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The most beautiful cities in the U.S. to visit right now

The best cities to visit in the U.S. brim with charm, breathtaking architecture and so much to do.

You could spend a lifetime traveling America and not see all that's worth seeing, which makes coming up with the list of best cities in the USA a tough task. Every region is home to its own trip-worthy urban destinations that boast  natural wonders ,   impressive architecture , and  incredibly diverse restaurants.

From coast to coast, we've rounded the cities that top our list of recommendations when plotting out your USA travel bucket list.  New York ,  Los Angeles  and San Francisco are obvious for a reason—they stand as American icons and offer endless must-see attractions. If you're looking for something even sexier, head to  Las Vegas  for gambling and pool parties, or  Miami  for rooftop vibes and beaches packed with some of the fittest people you've ever seen. To experience a taste of the South, there's bustling and historic  New Orleans , filled with a celebration of culture and music every day of the week. At the same time, cities like Nashville offer Southern charm, live music and hearty fare that will make you feel right at home.

Whether you crave nightly live music to keep you dancing, are an art lover looking to explore galleries and museums, or are more interested in eating your way through town, our handpicked selection of the best cities to visit in the USA has you covered.

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Most beautiful cities in the U.S.

1.  Portland, OR

Portland is known for many things: its eccentric culture, its incredibly creative restaurants (that have only gotten more exciting post-pandemic), its theater and arts scene, and its outdoor beauty top the list of reasons to visit. The best things to do in Portland  are long, but some of our favorite activities include eating and more eating. Visit one of the area's best restaurants , opt to experience the zillions of  food trucks , indulge in a gourmet doughnut or stop by a brewery or two . When you want to get moving, hop on a bike to tour the town, hike through one of the many parks or take a stroll through an art museum.

2.  Boston, MA

History and modernity are joined at the hip in Boston, one of America’s first big cities and still one of its best. It’s the place where federal architecture harkens back to the 1600s, juxtaposed with ultra-modern buildings by Frank Gehry, Walter Gropius and I.M. Pei. Speaking of architecture: be sure to see the Back Bay row houses, the usual Instagram fodder that is actually an eye-catching must-see. From chowder to lobster rolls, Boston also loves its seafood, so be sure to visit the city's best raw bars and lobster shacks while you're in town.

3.  San Francisco, CA

San Francisco, a beautiful city built on massive hills and surrounded by water, is a place that marches to the beat of its own drum. Novices are always shocked at how chilly it is here, so pack a heavy sweater at any time of year, and use it while doing the classic tourist activities: riding a cable car, taking a day tour to Alcatraz Island , walking across the Golden Gate Bridge or laughing at the chubby sea lions at Fisherman’s Wharf . If you want to branch out and experience the city as a local would, we recommend visiting one of SF's hottest restaurants —from Michelin-starred establishments  to cheap eats —grabbing a drink on a rooftop bar or heading out for a hike in nature . 

4.  Seattle, WA

From its emerald parks to the endless views of Puget Sound, Seattle is the crowning jewel of the Pacific Northwest. You'll see it all from the top of the iconic Space Needle—a 360-degree rotating atrium with a glass floor—but don't stop there. Seattle is full of incredible restaurants and world-class museums like the Seattle Art Museum and the Museum of Pop Culture . It's also the home of famed glass artist Dale Chihuly's Garden and Glass . And while the grunge era that put the city on the map is long gone, there are still plenty of excellent music venues to check out including Neumos and the Showbox .

5.  Charleston, SC

Charleston is truly one of America’s great metropolises, steeped in the history of the nation while boasting a thoroughly modern attitude toward the arts, culture and cuisine—you just need one quick glance at our list of the best Charleston restaurants to see that. Since around 1670, the architecture—and particularly the churches on every corner—has been enough of a reason to head to South Carolina’s jewel, but recently the city has become a food and drink haven as well. Water views and hipsters abound at the Pavilion Bar ; City Market sells the city’s signature sweetgrass baskets; and dinner at  Husk is a transcendental experience.

6.  New Orleans, LA

After 300 years of existence, New Orleans is in the midst of a renaissance—except for the streets, which are the bumpiest you've ever encountered in a major metropolis. They love to dress up and party here, so put on a wig and mask, and hit the French Quarter and the Marigny for fabulous food at the best New Orleans restaurants . Grab a to-go cup filled with craft cocktails from one of the city’s best bars , and indulge in the live music for which New Orleans is famous. Then dig deeper by visiting the Bywater neighborhood, home to an intoxicating mix of art and funk with incredible murals on every block, and stop at Bacchanal Wine for a munch, a sip, and a song (or two). One thing to remember while here: always keep an eye on the iconic architecture that defines this one-in-a-million, music-loving city.

7.  Milwaukee, WI

You probably didn’t know that Milwaukee holds the world’s largest music festival, Summerfest , over three consecutive weekends in June and July. When the massive festival goes down, the pretty city by Lake Michigan goes more than a little crazy. With 12 stages, over 600 artists and more than half a million fans rolling through, they're taking advantage of the warm weather in a big way. During the rest of the year, think cheese curds, beer breweries, cornhole tournaments and Packers fanatics, juxtaposed with a gorgeous art museum and the annual Sculpture Milwaukee outdoor showcase all over town (summer/fall). It’s a vibrant, friendly city that Harley-Davidson calls home—don’t miss their massive museum here.

8.  Salt Lake City, UT

No matter where you are in Salt Lake City, the snowcapped Rocky Mountains are never out of sight. They tower over the uber-clean city, a stunning landscape fit for a painting. And while Salt Lake is well-known for its Mormon heritage, there's more to the scene here than meets the eye. Restaurants range from the fine-dining favorite Log Haven to a healthy variety of ethnic and international restaurants. And while alcohol isn't as readily available here as in some cities, it's much easier to find than you think, including at the White Horse  downtown. While there, don't forget to take in a little of the outdoors: hiking, swimming, and picnicking at the Great Salt Lake is a good place to start.

9.  Chicago, IL

Frank Lloyd Wright buildings, deep-dish pizza, and the Cubbies: just three of the wonderful things that put Chicago on the world’s radar. It’s a big city with a friendly vibe that’s got a whole street, Rush Street, devoted to drinking and dancing. You can party there until 4am, but save some strength for the festivals this city loves to put on, from  Taste of Chicago  in the summer and July's  Pitchfork Music Fest to the big daddy of them all, Lollapalooza . This oh-so-cold city hunkers down in the winter, unless the Bears are playing football, in which case shirtless guys will brave subzero temps to cheer on their boys at Soldier Field.

10.  Los Angeles, CA

Sun, sand, and movies (in which the city is often the star) make Los Angeles a place the world wants to see in real life. Start at the Hotel Erwin’s rooftop in Venice for an expansive view of the whole city, then explore everything from the ocean to the mountains as you crisscross L.A. County. Expect its famous traffic to slow you down as you head to Malibu for a surfing session; make a pit stop at the Getty Museum , then step in the stars’ footprints at TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood . Blow your shopping budget on Rodeo Drive , then head south to Anaheim to pilot the Millenium Falcon at Disneyland’s Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge universe.

11.  Nashville, TN

Honky-tonks and museums might not seem to go together, but their marriage in Nashville is a strong one indeed. For some drinking and dancing, head straight for Broadway, where Legend’s Corner , Nudie’s , and Tootsie’s have been serving up country, blues, and whiskey forever. You can start early (10am) and go late into the night (3am) in Music City—if you’ve got the fortitude, of course. Is day drinking not your idea of vacation fun? Start with the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum  and move on to the museums devoted to Patsy Cline and Johnny Cash ; all are right downtown and terrific. See Historic RCA Studio B , where Elvis made countless records, and drive out to the Bluebird Cafe and the Grand Ole Opry . Don’t forget that this is a party town so feel free to visit with a group, rent a barcycle (which is exactly what it sounds like), and roam among the best Nashville bars , singing as you go.

12.  Washington, DC

One of America’s most beautiful cities, stately Washington, D.C. just keeps getting better. The National Mall is truly majestic, with the Capitol building glowing at one end, the Lincoln Memorial at the other, and various Smithsonian museums lining each side. See them all (take a look at our list of the best museums in D.C . for a start), but plan to spend extra time at the new(ish) National Museum of African American History & Culture . Beyond politics, monuments and museums, D.C. boats some cool, emerging neighborhoods like the Wharf (eat at Officina or Del Mar de Fabio Trabocchi ) and Southeast, where the Nationals play baseball and craft beer rules at Bluejacket nearby. Take a look at our guide to where to stay in Washington, D.C. if you’re planning a visit.

13.  St. Louis, MO

For a small-town vibe in a big city, St. Louis is the place to be. Settled by Europeans in 1764, this 'Gateway to the West' has long been the center of America. A few musts while in town: a visit to the famous (and giant) Gateway Arch , a walk through the National Blues Museum , and a stop at BB’s Jazz Blues and Soups . Clearly, blues and barbecue go hand-in-hand here, with classic BBQ joints like Pappy’s Smokehouse and Sugarfire that slow-cook with style. Locals are so serious about the cuisine that the Q in the Lou cookoff is fall's hottest ticket.

14.  Miami, FL

Things constantly sizzle in Miami, where Latin beats and eats swirl in an Art Deco dream. South Beach is the spot for sunning all day on the white sand and clubbing all night. For a really hot time, stop in at the World Erotic Art Museum . For true art lovers, Art Basel Miami in December offers up creative installations, parties and intellectualism. Your itinerary should also be packed full of trips to the city's  best restaurants  from classic Cuban mainstays to Michelin-starred Italian spots.

15.  New York City, NY

Needless to say: there is no place like New York City. An incredible melting pot of cultures, neighborhoods , languages and personal styles, a stroll down any street in Manhattan is always a fascinating experience. Classic old buildings exist shoulder-to-shoulder with new ultra-modern architecture like those in Hudson Yards , constantly morphing the city’s identity into exciting new molds. When in town, indulge in more than one Broadway show , visit all the museums , stroll around Central Park , eat the best bagels in NYC (and any drool-worthy haute cuisine you can manage), drink at a speakeasy , catch a Yankee game, and start wondering why you haven’t moved here yet.

16.  San Diego, CA

It’s not a myth: San Diego boasts the very best weather across America, with 70-degree Fahrenheit temperatures, low humidity, and sunny skies all year round. Add in the beautiful bay and beaches, a famous zoo and the endearing madness of Comic-Con International, and it’ll become impossible not to love this quintessential California city. Foodies adore the seafood and Mexican cuisine done to perfection here; gamblers flock to Pechanga and Viejas , the two posh Native American casinos nearby; and kids dream of Legoland . San Diego has something for everyone. 

17.  Las Vegas, NV

Ah, Vegas. The place that every foreigner cannot wait to visit when seeing America. More lightbulbs in one place than anywhere, more ways to gamble than your wallet can bear, the glitter, glitz, and jangling slot machines are the city’s signature perks. But Vegas is more than just casinos rising out of the desert. Head off the famed Strip to downtown’s fascinating Mob Museum and find out who built this decadent mecca in the first place. Eat at a world-class chef’s world-renowned restaurant ( Joël Robuchon , anyone?), drive supercars at 200mph with Exotics Racing and zip out to Red Rock Canyon for a mind-bending desert experience. Whatever you want, Vegas always has it.

18.  Orlando. FL

With theme parks like Universal Studios Florida, Legoland  and Walt Disney World , Orlando has been the place for families for generations. And now, with the arrival of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney World, there will be plenty of adults with no kids descending on Orlando as well. The city is ready, with an impressive range of restaurants anchored by DoveCote Brasserie and The Boheme  and an equally adult club scene that pays homage all sorts of tunes, from country and hip hip to rock and pop.

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USA Bucket List: 50 Best Places to Visit in the US

From snowcapped mountains to tropical beaches, from some of the world’s most iconic cities to some of its most incredible deserts, from the east coast to the west, one thing is incredibly certain: there is absolutely no shortage of awe-inspiring, utterly diverse, and incredibly beautiful places to visit in the USA.

Our home country boasts one of the most incredible national park systems on the planet, along with a huge variety of cities, small towns, and other gorgeous places that ensure that a lifetime would not be long enough to see all of the best travel destinations in the USA.

… But that won’t stop us from trying to enjoy as many of the most amazing vacations in the United States as we can.

We teamed up with several other travel bloggers to put together this giant USA bucket list, and definitely added a few new spots to our personal list of places to see in the US in the process!

From coast to coast, city to countryside, here are the best places to visit in the USA.

Table of Contents

Best Cities to Visit in the USA

National parks + other beautiful places for a us vacation, beaches + islands for your usa bucket list, other beautiful places in the usa to visit.

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New York, New York

From Disha of Disha Discovers

New York is one of the most iconic and beautiful cities in the United States and even the world.

It truly is a city that everyone should visit at least once in their lives even if it’s just for a quick weekend in NYC !

The tall buildings are mesmerizing and awe-inspiring, it’s home to some of the most exquisite museums and galleries in the world, and New York City is brimming with so much to explore and see.

Plus, NYC is a foodie’s heaven with cuisines from all over the world.

… And, these are only a few of the many reasons to visit this magnificent city.

Some bucket-list-worthy things to do in New York City are to watch a play on Broadway, see the Statue of Liberty, hang out in Time Square, walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, and take a stroll around Central Park.

A few museums to visit are the Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met), the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, the Guggenheim, and the American Museum of Natural History.

Radio City Music Hall, Rockefeller Center, 5th Avenue, Empire State Building, and Chelsea Market are must-sees as well.

Whatever you decide to do in New York City , you’re in for a real treat!

This city will leave you feeling inspired and you’ll want to book another trip to come back!

Miami, Florida

From Veronika of Travel Geekery

Vibrant and colorful Miami is, without a doubt, one of the best places to visit in the US.

The downtown area merges into wonderfully diverse neighborhoods from Little Havana to Coral Gables.

However, most visitors to the vibrant yet laid-back city head to its beaches located on a long stretch of a barrier island.

South Beach especially is where the glamor’s at, topped by stylish Ocean Drive, which is lined with elegant Art Deco houses including Versace’s mansion, trendy restaurants, and nightclubs… the scene is pretty lively there.

The beach itself features uniquely colored watchtowers spread around nice light sand. The waves are mostly mild. Pelicans like it here too and often float on the water near people.

Watching a sunrise on the beach belongs to one of the best experiences one can have in the area.

Miami City and its beaches can easily be visited  even without a car .

The public transport network and the ample ride/bike-sharing services make it an easy destination for any type of traveler.

San Diego, California

From Maria of San Diego Explorer

San Diego is the perfect California beach city and a must on any USA bucket list.

Also known as America’s Finest City, San Diego has a lot to offer, whether you are looking for a beach getaway at one of the many beach resorts in San Diego , a fun time in the city, or a mix of both.

Here are some of the best things to do in San Diego!

In Downtown San Diego, there is something for everyone: from eating delicious Italian fare in Little Italy to visiting the Midway Museum to strolling through Seaport Village, and having a fun night out in the Gaslamp Quarter.

If you love the outdoors and animals, visit Balboa Park and the world-famous San Diego Zoo.  

And then, there are the beaches: San Diego has some of the best beaches in Southern California.

Some of the most popular ones are Mission Beach, Coronado, and the beaches in La Jolla.

You can relax on the sand, take surfing lessons, or ride your bike along the boardwalk for a fun day on the beach.  

San Diego has so much to offer and is simply a fun city, no matter what you are in the mood for. 

Austin, Texas

The Live Music Capital of the World and capital of the state of Texas is located in the heart of Texas Hill Country and offers a fantastic combination of excellent nightlife, plenty of outdoor activities and day trip opportunities, and truly phenomenal food.

Don’t leave without having at least one giant meal each worth of TexMex and barbecue!

While in Austin, be sure to visit trendy South Congress Avenue, watch the bats fly out from under the South Congress Bridge (if you’re visiting at the right time of year, that is), see a show, and go for a hike (or if it’s too hot, hit the lake!).

Want to get out of town?

Austin is within an easy day trip of natural swimming holes, Texas’ wine country, and adorable small towns.

New Orleans, Louisiana

Good food, good music, and good times: of all the best places to visit in the USA, NOLA definitely ranks toward the top of the list for places to go to simply have an amazing time.

There’s far more to New Orleans than Mardi Gras, Bourbon Street, and beignets, though.

With a dark and complex history heavily impacted by slavery and a constantly evolving modern culture, New Orleans deserves more than just partying during your visit–though there’s plenty of time for that, too.

While in New Orleans, be sure to listen to some jazz, learn a bit about the city’s history, visit the famous Jackson Square, head to the Garden District, check out the beautiful oak trees in City Park, and–this is very important–eat your heart out.

NOLA is indisputably home to some of the best food in the country–so good, in fact, that the food alone would be a good enough reason to add New Orleans to your USA bucket list.

For those interested in New Orleans’ spooky legends, a ghost tour through the French Quarter at night is also worth adding to your to-do list!

Washington, DC

From Jordan of The Solo Life

One of the best travel destinations in the United States is the nation’s capital, Washington, DC.

With everything from museums to monuments to the White House and Capitol Building, DC has something for everyone .

In addition, DC’s public transportation and numerous free attractions make it a surprising destination for the budget-friendly traveler.

Kid-friendly options include the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History and the National Air and Space Museum.

Art lovers will enjoy the National Gallery of Art or the Hirshhorn Museum for modern and contemporary art.

History buffs should check out the Library of Congress and the National Archives Museum.

Besides museums, the National Mall and Tidal Basin are must-visit locations to see the Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, and Lincoln Memorial, among others.

The best times to visit DC include early summer before it gets too hot or in the fall once summer break is over.

Although extremely crowded due to the Cherry Blossoms, springtime is also a gorgeous time to visit.

No matter what time of year, Washington, DC is one of the best destinations to visit in the US.

San Francisco, California

The city of hills, ocean views, and the famous Golden Gate Bridge is at the top of many people’s lists of bucket lists for the United States.

And, with an endless list of things to do that cater to all interests, why not?

Be sure to pay a visit to the touristed highlights that most interest you–Fisherman’s Wharf (and its adorable sea lions!), Alcatraz, walking across the Golden Gate Bridge, visiting the Painted Ladies (of Full House fame), and checking out Lombard Street.

Once you cross those highlights off your list, though, make time for a few less-obvious attractions, like San Francisco’s Japanese Garden, the Land’s End Labyrinth, and Fort Point.

And, of course, you can’t forget to go for a walk in the woods while visiting San Francisco!

Visiting the Muir Woods is an unforgettable experience worthy of your time on any weekend trip to the area.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia has been one of the coolest US cities to visit for centuries, and–like Boston–it features strong ties to the American Revolution.

This is where the Declaration of Independence and the Consitution were signed, touring Independence Hall and visiting the nearby Liberty Bell are among the best things to do in Philadelphia today as a result!

You can’t miss Philly’s food scene when visiting, either–from whoopie pies to Philly cheesesteaks, the city has a (literal) flavor all its own.

Start–but don’t finish–exploring Philadelphia’s food scene at the historic Reading Terminal Market.

Be sure to also make time to visit some of Philadelphia’s incredible museums during your visit, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Museum of the American Revolution (we loved this one), and touring the dark but fascinating Eastern State Penitentiary.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is also home to another essential stop in this iconic East Coast City: the Rocky Steps.

And, if you’re willing to work up a sweat, definitely consider running up them yourself during your classic American vacation in Philadelphia!

Chicago, Illinois

From Wendy of The Nomadic Vegan

Chicago is the third-largest city in the US, and also one of the most ethnically diverse.

Its skyline reflecting off the waters of Lake Michigan is a sight to behold.

No matter what your interests are, whether it’s music, shopping, culture, art, or dining, you could spend months exploring all that Chicago has to offer.

On a shorter USA vacation, though, you can still see quite a few of the best sights in Chicago!

The city’s top museums include the Adler Planetarium, the Field Museum of Natural History, the Museum of Science and Industry, and the Art Institute of Chicago.

Don’t forget to check out the many outdoor sculptures and other public works of art around the Loop, either.

A walk along the Magnificent Mile will take you past upscale department stores and through Millennium Park, home of the famous sculpture known as The Bean.

A visit to Bronzeville, also known as “the Black Metropolis”, is a must to learn about the city’s rich African-American history.

Architecture buffs will be interested to know that this is where Frank Lloyd Wright established the Prairie School architectural style. You can find some of his earliest buildings here in Chicago.

You’ll work up an appetite walking the streets of this massive city. This is a good thing, because the restaurant scene here is amazing!

You can find pretty much any cuisine you could imagine, from stylish Japanese to homestyle soul food, and there are even lots of vegetarian and  vegan restaurants in Chicago .

Houston, Texas

From Thanh of The Traveling Asian

Houston, Texas is one of the coolest places to visit in the United States, and while an unexpected vacation option, certainly one that will impress.

After all, it is the 4th largest city in the USA and is often ranked as the most diverse city in the country!

Because of this size, you can expect there to be all kinds of things for you to see and do here in this city.

One of the most iconic places you must visit in the city is Space Center Houston.

There you can learn about NASA and space travel as well as take a tour around the famous mission control center. If you love space, then this place is for you.

Houston is also home to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo which is the biggest rodeo of its kind in the country.

There, you’ll be able to eat some delicious rodeo foods, pet some livestock, learn about animals, play at the amusement park, and even watch a concert by famous celebrities.

But aside from the attractions, Houston is known for its food. Since it is the most diverse city in the country, you can find just about everything available here in this city.

For instance, you can find Tex-Mex, Chinese, Ethiopian, Greek, and many other ethnic cuisines available all around the area.

So if you love food and all things fun, then Houston is definitely the place for you.

Las Vegas, Nevada

From Kimberley of Two Travelling Toques

If you’re looking for a cool place to visit in the USA, you can’t get much cooler than Las Vegas .

This well-known city has been depicted in numerous movies such as The Hangover and Ocean’s Thirteen as party central.

And if that’s what you’re looking for, you’ll definitely find it in Vegas.

Long known as both the wedding capital for a quick place to get married, or the perfect spot to hold a bachelor or bachelorette party, either way, it’s the spot to bring your friends, let loose, and have fun!

Gambling has been a big draw to Las Vegas since the early 1930s, and there is no shortage of showy and extravagant casinos to choose from.

Nightlife also takes center stage here.

From world-class musicians to top-notch magical acts, to dependable artists like Wayne Newton who have had a residency here for years. 

During the day, you can grab a fancy drink and chill by the pool. Or hit up one of the pool parties and listen to the headlining DJ.

Either way, be sure to bring lots of money for the high-end shops, ever-flowing drinks, and dazzling casinos looking to draw you in. 

Savannah, Georgia

Without a doubt, the small but stunning city of Savannah, Georgia is one of the most beautiful places to visit in the USA.

Featuring absolutely stunning architecture, 22 of its original 24 town squares, endless oak trees dripping with Spanish moss, and some of the best food in the country, spending a few days in Savannah is bound to be a delight.

While you’re there, be sure to meander down beautiful Jones Street, check out Forsyth Park, hear some of the city’s most enduring legends on a ghost tour, enjoy views from River Street, and take in some of Savannah’s complex history at its various house museums and houses of worship.

Don’t forget to set aside plenty of time to eat!

While there are dozens of incredible  restaurants in Savannah , favorites include The Olde Pink House and The Grey for special occasions, The Collins Quarter for their legendary lavender mocha latte, and Leopold’s Ice Cream for a scoop of their famous Tutti Frutti ice cream.

Have enough time for a quick  day trip ?

Tybee Island –also known as “Savannah’s Beach”–is less than a 30-minute drive away, and while you certainly won’t want to swim in the summer, strolling along the sand and climbing the lighthouse are a treat.

