ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A new study ranks Asheville as the most underrated city in the United States for nightlife, highlighting the mountain town’s thriving after-dark scene despite its relatively small size and low national profile.
The report, released by luxury vacation rental company Wander, analyzed Tripadvisor reviews and population data to identify cities with a high concentration of top-rated nightlife venues that often go overlooked.
Asheville topped the list with 46 nightlife spots rated four stars or higher — translating to 4.8 top-rated venues per 10,000 residents. Researchers praised the city for delivering high-quality entertainment without the crowds typically found in larger nightlife hubs such as Charlotte or Las Vegas.
Despite its strong showing, Asheville garners fewer than 55,000 Google searches annually, suggesting it remains off the radar for many travelers.
Williamsburg, Virginia, and Rapid City, South Dakota, ranked second and third, with 2.5 and 2.4 highly rated nightlife venues per 10,000 people, respectively.
The study also ranked Asheville sixth overall among the most underrated travel destinations in the country, assigning the city a composite score of 7.63 out of 10 based on search volume, Instagram popularity, and venue reviews.
Other findings from the report include:
- Williamsburg, Virginia, was named the most underrated cultural destination, with 24 museums and galleries — 15.1 per 10,000 residents –and 42 sights and landmarks.
- Bozeman, Montana, was recognized as the most underrated foodie city, with nearly 65 percent of its restaurants earning four-star reviews or better.
- Montana stood out overall, with Bozeman, Missoula and Helena all landing in the top 10 underrated destinations nationwide.
The full report and rankings are available here.
