1. Marfa, Texas
Marfa’s desert charm and quirky art scene made it a low-key favorite for decades, but TikTok catapulted it into the mainstream. Influencers loved the Prada Marfa installation and the mysterious desert vibes, and soon the videos started pouring in. What was once a quiet West Texas town known mostly to art-world insiders became a weekend hotspot. Now, minimalist Airbnbs outnumber modest motels, and the town’s rustic identity is blending with slick LA aesthetics.
Locals have watched the price of everything from tacos to real estate skyrocket. The once-sparse streets are filled with selfie-takers hunting the “perfect desert light.” There’s a bittersweet pride in being put on the map, but also concern about losing the town’s original soul. Gentrification here doesn’t look like skyscrapers—it’s more like matcha lattes and rooftop yoga in the middle of nowhere.
2. Sedona, Arizona
TikTokers fell hard for Sedona’s red rock views and “vortex energy,” turning it into a viral spiritual getaway. Videos showing off crystal shops, aura readings, and desert hikes started racking up millions of views. The mystical aesthetic aligned perfectly with TikTok’s boho wellness crowd. Suddenly, Sedona wasn’t just a pit stop for hikers—it was a pilgrimage for the spiritually curious.
Now, luxury wellness resorts are popping up faster than you can say “chakra realignment.” Longtime residents are getting priced out as high-end condos replace modest desert homes. Sedona’s once-authentic metaphysical scene is being commercialized, and crystal shops now take Apple Pay. The town’s energy is still powerful, but the vibe has shifted from sacred to curated.
3. Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville’s artsy mountain town energy made it an early darling of TikTok’s cottagecore community. With its tree-lined streets, indie bookstores, and live bluegrass music, it looked like a living Pinterest board. Once users started posting dreamy reels of fall foliage and quaint coffee shops, the secret was out. The town’s bohemian identity got a glossy online makeover.
Real estate prices spiked, and locals now compete with remote workers and Airbnb investors. The once-affordable haven for artists and musicians is now a hotspot for luxury boutiques and gastropubs. Cultural festivals are now media events, drawing more cameras than neighbors. Asheville’s cool factor is still intact, but it comes with a premium.
4. Joshua Tree, California
What used to be a quiet, quirky desert town known mostly to rock climbers and Burning Man types got swept up in TikTok’s desert-core aesthetic. Videos of sunrise yoga, rustic-chic rentals, and starry skies flooded everyone’s FYP. TikTok made Joshua Tree look like an otherworldly escape—half wilderness, half mood board. Cue the stampede of visitors looking for their own desert solitude.
But solitude is getting harder to find. The influx of tourists and home buyers turned the area into a real estate gold rush. Simple homesteads are now multi-million-dollar rentals with “boho vibes” and outdoor soaking tubs. And locals worry that the soul of the high desert is being scrubbed clean for Instagram grids.
5. Beacon, New York
Once a sleepy Hudson River town with blue-collar roots, Beacon got a major glow-up thanks to TikTokers seeking NYC day-trip escapes. Videos of Dia:Beacon’s massive modern art spaces and vintage downtown storefronts went viral. Add in killer fall foliage and riverside views, and suddenly Beacon looked like a living Hallmark movie. Urbanites started hopping on the Metro-North in droves.
What followed was a rush of upscale dining, curated thrift shops, and record-breaking home prices. Beacon’s longtime locals now watch brownstones flip for millions, while diners turn into “concept cafes.” The once-gritty charm is still there—if you squint past the boutique hotels. It’s the classic upstate gentrification story, just with better lighting and TikTok soundtracks.
6. Bisbee, Arizona
This funky former mining town became a TikTok sensation for its colorful staircases, haunted hotels, and offbeat spirit. Creators called it “the Key West of the desert,” and quirky tourism content quickly caught fire. Suddenly, ghost tours and vintage shops were trending online. What was once an affordable haven for retirees and artists became Arizona’s coolest zip code.
Now, new galleries and cocktail bars are pushing out dive bars and mom-and-pop diners. Housing costs have jumped dramatically, and longtime residents are feeling the squeeze. Some locals embrace the attention, but many miss the slower pace and lower prices. Bisbee still has a lot of character, but it’s starting to feel a little more curated than eccentric.