Los Angeles, California

From Trijit of Budget Travel Buff

Looking for the coolest place to visit in the United States?

Visit Los Angeles; a unique combination of the entertainment industry, gorgeous beaches, great food, and vibrant nightlife.

It is certainly not the cheapest place in California , but for the right travelers, LA is definitely worth the price tag.

Los Angeles is a large city full of tourist attractions that won’t let you stay idle.

If you are a beach lover, LA won’t disappoint you with its stunning beaches that include Malibu, Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach, Venice Beach, Hermosa Beach, and so on.

There are several fantastic museums in LA. LACMA is the most popular one for its diverse art collections and special exhibits.

Some other renowned museums are the Grammy Museum, Natural History Museum, and Museum of Broken Relationships.

While visiting LA, you will notice entertainment at every corner of the city. You can see a concert or enjoy a ride at the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park.

If you rent a car in Los Angeles, go for a scenic drive along the Pacific Coast Highway that carves through the mountains of Malibu.

Los Angeles has some of the best restaurants in the US.

Once you are done with LA sightseeing, have lunch at any of these food spots – Diakokuya for ramen, Langer’s for a pastrami sandwich, Guisados for tacos, or pizza at Mozza.

Seattle, Washington

Set right on the water with the dramatic backdrop of Mount Rainier, it’s no wonder that busy and beautiful Seattle is one of the best USA travel destinations.

When visiting Seattle, be sure to eat your way through Pike Place Market, head to the top of the Space Needle, visit the famous Chihuly Museum, and check out the fun and interesting Museum of Pop Culture.

Looking for interesting neighborhoods?

Head to Fremont, where the self-proclaimed unofficial motto is “des libertas quirkas”, aka “the freedom to be quirky”.

Hoping to spend some time outside?

Nestled in the heart of the magnificent Pacific Northwest, endless waterfalls, trails, and mountains–even Mount Rainier itself–are located within day-tripping distance from Seattle.

Charleston, South Carolina

Located just a couple of hours north of Savannah, Charleston shares a lot of similarities with its neighbor to the south.

Fantastic Lowcountry food, Spanish moss dripping from the trees, beautiful architecture, and lots of history to uncover are wonderful to appreciate in both Charleston and Savannah –but Charleston absolutely has its own distinct personality as well.

On your Charleston vacation, be sure to visit the beautiful and photogenic Rainbow Row, check out the tea-making process at the Charleston Tea Garden, visit the gorgeous and interesting Angel Oak Tree, stroll through Waterfront Park and Battery Park, and check out City Market.

If you’d like to do some shopping while in Charleston, King Street is the place to go.

Those interested in US military history will no doubt want to visit Patriots Point to tour the former US naval ships docked there and Fort Sumter for its history (and views).

Beach lovers, don’t miss the chance to check out nearby Folly Beach and/or Sullivan’s Island!

Orlando, Florida

As the theme park capital of the world, Orlando is one of the most popular places to visit in the USA for both domestic and international visitors, mostly on behalf of one iconic mouse.

As home to Walt Disney World , Orlando is a must-see USA bucket list item for many families across the world, and with four amazing Disney parks packed with rides, experiences, and intense amounts of nostalgia, it’s no wonder why.

Disney isn’t the only theme park game in town, though!

Universal Studios Orlando, home to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, is also a fantastic theme park to visit, and big roller coaster fans may even want to take a day trip to Tampa Bay to experience Busch Gardens.

Though the parks are a big draw for people visiting Orlando with kids and kids at heart alike, theme parks aren’t the only places to visit in and around Orlando.

The Kennedy Space Center, plenty of beaches, and even cool swimming holes like Wekiva Springs are within day-trip distance of Orlando.

Portland, Oregon

Much like Austin, Portland proudly embraces its weirdness, celebrating the eclectic and bizarre in all possible ways–and that makes it endlessly fun to visit!

Bookworms like me will immediately head to Powell’s City of Books–I still think it’s the biggest bookstore I’ve ever visited–while foodies will want to head directly to the local ice cream obsession, Salt & Straw. 

Voodoo Doughnuts, now with a few locations nationally, also originated here and remains popular with tourists (though depending on who you ask, not locals–for what it’s worth, we’d rate the doughnuts 7/10).

During your weekend trip to Portland, make time to visit the Japanese Garden and the International Rose Garden, especially if you visit when everything is in bloom.

Plenty of incredible parts of the Columbia River Gorge, including famous Multnomah Falls, are also within easy reach of Portland and deserve to feature on your USA bucket list!

Nashville, Tennessee

From Apryl of Southern Traveling Gal

No doubt about it, there’s something about Nashville, that casts a long-lasting spell on travelers.

For travelers visiting Nashville, it’s not unheard of to plan a return trip as soon as the current one is over!

Only in “The Music City” is it possible to catch the latest exhibit at the Frist Art Museum, see a replica of the Parthenon and enjoy live music at venues along the Honky Tonk Highway.

For first-timers, touring country music icons like the Ryman Auditorium and the Country Music Hall of Fame is a must-do.

Don’t overlook artist-specific museums such as the Johnny Cash Museum and Glen Campbell Museum that provides a closer look at these music giants, either.

Much of Nashville’s allure lies within its distinctive neighborhoods, like the Gulch, filled with shops and restaurants.

It isn’t unusual to spot a long line or two here, typically featuring either people waiting in line to take a photo with the “What Lifts You” mural or getting into Biscuit Love.

Save some room for some barbecue from Peg Leg Porker!

12thSouth offers locally-owned boutiques, stores, and eateries. Also found here is Draper James, the flagship store of Reese Witherspoon’s clothing line.

Be sure to take home some cookies from Christie’s Cookie Company and snap a photo with the “I Believe in Nashville” mural.

Across the Cumberland River is the eclectic East Nashville. Don’t miss out on the mini doughnuts at Donut Distillery.

Depending on time, consider visiting Cheekwood Estates and Gardens, a 55-acre botanical garden, as part of your Nashville getaway.

Of course, no trip to Nashville is complete without hot chicken from Prince’s Hot Chicken or biscuits from Loveless Cafe, located near the Natchez Trace Parkway.

Boston, Massachusetts

From Linn of Brainy Backpackers

Boston is such a cool city to visit in the USA, rich in history, architecture, and food.

Along the waterfront, you can walk the 43-mile-long Harbor Walk.

But there is so much more to add to see during your trip to Boston, like the Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile-long path taking you to 16 significant places in American history.

It is well marked and technically be walked in as little as 90 minutes, though you can download the app and visit each place which will take at least a whole day to complete.

Boston is home to the oldest public park in the United States, Boston Common, which is situated next to Boston Public Garden.

You can wander the parks and enjoy a ride in the Boston Public Garden’s historic paddleboats.

Nearby, you’ll find the Boston Public Library at Copley Square, which is an incredibly beautiful Renaissance Revival structure from 1895 that you should visit.

You’ll also find the beautiful neighborhood of Beacon Hill nearby, as well as the trendy neighborhood of Back Bay.

For the best views of the city during your Boston itinerary , visit the Skywalk Observatory.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

From Melissa of Parenthood and Passports

Yellowstone National Park is the oldest national park in the United States and one of the best places to visit in the entire country.

Known for its geothermal activity, more than half of the earth’s geysers are located in the national park which straddles the borders of Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. 

Old Faithful is one of the most popular things to see in Yellowstone National Park .

The active and predictable geyser erupts approximately 20 times each day.

Visitors to the park gather around to watch the geyser blast hot water and steam into the sky.

Although quite impressive, Old Faithful is just one of many must-see geothermal features found in the park.

One of the largest hot springs in the world, the Grand Prismatic Spring, is another popular attraction in Yellowstone.

Visitors can get an up-close view of the spring or take a short hike for a stunning overview of Grand Prismatic’s vibrant colors.  

Beyond all of its geothermal features, Yellowstone National Park also boasts beautiful waterfalls, crystal-clear lakes, rivers, and more than 200 species of animals.

Bison, deer, moose, wolves, and even bears live in the park.

Because of all the wildlife in Yellowstone, visitors are strongly encouraged to use caution when hiking or camping and to carry bear spray to protect themselves in the event of an encounter.

Sawtooth Mountains, Idaho

From Allison of She Dreams of Alpine

Idaho is often overlooked when it comes to cool places to visit in the US, but the tiny town of Stanley serves as the gateway to an abundance of outdoor adventures in the stunning Sawtooth Mountain range and along the swift Salmon River.

Although it has a population of less than 100, Stanley is easily accessible in a 3-hour drive from the main airport in Boise or about a 1-hour drive if you’re coming from Sun Valley.

The best way to explore the Sawtooth Mountains is on one of the many hiking trails.

The hike to Alice Lake is a perfect introduction to the area, and you can either do a 12-mile day hike or backpack the longer Alice/Toxaway Loop over the course of a few days.

Whichever option you choose, you’ll discover gorgeous views of Alice Lake framed by the “Dragon’s Back” peaks of the Sawtooth Mountains, including Idaho’s own “El Capitan.”

For fun on the water, you can go fishing along the Salmon River or swim in Redfish Lake.

When you need some rejuvenation after your adventures, you can reward yourself with great food and drinks at the Stanley Supper Club and take a dip in the hot springs at the Mountain Village Resort.

Once you head home, you’ll surely find yourself raving to your friends about this hidden gem of a mountain town – unless you want to keep the Sawtooth Mountains and Stanley a secret for yourself!

Oregon Coast

From Kay of The Awkward Traveller

The Oregon Coast is one of the most underrated travel destinations in the USA, but for those who love moody, dramatic scenery, it is the best place to be.

Although the actual coast isn’t very long (338 or so miles, about a 7.5-hour drive without stopping), it makes for a great weekend or longer trip with added stops.

Starting at the north end, about 2 hours outside of Portland, the city of Astoria will serve as your jumping-off point with picturesque bridges and locations from The Goonies.

Heading south, take a pitstop at the cheese capital of the state  –  Tillamook , Oregon.

Visit the Tillamook Cheese Factory and gorge yourself on all things dairy before continuing on to stunning Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area.

The highlight of the coast will be Yachats, Oregon, with incredible farm-to-table restaurants that are dedicated to sourcing local sustainable fish, meat, and produce providers.

On the southern end of the coast, you can find sand dunes in Florence, and natural rock arches among the cliffs in Brookings.

If your tolerance for rain is low, summer will be the best season to visit weather-wise, while winter and spring will have smaller crowds and lower prices.

Acadia National Park, Maine

From Ale of Sea Salt & Fog

Acadia National Park is one of the most beautiful national parks in the eastern United States, perfectly showcasing the beauty of the Maine coast.

Acadia has miles of hiking and biking trails, as well as easy coastal access for kayaking and sailing. 

When visiting, plan to spend at least  2 days in Acadia National Park  so you can make the most of your time there.

One of the best things to do includes watching the sunrise at Cadillac Mountain, where you’ll get stunning views of the islands that dot the coast.

Drive Park Loop Road to enjoy some of the park’s most famous attractions, including Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and Jordan Pond (don’t forget to stop for popovers at Jordan Pond House!).

For hiking, choose a paved Carriage Road to take you down to one of the many picturesque ponds and lakes in the park.

Plan your visit in the fall to see the famous New England fall foliage in full display, or in the summer to enjoy long, sunny days perfect for hiking.

If you love the outdoors, add Acadia to your list of places to visit in the US – you won’t be disappointed.

Joshua Tree National Park, California

From Monica of This Rare Earth

Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California is an incredible destination in the United States. 

This desert ecosystem became a national park as recently as 1994, and it’s easy to see why it was chosen!

The Mojave Desert and the Colorado Desert meet in the middle of Joshua Tree National Park, which means that you will see two very different landscapes depending on which half of the park you are in.  

The Mojave Desert is home to the famous Joshua Tree – a tall and spindly yucca – as well as giant boulders popular with climbers and hikers. 

The majority of the park’s hiking trails are found in this region.

However,  while planning your Joshua Tree National Park itinerary , it would be a mistake to skip the Colorado Desert at the southern end of the park.  

The Colorado Desert is hotter, lower in elevation, and flatter, but holds gorgeous landscapes full of cacti and, at the right time of year, wildflowers. 

 In the summer months, avoid strenuous hikes or leave early in the morning as temperatures can reach over 100 degrees.

Joshua Tree National Park is a designated Dark Sky Park, perfect for stargazing and well outside the bright light of the city.  

Joshua Tree is roughly 2.5 hours outside of Los Angeles.

From Chris of Called to Wander

Alaska is known as the Last Frontier, evoking adventure for those looking to travel to a truly unique place.

Because the state is massive, at over twice the size of Texas, you could spend as much or as little time exploring it as you have.

Many people take cruises through the Inside Passage and make stops in places like Ketchikan, Haines, and Seward.

Others fly into the main cities of Anchorage or Fairbanks and then rent vehicles and head off on their own adventures.

By far the best way to make the most of an Alaska vacation (though it requires a steep time commitment) is by driving to Alaska and spending as much time as you’d like wandering from one place to the next.

You can drive to the Arctic Ocean along the Dalton Highway, view North America’s largest mountain (Mt. Denali), or observe wildlife like caribou, grizzly bear, and moose.

Or, catch a flight out to a handful of the most remote national parks, or drive up to and hike out to massive, ancient glaciers.

If you enjoy fishing, go after halibut in Homer or salmon in the famous Russian River.

Regardless of what kind of travel you prefer, Alaska offers adventure for everyone and should definitely be on your travel bucket list!

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

From Dan of Cabin Critic

The Great Smoky Mountain National Park is the most popular national park in the US, hosting over 10 million annual visitors, and it definitely belongs on your bucket list for the USA.

Located in Tennessee and North Carolina, the park has diverse animal life, plants, and natural attractions. There are tons to do and see. 

If you are feeling adventurous you can go zoom down zip lines, go white water rafting, or go mountain biking. 

For a more relaxed trip, you can go on hikes, see beautiful waterfalls, or simply go for a scenic drive.

Cades Cove, for example, is a broad valley surrounded by mountains you can drive through that is well known for providing the best opportunities for seeing wildlife like white-tailed deer, black bears, coyotes, and more.

When you aren’t enjoying the outdoors there are numerous mountain towns to enjoy like Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, or Asheville .

Stay in  one of the cabins with a view  of the mountainsides and check out the local attractions like Dollywood in Pigeon Forge or the Biltmore Estate in Asheville . 

Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

From Michele of Adventures Abound

Just a 2-hour drive from both Portland and Seattle rest the foothills of the towering volcano Mount Rainier.

Known to the Indigenous since time immemorial, Mount Tahoma is covered in unimaginable beauty and can be enjoyed year-round. 

Visit in the summertime for hiking through meadows strewn with wildflowers of every color, and in the fall for ripening berries and a better chance to catch the trails and lakes free of ice and snowmelt on a variety of great day hikes just outside of Seattle .

To extend your visit overnight, pitch a tent in an established campground, stay in a rustic lodge in the national park, or backpack along the Wonderland trail that circumvents the park.

Not feeling up to a lengthy hike?

Just driving through Mount Rainier National Park will afford endless views of waterfalls, glaciers, lakes, and even the chance to spot wildlife. 

For those thrill-seekers looking for a more challenging adventure, apply for a permit to climb more than 8,000 feet to the summit, but be aware this is only for experienced mountaineers.

Mount Rainier National Park can also be enjoyed in the winter when the park sees an average of 55 feet of snowfall or more.

Head to the Crystal Mountain gondola to catch a great view of the peak while skiing and snowboarding down the slopes, or pick one of many great locations to snowshoe and backcountry ski along the mountain.

Whatever the choice for season and activity, Mount Rainier National Park is sure to be full of memories and adventure in one of the most beautiful destinations in the United States.

Arches National Park, Utah

Home to over 2,000 naturally-occurring sandstone arches, Arches National Park in Utah is one of the most uniquely beautiful places in the USA.

Whether you’re hiking to the incredible Delicate Arch (so iconic that it’s featured on Utah’s license plates), wandering through the Devil’s Garden, or taking one of the shorter hikes to visit some of the most impressive arches in the park, there’s no shortage of things to do.

Even one day in Arches National Park is well worth your time, but more would certainly be better.

Arches National Park is also home to internationally-recognized dark skies and some of the best stargazing in the United States–in order to see the best of the park, be sure to visit at least once after dark!

And, while Arches National Park is easily one of the best places to vacation in the US in its own right, the nearby town of Moab also makes an excellent launching pad to visit Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park.

Olympic National Park, Washington

From Sophie and Adam of We Dream of Travel

Not only does Olympic National Park cover nearly a million acres, but it is also the most biodiverse of all the US national parks.

It has it all, from glaciated mountains to breathtaking coastlines, crashing waterfalls, ancient rainforests, enchanting hot springs, and plentiful wildlife.

With such a treasure trove of natural landscapes, Olympic National Park is easily one of the best places to visit in the US.

Mountain lovers should budget plenty of time to hike the trails of Hurricane Ridge.

Here you will discover stunning views above the clouds, as well as an abundance of wildlife.

A great way to explore the park is on foot, particularly as much of the park is roadless. There are numerous multi-day hikes to choose from and it’s popular with backpackers.

The 17.4 miles Hoh River Trail is one of the most impressive, taking you through a flourishing rainforest to the base of Mount Olympus.

For coastal visitors, Second Beach is one of the best Olympic Park photography  locations and a perfect spot for sunset. 

However, with 73 miles of wild coastline, there’s plenty to explore!

There are endless options for the waterfall, forest, and nature lovers too.

In Sol Duc forest you can watch crystal water plunge into the lush greenery.

Or, you can choose to explore the vibrant green mosses of the Hoh Rainforest.  

No matter which part of Olympic National Park you visit, you will not be disappointed.

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Stretching over a mile deep, the Grand Canyon in northwest Arizona is one of the largest–and most impressive–canyons on the planet, and one of the most popular places to visit in the USA!

Come to Grand Canyon National Park to admire views from the rim, hike into the canyon , watch the sunrise and sunset, and perhaps even hike all the way down to the Colorado River.

If you do want to hike to the river, though, be warned: doing so is a 2-day commitment!

Anyone taking a southwest road trip in the USA should consider adding a visit to the majestic Grand Canyon to their list: it’s truly a sight that you’ll never forget.

Death Valley National Park, California

From Michelle of The Wandering Queen

One of the best places to visit in California is Death Valley National Park .

This park is filled with bright white salt flats, mountains splashed with pastel colors, and eerie rocks that move on their own.

This park is such a strange yet unique environment which makes it perfect for avid photographers.

One of the best things to do is to watch the sunrise at Zabriskie Point. The views are glorious as the sun slowly sets on the unique colorful mountains.

Afterward, make sure to hike the Golden Canyon, Gower Gulch, and Badlands Loop Hike. The trailhead is right next to Zabriskie Point.

Another popular activity is visiting Badwater Basin. The basin stands at 282 feet below sea level and is filled with white salt.

This is a great spot to take pictures of the salt in contrast with the tall, dark mountains in the distance.

Nearby the salt flats, you can visit the devil’s golf course where spikey salt formations cover the ground.

The next outstanding area to visit is the Artists Drive. The mountain is sprinkled with pastel colors like yellow, pink, purple, and green.

It truly is a spectacular thing to see!

Rocky Mountain National Park

From Jyoti of Story At Every Corner

Rocky Mountain National Park is one of the most gorgeous parks in the US.

It’s also easily reachable from Denver, Colorado, which has many flights from across the country, making it fairly simple to access and one of the most popular places to vacation in America!

The best place to stay is in Estes Park , a quaint little tourist town in the mountains.

There are many small towns all around the park and many choices for all price points. 

The easiest way to visit RMNP park is by car.

You can then enjoy the park by making stops at each vista point and taking hikes from there.

Most stops have short and long hikes; easy and challenging hikes.

There is a hike for everyone, but there is also spectacular scenery right at the vista points, even without a hike.

Keep in mind that the popularity of Rocky Mountain National Park means that certain places, like Bear Lake Road, must be accessed via reservation.

The most popular road that goes across the park is the scenic Trail Ridge Road.

If you don’t have time to visit anything else, I recommend driving Trail Ridge Road from Estes Park to the town of Grand Lake.

Other major attractions include Sprague Lake and Bear Lake, to the south of the trail ridge road.

They offer absolutely stunning views and many wildlife viewing opportunities along with the drives. 

There is so much to do around Denver that RMNP can be part of a week-long itinerary visiting Colorado  or a trip just for RMNP. 

Set in the Sierra Nevada Mountains along the border of California and Nevada, Lake Tahoe is easily one of the most beautiful places in the US.

With crystal-clear water and plenty of activities in and out of the water, from hiking to SUP to swimming, there is no shortage of ways to appreciate the otherworldly beauty of Lake Tahoe .

To enjoy the views of the lake itself, summer is definitely the best time to visit–but winter has its charms, too, including plenty of skiing and incredible views of the lake framed by bright white snow.

From romantic couples’ retreats to fun getaways to Lake Tahoe with kids , all kinds of travelers will find something to love about Lake Tahoe.

Havasu Falls, Arizona

Located on Havasupai tribal lands not far from the Grand Canyon, Havasu Falls is simultaneously one of the most famous waterfalls in the USA and one of the hardest to access.

In order to visit Havasu Falls, you’ll need to secure an extremely competitive permit (they sell out months in advance) and complete a 10-mile hike in each direction.

You’ll also need to spend the night nearby, as it’s one of the permit requirements set out by the Havasupai people.

If you manage to swing both the logistics and the hike, though, the rewards are pretty spectacular.

Zion National Park, Utah

Home to some of what are quite possibly the best hikes in the country, Utah’s most-visited national park is absolutely one of the best places to see in the US.

Test your fear of heights (if you have one, that is) by hiking the incredible Angel’s Landing, and be rewarded with stunning views of Zion Canyon.

Venture deep into the Virgin River by hiking The Narrows , a hike that takes place literally in the river!

Seek out incredible views along Observation Point, the Canyon Overlook Trail , and the Watchman Trail.

Try to score a permit to hike the Subway, but if you can’t get one, don’t worry: there’s more to see in Zion National Park than you can cover in one vacation.

No matter how you spend your days at Zion National Park, there’s no doubt that you’ll be experiencing something worthy of a bucket list!

Texas Bluebonnet Trail

California’s magnificent wildflowers may be a bit better known outside of the country, but Texas’ phenomenal spread of bluebonnets and Indian paintbrushes that decorate the countryside each spring absolutely belong on anyone’s USA bucket list.

Whether you choose to visit the official Texas Bluebonnet Trail near Ennis (not far from Dallas) or head to the Texas Hill Country , there is no shortage of places to admire bluebonnets in Texas.

Though the blooming times can of course vary a bit depending on the weather, late March and early April are generally the best times to experience the beauty of Texas’ bluebonnets.

Upper Peninsula, Michigan

From Emily of Em’s on the Road

If you’re looking for unforgettable outdoor experiences without the price tag of popular destinations out west, then the Upper Peninsula of Michigan is the place for you.

One reason the Upper Peninsula (or U.P.) is really unique is that it is an ideal place for adventure seekers all year long. 

In the warmer months, the U.P is a great beach destination in the Midwest thanks to its location with beachfront on Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, and Lake Huron.

In the fall, pack your hiking boots and tackle rocky hiking trails for colorful views you’d never expect in the Midwest.

With an unobstructed panoramic view of Lake Superior, the hike up  Sugar Loaf mountain in Marquette, Michigan  is one of the most popular in the region.

Thanks to some serious snowfall, there’s so much to do in the U.P. in the winter months.

