I’ve Been There: 2026 Hidden Gems from My 2025 Travels Part I

Seeking places to hit the road in 2026? Traveled a lot, but still have itchy feet to explore new places? Bookmark these first five hidden gems for places, restaurants, accommodations and experiences that are truly hidden gems.

With all the talk of AI coming for those of us who write and create, there’s one thing I can tell you. I’ve been there, and I have the video, photos and reels to prove it! That’s one reason why I put together this fun list of lesser-known treasures from my 2025 travels— places you may not know about but that I think you should. If you have the chance, add these places to your travel wish list!

I adventured to all of these destinations in 2025 while filming for “Travels with Darley” Season 13, coming up on PBS stations starting in January. I’ve picked a mix of attractions, accommodations and restaurants as part of a new series called, I’ve Been There. Each month, I’ll share these in our upcoming newsletters to give you more context to our episodes and also other resources on these experiences. All of these places gave me something more than I before I had visited them. I truly learned a lot and enjoyed them. Isn’t that the sign of a truly great experience!

#1 Union Silos
Minot, ND Public Art Project. Add this to your Hwy 2 road trip in North Dakota

Union Silos, ND

Australian artist Guido Van Helten gives Darley Newman an up-close look at his work on the Union Silos in Minot, ND

One of Minot, North Dakota’s most unexpected hidden gems rises straight from the prairie: the Union Silos, transformed into powerful symbols of the community’s history and creativity. International artist Guido van Helten didn’t just arrive and paint—he spent time interviewing and photographing local residents, listening to their stories before bringing them to life on the silos themselves.

Once the heart of Minot’s grain industry, these towering structures sat unused for years after devastating floods, but today they’re being reborn as North Dakota’s largest work of public art. You can admire the murals from multiple spots around downtown, including local coffee shops like Prairie Sky Breads, where you can also have delicious bread and coffee. What makes this stop special for travelers is how deeply it reflects Minot’s identity: a place that’s held onto its history, nurtured a close-knit arts scene, and turned industrial landmarks into a vibrant expression of community pride—proof that some of the most compelling cultural experiences are found far from the usual tourist trail.

How to Watch: Season 13 Episode 9 “Travels With Darley: North Dakota Hwy 2”

Travel North Dakota’s Highway 2 from Minot to Devils Lake and Grand Forks, exploring vibrant street art, bustling farmers markets, local artists, fishing adventures, bison viewing, and more along this scenic road trip route.

#2 Longwood, aka “Nutt’s Folley”
Mansion in Natchez, MS. Visit as part of your Natchez Trace Road Trip

Darley with Dona-Marie at Longwood in Natchez, MS

In the Mississippi Natchez Trace episode of “Travels With Darley,”, we start our adventures at Longwood, also called “Nutt’s Folly,” a dream house left unfinished because of the American Civil War. Dona-Marie Geoffrion guides us through.

Longwood, once known as “Nutt’s Folly,” was an extraordinary dream home left unfinished by the outbreak of the American Civil War. America’s largest octagonal home, it stands as a hauntingly beautiful reminder of ambition, innovation, and how history can abruptly alter even the grandest dreams.

On my visit, I was guided by Dona-Marie Geoffrion and was able to step inside one of the most unusual houses I’ve ever seen. Travelers can tour this home and walk the grounds and it’s a great diversion if you’re traveling along Mississippi’s Natchez Trace, an awesome road trip. Designed by Philadelphia architect Samuel Sloan for Dr. Haller Nutt (a “doctor” in name rather than practice), the ambitious mansion was meant to be a bold experiment in connection and creativity. Spanning 30,000 square feet, with 119 doors, 119 windows, 120 columns, and 26 fireplaces, Nutt envisioned his children working in different rooms while still feeling united by the home’s open design—long before open floor plans were fashionable.

Drawn to the word unique, Nutt poured nearly $100,000 in cash into the project just before the war began. Loyal to the Union, the family was viewed as traitors by the Confederacy, and construction abruptly stopped, leaving his wife impoverished and the house frozen in time.

How to Watch: Season 13 Episode 10 “Travels With Darley: Mississippi's Natchez Trace Road Trip”

Travel the Natchez Trace from Tupelo to Natchez, exploring scenic Parkway views, historic towns, and local culture. Discover Ridgeland’s charm, Natchez’s storied streets, and the landscapes that shaped Mississippi’s past and present.

#3 City Park
New Orleans, LA

Cafe du Monde in New Orleans City Park

Less lines and beautiful nature await at the outpost of Cafe du Monde, the French Market Coffee Stand, in City Park. Watch it in our Season 13 Women of New Orleans episode.

As a New York City resident with a deep love for urban parks, I was especially excited to explore New Orleans City Park, a hidden gem that surprises many travelers with its sheer scale and beauty. Most people think about Bourbon Street, Mardis Gras and other jazzy pursuits with New Orleans, but this is a stand out and you can even have a famous beignet on your visit.

