America is a tapestry of a nation: from the First Nations peoples who called this place home long before it became the New World to the newest immigrant to set foot on American soil, it’s always been considered a land of opportunity for people of many disciplines. This land, sewn together with different cultures, ethnicities, disciplines, languages, and heritages, provides the perfect environment for creativity to flourish in all its forms: vibrant artist communities overflowing with color and life hidden away in the mountains; boutique accommodations crafted to bring the visitor a lasting kind of peace; the universe’s creativity shown in the majesty of national parks bursting with all kinds of life and magic. Each state has its own unique personality born not just of its natural surroundings and location but also of its diverse people, and that makes a compelling reason for exploration.
These destinations are America’s “unhidden” hidden gems, and all they ask of you is to embrace their magic.
Taos, New Mexico
The desert really shows off when it comes to Taos. This is the home of inspiration, the home of creativity that flows from the landscape and into the lives of everyone who passes through. Taos is a long-time haven for artists and other creatives who came here seeking a place to make and mould without interference. The landscape and the art that is created here are deeply connected, as is the community that has been built here in northern New Mexico. The distinctive light, the drama of the mountains that look down benevolently over the town, and the enduring autistic allure make for a compelling package.
Beyond the art of it all (there are many galleries and studios of various forms that are open to the public), the region still has a lot to offer. An adventurous mindset and willingness to explore will serve visitors well. The Sangre de Cristo Mountains, for example, offer hiking and scenic drives that become an exercise in appreciating beauty rather than just getting some fresh air and a little exercise. The stillness of the high desert envelops all who traverse it with a unique kind of calm, and that alone is worth a trip.
Take your time with Taos: get to know her and enjoy her company slowly. Allow yourself the time to move between artistic spaces, historic communities, and mountainous landscapes rather than turning your journey into a checklist. Fortunately, the local Taos Regional Airport is well equipped to cater to private jet charter flights, which offer visitors the freedom, privacy, comfort, and support needed to experience Taos at their own pace and in their own way.
Door County, Wisconsin
Take a gentler approach in Wisconsin. Where the high desert’s beauty is rough and arid, Wisconsin’s Door County provides an atmospheric, soft alternative. This little corner of the Midwest is everything that the region is beloved for, but turned up to a level that entirely immerses visitors in its welcoming aura. This is the quiet side of the Great Lakes, where you’ll find a peninsula that extends all the way into Lake Michigan, surrounded by verdant, wooded roads, a lonely, rocky shoreline, small harbors where fishing and pleasure vessels bob in the water, flowering orchards and charming communities.
Another region that attracts artists thanks to its slow pace of life and natural beauty, Door County is also home to a lot of summer birds, though its appeal extends well beyond the warmer months of the year. In fall, the scenery lights itself on fire with a riot of red, orange, and yellow while the light on the shoreline cools and crisps as the water sinks in temperature. Travellers looking for scenic magic without the addition of a resort destination will find their mecca here: lingering over long, slow lunches, exploring the quirky local destinations and taking the time to smell the roses.
Ojai, California
Just inland from California’s well-travelled Central Coast lies Ojai. While this picture-perfect mountain town is hardly an unknown destination, it made our list because, frankly, we couldn’t bear to leave it off. Wrapped in the eternal embrace of the Topatopa Mountains in the north and Sulphur Mountain to the South and bordered by entrancing citrus groves, Ojai is a haven for writers, wellness seekers, artists of all disciplines, and travellers who want to do things their own way. Its appeal lies in both the obvious — its natural beauty and the feeling of being secluded from the hustle of the big city— and what the community itself brings to the table: a creative buzz, independent stores and bookshops, gardens made to laze in, and restaurants that focus on local and seasonal produce.
This is an unhurried place to be that demonstrates a clear determination in the face of a world that ramps up the pace whenever it gets the chance. Private villas, as-yet-unknown restaurants, and a chance to breathe set Ojai apart as a destination to pursue. Though it’s secluded in the mountains, access does not have to be a challenge, especially if Ojai is worked into a broader Southern California experience.
Quiet Quality
A slower pace, a chance to breathe, a chance to become inspired and create: this and more are what these quiet corners of America have to offer…and so much more.