There are cross-country ski trails, snowmobiling trails, downhill skiing, dog sledding, ice climbing, and more. 

Redwood National Forest

From Dhara of Roadtripping California

Most visitors to the Golden State put   California’s national parks at the top of their itineraries because they are just so spectacular.

Redwood National and State Parks, in the northern part of the state, offer you the chance to stroll among giant redwoods, some of the tallest and oldest trees on the planet.

A group of five parks, Redwood National and State Parks feature not just the towering redwoods, but also epic coastal views, beautiful prairies filled with wildflowers in season, and the chance to see birds and wildlife.

Enjoy some of the scenic drives in the parks: Howland Hill Drive, Coastal Drive, and the Newton B. Drury Scenic Parkway are all great choices.

Do some of the trails through the redwood groves to see the giant trees up close: the Big Tree Wayside Walk, the Stout Memorial Grove Trail, and Lady Bird Johnson Grove are all super scenic and relatively easy walks.

Gaze up at the trees, and enjoy the ferns and rhododendrons in the understory.

You can also go biking in the parks, and camp if you plan to stay for a few days.

Redwood National and State Parks are about 5.5 hours north of San Francisco by road, and you can visit all year, although you will have the best weather in the summer.

Apostle Islands, Wisconsin

From Jase of Roaming Vegans

A little-known gem in the north of Wisconsin is the Apostle Islands.

This island archipelago on Lake Superior looks like it belongs in Southeast Asia – not on the shoreline of a humble midwestern town.

However, its tucked-away location makes it all the more special for visitors.

While the lake freezes in winter, the islands come to life in summer with many activities like  sea kayaking , island hopping, and cliff jumping.

There is even an island home to one of the largest concentrations of bears in the Midwest–yes, bears!

The largest and most populated island is Madeline Island which makes for a great base to explore the nearby smaller islands.

Maui, Hawaii

From Jessica of I’m Jess Traveling

Famed for her elegant beaches,  world-class resorts , and next-level surf, Maui attracts visitors from all over the world. 

It’s no surprise that Maui was named Condé Nast Traveler’s best island in the U.S. for 23 consecutive years. 

There are countless things to see and do in Maui depending on your travel style. 

For outdoor enthusiasts, hike through a majestic bamboo forest ending at a 400-foot waterfall.  

Ocean lovers can test their skills at surfing or set sail on a sunset cruise.

There won’t be a shortage of exotic beaches to explore, no matter what your travel style is.

The adventure seekers have their pick among plunging the popular Road to Hana or watching the sunrise above the clouds at 10,000 feet inside Haleakala National Park. 

Whatever your draw, sunsets, beaches, luxury, or adventure, Maui has it all. 

Not only is Maui one of the best USA travel destinations but it’s one of the best places to take a tropical vacation in the world. 

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

For adorable beach towns, sandy beaches, and some of the best seafood you’ve ever eaten in your life, head to the classic New England summer getaway of Cape Cod.

While you’re in Cape Cod (or as New Englanders say, “on the Cape”), hit one of the beautiful trails, visit a lighthouse or two, stick your toes in the sand, and eat lots and lots of lobster.

While Cape Cod’s swimming season is much shorter than popular beach destinations elsewhere in the country, it’s still well worth visiting.

Just be sure to plan ahead, because rental houses for summer on the Cape tend to book up before winter even wraps up!

Nā Pali Coast, Kauai

Towering cliffs covered in dense jungle, dramatic waterfalls, small valleys, and views of the Pacific Ocean far below: welcome to the Nā Pali   Coast.

Without a doubt, the Nā Pali   Coast on Kauai is one of the most beautiful travel destinations in the US.

Stretching 17 miles along the northwest portion of Kauai, the Nā Pali   Coast is best admired from air–usually via a helicopter tour–or from a boat on the sea.

Whichever option you choose, there’s no doubt that what is arguably the most beautiful corner of The Garden Island is bound to impress.

Florida Keys

For a taste of the Caribbean without leaving the USA, head to the Florida Keys!

Not only is the overseas drive from Miami to Key West one of the most scenic road trips in the USA, but the Keys themselves are also fantastic, home to beautiful beaches, colorful architecture, great food, and plenty of things to do.

While you’re there, be sure to hit the water via snorkeling or scuba diving, go for a swim, enjoy the famous Duval Street, tour the Ernest Hemingway House, and eat several slices of the region’s famous Key Lime pie!

Big Island, Hawaii

From Patricia of Travel Fam Life

The biggest of the Hawaiian Islands, Hawaii (also known as the Big Island) is a cool place to visit.

That starts with the weather: you’ll experience a lot of sunshine temperatures ranging from 85°- 90° in the summer months and 79°- 83 in the winter months, making it the perfect place to escape year-round. 

Hawaii is going to impress anyone that decides to visit.

The food is phenomenal and the choices are vast with plenty of history and cultural backgrounds.

The array of activities ranges from land to sea, from memorable ancient sites to beautiful folklore traditions. 

Some of the best things to do when taking a vacation to the Big Island include:

Zip Lining over waterfalls is an activity that can be very exhilarating if you are an adrenaline junkie.

This can also be enjoyed as a family activity, some companies allow kids as young as 5 years old to participate.

Volcano National Park is a breathtaking experience with its majestic hikes, thrilling ride down to the Chain of Craters, and some spectacular scenery and photo opportunities.

Papakolea or Green Sand Beach is one of 4 green sand beaches in the world.

The hike to this remote beach is very worthwhile, and the backdrop of the Hawaiian blue ocean that keeps you company makes the whole experience priceless.

And the list goes on, you can check it out here .

Outer Banks, North Carolina

With sandy beaches framed by sand dunes and rolling waves, the Outer Banks of North Carolina may not boast the bright water of the Florida Keys or the tropical beauty of Hawaii, but they are stunning all the same, and absolutely one of the best places to visit in the USA.

Come for the small beach towns, the history of the Wright Brothers taking their first flight here, the southern food, the historic forts, and the beautiful lighthouses. 

Come for the sunken pirate ships, for the wild horses that live on some of the islands, for the great places to swim, and for the great day trip opportunities.

If you’re looking for a classic, all-American vacation, you can’t go wrong with a visit to the barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina that make up the magnificent Outer Banks.

Oahu, Hawaii

From Sydney of A World in Reach

While visitors sometimes think of Oahu as just being a stopping point before visiting Hawaii’s other islands, the island has so much to offer than overcrowded beaches and tourist attractions.

Oahu is home to delicious food, beautiful scenery, and captivating history and is one of the best travel destinations in the United States.

Most visitors to Oahu will base themselves in Honolulu, Hawaii’s capital and largest city.

Guidebooks often recommend spending little time in Honolulu; however, this city is a melting pot of culture and is home to some of the best food on the island.

Whether you’re looking for a traditional Hawaiian meal or some of the best Asian food in the United States, you can easily find a delicious meal in Honolulu.

Start your visit to Oahu off by exploring Honolulu, seeing the sights, and eating all of the delicious food.

Spend a day at Waikiki Beach – it might be touristy, but it’s still worth a visit.

Plan a visit to Pearl Harbor, where you can learn more about one of the darkest days in US History, and spend a morning hiking Diamond Head, one of the best hikes on Oahu .

Spend the rest of your time on the island exploring the North Shore, visiting the famous Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck, and indulging in shave ice from Matsumoto.

Visit the beaches along the North Shore, where you might see some surfers catching waves, and hike through a botanical garden to a beautiful waterfall at Waimea Valley.

Napa Valley, California

Northern California’s wine country is definitely among the most beautiful–and for wine lovers, tastiest, places to visit in the USA.

With beautiful small towns, great boutiques, and rolling hills filled with vineyards that almost feel like being in Tuscany, both Napa Valley and Sonoma County have plenty to offer those looking for a laid-back, wine-filled getaway.

Door County, Wisconsin

From Paulina of Paulina on the Road

Wisconsin often isn’t the first US state that people think of visiting, but from beautiful beaches to quirky attractions like House on the Rock , it has plenty to offer.

One of the most beautiful USA landmarks, Door Country, Wisconsin welcomes you on board with 300 miles of stretched shoreline and an awestruck sunset over the water, you could not leave without a witness. 

It allows your soul to breathe and relax. Wisconsin lets you explore aesthetic art galleries, and thousands of miles of stretched orchards, cherish the local brews and wines, paddle along the beautiful lakes, and devour the cheery pies.

Moreover, Green Bay, the capital of the region, is an underrated city that eventually captivates its visitors.

Though it’s a small city, the vibrant culture offers amazing  things to do in Green Bay .

Green Bay entertains visitors with prominent wineries. They produce their wines right up there which adds up to be a vital part of their culture. The landscape and heritage inspire the artists.

Walleye fishermen have the best water. It’s clean and portrays immense beauty. The botanical gardens and zoological parks play their role in charming travelers. 

Green Bay is an enchanting place that charms visitors with its intriguing features. 

Route 66 isn’t technically just one place, but as one of the most iconic travel destinations in the United States, I couldn’t bear to leave it off this USA bucket list!

Stretching from Chicago, Illinois to Santa Monica, California, Route 66 is America’s best-known road trip and the perfect place to find not-quite-forgotten slices of Americana, from quirky roadside attractions like Cadillac Ranch and the Catoosa Whale to beloved diners and 50s-era-inspired motels.

Route 66 passes through nine states in total (Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and California), and is a fantastic way to experience some of the best of what traveling in the US has to offer, all in one large trip.

Big cities, small towns, incredibly diverse landscapes, and beloved national parks are all featured heavily on Route 66.

Though it’s not technically on the route, even the Grand Canyon is accessible as an incredible side journey when road-tripping Route 66.

Whether you want to find a quirky campsite in Oklahoma or go hiking in Arizona, there’s no doubt that Route 66 is a classic US travel destination.

Big Sur, California

From Lauren of Ready, Set, PTO

Big Sur is one of the most beautiful places in the US and should definitely be on your bucket list.

Cruising along the winding Pacific Coast Highway with sweeping views of the Pacific is a magical experience.

This rugged area is located in Central California, about 5 hours north of Los Angeles.

If you aren’t able to find available lodging within Big Sur, check out nearby towns of Carmel and Monterey for more options, or try car camping with an epic view!

There are plenty of amazing  things to do in Big Sur .

I definitely recommend checking out the iconic Bixby Bridge (as seen in HBO’s Big Little Lies), admiring McWay Falls, hiking in Andrew Molera State Park, and Limekiln State Park, having a drink with a view at Nepenthe and watching the sunset at Pfeiffer Beach!

There’s not much cell service in Big Sur, so be prepared for an off-the-grid weekend of relaxation and gorgeous views.

Page, Arizona

The small town of Page, Arizona may seem like no more than a small town worthy of a brief stop on a road trip at first blush–but this small, unassuming town is home to some of the most incredible sights in the entire southwest, and it definitely belongs on your USA bucket list!

Page is where you can find the famous Antelope Canyon, as well as Horseshoe Bend , the Instagram darling of the Colorado River (for very good reason).

Just outside of Page, you can also find the remarkable Glen Canyon Dam, one of the largest dams in the US, as well as Lake Powell–but to see the best of Lake Powell, you’ll actually need to cross into Utah!

That’s not hard to do, though: Page is located right next to the Arizona/Utah border.

With such an outsized list of fun attractions, there’s no doubt that Page is one of the coolest places to vacation in the USA.

About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

3 thoughts on “USA Bucket List: 50 Best Places to Visit in the US”

Great info. I know its great because I have been to most of the beaches you mention!

Thank you – will also look at your Italian small towns to see which ones we should visit and maybe retire to.

Thank you so much, Laura!

Retiring to Italy–sounds like quite the dream! 🙂

Absolutely amazing article, just loved it.

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America’s Best Cities of 2023

Data reveals how u.s. cities stack up in resonance’s annual list of the best in the country..

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Thanks to the vibrancy of its boroughs and the return of Midtown, NYC retains its top spot in the 2023 Resonance ranking of America’s best cities.

Many of the factors that make the biggest cities in the United States great places to visit—like good weather, world-class museums, and quality restaurants—also make them great cities to live in. Resonance , a consultancy group in real estate, tourism, and economic development, considered these factors as well as user-generated data from social media to create a comprehensive ranking of the best cities in the United States for both travelers and residents.

Data is revealing how post-COVID trends like remote work are affecting cities. Some smaller cities, like Baltimore and Tampa, are seeing a huge boost as people yearn for cultural hubs paired with a nexus of diverse, young talent. As Chris Fair, Resonance president and CEO, notes, “some of the biggest winners” over the past two years “have been so-called ‘second-tier’ cities ... reflecting a shift in demand toward more accessible and affordable cities.”

However, demand remains high for large urban centers like New York City and Chicago, where entrepreneurship and collaboration come unparalleled—proving that it takes more than a pandemic to take down some Goliaths.

How the cities are ranked

To determine which cities would be considered for this list, Resonance looked at U.S. cities with populations of more than 500,000. Each city was ranked based on a combination of qualitative evaluations from locals and visitors, as well as core statistics, including median household income and crime rates. Those ranking metrics covered 25 areas grouped into six core categories: Place, People, Programming, Product, Prosperity, and Promotion.

Place: Metrics in the Place category include how walkable and bike friendly the city is; the number of outdoor spaces, sights, and landmarks, and how many come recommended by locals and visitors on TripAdvisor.

Product: The Product category is where the infrastructure of the city is considered, including its airport connectivity (the number of direct destinations served by the city’s airports), the size of its largest convention center, plus the number of attractions, museums, and major league sports teams. University rankings within each of these cities were factored into this category, too.

People: The People category takes into account the percentage of nonwhite citizens; the percentage of foreign-born residents; and the city’s population with a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Prosperity: This category includes the number of Fortune 500 corporate headquarters located within each city; the number of “knowledge-based businesses” in professional, scientific, and technical services; cost-of-living adjusted earnings; and the poverty rate. While travelers typically don’t consider these things when deciding where to go, Resonance believes that a well-paid, economically secure population facilitates stewardship and innovation.

Programming: This is what you’d typically call the “things to do” category, which covers the number of performing arts and cultural experiences, restaurants, nightlife, and attractions recommended on TripAdvisor.

Promotion: The Promotion category essentially ranks how popular each city is online. Resonance quantified this by looking at the popularity of each city in Google Trends over the last 12 months, as well as the number of Instagram hashtags, Facebook check-ins, Google searches, and TripAdvisor reviews shared online about each city.

Here’s the best cities in the United States’ in 2023 to live in and visit.

New York City took first place again in 2022.

Photo by Ryan DeBerardinis/Shutterstock

1. New York City

Highlighted rankings: Place (1), Prosperity (1)

Why we love it: New York City has (once again) taken the top spot in Resonance’s annual rankings. Make no mistake: Being at the top for the past few years is no easy feat. But the Big Apple has proved its staying power with renovated airports, new hotels and museums enticing people to see the city. Nowadays, there’s a lot to explore in NYC’s neighborhoods . Museums like the beloved Met and the Louis Armstrong House Museum in Queens have been undergoing renovations and expansions over the past year alongside the introduction of new destinations like the Bronx Children’s Museum and Museum of Broadway. Meanwhile, Central Park, the High Line, the Little Island —located on the Hudson near the Meatpacking District—and other outdoor spaces entice you to come outside to relax. Meanwhile, Midtown Manhattan has made a comeback with a revamped Tiffany’s, new hotels, and the opening of the Museum of Broadway.

Plan your next trip with AFAR’s Guide to New York.

Millennium Park is just one of Chicago’s many scenic outdoor spaces.

Photo by Thomas Barrat/Shutterstock

2. Chicago, Illinois

Highlighted rankings: Product (2), Place (3)

Why we love it: There’s plenty to celebrate in Chicago and not only because of its fantastic nightlife. The city saw the return of its epic concerts and free summer festivals, Sundays on State (when portions of iconic State Street turn pedestrian only), even meetings and conventions, marking a newfound energy after some long, hard winters. Restaurants have also popped up in full force; some noteworthy ones include Venteux, a French brasserie from Michelin-starred chef Donald Young, and Bazaar Meat and Bar Mar under chef José Andrés.

We wouldn’t expect any less of a metamorphosis from a city that’s historically been able to thrive in the midst of adversity. More than 150 years ago, the Great Fire destroyed over 2,000 acres of central Chicago and left nearly 100,000 people without homes. But the city hasn’t let disaster define it—instead meeting obstacles with a resilience you need to see for yourself .

“Chicago sees itself, since the fire, as a city able to withstand whatever,” Shermann Dilla Thomas, an historian and lifelong resident who offers guided Chicago tours, told AFAR . “It also makes us a city that doesn’t believe in small plans. After you get a blank canvas, the sky’s the limit.”

Plan your next trip with AFAR’s Guide to Chicago.

Hollywood isn’t Los Angeles’s only tourism draw.

Photo by Maks Urshov/Shutterstock

3. Los Angeles, California

Highlighted rankings: Programming (2), Promotion (2)

Why we love it: While Hollywood’s prowess is the most commonly associated aspect of Los Angeles (the iconic sign turns 100 this year), the city’s restaurant scene in all its richness and diversity is just as intertwined with L.A.'s identity. Vanguards like La Cha Cha Chá, Alma, and even LA Plaza Cocina (a museum and teaching kitchen that honors Mexico’s culinary heritage) are exemplifying the need for outstanding dining experiences as people come back to the city’s tables. Museums rank no. 2 only behind NYC, with the Broad, the Grand, and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures cycling through big exhibits on Keith Haring, Basquiat, and a century of filmmaking, respectively.

When visitors come, L.A. wants them to explore the city in its entirety, with a $1.7-billion Regional Connector Transit Project—featuring a 1.9-mile underground light-rail system that tunnels across Los Angeles County—predicted to (finally!) open this month on June 16.

Plan your next trip with AFAR’s Guide to Los Angeles.

As AFAR’s original hometown, San Francisco is one of our favorite cities for obvious reasons.

Photo by Sand Crain/Unsplash

4. San Francisco, California

Highlighted rankings: Place (2), People (2)

Why we love it: San Francisco has long drawn people and companies alike—AFAR included—to the West Coast. Thanks to the Bay Area’s world-renowned universities like Stanford and UC Berkeley, San Francisco has one of the most educated and prosperous populations. While the city’s lack of affordable housing cannot be ignored, the migration of big companies to lower-taxed havens like Texas and Florida has produced a silver lining in lower house prices and rents .

Still, “San Francisco’s rate of population decline was the worst among large U.S. counties between July 1, 2020, and July 2, 2022,” reports Resonance. “The city and its surrounding Bay Area counties saw a net population loss of more than 250,000 people in the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Equally terrifying is the city ending 2022 with a 27 percent office vacancy rate, according to local numbers. Even the proudest locals wring their hands as companies leave for Austin and Florida. And then tweet about how you should, too. But life goes on for those who choose to stay and fight for ‘everyone’s favorite city.’”

For those opting to stay, the city emphasizes that you don’t have to leave San Francisco to get to greener pastures, with outdoor developments that include 464 miles of bikeways and the new Salesforce Park downtown. The city’s Great Highway is also of note; with a pandemic-born desire for socially distanced exercise, it now features a car-free, two-mile stretch along SF’s western shore on the weekends.

Plan your next trip with AFAR’s Guide to San Francisco.

In addition to its famous monuments, Washington, D.C.’s neighborhoods have become another major tourism draw for the capital.

Photo by Orhan Cam/Shutterstock

5. Washington, D.C.

Highlighted rankings: Prosperity (3), Promotion (3)

Why we love it: Unsurprisingly, the nation’s capital scores well for its many free museums, including the National Museum of African American History and Culture and other Smithsonian institutions like the National Air and Space Museum. In addition to all of its exhibitions, there are many neighborhoods worth exploring—Brookland, NoMa, Shaw, and the LGBTQ-friendly Logan Circle to name a few—that show the city isn’t relying on its history to attract locals and visitors. What makes D.C. a city worth visiting now are new developments—$9.6 billion of them, says Elliott Ferguson, president and CEO of Destination DC. “The city has added new hotels, museums, rooftops, Michelin-rated dining, and more for travelers to explore. A few upcoming highlights include… MLS All-Star Week in July, DC JazzFest over Labor Day Weekend and Theater Week this fall.”

Plan your next trip with AFAR’s Guide to Washington, D.C.

The beachside location of Miami is hard to resist.

Photo by pisaphotography/Shutterstock

6. Miami, Florida

Highlighted rankings: Place (4), People (3)

Why we love it: Miami has historically been a meeting point for the Americas, making it a no-brainer that its foreign-born population ranked high on the list. But in this city, diversity goes beyond nationality; the city’s allure for the LGBTQ community and ex–Silicon Valley techies gives it a sense of welcome that many people, especially in the social media and cryptocurrency worlds, are embracing.

Last year, Miami moved into the top 10 for the first time, and it continues to rise in the ranks in 2023. It’s likely “a reflection of the migration of investment and talent to the area and its appeal as a destination for visitors relative to other U.S. cities over the last two years,” says Resonance President Chris Fair.

While Miami could rest on its open-minded reputation and beachside location to draw people, the city is also putting in the work to stay relevant. On Miami’s Upper East Side, a former industrial site of abandoned warehouses and factories is being transformed into a center for more than 60 restaurants, cafés, and shops known as Ironside. And it helps that Bon Appétit named Miami the 2023 Food City of the Year.

Plan your next trip with AFAR’s Guide to Miami.

Historical landmarks draw millions of tourists to Boston each year.

Photo by f11photo/Shutterstock

7. Boston, Massachusetts

Highlighted rankings: Place (7), Product (4)

Why we love it: Boston is home to more than 75 institutions of higher learning—including Harvard and MIT—giving it the top spot in the University category and a high ranking in the Educational attainment category. But it’s not only students who come to Boston. As the oldest large city in America, it draws millions of tourists each year to see historical landmarks along the Freedom Trail , including the USS Constitution and the King’s Chapel .

The old city is getting some upgrades, including a 5,000-room increase in the next four years across planned hotels like the 1,055-room Omni Boston Hotel and Raffles Boston Back Bay Hotel. Things are also cooking in the entertainment realm, with Live Nation’s construction of MGM Music Hall at Fenway. This 5,000-seat concert hall, which opened in August 2022, extends the legendary ballpark to accommodate four new levels of event space.

Plan your next trip with AFAR’s Guide to Boston.

The rooftop bar at the Thompson Seattle delivers some of the best views of Elliott Bay.

Thompson Seattle

8. Seattle, Washington

Highlighted rankings: Place (9), Prosperity (6)

Why we love it: Off in the far-most corner of the Pacific Northwest, the pine-scented idyll of Seattle is one of the country’s best-kept secrets, with a high quality of life that comes from continued investment from big tech and (literally) greener pastures. Amazon and Microsoft—two of the cities biggest employers—draw talent from around the globe; though recent layoffs hit the city, real estate prices have finally started to come down from the clouds, making it an interesting time to double down on Seattle.

Wondering what you’ll get when you arrive? Top-notch boating and hiking, food and drinks, theater and music. This year marks the return of Bumbershoot, the Labor Day weekend music and arts festival that has been on a pandemic hiatus for the last three years; it turns 50 in 2023.

Plan your next trip with AFAR’s Guide to Seattle.

Houston Heights—referred to by locals as the Heights—is one of the city’s earliest planned communities and a neighborhood favored by artists.

Photo courtesy of Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau

9. Houston, Texas

Highlighted rankings: Product (5), Programming (7)

Why we love it: “Houston today is one of America’s most ethnically diverse big cities,” reports Resonance, “with more than 145 languages spoken at home, according to the latest census—about even with New York. No wonder it ranks no. 7 for Culture and its prism of festivals, from international film festivals to some of the country’s biggest Juneteenth celebrations. Next year, the city welcomes America’s first Ismaili Center, commissioned by His Highness the Aga Khan as a place of dialogue between faith and the world, East and West, and humanity and nature.”