Spanning 1,300 acres—larger than Central Park—this oasis sits right in the heart of the city and feels worlds away from the bustle of the French Quarter. Walking through the oak groves, I stood beneath some of the oldest oak trees in the world, with branches stretching overhead for more than 800 years, a reminder of how deeply rooted this place is in New Orleans’ history. City Park is more than green space; it’s a cultural hub where you’ll find botanical gardens, the New Orleans Museum of Art, the Louisiana Children’s Museum, and wide-open areas perfect for picnics, family gatherings, or quiet nature walks.

One of my favorite discoveries was the Café du Monde outpost tucked inside the park—offering the same iconic beignets with far fewer crowds and serene park views. For travelers looking to slow down, experience local life, and see a different side of New Orleans, City Park is an essential stop.

How to Watch: Season 13 Episode 3 “Travels With Darley: The Women of New Orleans”

Experience New Orleans through the eyes of dynamic women shaping its future while honoring its past. From riding streetcars and dining at Commander’s Palace to exploring City Park, jazz halls, and Mardi Gras traditions, discover the culture, history, and flavor that make the Big Easy unforgettable.

#4 Clevedale Historic Inn and Gardens
Spartanburg, SC Accommodations

Beautifully restored by husband-and-wife team Paul and Pontheolla Mack-Abernathy, the property dates back to 1798, with the main house built in 1913 on what was once a 440-acre plantation. After waking to a homemade breakfast, I discovered that Clevedale offers far more than a traditional inn stay. Tucked away in the backyard is a lovingly preserved vintage caboose—an inspired addition rooted in a local family story about a train breakdown and an impromptu tea gathering on the night a Cleveland heir was born.

Inside, the attention to detail is remarkable, from original sinks and luggage racks to gleaming brass poles that truly transport you to another era. For travelers who love places with soul, storytelling, and unexpected charm, Clevedale Inn offers an overnight experience you won’t find anywhere else—right in the heart of South Carolina’s Upcountry. Spartanburg’s Clevedale Inn, a hidden gem where history and hospitality come together in the most personal way.

How to Watch: Season 13 Episode 5 “Travels With Darley: South Carolina Revolutionary Road Trip Part III”

Follow a Revolutionary Road Trip across South Carolina, including pivotal battlefields like Kings Mountain, Ninety Six, Musgrove Mill, and Cowpens. Visit historic plantations, hidden cemeteries, and hear untold local stories. Along the way, meet passionate guides in Spartanburg, Clemson and the Upcountry, exploring charming towns, and discovering the people and places that shaped America’s fight for independence.

Watch on TikTok

@darleynewman 🚂✨ Stay in a vintage railway caboose? All aboard for unique accommodations at the Clevedale Inn in Spartanburg, SC, where you can glamp in a 1947 Southern railway caboose — history meets comfort with modern touches. #hotels #trains #sctwd #southcarolina #discoversc @ClevedaleInn ♬ original sound DarleyNewman

#5 Korai Kitchen
Jersey City, NJ Restaurant

Korai Kitchen Bangladeshi Food in Jersey City

You’ll eat like you’ve been welcomed into a home in Bangladesh at this Jersey City James Beard Award-nominated restaurant.

In Jersey City, you can quite literally travel the world through food, and one of its most meaningful hidden gems is Korai Kitchen. Run by a mother–daughter team, Nur-e Gulshan Rahman and Nur-e Farhana Rahman, this James Beard Award–nominated restaurant is the realization of a lifelong dream—one that didn’t begin to take shape until Nur-e Gulshan was 61, proving it’s never too late to follow your passion.

Here, Bangladeshi cuisine is deeply personal and proudly home-style, rooted in the flavors of Dhaka and the dishes Nur-e Gulshan has been cooking for more than 50 years. While mom works her magic in the kitchen, her daughter welcomes guests out front, sharing the stories behind celebratory dishes like murgir roast, a richly layered chicken dish made with up to 30 spices and guided by instinct as much as technique. Dining at Korai Kitchen feels less like a restaurant visit and more like being invited into someone’s home—one of many reasons Jersey City’s vibrant dining scene stands out as a destination in its own right, where award-worthy global flavors are just a short trip away. Next time you’re in NYC, cross over to Jersey City to travel the world through the food!

How to Watch: Season 13 Episode 8 “Travels With Darley: Hudson & The Meadowlands”

Just minutes from Manhattan, join Darley Newman to explore Hudson County and the Meadowlands, from Jersey City’s ferry to the Statue of Liberty to Hoboken’s historic neighborhoods, Weehawken’s views, and Paramus’ indoor skydiving. Go birdwatching along the Hackensack River, try indoor skiing, and uncover history, culture, and surprising adventures with local guides.

Watch on TikTok

@darleynewman James Beard award nominated Bangladeshi food in #JerseyCity. @Korai Kitchen is run by a mother daughter team and it’s super tasty! 😋 #newjersey #njtravel #njtwd2025 #jerseycity #bangladesh #bangladeshi #foodies #food #restaurant ♬ Walking Around - Instrumental Version - Eldar Kedem

Watch for Season 13 on your local PBS TV station and coming to streaming and our YouTube. Watch Season 12 in January on Create TV!