16 Forgotten U.S. Destinations That Were Once Must-Visits
These destinations were once proudly circled on road maps but now linger quietly in the footnotes of American travel history.
- Alyana Aguja
- 5 min read
American tourism has evolved rapidly, shifting away from the roadside novelty and nature-centric towns that once defined the travel scene. These 16 destinations were once bustling with families, thrill-seekers, and dreamers, but now sit mostly forgotten, shadows of their former glory. They reflect a broader cultural story of changing values, industries, and the way we relate to nostalgia and exploration.
1. Cahokia Mounds, Illinois
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Once one of the largest cities in pre-Columbian North America, Cahokia was a hub of Mississippian culture long before European contact. In the early 20th century, it was a popular stop for road trippers fascinated by ancient American history. Today, it’s largely overlooked despite being a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
2. Grossinger’s Resort, New York
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This Catskills resort was once the crown jewel of the Borscht Belt, drawing celebrities, honeymooners, and comedians. In the 1950s and 60s, its swimming pool and ice rink were symbols of luxury and leisure. Abandoned in the early 2000s, it’s now more famous among urban explorers than vacationers.
3. Centralia, Pennsylvania
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Centralia was once a bustling coal town until an underground mine fire started in 1962. By the 1980s, most of the town was evacuated, and today only a few residents remain. It used to attract curious travelers, especially after inspiring the eerie town in the Silent Hill video game series.
4. The Salton Sea, California
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In the 1950s, the Salton Sea was hailed as California’s new Riviera, with yacht clubs, beach parties, and celebrity appearances. But rising salinity and pollution turned it into a cautionary tale of environmental mismanagement. What was once a glamorous getaway is now a ghostly stretch of abandoned resorts.
5. Virginia City, Nevada
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Once booming during the silver rush, Virginia City had a vibrant culture, saloons, and even its own newspaper founded by Mark Twain. It became a popular attraction in the Old West during the 1960s and 1970s. Now it’s more of a relic, with fewer tourists venturing into its once-celebrated wooden streets.
6. Weeki Wachee Springs, Florida
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This kitschy roadside attraction was famous for its underwater mermaid shows starting in the 1940s. Families would pack into the submerged auditorium to watch women in tails perform synchronized routines. While the show still exists, its national draw has faded with the rise of Florida’s mega-theme parks.
7. Mount Lowe Railway, California
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At the turn of the 20th century, this scenic mountain railway in the San Gabriel Mountains was considered an engineering marvel and a must-see for Southern California tourists. The resort at the top offered dance halls, a zoo, and breathtaking views. Fires and floods eventually destroyed it, and it’s now a forgotten hiking trail.
8. Hot Springs, Arkansas
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Before Las Vegas stole the show, Hot Springs was the nation’s unofficial playground, attracting gangsters, gamblers, and ballplayers. Visitors came to bathe in the therapeutic waters and take in the nightlife. Today, it’s a sleepy town with echoes of its Prohibition-era glamour.
9. Borscht Belt Towns, New York
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Places like Liberty, Monticello, and Ellenville were packed with Jewish American families in the mid-20th century. The region’s hotels and bungalow colonies were hotbeds of comedy, dancing, and summer romance. But air travel and changing demographics slowly drained the crowds.
10. Santa Claus, Arizona
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This whimsical desert stop along Route 66 featured candy-striped buildings, a Christmas-themed inn, and even a post office where children mailed letters to Santa. Built in the 1930s, it was a seasonal favorite for road-tripping families. By the 1980s, it had fallen into decay and is now nothing more than ruins.
11. Cape Hatteras, North Carolina (Pre-Renovation)
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Before modern renovations, Cape Hatteras was a rugged, remote escape loved for its wild beaches and lighthouse climbs. Surfers, writers, and nature lovers made pilgrimages to its shores. With increasing tourism infrastructure and beach erosion, the untouched charm has faded from memory.
12. Bodie, California
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This once-thriving gold mining town boasted saloons, opium dens, and even its own Chinatown. In the 1960s and ’70s, it became a roadside favorite for travelers seeking an authentic ghost town experience. Though preserved as a historic park, it doesn’t draw the crowds it once did.
13. The Pike, Long Beach, California
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The Pike was a bustling boardwalk packed with roller coasters, arcades, and carnival games, often likened to a smaller Coney Island. From the 1920s to the 1950s, it was a staple for SoCal families looking for weekend thrills. It was dismantled in the 1970s and redeveloped into shopping complexes.
14. Coral Castle, Florida
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Built by one man in secret over decades, this strange structure of coral rock drew in curiosity seekers and lovers of oddities. In the mid-20th century, it was a Florida roadside staple full of mystery and whispered legends. Tourists today often pass it by without realizing the feat of engineering behind it.
15. Silver Springs, Florida
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Before Disney arrived, Silver Springs was one of Florida’s top attractions, known for its glass-bottom boat tours and jungle cruise rides. The water was so clear you could see fish swim beneath you like in an aquarium. Tourism faded with the rise of larger theme parks and changing tastes.
16. Pine Point, Northwest Territories (Honorable Mention from U.S. Radar)
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Although technically in Canada, Pine Point had a moment in the American tourist conscience during the late 1970s as a quirky mining town with an oddly Americanized culture. It was often featured in road trip columns and outdoor magazines for those venturing north. It’s now completely abandoned and flattened, but some American boomers still remember it fondly.