Dare we say it: The food in Houston is some of the best in the Lone Star state.

Plan your next trip with AFAR’s Guide to Houston.

San Jose is one of the most well-paid and well-educated cities in the country.

Photo by Uladzik Kryhin/Shutterstock

10. San Jose, California

Highlighted rankings: People (1), Prosperity (2)

Why we love it: “It’s fascinating what a well-educated, well-paid, and diverse population can do for a city’s performance,” reports Resonance. “In the case of San Jose, the economic, cultural, and political capital of Silicon Valley and California’s oldest civilian Spanish settlement, it’s everything. The city’s talent has propelled it to another top 10 overall finish in 2023, even amid a battered tech sector and the crescendo in tech circles that ‘everyone is leaving the Valley.’

“San Jose still boasts the most educated citizenry in the country. It’s also home to the second-most foreign-born talent (trailing only Miami). The combo puts the city tops in the country in our People category yet again this year.”

Travelers can check out places like History Park , an open-air museum featuring local architecture that has been saved and relocated over the past few centuries, including a Chinese temple , an entire hotel , and a trolley barn .

The rest of the top 20 cities in the United States:

11. Las Vegas, Nevada

12. Atlanta, Georgia

13. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

14. Denver, Colorado

15. Dallas, Texas

16. San Diego, California

17. Orlando, Florida

18. Austin, Texas

19. Minneapolis, Minnesota (new to top 20 in 2023)

20. Portland, Oregon (new to top 20 in 2023)

To see the full list of the 100 best cities in the United States, visit bestcities.org.

This article was originally published in 2020 and was updated on June 2, 2023, to reflect new rankings.

>> Next: The World’s 25 Best Cities of 2023

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Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list.

Our 16 Favorite Cities To Visit In The U.S.

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It’s safe to say that the continent-spanning United States is home to an enormous variety of cities. From the dense metropolises of New England to the desert oases of the Southwest, there’s a city for every type of traveler in the U.S. However you choose to experience one — or all — of these cities, you won’t be disappointed.

1. Kansas City, Missouri (Winner)

This centrally located city is a favorite destination for Midwesterners. One popular area to explore is the Country Club Plaza , where you can find countless options for shopping, dining, and entertainment. Two of the best museums in town are the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the National WWI Museum and Memorial .

While the culture, architecture, and music of Kansas City are all worth a trip, the cuisine may be the best reason to visit, and you can’t mention food in KC without mentioning barbecue . Kansas City’s take on the American culinary classic is generally considered to be built around a sweeter, thicker sauce.

2. Boston, Massachusetts

There’s probably no better destination for American history lovers than Boston. To make good use of your time, consider exploring the Freedom Trail , which will take you about 2.5 miles past 16 historical landmarks, like the Paul Revere House and the Old Corner Bookstore.

Whether you’re a baseball fan or not, catching a game at the iconic Fenway Park is not to be missed. You can also take a tour and learn about the oldest active park in the MLB. The Fenway-Kenmore neighborhood is also home to the Museum of Fine Arts and Symphony Hall.

3. Nashville, Tennessee

To kick off a visit to Nashville, set the tone by checking out the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. If you want to continue the music theme , you can also explore Honky Tonk Row for some live music. Then catch a show at the Grand Ole Opry — one of the most legendary country music venues in the U.S.

Between live shows and good eats, try to find these murals throughout the city. Not only will you take some stunning photos for social media, but you’ll also have an excuse to explore some key neighborhoods.

4. New York, New York

No American city captures the heart, mind, and imagination quite like New York City. It’s home to countless landmarks: the Empire State Building, Central Park, Times Square, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Statue of Liberty – to name only a few. In addition to landmarks and sights, there’s also history around every corner.

The city is undeniably expensive, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a good time in New York on a budget . Walking through the city, attending street events, and visiting free museums will help you save some cash. This guide will show you where to find free underground art in the city.

If you do decide to spend some money, a food tour is a perfect way to experience the different cultures and neighborhoods of the Big Apple.

5. San Antonio, Texas

While Texas may be famous for its love affair with trucks, one of San Antonio’s biggest appeals is its River Walk, a miles-long network of pedestrian areas that provide people with shopping, dining, and entertainment options. You won’t want to miss out on any of the fantastic experiences along the walk.

While the most famous mission in San Antonio is the Alamo – which is a must-visit – there are several other missions in the city that are worth seeing.

6. San Francisco, California

One of the most vibrant neighborhoods to get started in San Francisco is the Mission District. You can explore the Spanish mission that gives the neighborhood its name, check out street art, sample a range of cuisines, and have a fun night on the town.

For an incredible outdoor experience in San Francisco, the Lands End Trail cannot be beaten. The trail rewards hikers with views of the marvelous Golden Gate Bridge, but there are plenty of interesting stops along the way. From history at the USS San Francisco Memorial to art at the Legion of Honor, there’s more than nature to be discovered here.

7. Washington, D.C.

Similar to other cities mentioned on this list, Washington, D.C. is absolutely steeped in history. D.C.’s most popular attractions have earned the respect they garner. The National Mall must be seen to be believed. The park is home to iconic memorials and landmarks like the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, and more. Consider exploring the area by bike .

For an indoor exploration of history, look no further than the various Smithsonian institutions in D.C. Eleven are located in the National Mall, though there are a total of 17 in the city. While the National Air and Space Museum and the Museum of Natural History are probably the most popular, a full list can be found on the Washington D.C. website .

8. San Diego, California

With nearly perfect weather year-round, it’s hard to resist exploring San Diego on foot or by bike . The Embarcadero and Gaslamp Quarter are two favorites, but you can’t go wrong when the sun is shining.

For a balance of history, shopping, and art, spend a day (and night) at Liberty Station . The former naval training center turned into a sprawling business development and has something to offer people of all ages and interests.

Finally, Balboa Park is the perfect playground for discovering more art, culture, and entertainment. The Japanese Friendship Garden is particularly worth visiting for some quiet, peaceful reflection.

9. Colorado Springs, Colorado

There’s no shortage of breathtaking outdoor activities available in Colorado Springs. Garden of the Gods is a 1,300-acre public park with mindblowing rock features and rich ecological diversity. Explore the park on foot, bike, Segway, or horseback. Colorado Springs is also close to Cheyenne Mountain State Park , Seven Falls , and the Manitou Incline .

Don’t miss out on the wide variety of restaurants in Colorado Springs. You can try Colorado poutine at Cerberus Brewing Co. or sample bison bolognese at Walter’s Bistro.

10. Honolulu, Hawaii

Just viewing one or two pictures of Hawaii removes all doubt that these islands are paradise on Earth. Climbing to Diamond Head National Monument will get your heart pumping and allow you to experience some of the best views in Hawaii. For a classic Hawaii beach experience, Waikiki Beach is hard to top.

Pearl Harbor National Memorial offers visitors an opportunity to pay homage to fallen sailors and learn about one of the most impactful events in American history. Visiting the memorial is a moving experience that you won’t soon forget.

11. New Orleans, Louisana

New Orleans is one of America’s most unique cities, so many visitors favor exploring it on foot to fully immerse themselves in the sights, sounds, and smells. These tours range from food and cocktails to ghost stories and history. NOLA Historic Tours offers “Salon Experiences” that combine performance, history, food, and cocktails based on your interests.

Other tours will take you through the Garden District, the French Quarter, and Magazine Street. One of the more popular tours on the list is the Killers And Thrillers Tour, which takes visitors through the darker side of New Orleans.

12. Indianapolis, Indiana

Indianapolis is a family-oriented city that is probably most famous for the Indianapolis 500. Visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for a tour of the track and learn about motorsports by viewing fascinating memorabilia and cars.

The Indianapolis Cultural Trail is an 8-mile multi-use trail that connects a variety of cultural attractions and works of art. Highlights include the Wholesale District, Fountain Square, and the sculpture Looking Through Windows by Michael Kuschnir.

For another cultural experience, visit the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art at White River State Park .

13. Seattle, Washington

From its humble beginnings as a timber town, Seattle has endured cycles of growth that have culminated in the city’s standing as a major tech, art, and music hub — not to mention its association with coffee . Pike Place Market is one of the top destinations in the city where visitors explore local foods, crafts, and coffee.

Chihuly Garden and Glass is home to some of Dale Chihuly’s most interesting works. For a slightly off-beat tour, explore Seattle’s literal underground with Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour . Some popular venues for live music include The Crocodile , the Paramount Theatre , and Neumos .

14. Chicago, Illinois

This Midwestern gem has enough to keep visitors busy for a lifetime. To start off with some free activities , explore the city’s gorgeous parks , especially Lincoln Park. You can also stroll along the river or through one of Chicago’s unique neighborhoods . The Art Institute is probably the most famous museum in the city, but the Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium give it a run for its money.

There’s plenty to do for sports fans regardless of the season. The Cubs, White Sox, Blackhawks, Bulls, and Bears all call Chicago home, so it’s easy to catch a game in the Windy City.

15. Austin, Texas

The capital of Texas is known as a quirky, weird place, so it’s no surprise that Austin is home to incredible art, music, culture, and event scenes. Festivals keep Austin bright and exciting year-round; a full list of events is available at Visit Austin . Don’t miss world-class events like the SXSW music, film, and comedy festival, the Austin Food + Wine Festival, and Fantastic Fest.

There are also plenty of outdoor activities available in Austin, with lovely highlights like Zilker Botanical Garden and Lady Bird Lake.

16. Albuquerque, New Mexico

Last but not least is Albuquerque , a southwestern city with an interesting history behind its name. One of the most unique ways to spend some time in Albuquerque is by exploring the history and culture of the area’s Indigenous people. The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center is a great introduction to the people and their culture, but you can also see history in a stunning natural environment at Petroglyph National Monument .

An event that draws in visitors year after year is the Festival Flamenco Alburquerque , which recently celebrated its 35th anniversary. Check out the festival in June to experience some of the best flamenco outside of Spain.

Dan Happe is an editor from Des Moines, Iowa. He loves that his work allows him to see the world from his desk, but he particularly enjoys articles that involve cycling, accessibility, and sustainability. When Dan isn’t reading or writing, he is repairing and riding bikes, cooking, and searching for the perfect cup of tea.

Get the latest Europe’s Best Cities reports

1. New York, NY

The greatest city in America—lauded and crowned in our rankings for almost a decade and in countless others for many more—was a ghastly reminder during the pandemic of the vulnerability of even the colossal and seemingly all-powerful; we saw here what awaited other cities across the U.S. and globally. 

Today, NYC is also the urban recovery writ large. 

Sniping haters who declared that the big, vibrant, cheek-by-jowl city experiment was finally over as the urban exodus intensified in 2020 and vacancy in the city’s coveted real estate hit double digits were quickly silenced by the rebound. A mid-pandemic 50% drop in real estate sales spiked to the highest all-time median rents in Manhattan two years later (currently registering in the mid-$5,000s per month).

Tourism, the accelerant for so many of the city’s amenities, was a priority for a sustainable recovery, and city leaders are doing everything in their power to bring back not only those apprehensive New Yorkers whose hunger for regular bites of the Big Apple is finally being sated, but also the nearly 70 million people who visited in 2019 and spent $46 billion across its expansive quilt of Sights & Landmarks (ranked #1 in the country).

Tourism numbers have also had a breathtaking return, from 33 million visitors in 2021 (less than half of 2019’s total) to 56 million last year—and onward to a projected 61 million this year.

First order of business: getting those not already here to town. Fortunately, the suspension of travel for more than a year expedited the long-planned transformations of New York’s international gateways. LaGuardia Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport all have new terminals, with the new Terminal B at LaGuardia alone boasting 35 gates (to say nothing of the FAO Schwarz on site). The new Terminal C also came online last year. Newark Liberty International’s updated Terminal A has opened with 33 new gates and construction has started on a new, congestion-easing 2.5-mile elevated guideway train system. JFK’s Terminal 8 just unveiled 130,000 square feet of new and renovated space, and a new Terminal One opens later this decade.

Back on the ground, Moynihan Train Hall is a new 17-track expansion of Penn Station that, if you squint, could pass for a Northern European transit hub from the future.

With so many expected arrivals, NYC is certainly making sure everyone has a place to stay. Almost 10,000 new or renovated hotel rooms opened in 2022 alone, including the headline-grabbing Aman New York, an “urban sanctuary” on Fifth Avenue. Also open is the year-old Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad—named for its ’hood—which features Jose Andres’ Nubeluz lounge on the 50th floor and plenty of massive panels from which to watch the street action. Better yet, soak in the 360-degree city panorama on the rooftop patio. The buildout stretches across the city, with a newly opened Thompson in Midtown, and new Renaissance Hotels properties in Harlem and Flushing. Moxy Hotels is also opening multiple locations in the Lower East Side and Williamsburg.

At street level, the city’s firehose turns cultural, with massive museums (also ranking #1 nationally) going all-in on expansions and new openings.

The Louis Armstrong House Museum in Corona, Queens, is undergoing a physical and programmatic expansion for a new cultural center that includes an interactive exhibit, archival collections, a 68-seat jazz club and a store. It should be open by the time you read this. The Bronx Children’s Museum also just reopened after moving to a new home in Mill Pond Park. Dia Chelsea is a new contemporary installation space, and the Frick Madison (the temporary home of the Frick Collection) has opened in the Breuer on Madison Avenue—a building formerly used by the Met. Speaking of the Met, New York’s 153-year-old cultural institution (housing 1.5 million objects and hosting seven million visitors in a non-pandemic year) announced a $500-million reno of its modern and contemporary wing. Not as storied but equally New York is the new Museum of Broadway, the first permanent museum dedicated to the famed heartland of the stage, which opened in Times Square with a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of major theater productions. Also: Broadway shows are back!

Two more very NYC reasons to experience the city now: this year marks the 50th anniversary of the birth of hip hop music, founded in the Bronx on August 11, 1973, when Clive Campbell—better known as DJ Kool Herc—spun records at his sister’s birthday party. Look for dozens of local celebrations, exhibits and workshops this summer and fall. It’s also the 100-year anniversary of the underrated Museum of the City of New York, which celebrates and documents 750,000 objects, including photographs, prints, costumes, paintings and more, to allow NYC-philes to obsess over this place like nowhere else.

For those who prefer their immersion outdoors, classics like the High Line and Central Park are joined by the city’s newest green space, Little Island—2.4 acres floating on the Hudson near the Meatpacking District on the site of an old pier. Like most things here, you have to see it to believe it.

When it’s your turn to return to America’s best city, do yourself a favor and make time to see the phoenix rise from above: there are the classics, like the Empire State Building and the Top of the Rock, but there are also spectacular new perches, like SUMMIT One Vanderbilt and its all-glass exterior elevators, called Ascent. Go up, look down and breathe out. This city is back.

2. Chicago, IL

Few American cities fell harder both in visitor numbers and economically over the past 26 harrowing months than Chicago, even after the city deftly rode its gilded pre-pandemic decade. But the hardship of the pandemic, combined with spiking inflation, only meant that the Windy City was spring-loaded for a breakout 2023, powered by a fully operational O’Hare International, ranked #3 in the country as measured by the number of direct destinations served. Meetings and conventions of all sizes are back, pouring into McCormick Place and its stunning Lake Michigan perch, ranked #1 in our Convention Center subcategory.

The city’s quiet productivity is humming again, too, and is leaner and more efficient than ever, with the second-most Fortune 500 headquarters in the country, behind only New York. It also ranks top five in the country in our Knowledge-Based Businesses subcategory, and its citizens enjoy the nation’s ninth-best Cost-of-Living-Adjusted Earnings.

Even amid the post-pandemic headlines of emptying city cores and urban flight, Chicago was named the top metro area for corporate investment for an astonishing 10th consecutive year by Site Selection magazine, a business publication that tracks real estate and corporate development in cities with more than a million people. The reason? “Our project data tell us the metro area continues to attract companies and the talent those companies covet. Led by World Business Chicago, the newly formed Greater Chicagoland Economic Partnership and most of all by talented professionals, workers and business leaders, the region continues to meet its challenges with creative solutions, bold programs and the sort of candor and openness that’s almost a Chicago brand.”

On the streets of Chicago’s #3-ranked Sights & Landmarks (scattered across 77 neighborhoods within city limits), it’s summer in the city circa 2019. Sundays on State debuted in 2021 and is back making portions of the iconic State Street pedestrian-only during select Sundays. Free summer festivals are also returning to Chicago parks (such as Millennium and Grant), with the Millennium Park Summer Music Series rocking the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, with everything from salsa orchestras to Kurt Vile and the Violators.

If the joy and need to dance is everywhere, it’s by design, courtesy of Chicago SummerDance pop-ups, by the Night Out in the Parks events that take place across the city’s #9-ranked green spaces after sunset and by the extended Chicago Pride programming before and after the iconic party hits town in mid-June. The local purveyors of the nation’s second-best Nightlife (trailing only NYC) are always happy to keep the party going indoors, especially the Diageo Beer Company people, who opened the second worldwide location of the Guinness Open Gate Brewery in the West Loop neighborhood just this summer. This is only further proof of the understated beer culture in a town with 160 breweries, the most of any U.S. city (sorry, Seattle).

All that revelry means working up an appetite and Chicago delivers again. From Chef José Andrés’ two-year-old Bazaar Meat and Bar Mar inside Bank of America’s new Chicago headquarters to the city’s youngest Michelin-starred chef, Donald Young, debuting Venteux, a French brasserie in the new Pendry Chicago hotel, this town is fed well.

And speaking of new hotels, their scorching pace continues, with three new properties opening this year, including the highly anticipated St. Regis Chicago. The 101-story tower, designed by award-winning architect Jeanne Gang, has changed Chicago’s iconic skyline. It is now the third-tallest building in the city, the 10th tallest in the United States and the tallest building in the world designed by a woman.

“Last year, we welcomed nearly 50 million visitors back to Chicago, and hotel room demand reached more than 80% of pre-pandemic levels,” says Lynn Osmond, president & CEO of Choose Chicago, the city’s destination marketing organization. “The beginning of 2023 has been even stronger, with hotel room nights approaching 2019 numbers and some major conventions setting all-time attendance records.”

She adds that her team’s focus “is shifting from recovery to long-term, sustainable success as a city.”

The $5.5 million in the recent American Rescue Plan Act funding will allow Choose Chicago to greatly increase efforts to deliver more of the economic benefits of tourism to the vibrant neighborhoods that are off of Chicago’s beaten track.

“The culture and vibrancy of Chicago can be found beyond our traditional tourist locations,” said Mayor Lori Lightfoot when announcing the funding. “Each of our 77 unique neighborhoods are home to rich histories, world-class cuisine and entertainment that tourists should experience.”

One neighborhood that won’t need much help attracting visitors starting in 2025? South Chicago’s Jackson Park and its $500-million Obama Presidential Center. The campus is intended to function as a world-class museum and public gathering space that showcases the South Side to the world, welcoming 700,000 annual visitors and projected to generate a long-term economic impact of more than $3 billion.

3. Los Angeles, CA

After a grim two-and-a-half years, L.A. is ready to celebrate, especially with an epic 2023 packed with centennial milestones. The biggie: the Hollywood Sign, synonymous with the city and region both physically and spiritually, is turning 100. In fact, in a recent study commissioned by Los Angeles Tourism, nearly 80% of respondents affirmed that the Hollywood Sign is Los Angeles’ most iconic landmark. And nine of 10 Americans consider the Hollywood Sign an iconic American landmark, on par with the Statue of Liberty, the Washington Monument, Mount Rushmore and the Golden Gate Bridge. Local tourism promoters are ensuring that their city’s already impressive #2 ranking in our Facebook Check-ins subcategory and #3 spot for Instagram Hashtags gets even better by helping connect visitors to trails, tours and rooftop patios from which to capture the nine-letter legend.

Another L.A. legend, Warner Bros. Studios, hits triple digits this year and has unveiled the 100th Anniversary Exhibit, exploring a century of helping shape global storytelling from its L.A. home. The new exhibit recognizes a range of classic and contemporary productions, including Casablanca , DC Comics, The “Wizarding World” of Harry Potter, Abbott Elementary , and beyond. The city’s #3 ranking in our Attractions subcategory will only be fortified with these initiatives.

A third centenary celebration is the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, as hallowed American ground as you’ll find and home to both the first Super Bowl in 1967 and multiple Olympic Games (including the upcoming 2028 Summer Games, when L.A. will become the first place in the U.S. to host the event three times). In honor of its 100th anniversary, the Los Angeles Coliseum’s Coliseum Forever program is hosting events, speakers and exhibits that memorialize stories from the iconic figures who contributed to the venue’s unparalleled legacy. The year of events will bring the community together to plan the next century of nurturing a city that already ranks #4 in our Culture subcategory.

The home of America’s most ambitious museums (ranking #2, second only to NYC) is demanding the world come and visit, with vital exhibitions already launched and massive openings and expansions planned in the months ahead. This spring, The Broad presented the city’s first museum exhibition of Keith Haring’s expansive body of work. And The Grand LA’s Jean-Michel Basquiat: King Pleasure exhibit is drawing summer crowds downtown with 200 rarely shown and even never-before-seen pieces.

In Westwood, the Hammer Museum at UCLA has just reopened after its two-decade-long project transforming the campus, anchored by the new Lynda and Stewart Resnick Cultural Center at the gateway to Westwood Village. The museum today extends across a full city block, increasing gallery space by 60% to display the Hammer’s large collection of nearly 50,000 pieces.

Anticipation is also building at the two-year-old Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and its Hollywoodland exhibit this November, tracing the history of filmmaking in Los Angeles back to its roots at the beginning of the 20th century, illustrating how and why the city became the world capital of cinema.

The next two years are equally frenzied for the city’s arts and culture scene. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is scheduled to reopen next year with 110,000 square feet of gallery space, a new theater, education spaces, three restaurants and multipurpose event spaces, and will span Wilshire Boulevard in order to accommodate 3.5 acres of new park and outdoor space. The Natural History Museum also opens its NHM Commons in 2024—a new wing and community hub on the southwest side of the museum campus in Exposition Park. Opening in 2025 is the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, founded by philanthropist and filmmaker George Lucas and his wife Mellody Hobson, co-CEO and president of Ariel Investments; it will focus on the universal art of visual storytelling and will feature expansive galleries, state-of-the-art cinematic theaters, dedicated spaces for learning and engagement and a new public green space.

The city’s long-smoldering arts bounty isn’t just confined to paid access, of course, and there’s no better place for walkable immersion than the recently reopened historic Sixth Street Viaduct, a transformative infrastructure project for the city that replaced the original 1932 bridge and today unites the Boyle Heights community to the east and the Arts District and Downtown to the west. The project has reinvigorated the Arts District and today its galleries, murals and dozens of independent shops and outdoor markets host daily events that draw locals from across the county.

They also come for a dining scene that’s a distilled version of the larger culinary destination that the city as a whole has become (topping all U.S. cities in our Restaurants subcategory). Local Arts District favorites like the local-first Mexican cuisine at Enrique Olvera’s Damian and the dreamy Italian of Bestia have been recently joined by the Korean fusion of Yangban Society, the Greek cuisine of Mandolin Taverna and—this being L.A.—the 1970s Italian-themed Let’s Go! Disco and Cocktail Club. A short stroll away are two Michelin-starred restaurants, Hayato and Kato, that can insufficiently be described as “Japanese.”

