distinguished professor of architecture and planning.
The renovated Buffalo AKG Art Museum has fine art masterpieces by Picasso, Gauguin, and van Gogh. The Niagara and Buffalo Rivers, Lake Erie, and nearby Niagara Falls all provide ample opportunity for hiking, kayaking, and paddleboarding. Canalside hosts summer concerts, and during the winter, skaters lace up and head to its ice rink. RiverWorks is the perfect place to grab a beer and those saucy namesake wings.
3. Cleveland, Ohio
Best for: Rock n’ rollers and restoration fans
The I.M. Pei-designed Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is undergoing a $135-million expansion to expand its exhibition spaces and better connect it to nearby Lake Erie. The Museum of Natural History earned the prestigious LEED Platinum honor after its recent remodel.
Cleveland has revitalized the Cuyahoga River with a newly designated National Water Trail, a clean and safe option for paddlers after decades of pollution. Flats East Bank offers lively nightlife options, from chic cafes to the Harbor Inn, Cleveland’s oldest and beloved dive bar that once served stevedores and sailors. Shoppers hit the historic 5th Street Arcades or Hingetown, where vintage finds await.
“Cleveland will surprise you,” says fashion entrepreneur Aimon Ali. “The neighborhoods each have their own personality, and there’s a strong sense of community here.”
4. Detroit, Michigan
Best for: Movers and shakers
Constant construction signals the Motor City’s return to glory. “Cranes in the air have really become a rallying cry for our city’s revitalization,” says Jennifer Ollinger, director of tourism for Visit Detroit.
Guests can check in at a variety of new hotels, including the stunning ROOST Detroit, part of a $400 million redevelopment of the historic Book Tower. They can also check out new hotspots, including The District Detroit.
Detroit’s Institute of Art shines, with its Beaux Arts design and iconic Rivera Detroit Industry murals. Visitors to the Motown Museum tour Hitsville U.S.A., where legends including Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, and Stevie Wonder recorded.
At the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, exhibitions tell stories of resilience, including a stunning stained-glass installation of musicians, dancers, and civil rights advocates. The Henry Ford Museumhouses artifacts that offer a timeline of the invention of the automobile and its historical context, including the bus where Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat and the limousine in which President Kennedy was riding during his assassination.
5. Lake Charles, Louisiana
Best for: Outdoor adventurers
This southwestern Louisiana city hosts more than 75 festivals annually, including Mardi Gras and the Louisiana Food and Wine Festival. The 1911 Historic City Hall is the centerpiece of a lively arts scene, housing galleries and hosting exhibitions from local artists. Charpentier Historic District boasts dozens of charming Queen Anne and Italian Renaissance homes.
Hikers often spot alligators along the Creole Nature Trail All-American Road; birders favor Sam Houston Jones State Park to see owls and ospreys. At Grosse Savanne Lodge, guests hunt, fish, and explore the area’s vibrant, varied ecosystem, including coastal prairies and cypress swamps.
6. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Best for: Gilded Age fans
Evidence of Andrew Carnegie’s vast philanthropy remains in Steel City, with four museums under the Carnegie Institute’s umbrella. The Warhol Museum houses the Pittsburgh native’s provocative pop art. The Carnegie Museum of Art, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, and Kamen Science Center also warrant a visit, with their extensive collections, hands-on experiences, and special events.
America’s favorite condiments, along with plenty of local lore, are highlighted at the Heinz History Center. Tourists and locals alike love shopping the Strip, heading to Squirrel Hill for its eclectic eateries and leafy Frick Park, and kayaking the confluence of the Allegheny, Ohio, and Monongahela Rivers. The Duquesne Inclineprovides a panoramic city view, best topped off with an ice cream on nearby Shiloh Street.
7. Richmond, California
Best for: WW2 buffs
Richmond pays homage to its once-bustling shipyards at the Rosie the Riveter Museum. Meanwhile, the Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity displays works from Ray and Charles Eames, known for their sleek but functional modern furniture designs. The Miller/Knox Regional Shoreline and pooch-friendly Point Isabel are popular waterways where joggers, hikers, paddleboarders, and windsurfers all enjoy the sprawling East Bay.
Restaurants throughout the city serve up ethnically diverse cuisines. Laotian and Vietnamese cafés are plentiful, like local favorite The Saap Avenue’s kao nam tod, an herby rice ball salad. Nearly a dozen Mexican eateries line the 23rd Street corridor. Want to stay at a historic island lighthouse? You can do it at East Brother Light Station Bed and Breakfast in San Rafael Bay.
8. St. Louis, Missouri
Best for: Foodies and museum lovers
From the top of the Gateway Arch to getting lost in the madcap City Museum, adventures await in St. Louis. The Grand Center Arts District’s historic venues, including newly renovated Powell Hall, host classical, jazz, and blues concerts. Forest Park is the city’s beloved backyard and home to the St. Louis Art Museum, Missouri History Museum, and St. Louis Zoo. All are free. The Lou’s thriving culinary scene, from BBQ to fine dining, is steadily gaining national attention and accolades.
“Come hungry and curious, and you’ll leave with a whole new appreciation for what this city has to offer,” said Gerard Craft, James Beard Foundation Award-winning chef and CEO of Niche Food Group.
9. Tacoma, Washington
Best for: Culture enthusiasts
Glass artist Dale Chihuly’s glittering works command attention at Tacoma’s Museum of Glass. Visitors especially love the Hot Shop, where they watch artisans blow and cast molten glass into stunning works of art. Port Defiance Park’s sweeping vistas of Puget Sound and Mount Rainier—along with a zoo, aquarium, and Chutes and Ladders—are city favorites.
Rare automobiles steal the spotlight at LeMay America’s Car Museum. Bibliophiles in the former lumber capital of America now hit King’s Books in the hip Stadium District, and then grab a post-read pint at Doyle’s Public House.
10. Wilmington, Delaware
Best for: Budget travelers
While it’s a stone’s throw from Philadelphia, and midway between Washington, D.C., and New York City, Wilmington stands on its own for its easygoing vibe and less-expensive tourist options. “Wilmington offers a rich mix of attractions, many affordable or free,” said Mike Maggitti, head of Downtown Visions.
Many of those freebies involve the city’s riverfronts. Brandywine Park, an ideal spot for a scenic stroll, runs along the Brandywine River. Cyclists and hikers take the scenic 5.5-mile James A. Markell Trail along the Christina River and through a freshwater tidal marsh to New Castle. The small town is known for its historic buildings, including Jessop’s, a colonial pub still serving thirsty customers.