10 of the world's most underrated cities

Call us sentimental, but it's an oversight we want to correct. These places are livable, creative hubs, championed by locals, worth more than a quick stop before you head elsewhere, CNN reports. Queens, New York OK, officially it's a part of NYC, but this borough has a population of 2.3 million and virtually qualifies as a city in itself. It might lack the glamour of Manhattan, but it's still one of the most diverse places on the globe. "Queens is definitely overlooked ... I'm glad that it's not nearly as visited (save for it being the location of two major airports) as Manhattan or Brooklyn. I'd like it to stay as is ..." says CNN commenter BuildingMyBento. More than 170 languages and dialects are spoken in the borough -- residents say it's like going around the world without ever leaving. First stop? Jackson Heights gives a sub-continental vibe. It's the place for saris and gold jewelry and South Asian restaurants. Then there's Flushing, home to the U.S. Open Tennis Championships as well as the second largest Chinatown in New York, and Jamaica, with its jazz heritage. Other "musts" include the Museum of the Moving Image and theBohemian Hall & Beer Garden, a relaxed neighborhood park and watering hole serving Czech beer and food with live music -- perfect in warmer months. Queens has beaches and forested parks, including Rockaway, a surfing beach, and Flushing Meadows Corona, with a zoo, lake and theater. Editor's note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified Shea Stadium as home of the New York Mets baseball team. The Mets play at Citi Field.

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