With the City of Angels this ascendant, it’s a good thing that all nine of LAX’s terminals are in the midst of a combined $14.3-billion modernization, with the automated people mover (APM) train scheduled to open next year. The new $1.7-billion Regional Connector Transit Project, featuring a 1.9-mile underground light-rail system that will provide a one-seat ride across Los Angeles County, just opened, making travel on the Metro Gold Line to Long Beach and from East Los Angeles to Santa Monica possible without transferring lines. And, more importantly, not sitting in traffic.

4. San Francisco, CA

San Francisco doesn’t just welcome differences, it celebrates them, ranking it #2 in our People category, including #3 for Educational Attainment among its citizenry, and #4 for the percentage of that citizenry who were born outside of the U.S.

Its #5 Prosperity ranking is demonstrative that the promise of high salaries draws global workers who fuel a city’s ambition and ideas—and, in this case, driving San Francisco’s #17 ranking for Fortune 500 Companies. In fact, the Bay Area remains the No. 1 place for start-up innovation powered by venture capital, kept interested by the city’s famed “ecosystem”—for talent, for research and for universities. In Henley & Partners and New World Wealth’s “World’s Wealthiest Cities Report 2023,” San Francisco ranked third, tied with London, after New York and Tokyo. In terms of the actual number of millionaires living in the city? San Francisco had 285,000 last year.

Still, the city has been deeply wounded economically—by the pandemic, the lack of affordable housing and what many see as regulatory overreach.

San Francisco’s rate of population decline was the worst among large U.S. counties between July 1, 2020, and July 2, 2022. The city and its surrounding Bay Area counties saw a net population loss of more than 250,000 people in the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Equally terrifying is the city ending 2022 with a 27% office vacancy rate, according to local numbers. Even the proudest locals wring their hands as companies leave for Austin and Florida. And then tweet about how you should, too. But life goes on for those who choose to stay and fight for “everyone’s favorite city.”

Local leaders are rolling out the most daring bike and pedestrian infrastructure in America and the protected bike network now boasts 464 miles of bikeways, including 50 miles of new car-free/car-light streets in the past year alone. The world has noticed, with the New York Times highlighting the city’s weekend car-free two-mile stretch along its western shore (called the Great Highway) in its influential “52 Places to Go” roundup last year, calling it a “telling microcosm of the ways in which our cities, and our values, shifted during the pandemic.” The city just announced that it will remain car-free on weekends until at least 2025.

The investments mean San Francisco ranks #1 in the nation for walkability and #4 for biking.

The aggressive pursuit of outdoor public spaces—from downtown’s new Salesforce Park, 70 feet above street level atop the roof of the Salesforce Transit Center, to the half-dozen parks, tunnels and spaces opened last year in the Presidio alone (including Presidio Tunnel Tops, a 14-acre park built over the Presidio Parkway highway tunnels )—was a clinic in opportunism.

“We are building on the momentum of last year’s rebounding tourism, which was fueled by the return of international visitors and conventions,” says Joe D’Alessandro, president and CEO of the San Francisco Travel Association. “By 2024, we expect to reach 2019’s level of visitor spending.”

5. Washington, DC

The ubiquity of D.C. in dramas on screens small and large, combined with the shocking events of recent years, means we’re all thinking about Washington. Want proof? It once again topped all U.S. cities for searches on Google in the past year. Given its omnipresence, there are few cities so poised to build on their exposure.

“We are looking forward to continuing to welcome more visitors this summer and beyond,” says Elliott Ferguson, president and CEO of Destination DC. “There is currently $9.6 billion in development underway and the city has added new hotels, museums, rooftops, Michelin-rated dining and more for travelers to explore. A few upcoming highlights include… MLS All-Star Week in July, DC JazzFest over Labor Day Weekend and Theater Week this fall.”

Those 2023 openings include the late-summer launch of the 274-room Royal Sonesta Capitol Hill, the city’s second Royal Sonesta property; part of a mixed-use complex, it boasts a rooftop conference center with epic city views to admire during boring speeches. Recently opened and drawing visitor accolades are the AC Hotel Washington DC Capitol Hill Navy Yard and the Pendry Washington DC – The Wharf. And speaking of The Wharf, phase two of the massive Southwest Waterfront development just opened, creating yet another destination neighborhood in a city packed with them.

The city’s top five Museums ranking is on full display these days, with the iconic National Gallery of Art making up for lost time with a half-dozen high-profile exhibits scheduled over the next year, including what promises to be a showstopping Mark Rothko show. New and reopening museums include the 32,000-square-foot Rubell Museum DC in a historically Black public school in the Southwest neighborhood.

The National Museum of Women in the Arts reopens this fall and remains the world’s only major art museum solely dedicated to championing women artists.

D.C.’s long run as America’s “It” food city shows no signs of slowing, and the attention is surfacing Black chefs and purveyors with Market 7, a sprawling food hall touting Black-owned businesses. Also creating a buzz is Chef José Andres’ The Bazaar in the Waldorf Astoria (rescued from its previous life as a Trump Tower); this spot is sure to sate your Chesapeake Bay locavorism.

Walking off the capital’s culinary bounty is easy in a city with a top five Walk Score, but why walk when you can experience the city’s improving public transit, courtesy of last year’s Silver Line expansion? There are six new subway stations, none more appreciated than the first-ever train station at Washington Dulles International Airport, which now provides an elegant way into town without shelling out for an Uber.

6. Miami, FL

Miami’s natural attributes have always captured the world’s imagination and crystalized its hedonistic brand. The city ranks #3 nationally in our Outdoors subcategory, #5 for its walkability and #4 in our overall Place category.

But it’s Miami’s openness to immigrants (and, more recently, the LGBTQ+ community, and, even more recently than that, Silicon Valley migrants) that has people buzzing. The city has the highest percentage of foreign-born residents in America (which is saying something), and ranks #6 for the highest percentage of BIPOC residents, with all the epic Pride festivals and programming you’d expect, led by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau and its initiatives like Rainbow Spring earlier this year. That event was designed to provide LGBTQ+ visitors with unique programming and promotional offers in Miami and Miami Beach leading up to Pride Month in June, effectively extrapolating a month into two quarters. It’s the kind of productivity hack people come to expect in this town. And, increasingly, a new distributed workforce has taken notice and continues to arrive to work from home here (and, more importantly, to play in and around the city).

As a result, even with the tech and crypto meltdown last year, South Florida has shown no signs of slowing down, as 2022’s third-quarter numbers proved. Companies in the Miami–Fort Lauderdale metro area pulled in nearly $1.3 billion of venture capital across 74 deals, according to local data. The city ranks in the top three in the country in our Knowledge-Based Businesses subcategory, and #15 in our overall Prosperity category, including #17 for Fortune 500 head offices in town.

But it’s not like Florida’s largest city is some erstwhile economic rookie—its historic role as a crossroads of the Americas has long provided a business advantage few cities can claim. It’s home to one of the largest concentrations of international banks in the U.S., as well as one of North America’s largest hubs—outside of Mexico City, New York and L.A.—of Spanish-language media.

All that talent and down-payment money is looking to buy in and housing costs are defying gravity (and interest rates). Residential buildout is everywhere and two luxury projects in particular will change the skyline. The 1,049-foot Waldorf Astoria Hotel and Residences is predicted to be the tallest residential tower south of New York upon completion in 2027. The Residences, a 70-story luxury condominium tower, begins construction this year.

All that economic growth gets a hustler hungry, and Miami delivers in its title of Bon Appétit ’s 2023 Food City of the Year.

This announcement comes on the heels of additional culinary honors for Greater Miami and Miami Beach, including new stars awarded by the Michelin Guide, which only arrived in Florida in 2022, as well as local kudos at the 2023 James Beard Awards, which recently selected eight Miami restaurants, chefs and bakeries as semifinalists and one local bakery as a finalist. Expect America’s second-most Instagrammed city to top that ranking, fueled by #foodporn, soon.

7. Boston, MA

A hub of higher education and home to the fourth-best-educated workforce in the nation, Beantown produces a steady stream of new talent to help attract start-ups and established companies alike. Future talent gravitates to Harvard, of course—the country’s top school (and a big reason why the city is tied for #1 in our University subcategory and scored #4 in our overall Product category, which measures hard-to-build infrastructure in subcategories like Airport Connectivity)—as well as to Boston’s density of other world-class universities and colleges. The city is bursting with lecture halls, labs and classrooms for the more than 75 institutions of higher learning in the area, and is energized by the estimated 200,000 postsecondary students (many excitedly back in the city post-pandemic) creating stories, ideas, solutions and technologies that will help drive the economy and incubate innovation districts nationally and globally for decades to come. New students have resumed flocking here, to arguably the continent’s largest university town, by the tens of thousands, becoming smitten with the crooked narrow streets (ranked #3 for their walkability) and storied pubs blended with American optimism and East Coast connections, like millions before them.

They’re definitely hitting it at the right time because the city is getting back to its ambitious buildout as America’s newest (oldest) urban destination, buoyed by billions in federal stimulus funds and (until recently, anyway) cheap interest rates.

Hotel inventory is projected to grow by almost 5,000 new rooms in the next five years alone, a 20% increase in supply, much of it planned or, in the case of the 1,055-room Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport in the South Boston Waterfront near the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, already opened. Elsewhere, the 33-story Raffles Boston Back Bay Hotel and Residences, the first Raffles property in North America, is set to open any week now. Signature luxury includes a Raffles butler, Raffles spa and pool and a rooftop garden terrace and lounge serving up some of the best views in town. Downtown is also busy, with a half-dozen massive new properties on deck or completed, including the year-old 212-room Canopy by Hilton at Boston Haymarket, just steps from Faneuil Hall Marketplace and the Boston Public Market.

The city’s cultural clout is also being reinforced courtesy of the Fenway Sports Group and Live Nation’s new MGM Music Hall at Fenway, a 5,000-seat concert hall that extends the iconic ballpark, adding 91,500 square feet and four levels of new event space and amenities to the home of the Red Sox. Owners estimate that it will host up to 150 events annually.

The city’s new tourism campaign hit it out of the park with its resonance: Boston Never Gets Old.

8. Seattle, WA

Seattle’s self-reliance was on full display during the pandemic’s darkest days. The city saw the first outbreaks in the U.S. But as the New York Times noted a year later, “The Seattle area has the lowest death rate of the 20 largest metropolitan regions in the country. If the rest of the United States had kept pace with Seattle, the nation could have avoided more than 300,000 coronavirus deaths.” The resilience wasn’t just in public health. Despite an over-reported (and, as it turns out, temporary) exodus from the center to the suburbs, Seattle has avoided the economic impact that continues to hobble other U.S. urban centers. Population growth remains at just under 1% annually, fueled by talent (not all from California, mind you) looking for (literally) greener pastures and pulled by the influential titans of industry in town, from Amazon to Starbucks to Zillow. Q1 employment grew by 4% and even commercial vacancy is holding on at 15%. Seatown’s #6 Prosperity ranking is powered by its well-paid citizens, who rank third in America in our Cost-of-Living-Adjusted Earnings subcategory, trailing only Silicon Valley and Austin, respectively. Given their #11 ranking for Educational Attainment, combined with specialized talent being recruited to the city, it’s no surprise. Despite the optimized economic engine that Seattle has become (or, rather, because of it), its long-lauded stewardship of the land and its citizens is equally ambitious. In addition to ranking as the seventh-best biking city in America, to go along with its top 10 Walk Score, Seattle is also doing its best to further reduce cars in town with Sound Transit’s Link light rail. The new and extended lines are opening over the next year, reaching south to the #17-ranked SeaTac Airport and east to the suburban tech centers of Redmond and Bellevue, combining work and pleasure like never before. Returning business travel has more options with the #11-ranked Seattle Convention Center’s newest addition, Summit, welcoming groups to the Emerald City.

The city is also getting back to its elevated brand of arts and music festivals, led by the anticipated return of Bumbershoot on September 2 and 3, its 50th iteration after a three-year absence. Seattle’s sports addiction is getting sated these days, too, with the NHL’s newest team, the Seattle Kraken, winning on the ice and pulling in the league’s Winter Classic Game on January 1, 2024, to say nothing of the Mariners hosting the MLB All-Star Game this summer.

Hotel openings are everywhere, from the forthcoming boutique property in Pioneer Square’s historic RailSpur district to the 265-room new-build Astra Hotel, just steps from Amazon’s campus in South Lake Union.

9. Houston, TX

Austin may get the attention, but the promise of the Lone Star State drawing Californians and New Yorkers is quietly being fulfilled in Houston. In the past year, immigration both domestic and international has swelled the metro population to more than seven million, with new arrivals more educated and international than pre-pandemic. Houston today is one of America’s most ethnically diverse big cities, with more than 145 languages spoken at home, according to the latest census—about even with New York. No wonder it ranks #7 for Culture and its prism of festivals, from international film festivals to some of the country’s biggest Juneteenth celebrations. Next year, the city welcomes America’s first Ismaili Center, commissioned by His Highness the Aga Khan as a place of dialogue between faith and the world, East and West, and humanity and nature.

The melting pot is hot these days, reaching an impressive #4 ranking in our Restaurants subcategory, with a flurry of post-pandemic launches—from food halls like Railway Heights and POST Houston to must-try Israeli cuisine at the year-old Hamsa to elevated Mexican at Casa Nomad and Urbe (few cities anywhere do Mexican better than H-Town). With tourism returning, the city’s #8 ranking in our Attractions subcategory will float higher, lifted by next year’s opening of HTX Surf, a wave park with perfect rides that peel for the length of two football fields.

“The city has more than recovered the jobs it lost early in the pandemic while employment in the leisure and hospitality sector, which makes up 10% of the region’s jobs, is up 6% over this time last year,” says Houston First Corporation CMO Holly Clapham. “Thanks to major events like the NCAA Men’s Final Four and 29 major conventions, we expect to see significant growth in visitation totals this year.”

But despite all its current bonafides, the fourth-largest city in the U.S. is aiming higher, way higher, with its ongoing evolution as Space City. Its Houston Spaceport is an FAA-licensed urban commercial spaceport offering unprecedented access to a thriving aerospace community. In addition to serving as a launch and landing site for reusable suborbital vehicles, it offers laboratory and office space including technology incubators and large-scale hardware production facilities. The head start the city has in building a cluster of aerospace companies manufacturing locally is staggering, especially considering that the spaceport can eventually serve as the country’s takeoff point for passenger jets capable of flying at supersonic and hypersonic speeds. The future is already here: in the past year alone, tenant businesses have been awarded nearly $4 billion in new contracts. Houstonians already enjoying top five Cost-of-Living-Adjusted Earnings in America better strap in for bigger paydays ahead at this trajectory. And the #4-ranked Fortune 500 community is sure to see a few more neighbors, soon.

10. San José, CA

It’s fascinating what a well-educated, well-paid and diverse population can do for a city’s performance. In the case of San Jose, the economic, cultural and political capital of Silicon Valley and California’s oldest civilian Spanish settlement, it’s everything. The city’s talent has propelled it to another top 10 overall finish in 2023, even amid a battered tech sector and the crescendo in tech circles that “everyone is leaving the Valley.”

San Jose still boasts the most educated citizenry in the country. It’s also home to the second-most foreign-born talent (trailing only Miami). The combo puts the city tops in the country in our People category yet again this year.

This is also the second-most prosperous city in America (NYC is tops), with the highest Cost-of-Living-Adjusted Earnings and the lowest poverty rate in the country. It’s all astonishing, and possible because of San Jose’s moat: 2,500 high-tech companies in and around city limits.

It’s why San Jose doesn’t intend to lose its people—or jobs—for any sustained period of time. There’s just too much support from America’s—and the planet’s—titans of industry and innovation. The institutional prosperity in the city is perhaps most obvious in the bounty of universities that are performance drivers all their own, creating symbiotic integrations with local tech companies and offering access to funding and innovation like few others. Given the optimal conditions of a lauded, coveted school and the on-ramp it provides to jobs in the city, San Jose will continue to stock its talent pipeline for decades.

The region, home to Google, Facebook, Apple, Cisco Systems, eBay and PayPal, ranks #3 for Fortune 500 Companies in town, trailing only New York and Chicago. But those corporate headquarters don’t just provide jobs: they’re also reshaping the very city—and region—where their offices are based.

The city’s 2014 adoption of the Diridon Station Area Plan to create a mixed-use urban destination near public transit was predicated on Google bankrolling things to bring the vision to life. The proposed project promises hundreds of thousands of square feet of office space next to an intermodal transit station that, if the transit and rail funding stars align, will be a transportation hub for the state. In addition to the tantalizing prospect of high-speed rail links to San Francisco and the Central Valley, Diridon Station is also planned to be the hub for San Francisco’s Bay Area Rapid Transit when the connection is finished at the end of this decade.

Actually open is the Signia by Hilton, the city’s newest and largest hotel, which took over the old Fairmont property right downtown. A five-minute walk away is Mama Kin, a new bar, restaurant and live-music venue that will hopefully keep the office crowd in town later on weeknights.

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11. Las Vegas, NV

Few places in America have been as supercharged by the return of the visitor economy as Vegas, which lives and dies by its #1 industry (by a mile). A visit in 2023, therefore, is a pilgrimage into American urban resilience. After all, this is Vegas, baby, home to nightlife that’s second only to NYC and Chicago, and family-friendly attractions that trail only Orlando. Nearly 39 million visitors checked into town in 2022, and this past January was just 4% below the same month in 2019, according to local numbers. Welcoming them are properties like the two-year-old, $4.3-billion Resorts World Las Vegas, comprising three hotels, the 27,000-square-foot Awana Spa and a 5,000-capacity theater. The fact that places like the Wynn were extensively renoed at a cost of $200 million during the pandemic is almost lost in the gilded fog of Vegas construction, which still has at least $15 billion of new investment in the pipeline, including the 2023 completion of the much-anticipated 25-acre Fontainebleau complex and the $2-billion MSG Sphere that will be, at 516 feet in diameter, the largest spherical structure in the world when it opens later this year.

12. Atlanta, GA

Long a progressive beacon of diversity in Georgia, Atlanta and its rich legacy of American civil rights—the city is the birthplace of Martin Luther King Jr.—is increasingly in the national conversation as a new hometown. And people are walking the talk, with almost a quarter of a million relocating to the city over the past two years. Even more are mulling their options, indicated by ATL’s #8 Google Search ranking nationally. Good thing the city—already home to the eighth-most Fortune 500 headquarters in America—is planning for the influx, with bold new projects downtown like the 50-acre Gulch redevelopment called Centennial Yards, featuring 12 million square feet of residential, retail and office space and 1,500 hotel rooms. Just east, along Peachtree, Mitchell and Broad streets, as well as Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, dozens of historic buildings are being revived with a focus on public spaces and walkability. Even Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (from which 80% of the U.S. population resides within a two-hour flight) is renovating, despite already ranking #4 for Airport Connectivity. Its ATL Next project is pumping $6 billion into modernization and connectivity.

13. Philadelphia, PA

Given its deep roots in the creation of the Union almost 250 years ago, Philadelphia is a dense, cataloged embodiment of American values and traditions, easily accessible and eagerly shared. Philly has always let its experiences do the talking, whether it’s walking through history along the cobblestones of Old City or breathing in the urban green of Fairmount Park. The city’s understated urban tapestry houses America’s #7-ranked Sights & Landmarks, perfect for strolling. Philly’s #9 Walk Score ranking will only improve with the extensive development of the central portion of the multiuse Delaware River Trail that links the city’s waterfront destinations. Those in need of more regimented history will love some of the top museums in the U.S. (ranked #7), especially with recent investments like the 90,000 square feet of new public and exhibition space at the Philadelphia Museum of Art as part of the Frank Gehry-led expansion. Important exhibits are opening this summer and fall, none bigger than Disney100 and SPACE at The Franklin Institute, and Black Founders: The Forten Family of Philadelphia at the Museum of the American Revolution. The city’s coveted University of Pennsylvania is an Ivy League icon, ranked #4 nationally.

14. Denver, CO

With its secondary-city affordability and coveted lifestyle brand at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, Denver is an increasingly wealthy, healthy talent magnet. It ranks top 10 for educated citizenry, who ply their trades at large Fortune 500 companies (ranked #17) ranging from Western Union to Molson Coors Beverage, and at the hundreds of start-ups in the emergent cannabis and burgeoning wellness industries. All that commerce propels the city to #7 in our Knowledge-Based Businesses subcategory, and #9 in our overall Prosperity category. But Denver plays as hard as it works. Amid 300 days of annual sunshine, the obsession with the outdoors today is matched by a commitment to the arts. The Denver Art Museum is slowly emerging from an extensive, multi-year renovation that includes a new restaurant from award-winning Denver chef Jennifer Jasinski, and the return of the museum’s Arts of Africa, Modern and Contemporary Art and Arts of Oceania collections to the public for the first time since construction started in 2016. Investments like the Crush Walls international street art festival and the arrival of the artist collective Meow Wolf are rapidly improving the city’s #19 Culture ranking.

15. Dallas, TX

It’s not only city sloganeering that’s big in Dallas. It’s economic reality. Home to more than 10,000 corporate headquarters—the largest concentration in the U.S.—and ranking in the top five in the nation for Fortune 500 companies, the city is easy to get to. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport trails only JFK (and is ahead of Chicago’s O’Hare) in our Airport Connectivity rankings. A planned $3-billion Terminal F project could be back on the table, given DFW’s rebound of 73.4 million passengers in 2022—an increase of 17% over a busy 2021. The #12 ranking in our Convention Center subcategory will ascend when a new $2-billion, 2.5-million-square-foot facility is built next to the current one in 2028. But Dallas is big on fun and culture, too. This is the home of America’s sixth-largest LGBTQ+ community. On 20 square blocks of mixed-use space, institutions like the Dallas Museum of Art, the Crow Museum of Asian Art, theaters, symphony and opera venues, restaurants and bars all power an improving #20 Programming ranking.

16. San Diego, CA

You could say that San Diego is where California began. It was here that Spanish colonists established the region’s very first mission in 1769. Today, it’s one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., pulling in residents seeking 263 full and partly sunny days annually, the natural endowment of the #2-ranked Outdoors in America (trailing only, and understandably, Honolulu), whose 23 beaches—70 miles of them—within city limits make the city synonymous with the lore of SoCal surf culture. Speaking of storytelling, the sun-kissed backdrops coax locals to share the aesthetic bounty online, powering the city to a top 10 finish in our vital Promotions category, including #7 for Instagram Hashtags. Increasingly, the buzz is on local attractions, with the 3.2-acre, $87-million Denny Sanford Wildlife Explorers Basecamp finally open and immersing visitors in the sights and sounds of ecosystems around the world, from balmy rainforests to dusty dunes. The city’s #8 Museums ranking will improve when the San Diego Museum of Art in iconic Balboa Park unveils its 2026 west wing, courtesy of Foster + Partners, a firm that has built iconic structures at museums around the world.

17. Orlando, FL

Being the largest city in a region that generates more than $60 billion in tourism-related revenue every (non-pandemic) year gets you plenty of lift from a rising tide. That’s a lot of visitors with a story to tell if you give them the means to tell it. Orlando knows how to get people talking. Its #3 ranking in our Tripadvisor Reviews subcategory helped its overall ranking, along with its top spot in America in our Attractions subcategory. The city is gaining post-pandemic ground with the newly opened, $4.2-billion South Terminal Complex at Orlando International Airport, featuring the state’s first high-speed rail, called the Brightline, which connects Orlando with West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Beyond the theme parks, you’ll find locals and visitors cheering for hometown pro soccer at the new Exploria Stadium—with plenty of placemaking around the emerging neighborhood. Downtown culture is also ascendant with this fall’s opening of live music venue Judson’s, the fourth indoor performance space at downtown Orlando’s Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, joining Steinmetz Hall (opened last year), the Walt Disney Theater and the Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater.