7. Telluride, Colorado
Known for its jaw-dropping scenery and film festival, Telluride had always been under the radar compared to Aspen. But once TikTok showed off its dramatic landscapes and cozy cabins, the travel content exploded. Suddenly, it wasn’t just film buffs and ski bums flocking in—it was influencers in fuzzy hats and snow-white boots. The hashtag #Telluride brought luxury tourism straight into the heart of a once-chill mountain town.
Prices soared and private jets became a more common sight than ski lifts. What used to be a haven for adventurous nature lovers now feels like a high-end photo shoot set. Local workers struggle to live anywhere near where they work. The vibe is still magical, but the exclusivity is louder than ever.
8. Saugatuck, Michigan
Saugatuck was a charming lakeside town with an artsy twist long before TikTok discovered it. But it didn’t hit viral status until creators started showcasing its scenic dunes, queer-friendly vibe, and top-tier ice cream shops. The content made it look like Provincetown meets Cape Cod—without the East Coast price tag. That changed quickly once the videos hit millions of views.
Now, boutique inns are booked year-round, and summer home prices have surged. The art galleries and beach shacks still exist, but they’re surrounded by sleek wine bars and luxury shops. The town’s LGBTQ+ legacy is alive, but gentrification has put that legacy behind a velvet rope. Saugatuck’s quaintness remains, just a little less accessible than it used to be.
9. Hood River, Oregon
TikTok users couldn’t get enough of Hood River’s mix of Pacific Northwest vibes and extreme sports culture. Kite surfing videos with Mount Hood in the background started gaining traction, and soon the town became an outdoor influencer’s dream. Paired with microbreweries and scenic fruit orchards, it looked like a paradise. So of course, the internet came rushing in.
New builds and renovations have transformed Hood River’s edges into sleek developments. Home values have doubled in some areas, pricing out many longtime residents. Breweries are booming, but so are luxury vacation homes. The town still has its roots, but they’re getting buried under layers of curated content and capital.
10. Galena, Illinois
Galena was once a hidden gem of Midwest charm with Civil War-era architecture and scenic hills. Then came TikTok, with its dreamy reels of antique shops, river walks, and snow-covered Main Streets. It quickly became a favorite of nostalgia-loving creators. The town’s vintage aesthetic fit perfectly with TikTok’s cozy-core trends.
Soon, demand for short-term rentals shot up and boutique hotels began replacing small inns. Galena’s charm is still intact, but it now comes with higher price tags and longer waitlists. What was once a quiet getaway for history buffs is now a curated weekend escape for influencers. Locals are glad for the attention—but cautious about what it’s changing.
11. Moab, Utah
TikTok took Moab’s dramatic red cliffs and natural arches and turned them into a visual feast. Influencers documented every hike, jeep trail, and stargazing moment in dramatic fashion. The hashtag #MoabAdventure exploded, bringing in a new wave of attention. And with that attention came a tidal wave of change.
Moab’s downtown saw a spike in hip eateries, wellness retreats, and high-end outdoor gear shops. Housing shortages worsened as vacation rentals gobbled up available properties. The laid-back desert town vibe has been replaced with something shinier—and far more expensive. Locals worry that the natural beauty might not survive the tourist boom.
12. Seaside, Florida
The pastel beach houses and sugar-white sand of Seaside have been popular for years, but TikTok turned it into a Gen Z bucket list destination. It helped that “The Truman Show” was filmed there—TikTok users love a cinematic tie-in. Travel creators promoted it as Florida’s perfect coastal town, and soon the crowds followed. Every sunset turned into a live shoot.
Now, the town feels more like a curated backdrop than a real place. Locals are dealing with inflated costs and an overwhelming number of short-term rentals. Seaside’s charm is still there, but you have to wade through a sea of photo ops to find it. It’s beautiful—but no longer serene.
13. Leavenworth, Washington
Leavenworth’s Bavarian-themed streets had long been a kitschy roadside attraction, but TikTok made it feel like a European vacation without leaving the U.S. Videos of Christmas markets, pretzel stands, and alpine lodges during snowfall went viral. Suddenly, the town was booked solid for months out. Tourists came looking for magic—and often left with matching flannel.
The town has since leaned into the demand, upgrading its accommodations and rebranding many shops for upscale tastes. But that’s also driven up costs and changed who can afford to live—or even visit—there. What once felt delightfully odd now feels a bit more like Disneyland. Leavenworth is still a snow globe dream, just with a cover charge.
This post 13 American Towns That Got “Discovered” on TikTok and Then Completely Gentrified Themselves was first published on American Charm.