18. Austin, TX

The rebellious Texas city—forged by can-do persistence cut with a university town’s progressive livability—is now a well-oiled talent-attraction machine. Talk to any entrepreneur leaving Silicon Valley, NYC or Seattle and chances are they’ve considered Austin. The capital and talent inflow, along with its second-best Cost-of-Living-Adjusted Earnings (behind only San Jose) keeps the party going. Since the pandemic, Austin has secured headquarters for giants like Oracle, Tesla, BAE Systems and dozens of others that have joined incumbents like Samsung USA, which itself is mulling a $40-billion local investment into 11 manufacturing plants here. Dozens of ambitious tech firms (especially EV and superconductor manufacturers) are moving in monthly. New high-rises like the Waterline (the tallest building in Texas when it opens in 2026), along with Wilson Tower (the largest planned U.S. residential high-rise outside of New York City) will be just two of the biggest trophies on the city’s expanding skyline. The #20-ranked University of Texas at Austin is also a talent magnet, focusing on research and a growing skills pipeline to the symbiotic private sector. The local music scene is pretty good, too.

19. Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis is now synonymous with George Floyd’s murder at the hands of local police, an event that sparked a global movement against systemic racism and police violence. In addition to their vital role in the fight for justice, residents have long advocated for their city, the results of which can be seen in a decade of visionary city-building called the Minneapolis Big Build. The city is in the thick of an unprecedented renaissance, with more than $1-billion worth of annual construction permits issued for each of the past four years. The investment has yielded (so far) the redesign of Nicollet Avenue, the opening of U.S. Bank Stadium and the Commons Park, a major reno of Target Center (home of the NBA’s Timberwolves) and improvements to the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and Walker Art Center. There are a dozen more projects that have opened or will soon, including the new Water Works Park on the Mississippi riverfront. This, on top of a #9 ranking for Fortune 500 Companies—the most per capita of any U.S. metro area—ranks Minneapolis #12 nationally in our overall Prosperity category, including top 10 for lowest poverty rate.

20. Portland, OR

Portland’s blissful isolation, ambivalence toward established norms and self-sustainability have long made it one of the most earnest cities in the U.S. Portlanders are among the most engaged urbanites on the planet, and have always built it themselves if they couldn’t find anything to their liking—from performance outdoor apparel like Columbia and Nike (based in nearby Beaverton) to hospitality brands like Ace and McMenamins. But the urban utopia of recent decades was ravaged by the pandemic, with homelessness spiking by almost 70%, vehicle theft almost doubling and shootings tripling, all since 2019. The population contracted for the first time in decades in 2021. Portlanders are fighting for the city’s inclusive livability and identity, one that still boasts almost 100 breweries (among the most per capita in the nation) and boundary-pushing nightlife and shopping that ranks in the top 10 nationally. New public projects prioritizing bikes and pedestrians are everywhere (the city is tied for #1 for Biking), none more Portland than the new Ned Flanders Crossing pedestrian bridge, in honor of native son and The Simpsons creator Matt Groening. A 35-story Ritz-Carlton, the city’s first five-star hotel, will open any day now.

21. Honolulu, HI

Few cities cratered economically more than Honolulu in 2020 and 2021. But its visitor economy is back, with state numbers boasting tourist spending of late that matches 2019 levels. Hotel openings and renovations are everywhere, on the heels of last year’s Mandarin Oriental Hotel and Residences, Honolulu, as well as the iconic Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort’s new cultural center as part of its $80-million refresh. The just opened Wayfinder Waikiki brings some buzz to the quieter Ala Wai Canal area, courtesy of a renovated destination property with a new café, pool bar and Redfish poke spot. Dozens of restaurants and bars (even breweries and a cidery) are rushing to open post-pandemic. The new LineUp at Wai Kai, just west of downtown, is Hawaii’s first man-made deep-water standing wave—it’s 100 feet wide and suitable for all levels. The grounds include a massive lagoon, bars, restaurants and other family attractions. Grander still is the 98-acre New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District, to be built on the University of Hawaii’s old stadium grounds in Hālawa. A new, 25,000-seat multi-use stadium is part of the plan.

22. New Orleans, LA

In the face of poverty and injustice—and “natural” disasters compounded by both—NOLA has, over its three centuries, created a culture of presence, music and festivals that may pale in size but not in intensity to others in the world. It’s why the city ranks #9 nationally for Programming, our category spanning shopping (for which it trails only NYC), dining and after-hours vibrancy. Given the need to celebrate, seize the day and revel in all that fusion of humanity and culture and sweaty new people and ideas, the city ranks #5 in our Nightlife subcategory. The French Quarter may be touristy, but the investment continues with the One11, the area’s first new hotel in 50 years. A new Four Seasons Hotel and Residences opened in the former World Trade Center, followed by local icon and men’s clothing store Rubensteins turning their second floor into a 40-room eponymous boutique property. The city’s top three Museums ranking will improve with the Warehouse District’s new Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience, along with this summer’s massive new Audubon Aquarium of Americas and Insectarium opening right on the Mississippi adjacent to the French Quarter.

23. Phoenix, AZ

A thriving desert metropolis that’s now just outside the top 10 nationally by population, Phoenix has seen the fastest growth of any major U.S. city in the past decade. According to the latest census data, it added 163,000 residents, bringing the core city’s population to 1.6 million, with its metro on the cusp of five million. And what’s not to love? A growing roster of fine museums, a vibrant artist community and 300 days of sunshine. Get a street-level view of the city’s increasingly considered urban planning with a stroll through Roosevelt Row Arts District, or RoRo, as locals call it. Art galleries, studios, restaurants and bars sit side by side in this walkable creative district in the downtown core. The newest addition to the downtown arts district is Pemberton PHX—part art exhibit and part foodie magnet, where locally loved restos like Baba’s Falafel and Saint Pasta host pop-up dinners year-round. Given the buzz emanating from the desert, hotel development is everywhere, with 25 projects that will yield more than 5,000 guest rooms, from the massive VAI Resort to the elemental luxury of the Global Ambassador.

24. Baltimore, MD

Less than an hour’s commute from Washington, D.C., Baltimore offers a slower pace of life and significantly cheaper housing than the hyper-charged capital. But the window to buy into one of Baltimore’s diverse, historic communities is closing fast—home prices in the city reached a 10-year record high a year into the pandemic and have only fallen slightly since. No wonder the city’s beguiling urban pockets and dipping crime rate are attracting visitors and curious potential residents seeking unvarnished American urbanism and some of the country’s best museums (#15). According to Q4 2022 numbers, the city’s downtown is back to 95% of pre-pandemic activity. Good thing, too, because the signature placemaking investment is finally opening in phases in South Baltimore’s industrial Warner Street district (since rebranded to The Walk @ Warner Street), with plans for a new entertainment district between M&T Bank Stadium and Horseshoe Casino Baltimore being implemented. The city also boasts one of the most educated citizenry in America (#16), partially the result of Johns Hopkins University, which ranks #4 in our University subcategory and is also Baltimore’s largest employer.

25. Salt Lake City, UT

Combining spectacular natural and built environments, Salt Lake City is no longer just a gateway to the great outdoors—it’s also a welcoming destination with ascendant culture (#31), new museums, and… local breweries, which, over the past three years, have multiplied due to relaxed local potency limits (and public health measures). The transformation began with the arrival of the XIX Olympic Winter Games 20 years ago, as the city thawed its reputation as an über-conservative cowboy town with Mormon family values to become the lifestyle magnet of quaint cafés and stylish restaurants that it is today. SLC continues to pour millions into development projects and the beautification of its downtown, and the city has matured into an urban experience as much as an outdoor one. Of course, the proximity of the Wasatch Range’s stunning canyons and 11,000-foot peaks is still the reason many adrenaline junkies travel and move here. And they work hard, too: Salt Lake ranks an impressive #16 nationally in our Prosperity category—led by its low poverty rate (#7) and growing knowledge-based professional sector (#21).

26. St. Louis, MO

America’s gateway to the West has always been an understated city of neighborhoods and cultural elegance. It performs well for Nightlife (#18)—in fact, Miles Davis is a native son—and ranks #21 for Programming, led also by a top 20 finish in our Restaurants subcategory. This was always a stealthy food town, too, but no longer, with recent openings like the Mediterranean-forward Casa Don Alfonso, the first in the U.S. for Mario Iaccarino, a Michelin-starred Italian restaurateur, in the Ritz-Carlton St. Louis. More accessible is the newish City Foundry STL food hall, serving an atlas-worth of goodies. The city is also investing in its infrastructure, especially as it pursues meetings and events once more. The AC Next Gen project that will update and expand the America’s Center Convention Complex downtown should be open early next year, improving the #17 Convention Center ranking. Recently opened downtown hotels offer sweet perches from which to explore new placemaking—like the non-motorized Brickline Greenway connecting to city parks, and Laclede’s Landing, a converted warehouse district overlooking the Mississippi that boosts the city’s nightlife and dining ranking even more.

27. Tampa, FL

In Tampa, the natural and built environments are as in sync as Point and Kucherov. The city has a low crime rate, 361 days of annual sunshine and sprawling and diverse parks and outdoor areas (garnering a #13 ranking), including nearby beaches like Fort De Soto Park and Clearwater. Chief among the parklands is the Tampa Riverwalk, a 2.6-mile continuous waterfront corridor along the banks of the Hillsborough River and Garrison Channel. From the newly renovated Florida Aquarium you can stroll to the Tampa Bay History Center, the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, the convention center and other spots contributing to Tampa’s #10 ranking in our Attractions subcategory. The city is also flexing its downtown investment these days, with last fall’s phase one opening of the multi-billion-dollar Water Street Tampa in the heart of the city, spearheaded by The Tampa EDITION, a truly five-star luxury property with Michelin-starred Chef John Fraser feeding guests. The project also boasts a new promenade and a dozen high-end bars, restaurants, condos and hotels that you’d expect from a place bankrolled by Bill Gates and Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeff Vinik. (And you thought that hockey player reference earlier was random.)

28. Nashville, TN

The home base for artists like Jack White, Kings of Leon and the Black Keys reclaimed its live-music glory with a full slate of before-times festivals like the CMA Fest and Bonnaroo, as well as new shows and attractions. The buzziest is the duet between the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the historic Ryman Auditorium that created the Rock Hall at the Ryman exhibit celebrating one of America’s most revered stages, including stories about Elvis Presley, James Brown, Dolly Parton, the Foo Fighters and dozens more. The 2021 opening of the National Museum of African American Music, a vital center to educate the world, preserve a legacy and celebrate African Americans in creating the American soundtrack, is just one reason why Nashville ranks #16 in our overall Programming category. Massive developments like the new home of the Nashville SC Major League Soccer team in Wedgewood-Houston—a 30,500-person soccer-only facility with double-tiered stands—join the city-building ambition behind the opening of more than a dozen hotels over the next two years, as well as the massive expansion of the city’s #20-ranked airport.

29. Detroit, MI

Detroit has been on top of the world—“the arsenal of democracy” in the 1950s, as Motor City revved—and in the depths. But while the bulldozing of 20,000 (and counting) vacant structures since 2016 is ongoing, the city is expanding, with more residents seemingly arriving than leaving (finally!). The city even ranks #15 for Instagram Hashtags and top 25 in our economically key Promotion category. Claude Molinari, CEO of Visit Detroit, says the city’s recent “Detroit Wins” campaign aims to communicate the message that Detroit is “an authentic region of the country.” Approximately $7 billion in investment means more than 200 projects are ongoing or complete, seen in places like the redevelopment of historic Eastern Market, with its massive food halls and office space. Motor City is also thinking beyond the car, with vital infrastructure like the 6.6-mile QLINE streetcar loop connecting the Woodward Corridor. Work on the $240-million, 27.5-mile Joe Louis Greenway is in full swing and will improve Detroit’s #57 Outdoors ranking. So will the massive, city-spanning RiverWalk pedestrian and park development that will eventually connect the city’s two iconic bridges by foot and bike paths.

30. San Antonio, TX

The genius of San Antonio is its stewardship of its greatest urban asset and attraction: the River Walk. The pedestrian promenade along the San Antonio River, extended from three to 15 miles a decade ago, is a scenic link that connects self-propelled citizens and visitors with the city. On one end there’s the five colonial missions, a UNESCO heritage site just enhanced with the new Alamo Exhibition Hall & Collections Building. On the other, the San Antonio Zoo—and, in between, the San Antonio Museum of Art, the Texas Golf Hall of Fame and dozens of other eclectic stops and riverside cafés. No wonder the city ranks #6 in our Attractions subcategory, a number that is likely to improve given the steady announcements about new sites ranging from “a world-record-setting themed roller coaster” to the “world’s tallest and fastest screaming swing.” Three gigantic hotels have just opened along its path, including the innovative Artista San Antonio Hotel, the InterContinental and the Thompson Hotel. After all that walking, make sure to feast in one of America’s only (along with Tucson) UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy and its #8-ranked restaurants.

31. Charlotte, NC

America’s Old South is up to new tricks in Charlotte, a global banking powerhouse (the second-most important in the U.S. after New York) and ranked #17 in our Fortune 500 Companies subcategory. All that productivity comes with relative affordability, given Charlotte’s #17 spot in our Cost-of-Living-Adjusted Earnings subcategory. No wonder the city ranks #24 for Prosperity. The already walkable downtown just got a boost with the recently extended east-to-west hybrid streetcar system that runs an impressive four miles over 17 stops. The city is further investing in its economic innovation with massive projects like the medical school campus and an innovation district called The Pearl, funded by Atrium Health and Wake Forest Baptist—26 acres in Midtown that will help position Charlotte as a destination for research and innovation and create thousands of jobs this decade alone. But with 1,000 apartments, a hotel, restaurants and bars, the project will be a destination, too. As will a former Sears department store that reopened last year as the Visual and Performing Arts Center, a new home to dozens of galleries, studios, theaters and classrooms.

32. Sacramento, CA

California’s state capital is prosperous and proud, ranking well for its natural attributes, including epic weather that nourishes this self-declared “Farm-to-Fork Capital” and its fertile surroundings. The City of Trees—residents have long claimed to have the most trees per capita in the country—was hit hard economically by the pandemic, but it isn’t exactly a stranger to cataclysms: the Great Conflagration of 1852 burned 40 square blocks of the fledgling city, leaving behind what is today called Old Sacramento, with its cobbled streets, historic buildings and horse-drawn carriages. With so many neighborhoods to explore, the city naturally ranks #12 for biking in the country. But Sacramento isn’t content with a quaint past. The just-completed $200-million-ish renovation and expansion of Sacramento’s SAFE Credit Union Convention Center (currently ranked a middling #46) is part of the city’s C3 Project, along with the community theater and Memorial Auditorium. New hotels like The Exchange (an adaptive reuse and renovation of downtown’s iconic California Fruit Building), as well the Hyatt Centric hotel (constructed behind the century-old brick facade of the Marshall Hotel), are vital guest room additions to a downtown core that needed them badly.

33. Raleigh, NC

The City of Oaks is part of North Carolina’s Research Triangle, one of the country’s largest and most successful research parks—think high-tech and biotech, along with advanced textile development. The city also boasts three major research universities, which supply a pipeline of young, cheap, brilliant talent that ranks #6 for Educational Attainment nationally. Is it any wonder, then, that Apple recently announced a $1-billion, 281-acre Raleigh campus that will open later this decade? Forecasts indicate it will house more than 3,000 employees. Good thing, too, because new arrivals are increasingly drawn to Raleigh for its affordable housing, and the city ranks #15 for Cost-of-Living-Adjusted Earnings. With all of the residents pouring into town to try before they buy, exciting hotel openings are plentiful, from this fall’s long-stay focused Tempo by Hilton Raleigh Downtown to the new Kimpton opening in late 2025. Placemaking matters here, too. The North Carolina Freedom Park should be open by now, honoring the African American struggle for liberty. Raleigh’s already improving Outdoors ranking (#53) will keep climbing as a result.

34. Bridgeport, CT

Connecticut’s largest city is also one of America’s oldest: it was first colonized in the mid-1600s and local entrepreneurialism grew exponentially (and industrially) once the railroad link was established in 1840. With its 90-minute, 60-mile train ride from New York City, Bridgeport maintains a wealthy and educated citizenry (ranked #5 for Educational Attainment and #12 for Foreign-Born Residents), as it did when entrepreneurs like P.T. Barnum (of circus fame) not only ran businesses but also the town itself (Barnum was mayor). In these days of WFH and secondary and tertiary cities, Bridgeport is attracting talent from priced-out cities like New York and Boston—with these new residents trading in the shoebox condo for a large Cape Cod-style house (and tidy lawn) for around $500,000. Or for any one of the historic lofts in the dozens of warehouse conversions underway. The two-year-old, 5,700-seat Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater (known locally as the Amp) is a joint venture with the City of Bridgeport in association with Live Nation. And it shows, with artists stopping by that would otherwise have skipped the town altogether.

35. Pittsburgh, PA

It’s Steel City, City of (440!) Bridges, Andy Warhol’s birthplace and home of the NFL’s “Stillers.” Sports tourism is huge in a city that is also home of the Penguins and the Pirates (tied for a #17 ranking in our Pro Sports Teams subcategory). Not surprisingly, sports tourism contributes more than a billion dollars annually in visitor spending and almost $15 million in state and local tax revenues, according to local numbers. There’s art, too: Pittsburgh is home to #23-ranked museums, including one dedicated to local son Warhol (which just unveiled its six-block Pop District) and another to the steel industry, called Rivers of Steel. Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center power the city’s #14 University ranking and an overall sense of practicality and stewardship (a reason why urbanist and author Richard Florida launched his career here). New Pittsburgh residents often marvel at the city’s joyful walkability (#24) and hills everywhere, made more fun by Mount Washington’s funiculars—the last such operating inclines in America and remnants of a system that once contained 17 around the city. Pittsburgh Brewing is writing the city’s next sudsy chapter with a 40-acre destination site along the Allegheny River in an 1883 complex.

36. New Haven, CT

Five U.S. presidents studied and lived here, as well as countless members of Congress, Supreme Court justices, Hollywood stars and captains of industry. Yale University (tied for tops in our University subcategory), founded in 1701 and one of America’s oldest institutions of higher learning, has educated many of the country’s best and brightest, but it’s also the cultural and economic center of this leafy, seaside city, whose residents take full advantage of all the resources on offer in a capital of power and prestige. The fact that more than a third of adult residents have at least a bachelor’s degree earns New Haven a #36 ranking for Educational Attainment. Yale (including its medical center) is also the city’s largest employer and largest taxpayer, making this effectively a company town. The school also attracts and retains international talent, and ranks an impressive #32 in our Foreign-Born Resident subcategory. New Haven’s living museum vibe (including some of the stealthiest examples of American architecture in the nation) can be appreciated by foot, given the #13 Walk Score ranking, or by bike (#14), with a requisite picnic at 350-year-old parks like New Haven Green (now with free wifi!).

37. Tucson, AZ

Fast-growing Tucson is getting its sun-kissed, well-toned arms around its distinct sense of place. Take its unique culinary attributes: America’s first UNESCO City of Gastronomy boasts citizens like Barrio Bread’s James Beard Award-winning Don Guerra, who serves up baked perfection using locally grown heritage grains, and local favorites like Borderlands Brewing retooling its hefeweizen with white Sonora wheat. Buzzy newcomers are also launching locally first, whether it’s the newly opened BATA (where 90% of all ingredients are sourced within 400 miles of your table), or new hot spots by Maria Mazon, of Top Chef fame, whose BOCA Tacos y Tequila has long been required eating. Tucson’s #34 Restaurant ranking will rise. Local stewardship has also embraced Tucson’s urban bounty, especially with the 150-acre Barrio Viejo neighborhood, sprinkled with Pueblo Revival architecture dating back to the 1800s. New creative businesses have opened in the historic buildings; the iconic 108-year-old Teatro Carmen is being restored (an investment sure to bolster Tucson’s top 25 Programming ranking); and there are whispers that a National Historic Landmark designation for the district is imminent.

38. Madison, WI

Madison’s enviable position as both capital of Wisconsin and the site of the state’s largest university (ranked #20 in the nation) has certainly fueled its livability in previous rankings (ours and seemingly everyone else’s). The city is firing on all cylinders, buoyed by high-paying work that’s long evolved from academia and public service to splinter into ascendant tech start-ups and satellite offices eager to recruit U of W talent in health care, IT and manufacturing… all amid an unprecedented talent shortage. Case in point—Madison gained more technology sector jobs in the first year of the pandemic than in the prior half decade, according to a report by Brookings Institution. The employment boom is powering Madison to #18 in our overall Prosperity category. Even big dogs like American Family Insurance have arrived in town, lured by its smarts (#7 for Educational Attainment) and relative, but fleeting, housing affordability. The city even seems to have that riddle solved for the time being, boasting the fourth-lowest poverty rate in America. The ability to get around without paying for a car may help the city’s cause: it ties at #14 for Biking.

39. Cleveland, OH

Few American cities boast a rebirth story like Cleveland’s. Fifty-four years after the Cuyahoga River infamously caught fire in 1969, the “City of Champions” walks taller. Increasingly diversified universities and colleges welcome students with open arms… and with 40-plus breweries, growing urban wineries (you read that right) and lauded restaurants that don’t just fill bellies but also mission statements. Take the EDWINS Leadership and Restaurant Institute in the Buckeye–Shaker neighborhood, which teaches former prisoners culinary trades and gives them a professional footing. It’s just one reason why the city’s #41 Restaurants ranking is poised to ascend. The city is full of this kind of practical ambition and doing the right thing: from the newly renamed MLB Cleveland Guardians to the work of the new Cleveland Talent Alliance that aims to make the city “one of the fastest growing and most diverse, inclusive and welcoming metro areas in the Midwest by 2030,” according to David Gilbert, president and CEO of Destination Cleveland. Young talent has plenty of reasons to stay, from affordable housing to a revitalized, walkable downtown with an impressive cache of 19th-century architecture and stately streetscapes.

40. Portland, ME

It may be Maine’s capital, but at just over half a million people, the other Portland is the smallest city in our top 100 that ranks as high as it does. It offers a special blend of post-pandemic urban attributes: smart people (#13 for Educational Attainment), Biking (#11) and natural endowment (#14 for Outdoors)—the latter two powering its impressive #15 finish in our important Place category. Expect to hear more about “Forest City” soon, given local investment and, um, more global factors. Let’s start macro: the New York Times cited numerous climate change experts that chose Portland as a highly resilient city, not prone to seawater flooding (it’s high up), air pollution (remote!) or wildfires, with plenty of fresh, clean water. The city is building for the coming climate migrants (or at least the WFH ones) and is undergoing unprecedented development, led by the Old Port’s Portland Foreside, the largest development project the city has seen in decades, to be completed by 2026. The mixed-use neighborhood will consist of more than 60 businesses and 600 housing units in a 10-acre, eight-block district where trains were built for more than a century.

41. Albuquerque, NM

Diverse cultures, authentic art and dynamic traditions have shaped a centuries-old story in Albuquerque. There’s the vintage neon glow of Route 66, the pink hues of the Sandia Mountains at sunset and the cottonwood bosque of the Rio Grande. ABQ ranks #39 in our Product category—indicative of deep infrastructure and local investment—including a #19 ranking in the Museums subcategory. In a city rich in cultural heritage from Spain, Mexico and local Indigenous Peoples, the architecture is as diverse as the cuisine, inspired by a colorful (and spicy) palate: green and red chiles are staples—even in desserts. Despite this daring gastronomy, people still won’t believe that Albuquerque ranks #37 for Restaurants in America. ’Burque, in local parlance, is also a cultural hot spot, stacked with more than 100 galleries, a symphony orchestra, theaters and even an opera scene. Its shopping, ranked #15 in the country—ahead of places like Boston and D.C.—may be even more surprising than the restaurants. New hotels are opening, and the Avanyu Plaza is destined to be a business and cultural corridor in the heart of the city.

42. Columbus, OH

Setting it apart from many Midwest metros, Ohio’s capital and largest city is one of America’s fastest-growing places—an economic powerhouse that’s also home to Ohio State University (#25 in our University subcategory). And Buckeye football isn’t the university’s only contribution to the local economy: with more OSU graduates deciding to stay in town, Columbus is an emerging tech mecca with a thriving arts scene. The city is buoyed by a growing number of start-ups, as well as by top employer Ohio State and Fortune 500s (for which Columbus ranks #26) like Nationwide Mutual Insurance and L Brands. Urban reuse and development is everywhere, from small bets on branding retail strips like the new Common Thread fashion district to doubling down on fortifying historic places like the Trolley District with its craft breweries and restaurants. The Peninsula neighborhood is a new-build destination anchored by the 198-room Makeready property called The Junto, stacked with 13,000 feet of event and meeting space, restaurants and cafés. For lovers of the outdoors, the nearby Quarry Trails Park is going to be the site of the country’s first urban via ferrata, a popular style of fixed-rope and rung climbing.

43. Richmond, VA

Richmond has always radiated a “genteel and understated nature,” as the New York Times observed in a sugar-coated acknowledgment of the cruel history of this capital of the Confederacy. The city today is a radiant blood diamond stepping bravely toward confronting a past that slavery built, and becoming stronger and more vital to the union for it. Its #27 ranking in our Sights & Landmarks subcategory is indicative of Richmond’s legacy and its fight to do right by it. The Richmond region has always embraced green space, with gems like the James River Park system a destination for both the active (kayaking and rafting) to the pensive who just want to read under the shadow of a willow oak. The city’s Outdoors ranking of #49 will improve as Confederate monuments are reimagined as inclusive public spaces across the city. Speaking of education, the city’s #28 Museums ranking just got a boost with the $30-million reno of the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, including regional partnerships with institutions around the state—such as one with the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia.

44. Charleston, SC

A beguiling fusion of built environment and coastal transition landscapes—golden islands, channels and marshes—Charleston is one of North America’s most architecturally significant destinations, drawing design pilgrims and sharing its own, too (artist Shepard Fairey is a local). Post-pandemic Charleston is reclaiming its place on elevated travel itineraries and in the hearts of investors. The anticipated Moxy Charleston Downtown should be open by the time you read this, joining devoutly local The Palmetto, which just opened in the city’s French Quarter. Its traditionally strong Place ranking is led by its #7 spot for its sublime parks and outdoors. A city rich in cultural, natural and military heritage, Charleston is #8 for Museums, and will improve that ranking with the recent opening of the vital, $100-million International African American Museum on the former site of Gadsden’s Wharf, the horrific disembarkation point into American slavery for an estimated 30,000 African people over centuries—the largest such port in the country. It illuminates the influential, underreported histories of Africans and their descendants in South Carolina, highlighting their diasporic connections throughout the nation and the world.

45. Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee threads the needle on post-pandemic magnetism, offering economic opportunity, courtesy of its Fortune 500 Companies (#17) and urban authenticity with big-city excitement. Located on America’s third coast, Wisconsin’s largest city combines cherished traditions and open arms (and housing affordability). It celebrates its beer heritage (ranking #24 for Nightlife) and a vibrant farm-to-table culinary scene—built from a century of feeding and brewing for a continent. Try the Milwaukee Public Market for a quick bite, or Braise for an indulgent one. Plans to expand the downtown Milwaukee convention center are proceeding, building on a downtown renewal kickstarted by the Northwestern Mutual Tower and Commons in 2017, Fiserv Forum (home of the NBA Bucks) in 2018 and the BMO Tower. Milwaukee’s freshest news is the rebirth of Bronzeville, a vibrant African American district from the early 1900s that was bulldozed in the 1960s when freeway construction (and racist urban policy) removed more than 8,000 homes and businesses. Organizations led by people of color have contributed $400 million so far, with the reopening of America’s Black Holocaust Museum last year drawing praise and even more curious tourists—and prospective talent—for years to come.

46. Hartford, CT

With deep roots as an original American town—first as a Connecticut River trading post in 1633 that colonized Podunk settlements and then today as one of the country’s most prosperous and well-educated cities—Hartford’s investment in placemaking is paying off. It has America’s oldest public park, respects visionaries with honors like a sculpture park dedicated to Abraham Lincoln and is home to Katharine Hepburn’s gravesite. It revels in its role nurturing Mark Twain’s childhood imagination, which would fuel the celebrated author for decades. And, yes, you can visit his home (now the Mark Twain House & Museum). It’s #15-ranked Walk Score speaks to a pre-car urban grid. But Hartford doesn’t dwell in the past, even as it plans for its 400th anniversary in 2035: ranking #28 for Fortune 500 companies in town, this “insurance capital of the world” is investing in its thriving arts and entertainment scene, a revitalized riverfront and even more parks and public gardens, especially as the Hartford400 investment is secured. With a #19 ranking for Educational Attainment by its citizenry, it seems like the smart thing to do.

47. Cincinnati, OH

Cincinnati has simmered with vibrancy for a few years now, and as second-tier cities ascend, its time has come. Already an economic force—with a Fortune 500 Companies ranking of #12 and a top 25 finish in our Cost-of-Living-Adjusted Earnings subcategory, the city is investing in its ability to get business done. A new downtown district surrounding the Duke Energy Convention Center should be completed by 2025, which will drastically improve the city’s already impressive #19 Convention Center ranking. A new, colossal business hotel is also part of the plan, joining notable new properties like the Lytle Park Hotel on the stunning grounds of its eponymous urban park, and the Kinley Hotel, which restored a stately 1910 building downtown. The 21c Museum Hotel bridges hospitality with the city’s emergent arts and culture clout, and the reopening of the architecturally glorious 140-year-old Music Hall means a proper home for the symphony, ballet and opera. The expanded Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is also the new home for the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company and gives the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood real cultural chops, while nearby sub-subterranean hot spot Ghost Baby helps its #28 Nightlife ranking.

48. Indianapolis, IN

Come for the red-hot economic growth, stay for affordable neighborhoods where the median sale price of a single-family home hovers around $250,000, according to local numbers. Even the bougie houses near Northside can be snagged for under $400,000. True to its reputation as the capital of speed, Indianapolis is home to workers who fuel a diverse economy anchored by Fortune 500s that rank #34 nationally—and some of the shortest commutes of any metro area. Indy is calling 2023 “The Year of the Build,” led by projects like the Bicentennial Unity Plaza, anchored by restaurants, event spaces, a community basketball court, outdoor spaces and local art. The Pan Am Plaza will add much-needed new downtown meeting space and hotel rooms when it opens in 2026. This follows the $300-million transformation of the world’s largest Coca-Cola bottling facility into the Bottleworks District, featuring the new Bottleworks Hotel and Garage Food Hall, the city’s new culinary hub. Play is big here, too. Spots like the Canal Walk promenade and the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis (the largest institution of its kind in the world) helped earn Indy an impressive #15 ranking in our Attractions subcategory.

49. Durham, NC

Durham is one of America’s top college towns—anchored by Duke (ranked #6 in our University subcategory), a private research university with a global academic reach and alumni like Melinda Gates and Apple CEO Tim Cook. After several semesters of lockdowns and with fewer students to fuel Durham’s usual vibrancy, the city is getting back up off the mat. Making up for lost time is everywhere, led by Raleigh-Durham International Airport, a 20-minute drive from campus and a vital part of putting this small North Carolina city on the flight paths of almost a dozen carriers pre-pandemic. A $650-million upgrade, including an expanded terminal, is funded by the 2021 federal infrastructure program and will improve the city’s already impressive #30 Airport Connectivity ranking and help bring the world back to town. After all, a citizenry that boasts a #8 ranking for Educational Attainment and that enjoys the seventh-best Cost-of-Living-Adjusted Earnings in America is increasingly a magnet for site selectors. Take Google, which opened its Google Cloud office in town last year as part of the plan to hire 1,000 when its engineering hub is operational.

50. Kansas City, MO

Affordable yet packed with ascendant culture (ranked #26), pro sports (tied for #17) and plenty of delectable food (that KC ’cue!), Kansas City offers a perfect balance of big-city amenities like great jobs and a healthy economy combined with an easygoing Midwestern vibe. Routinely ranked as one of the best cities for working women, KC ranks an impressive #23 in our Cost-of-Living-Adjusted Earnings among residents, as well as in the top 25 in the nation in our Knowledge-Based Businesses subcategory. All those paychecks go far here, with one-bedroom downtown rentals hovering around $1,000, free high-speed Internet and a trolley system (also free) that together nurture a low-key tech talent influx in a place that was the first home of the Google Fiber network. The city is brimming with ambition. It was here, after all, where in the late 1800s city leaders promised “more boulevards than Paris, more fountains than Rome.” Today there are 200 fountains, 48 open to the public. A newly opened Kansas City International Airport terminal boasts 39 gates, and has set the bar globally for inclusivity, with women- and minority-owned businesses, and services for all travelers.

51. Providence, RI

The smallest state in America has a capital city with plenty of smart and creative people and a happening nightlife. Home to an Ivy League school, one of the best design schools in the country and a major culinary institute, Providence sure packs a big punch. The city boasts Brown University, ranking #7 nationally in the University subcategory. Another source of boasting: plenty of fresh air to go along with the fresh perspectives of academia and serious cultural clout, which ranges from the Rhode Island School of Design Museum of Art to the WaterFire Arts Center. Bring a warm coat and comfy shoes, though, because this walkable city dazzles with its pocket urbanity and eighth-best Walk Score in America, from Brown’s historic campus on 18th-century College Hill with its stunning Georgian-style homes to 30 miles of waterfront and some of the most illuminating walking tours in the country to spotlight the #40-ranked Sights & Landmarks. Fortunately there are an incredible 400+ restaurants in the city, including Farm Fresh RI’s new, 60,000-square-foot food hub, or Italian must-try Bellini Providence on the rooftop of the Beatrice, Providence’s first boutique property in a decade.

52. Omaha, NE

Nebraska’s largest city has always worked overtime to carve out its place on the banks of the Missouri River in pretty much the middle of the (contiguous) country. Billionaire Warren Buffett never left, but this financial industry fun fact about the Berkshire Hathaway CEO’s loyalty doesn’t surprise Omaha locals, who know that their city is one of the best spots in the country to start a business, raise a family and let your hair down on a Saturday night. Thanks in no small part to Buffett, Omaha is #28 in the nation for Fortune 500 firms in town, boasting the most (seven) of any city with fewer than a million people. The city has been on a tear economically throughout the pandemic, with the 15th-lowest poverty rate in the nation. But it’s not just stalwarts like Berkshire, Union Pacific, Mutual of Omaha, Kiewit or Werner that keep this city bustling: a growing tech sector has earned Omaha the nickname “Silicon Prairie,” and its #29 ranking for Nightlife rocks, often fueled by hometown musicians. Many of those are from local record label Saddle Creek, and are inspired by the path once forged by artists like Bright Eyes and The Faint.

53. Buffalo, NY

Long and erroneously viewed as a faded Rust Belt afterthought overshadowed by Toronto’s global ascent and the tourist magnetism of Niagara Falls, Buffalo has quietly gone about its work of reinvention. The second-most populated city in the state behind New York City has invested too much capital—intellectual, economic and especially architectural—over the past two centuries to not strive for its former prosperity as home of the Erie Canal and one of America’s largest steel, grain and banking centers. It is the only city in America where the country’s three most iconic architects have buildings still standing: Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House, plus the recently restored Graycliff; Louis Sullivan’s Guaranty Building; and, perhaps most impressive, the Henry Hobson Richardson-designed “Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane,” with grounds by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. The complex’s 13 buildings are slowly being repurposed—into a luxury hotel and co-working spaces to start. Is it any wonder that the city ranks #26 nationally for Sights & Landmarks? Or #35 for Instagram Hashtags? The rebirth is also walkable, with Buffalo ranking #15 for its Walk Score.

54. Oxnard, CA

Oxnard, sandwiched between more famous Malibu and Santa Barbara, is an increasingly poorly kept secret, an hour north of L.A. and spreading out into California’s Gold Coast. With direct access to seven beaches (four of them state beaches), clichéd California sun and the coastal mountains, it’s a coveted bedroom community for those who can work remotely most of the time, as well as an easy weekend trip from the big city. The latter just got more tempting with the recent renovation and rebrand of Southern California’s only all-suite oceanfront resort, now called Zachari Dunes, with 250 rooms right on the beach. The city’s diversified economy, including agriculture, oil, shipping, and business and financial services, contributes to Oxnard’s affluence and its low, #25-ranked Poverty Rate. The city also ranks #14 for foreign-born locals seeking opportunity in a high-growth California powerhouse. Port Hueneme, right next door, is the only major navigable port in California between Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay. Oxnard also scores high for its BIPOC Residents (#18).

55. Provo, UT

One of the smallest cities by population in our top 100, Provo is only the fourth-largest city in Utah. Still, with the Wasatch peaks to the east and Utah Lake to the west, Provo is an outdoor enthusiast’s playground. It’s home to Brigham Young University (ranked #39 in our University subcategory) and forms part of what’s become known as Silicon Slopes, Utah’s start-up and tech community that’s largely responsible for almost 60,000 new residents coming to the metro area over the past two years. Easy access to water sports and ski resorts, plus the city’s own 53 green spaces (totaling 2,000 acres, plus 33 miles of trails), means people work to live their best life (often on two wheels, given the city’s #19 spot in our Biking subcategory). But the real driver of this small but mighty city is its entrepreneurialism and #19-ranked Prosperity in the country, including the third-lowest Poverty Rate in the nation. Technology, health care and education are among the city’s major industries, with an economy that’s propelled by a highly educated population: Provo ranked #15 for Educational Attainment.

56. Albany, NY

Anchored on the shore of the Hudson River, state capital Albany holds the political power despite being overshadowed by that other New York city downriver. Incredibly connected by road, rail and the #68-ranked airport in America, Albany offers a prosperous place to put down roots. Not surprisingly, the state capital attracts an educated citizenry (#23 in our Educational Attainment subcategory) and is home to a dozen schools, led by the #26-ranked University at Albany, SUNY. It has also attracted talent throughout the pandemic, many from New York City, and has grown by more than 20,000 new residents over the past two years. Albany is a capital of culture, too, boasting an enviable location, with the Berkshires, Adirondacks and burgeoning Finger Lakes wine region—and, yes, the Big Apple—all just a few hours away. The city prides itself on its history, and its 18th- and 19th-century homes and compact, walkable core (ranked #22 for Walk Score) let people take to the streets, enjoying an emergent dining scene that’s poised for big things as the city emerges in both its old and (given the influx of new residents) new forms.

57. Colorado Springs, CO

Situated at the base of Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs is a wonderland for those who love their freedom and adventure. But it’s the urbanism that surprises many, with a love for terroir and local sustainability exuding a palpable pride of place. Places like Ivywild School, a local community marketplace for groceries or coffee to go, share good vibes with newly opened spots like The Well food and beverage hall. The city is also magnetic, even during—or more likely because of—the pandemic’s urban exodus from larger centers, as it grew by more than 30,000 people over the past two years. And they’re bringing their smarts along with their $8,000 mountain bikes. The city ranks #23 in the nation for Educational Attainment, and the influx of new businesses and entrepreneurs, combined with the return of tourism to family-friendly attractions that rank #18 in America, will mean a reversal of stubbornly high unemployment. Of course no hardship here comes even close to the horror of November 19, 2022, when a gunman opened fire at Club Q, the city’s popular LGBTQ+ nightclub and community hub, murdering five people and wounding more than a dozen.

58. El Paso, TX

Safe (the “Safest City in America!” if you listen to loud and proud former mayor Dee Margo), progressive and proudly Latino, this West Texas city bordering New Mexico and Mexico is today still collecting on its 2012 $500-million bond initiative that funded a children’s museum, a new arena, a cultural center and more—all downtown. A quintessential minor-league downtown ballpark and a reborn transit system mothballed in the ’70s demonstrate an innovative pride of place that more small cities should endeavor to emulate. Today, that streetcar travels a five-mile route in two loops, servicing the city’s recently expanded medical schools, and through El Paso’s uptown and downtown areas, inspiring self-propelled urban exploration that reveals the city’s #40-ranked restaurants in America. Suffice it to say that EP’s steak and Mexican joints can hold their own against those anywhere. The city benefits from its direct cultural and economic ties to Mexico and Latin America, with its population mostly of Hispanic origin (80%) and ranking #7 in our Foreign-Born Residents subcategory, and #2 for its BIPOC population. Given the city’s ascent, it’s a good thing downtown hotel capacity has doubled over the pandemic.

59. Louisville, KY

It’s easy to love Louisville. These days, the city is loving itself back, with ambitious projects to enhance its finest attributes. Start with the Churchill Downs renovation that has the country talking: the legendary racetrack just unveiled a new grandstand and visitor improvements in time to celebrate next year’s 150th anniversary of the Kentucky Derby in style. The epicenter of bourbon culture is home to 2,500 restaurants, several manned by James Beard honorees, that are responsible for the city’s #36 Restaurants ranking. With 1.8 million Louisville Slugger bats made locally every year—the lumber of choice for legend Babe Ruth—it’s no surprise that the eponymous Hitting Science Center’s newly opened hub for exercise scientists, athletes and curious ball fans is swinging. If your idea of legendary is The Greatest, there’s the three-level Muhammad Ali Center, a powerful ode to the Louisville native son. With all the investment in its iconic history and industry, the city’s #39 ranking for Attractions will improve quickly in the coming years. The seven-acre mixed-use historic Paristown redevelopment that just opened, anchored by Old Forester’s Paristown Hall (the city’s newest entertainment venue), will see to that.

60. Rochester, NY

Rochester was one of the country’s first boom towns. The fertile Genesee River Valley powered rampant entrepreneurship in flour mills, then manufacturing, then world-rattling innovation, from Kodak to Western Union to Xerox. Today, the third-largest city in New York State may no longer boast the head offices it once did, but the stately homes—now so affordable, with a median single-family house price around $190,000—remain. And so does the city’s legacy of research and development. The region’s universities (including the #19-ranked University of Rochester and Rochester Institute of Technology) have renowned research programs. The pipeline of talent could turn the trickle of companies opening up in the city into a torrent as the war for skilled talent intensifies. Its #38 ranking in Educational Attainment speaks volumes about the good hands that steer this former industrial titan, especially these days. Fresh off of hosting the 2023 PGA Championship in May, Rochester is also unveiling its newly expanded children-focused Strong National Museum of Play, which anchors the newly developed “Neighborhood of Play” district, built on the former Inner Loop area that will include housing, commercial space, retail, a brewery, restaurants and a hotel.

61. Jacksonville, FL

Jax has jobs and a low cost of living, which together have lured more than 50,000 new residents over the past couple of years. And it’s delivered for that new talent, even throughout the pandemic. The Wall Street Journal , working with Moody’s Analytics, declared the city one of the top three strongest job markets in America earlier this year, and the city ranks #34 for Fortune 500 Companies and #37 for Knowledge-Based Businesses. The region also boasts supply-chain resiliency as a logistics hub with a seaport, two major interstate highways and plentiful rail and air connections. Also compelling is the homegrown talent pipeline filled by the University of North Florida as well as by Florida State College at Jacksonville. Downtown development is hot, with the new Shipyards district and naval museum leading the way. But nature is the true payoff here, with just a short drive to beaches and the country’s largest urban parks system (the city ranks #24 for Outdoors). The newly consolidated 7 Creeks Recreation Area offers adventure opportunities across 5,600 uninterrupted acres and represents one of the most expansive new networks of parks in America.

62. Memphis, TN

Tennessee’s second-largest city is an American icon that has been quietly adding to the national lore from the bluffs and floodplains that line the eastern bank of the Mississippi River for more than two centuries. The heart of the Delta Blues and famously home to Graceland, the “spiritual birthplace” of Elvis, it is the lesser-known Music City, USA. But those two honors can’t hold a pick to Memphis’ contributions to the civil rights movement. Or to its barbecue. With so many stories to tell (most recently in the starring role of its native son’s biopic), the city ranks #27 nationally in our Museums subcategory—home to the National Civil Rights Museum as well as the aforementioned Graceland—and #17 for its BIPOC citizenry. It’s not surprising that others are telling the city’s stories these days: Memphis ranks a notable #27 in the nation for Tripadvisor Reviews, #30 for Instagram Hashtags and #31 in our overall Promotions category. And business is good, with a #28 ranking for Fortune 500 Companies, with corporate titans including FedEx and AutoZone headquartered here. Affordable housing and new downtown investment—from Memphis Central Station to the magnetic Tom Lee Park—have Memphis buzzing.

63. Grand Rapids, MI

Sure, it gets cold in Grand Rapids, but that doesn’t keep residents of Michigan’s laidback second city from living all four seasons outdoors. That might mean picnicking or paddling along the Grand (the state’s longest river), pursuits soon to be even more fruitful once the $55-million Grand River Greenway Project revitalizes the locally loved waterway with a network of parks and trails that will surely improve the city’s #61 Outdoors ranking—which already considers the city’s 1,200 acres of green space. A string of nearby Lake Michigan white-sand beach towns also adds to the freshwater bounty. But it’s in its urbanism that Grand Rapids shines brightest. With the existing Rust Belt palette of stately homes, ornate downtown warehouses and Edwardian mid-rises, it blends reuse (an inspiration for many of the 40+ breweries in town) with walkable, safe streets (it ranks #37 for its Walk Score). A hotel boom over the past decade means 15+ downtown properties, including the recently opened boutique gems Morton Hotel and The Finnley. The city is economically buzzing, with the 19th-lowest Poverty Rate ranking in the country, as well as a #41 ranking for its Cost-of-Living-Adjusted Earnings.

64. Riverside, CA

They call it the City of Arts and Innovation, but Riverside, an hour’s drive east of L.A., also lays claim to being the birthplace of the California citrus industry, a fact honored at the 248-acre California Citrus State Historic Park. Living up to its nickname, Riverside is also home to the Riverside Metropolitan Museum (helping raise its Museums ranking to #75) and, as of last year, the Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art and Culture. The city boasts one of the nation’s most ethnically diverse populations (ranked #14 for Foreign-Born Residents), with citizens of Hispanic descent making up 53% of the local population, while nearly 44% of citizens speak a language other than English. The city’s BIPOC population ranks #9. Like a reflection of the community around it, University of California, Riverside (ranked #39 in our University subcategory), is one of the nation’s most ethnically varied postsecondary institutions. Expect to hear a lot more about Riverside (or, as its region is called, “the Inland Empire”). Projections say that over the next 25 years it will grow twice as fast as the rest of California—by 20% and up to almost 5,700,000 people.

65. Virginia Beach, VA

Few East Coast cities blend the urban and natural like Virginia Beach. With 38 miles of coastline at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay, it has long been a respite from D.C.’s sweltering summers. Nature abounds, with an appropriate #18 ranking for Outdoors. The pristine, endless sandy beach, charmingly framed by a three-mile, 140-year-old boardwalk, is the city’s top draw, both for locals in the know and for returning visitors who flock here to reinvigorated post-pandemic events like the country’s longest-running surf contest. The iconic boardwalk is home to a treasure trove of family-friendly attractions that rank #28 in the country in our Attractions subcategory. Much of the nationally top 50-ranked shopping and dining can be found here, too. The massive visitor economy is humming post-pandemic with headline-grabbing investment from local international superstar and Grammy-winning artist Pharrell Williams, who not only relaunched the star-studded Something in the Water Festival in April, but is also working with the city to build The Wave, a four-acre surf park. It’s part of a massive $330-million development project called Atlantic Park.

66. Oklahoma City, OK

In this long-time business center for the energy, biosciences and aerospace sectors, binary thinking just doesn’t cut it. Yes, a new $288-million downtown convention center boasting 200,000 square feet of exhibition space and a 35,000-square-foot ballroom resulted in a #24 ranking in our Convention Center subcategory. But there’s also the only urban whitewater-rafting facility in the world—an official Olympic and Paralympic training site the city is building as the globe’s finest rowing racecourse while investing $25 million in a public whitewater-kayaking facility for all skill levels. This builds on the 2016 opening of the city’s whitewater-rafting facility, Riversport OKC, one of only six man-made whitewater courses in the country. No wonder the city ranks #62 Outdoors and recently received a multi-year grant from the Outdoor Foundation, dedicated to equitable outdoor access for all. Local sports and events will get even better with next year’s opening of the $100-million OKC Fairgrounds Coliseum. The city is increasingly a new hometown for thousands of families, too, drawn by its affordable housing and #42 spot in our Knowledge-Based Businesses subcategory.

67. Lancaster, PA

Welcome to America’s oldest Amish settlement. Pennsylvania Dutch Country—or Red Rose City, as Lancaster is also known—is further distinguished for having been the state capital for a single day, by its 29 covered (or “kissing”) bridges and for the country’s oldest continually running theater (the circa-1852 Fulton Opera House), along with its central location on the New York–Washington distribution corridor 80 miles west of Philadelphia. From 1700s architecture to modern art galleries, there’s history in every step here. With a #31 ranking for Shopping (vintage clothes, country quilts, antiques, contemporary jewelry and more), it landed at #68 overall in our Programming category. It’s also safe and walkable, ranking #4 for its Walk Score. Business is very good, too. Manufacturing, food processing (Kellogg Company operates here), finance and insurance are major employers. So is health care, a sector that’s growing: the Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute’s $48-million Proton Therapy Center opened two years ago. The economic activity has propelled Lancaster into the top half of America’s most prosperous cities (#46) and is reflected in the 13th-lowest Poverty Rate in the nation.

68. Harrisburg, PA

For centuries, the capital of Pennsylvania has been making American history on the banks of the Susquehanna River with views of the Appalachians’ Blue Ridge Mountains. Today, this is the economic heart of about 400 surrounding communities, including Hershey, with the government as the main employer, and more recent key arrivals like health services and IT. Home to City Island, a mile-long, 63-acre oasis accessible by car or walking bridge that was used as a resting spot for soldiers during the Civil War, historic Harrisburg ranks #13 in our Walk Score category and is best explored on foot. It’s also humming economically, boasting an impressive group of Fortune 500 firms (#43) that rely on the six local college campuses in and around town for smarts to fill the pipeline for the 40,000+ government jobs alone. Fortunately, Harrisburg residents rank #59 in the nation for Educational Attainment of its citizens. Appropriately, Harrisburg University will soon reap the rewards of a new $130-million, 386,200-square-foot UPMC Health Sciences Tower, which houses its many health-care programs.

69. Des Moines, IA

As young talent reconsiders big cities, Des Moines is increasingly part of the conversation. Iowa’s state capital is a business mecca—financial services and insurance businesses hold corporate court here—with an artsy side, bustling late into the evening with a blend of daring nightlife (ranked a surprising #49), culture and heartland hospitality. Add in the low, low cost of living, where average rents are well under a grand and houses list under $250,000 (although that real estate has spiked more than 8% in the past year), and is it any wonder that prairie-cool Des Moines, which welcomed more than 30,000 new residents in the past two years alone, is one of the fastest-growing cities in the Midwest? With billions being invested into data centers by the likes of Apple, Amazon and Microsoft, expect even more arrivals. Des Moines also ranks #32 for Educational Attainment among its citizenry—always a good sign for paving the way for future talent. Equally impressive are the city’s major corporate outposts of Nationwide and Wells Fargo that round out a thriving finance and insurance sector that powers the city to #22 in our Cost-of-Living-Adjusted Earnings category.

70. Fresno, CA

Often overshadowed by its coastal peers, Fresno, central California’s largest inland city at more than one million people for the first time in its history, is much more than a farming town. The city is also a hub for manufacturing, education and health care. Its central location, about halfway between Los Angeles and Silicon Valley, has long drawn entrepreneurs seeking connection to California’s power centers. Of course, farming has contributed to the economic resiliency. Fresno County’s economic output from agriculture adds up to more than $8 billion annually, providing ample opportunity for its large foreign-born population (ranked #17 in the nation). Fresno also ranks #4 in our BIPOC Residents subcategory. The city’s revitalized downtown is poised to transform even more within the next decade with the arrival of California’s high-speed rail system and hundreds of new condo and loft units. A vibrant farm-to-table dining scene (#47) is rising, with new restaurants, breweries and even a long-anticipated downtown wine bar that’s sure to improve the city’s culinary ranking. Near-perfect weather and easy access to Yosemite and Sequoia national parks mean plenty of outdoor adventure to work off the local feasting.

71. Poughkeepsie, NY

Known as “The Queen City of the Hudson,” Poughkeepsie, a two-hour drive or 90-minute train ride north of New York City, is one of the nation’s oldest cities, founded in the idyllic Hudson Valley on the banks of the Hudson River more than three centuries ago by Dutch colonists. It has all the magnetism that would tempt a big-city cash-out: a peaceful, safe downtown (with a population of about 30,000) that’s a joy to walk (with a Walk Score ranking of #27); a college-town levity (Marist is right in town, with Vassar and another handful of schools nearby), and historic architecture that contributes to a top 50 ranking in our overall Place category. It also boasts 22 parks within its MSA, as well as the Walkway over the Hudson State National Park, the world’s longest elevated pedestrian bridge.  Despite its diminutive size and population, Poughkeepsie, perhaps fueled by New Yorkers with the means for a second property or full relocation, is buzzing like it hasn’t in 50 years, with redevelopment and densification along Cannon Street, anchored by the Academy, a mixed-use hub with residential above and a food hall, brewery, bar and the farm-to-table Kitchen restaurant at street level.

72. Tulsa, OK

After the 2019 opening of the $465-million, 66.5-acre Gathering Place urban park, funded by Tulsa philanthropist George Kaiser and named one of Time magazine’s World’s Greatest Places, Tulsa’s city-building went into overdrive. In 2020, Greenwood Rising opened, a new history museum and memorial marking a century since the city’s race massacre, when dozens of Black Tulsans were murdered and hundreds more injured by a deputized white mob that destroyed what was at the time the wealthiest Black community in the country—known as Black Wall Street. Confronting a tragedy that was kept quiet for decades has earned the city respect across the planet. Projects scheduled to open this year include the Williams Crossing bridge across the Arkansas River, and the OKPOP Museum, celebrating Tulsa’s stealthy contributions to American culture. Tulsa has been working the secondary city angle to perfection well before pandemic-necessitated digital nomadism, playing up its affordability and the fact that it is the smallest American city with its own ballet, opera and symphony. The Tulsa Remote program also promised a $10,000 stipend and resettling help to talent who would relocate for a year. To date, more than 2,000 people have made the move.

73. McAllen, TX

A border city with a strong automotive industry, McAllen has seen a recent economic bump with the ratification of the USMCA trade deal. The metro area boasts 42 automotive suppliers employing 40,000 people, mostly highly skilled workers. It’s also attracting companies from across the border, and the city saw major success with the opening of a new facility for the Mexican manufacturing company Tetakawi. McAllen’s airport, one of the state’s busiest, received almost $35 million in upgrades, and improvements to the Anzalduas International Bridge are allowing cargo to cross for the very first time. This diverse city welcomes newcomers (it’s #6 in our Foreign-Born Residents subcategory; BIPOC residents top the nation), attracting people from near and far with its strong manufacturing economy. And, it must be noted in this era of escalating house prices, incredible home ownership affordability. In fact, the city was lauded as the most affordable city for first-time homeowners by Move.org in 2021, with a regional median home value of $87,100. New residents arrive for the quality of life that locals love: the town is safe, warm and sunny, with a vibrant theater scene, including local troupes and touring Broadway productions, which are thriving again.

74. Boise, ID

Boise, with an almost 20% population spike in the past decade (and a projected population of almost 1.4 million by 2060), is one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation, in one of America’s fastest-growing states. But the torrent of new residents has slowed, and the once-ascendant house prices plummeted by almost 15% between March 2022 and 2023, selling for a median price of $459,000. Still, as talent is freed to work remotely, few hometowns can offer ski resorts and epic wineries in such proximity. Not surprisingly, Boise ranks #21 in our Biking subcategory. A strong economy is still humming, with tech sector corporations over-regulated on the West Coast relocating to Idaho’s more welcoming climes and emboldened by OGs like Micron Technology and the blossoming start-up ecosystem the tech giant has sown. The city also ranks #34 for in our Fortune 500 Companies subcategory, so it’s not like lack of work is a deterrent for new residents, as indicated by the 15th-lowest Poverty Rate in America. Downtown development is poised for big things, led by the restoration of the historic Avery building by Michelin-starred chef and Boise native Cal Elliott.

75. Lansing, MI

After taking over the title of state capital from Detroit in 1847, Lansing became an industrial hot spot, with auto manufacturing driving its growth. General Motors remains a major employer, but Lansing’s economy has diversified into insurance, insurtech, medtech and IT businesses. Little wonder it ranks #43 for Fortune 500 Companies and #28 for Cost-of-Living-Adjusted Earnings. Downtown revitalization is bearing fruit, with two hotels—a Hyatt House and AC Hotel by Marriott—opening this year as part of the mixed-use Red Cedar development project that includes much-needed student, senior and market-rate housing, and a 20-acre public park and amphitheater overlooking the Red Cedar River. Charming character homes surround the Capitol Building, and trails line the banks of the Red Cedar and the Grand, yielding a #67 spot for Outdoors, with impressive biking infrastructure (#33). Leafy East Lansing is home to Michigan State University, ranked #35 nationally. MSU’s 5,300-acre campus features three medical schools (two human medicine, one veterinarian)—the most in the country—and was the first to offer a graduate degree in nuclear physics. The new 194-room Graduate East Lansing hotel also just opened nearby.

76. Stockton, CA

A once-sleepy agricultural town, Stockton is an affordable bedroom community for Silicon Valley. But there’s plenty going on within its city limits. Health care and education are the city’s largest sectors, thanks in large part to the University of the Pacific, which helps support a #55 ranking in our University subcategory. Manufacturing and logistics are also major parts of the economy, providing opportunity for Stockton’s diverse population. Despite its inland Central Valley location, Stockton has the unique advantage of a deep-water port connected to the San Francisco Bay courtesy of the San Joaquin River. Its revitalized downtown just welcomed its tallest building, the Stockton Courthouse, and is once again playing host to the numerous outdoor festivals and concerts that take advantage of the excellent weather. Stockton ranks in the top 10 in the country in our Foreign-Born Residents subcategory, as well as #7 for BIPOC Residents, and the city continues to grow, with more than 20,000 people moving here over the pandemic. An ambitious cultural might is on the rise, too, with a $2.5-million renovation of the Haggin Museum’s fine art galleries and local street murals that have never been more vibrant.

77. Lexington, KY

There’s more to the Horse Capital of the World (450-plus local horse farms!) than thoroughbreds. The heart of bourbon country may be the second-smallest city by population in our ranking (after Pensacola), but ranks top 50 for Nightlife, at #49, with everything from party-bike bar hopping to the Bluegrass Trail for craft beer lovers. With Kentucky’s largest mall, the city also ranked #49 for Shopping. Those two subcategories contributed to Lexington’s overall #66 spot for Programming. But it’s the city’s culinary scene that’s boiling over (growth that will improve its current #69 Restaurants ranking soon). New openings include Italian spot Frank and Dino’s, the NYC Korean hot pot chain and do-it-yourself ramen joint KPOT, and truly only-in-Lex picnicking-among-goats at the Horse Lodge. Culinary entrepreneurs (yes, we’re including bourbon distillers here) also have a new home in the old Greyline Station bus terminal, opened recently as a year-round public marketplace featuring a farmers’ market, local restaurants, retail shops, offices and an outdoor entertainment venue. Adjoining Julietta Market has stalls that start-ups can trial to serve as a stepping stone to a retail spot.

78. Worcester, MA

Higher education thrives in Worcester, home to 10 colleges and universities and more than 35,000 students. New England’s second-largest city ranks an impressive #32 for University, thanks to schools like Clark University and Worcester Polytechnic Institute drawing students from all over the country. Given the academic chops, it makes sense that the city ranks #39 for Educational Attainment among its citizenry (more than 30% of residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher). With manufacturing, education and health care driving economic performance, the city also has a growing professional, scientific and technical sector. Worcester is investing in its future, with multiple major projects in the works. One CitySquare is a part of a multiphase, $565-million redevelopment downtown, with housing, hotels, parking, a hospital expansion and more. Main Street Reimagined is an $11-million overhaul in collaboration with the Urban Culture Institute to increase walkability and placemaking on the city’s main strip. The investments are prudent, as Worcester is poised, as many educationally endowed second cities around the country are, to capture new residents looking for affordability, space and local pride in more manageable urban centers.

79. Allentown, PA

With storied Dutch roots, Pennsylvania’s third-largest city boasts four major hospitals, 12 postsecondary institutions and (of course) the Lehigh Valley IronPigs Minor League Baseball team. Health care, technology, energy, manufacturing, professional services and transportation dominate the city’s robust economic scene. With major employers such as Air Products & Chemicals (an international industrial gases company with almost $13 billion in 2022 sales alone) and PPL Corporation (one of the largest regulated utility companies in the country), Allentown ties at #34 nationally for Fortune 500 head offices. Walking among the historic homes and century-old industrial buildings is a joy in a streetscape boasting a Walk Score ranking of #15. The sense of place is growing with the local Neighborhood Improvement Zone’s recent approval of $21 million to upgrade downtown’s outdoor Grand Plaza with a food hall, outdoor area and new retail and office space. And after a decade (and a billion dollars) in downtown improvements, the city is sharing the wealth, with a dozen buildings and an amphitheater planned for the formerly industrial Lehigh Riverfront area. The historic Allentown train station is also being revitalized and will provide heritage leases to local businesses.

80. Ogden, UT

Sitting nearly 4,300 feet above sea level along the northern end of the Wasatch Mountains just 35 miles from Salt Lake City, Ogden appeals mightily to the avid outdoor set and SLC’s swelling workforce of affluent, educated and tech-skilled people now able to avoid big-city headaches with hybrid WFH setups. Ogden is not only an enticing new hometown for urban escapees, it’s also a small but powerful economic dynamo decades in the works. Outdoor products form one of the city’s key industries, along with IT and life sciences (specializing in biopharmaceuticals and medical devices). Another is aerospace and advanced manufacturing, thanks to Ogden’s location two miles from Hill Air Force Base and its 25,000+ jobs. Local Weber State University ensures a robust talent pipeline and recently received a $50-million grant to keep training young high-tech professionals. The quality of outdoor adventure matches the refined citizenry: Snowbasin (host of the 2002 Winter Olympics), giant Powder Mountain and Nordic Valley are some of the West’s most underrated ski resorts, and, come summer, the El Monte and Mount Ogden golf courses can satisfy even the most discerning player.

81. Fayetteville, AR

Situated in the Ozark Mountains and soaking up more than 200 days of sunshine a year, Fayetteville has plenty of outdoor play to offer. Home to the University of Arkansas (ranked #60 in our University subcategory) and its nearly 28,000 students, the Natural State city is also considered the entertainment capital of northwest Arkansas, with everything from live music to street performances. The city is an economic powerhouse, with a top 50 overall ranking for Prosperity in America, at #48. And residents are taking part in the good times, ranking #30 in our Cost-of-Living-Adjusted Earnings subcategory. Fayetteville’s prosperity is even more impressive when you consider that the city is one of the smallest, by population, in our ranking. Key industries include education and technology, with civil engineering about to get a major boost: the U of A’s recently opened $13.8-million, 37,4000-square-foot Civil Engineering Research and Education Center at the Arkansas Research and Technology Park will enable testing of large-scale structural systems and will be a hub for research, academic, government and industrial partners throughout the state.

82. Birmingham, AL

With a confluence of culinary talent (and awards), downtown revitalization and impressive economic projections, Magic City was on its way before the pandemic hit. But despite the crisis, the city’s economy—the one Forbes predicted as a top 10 promising job market based on net employment outlook in early 2020—is holding resilient, with the city ranking #26 in our Cost-of-Living-Adjusted Earnings subcategory. And the past three years have made Birmingham even more magnetic: the city attracted tens of thousands of new residents over the past year—many of them highly skilled folks who raised its Educational Attainment ranking to #68. The city has also resumed its vital work in educating the world about its history as the battlefield of America’s civil rights movement. (Barack Obama signed a proclamation naming the Birmingham Civil Rights District a national monument in one of his final acts as president.) The city’s long culinary simmer, with #70-ranked restaurants, is about to boil over globally, powered by dozens of new hot spots, including five-time James Beard finalist Rob McDaniel’s Helen and the Parisian-inspired Bar La Fête from local power duo Kristen Hall and Victor King.

83. Spokane, WA

Seattle’s real estate gold rush has as many losers as winners, yet those who missed out are continuing to head to this beacon across the Cascade Mountains, sparkling with big-city amenities and ambition—from breweries to placemaking. Few places in the nation have benefited from the work-from-home movement more than this eastern Washington city that provides year-round outdoor adventure at its doorsteps. But the real action is in town, where the nightlife (#49 in the country) matches a feisty and growing culinary scene (#75 for Restaurants). Spokane is the urban heart of Washington’s Walla Walla, Yakima and Columbia wine regions, and the bounty of the land can be savored not only in restaurant wine lists but also at tasting rooms throughout the city. Speaking of Yakima, the region produces 75% of the country’s hops—more than enough to justify a craft beer boom that today includes 30-plus breweries (a number that’s rising quickly). The city’s surrounding wilderness is also woven through its urban grid—a river spanned by gondolas rushes right through downtown—delivering on a long-time motto of “Near Nature, Near Perfect.”

84. Syracuse, NY

“The Cuse” is the economic hub of the central New York region. But after two centuries of industry, Syracuse is reinventing itself as—appropriately—the Green Apple. More than a decade after the founding of the Clean Tech Center, a clean energy business incubator program (one of the first of its kind in the country), the incubator today boasts 30 businesses—and growing. The commitment to cleaner industry and livability extends to daring city planning, with the city set to remove a 1.4-mile stretch of Interstate 81 that has cut through its downtown since the 1950s. Replacing it will be a “community grid” focused on reconnecting neighborhoods, easier mobility and placemaking. It’s all going to entice the thousands of University of Syracuse students (attending the #30-ranked university in the nation), as well as the legions of others attending the area’s college and professional schools to put down roots, especially now that they’re experiencing the campus once more. The city’s 150 parks, two hospitals and the two large summer jazz festivals that give the city its fast-improving #66 ranking in our Culture subcategory will only help the retention cause.

85. Springfield, MA

If the fact that Theodor Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss, hailed from here doesn’t grab your attention (and if you’re not intrigued by Springfield’s The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum), perhaps the fact that the city is within New England’s Knowledge Corridor (the region surrounding Springfield and Hartford, Connecticut, with 29 colleges and universities educating more than 170,000 students annually) will. The economic engine of western Massachusetts, which forms part of the biotech industry’s Super Cluster, is tied at #34 for Fortune 500s in town. The birthplace of basketball—don’t let Canadians tell you otherwise—is home to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and Springfield is doubling down on its Hoop City brand, pursuing a state-of-the-art multi-sport complex next door. The city also shows well for smart citizens, with a #52 ranking for Educational Attainment (with nearly 19% of the population having a bachelor’s degree or higher). Manufacturing, health care, education and life sciences keep the economy robust. Since 2018, more than $400 million in new projects has been announced and opened, including a $14-million Educare school and an orthopedic surgery center at Baystate Health.

86. Greenville, SC

The secret is out on this compact city nestled against the Blue Ridge Mountains, as the tens of thousands of new residents who’ve moved here since the pandemic can attest. They’re drawn by Furman University (ranked #35 in our University subcategory), and a walkable, historic downtown packed with ornate 19th-century warehouses and repurposed mid-rises that radiate from stunning Falls Park on the Reedy and its 40-foot natural waterfall right by Main Street. The considered city-building of previous centuries is obvious in the engineering of the artfully cantilevered Liberty Bridge that spans the falls. The city’s food scene eagerly replenishes pedestrians with almost 200 restaurants (a vast majority of them independent), like the Anchorage and Topsoil Kitchen & Market, both helmed by chefs with James Beard nods. More than a dozen craft breweries pour in town. Greenville is also flexing economically, with the ongoing $1-billion redevelopment of University Ridge, a promontory that once housed a mall near downtown. The project, designed by Foster + Partners of 50 Hudson Yards fame, spans more than a dozen buildings over 37 acres and is expected to draw site selectors over the next decade.

87. Modesto, CA

The Central Valley city has long been the sunny hub for California’s warm-weather agricultural products, including almonds (80% of the world’s supply is produced nearby), tomatoes and grapes. (This is the home of E.&J. Gallo, the largest winery in the country based on sales volume.) All that agricultural labor has attracted a large foreign-born population (#16 in our Foreign-Born Residents subcategory). The city, currently a 90-minute drive from Silicon Valley, is pursuing a future where the commute from Modesto to the world’s largest tech companies will get easier with a new rail service out of the city’s historic train station that will catalyze  downtown development. Modesto’s middling Place ranking (#64) is set to ascend with a new downtown vision prioritizing pedestrian access. Given its focus on restaurants, shops and nightlife, the city’s poor ranking in our Programming category (#99 nationally) will improve as well, especially as people catch on to the fierce locavorism at places like Camp 4 and Churchkey—spots that, along with a dozen more that have opened to feed locals and visitors in the know since the pandemic, will elevate the #91 Restaurant ranking.

88. Wichita, KS

The “Air Capital of the World” (named for its aviation heritage and for the largest concentration of aerospace manufacturing employees in the nation) performs consistently across all our categories, with Programming (#65), led by the city’s impressive #55 ranking in our Culture subcategory, and Promotion (#69), given its #60 ranking in Google Search. But a bit more on Wichita’s cultural clout: the largest city in Kansas is also an arts beacon—often cited as the coolest in the state—with big-city cultural icons like the Wichita Grand Opera and Ballet Wichita. The culinary scene, with its astonishing 1,200 restaurants and 30 food trucks, ranks #59. It got a boost earlier this year with the opening of the National Institute for Culinary and Hospitality Education at WSU Tech’s new downtown culinary school, located inside a former department store. Development is everywhere: in the Historic Delano District (where cowboys caroused in the late 1800s) with a new extended-stay hotel, and downtown, where the $75-million Riverfront Stadium for Minor League Baseball opened two seasons back and developers are turning four vacant buildings into a hotel, health school, culinary college and student housing.

89. Baton Rouge, LA

Louisiana’s capital combines business with pleasure with an aplomb rarely seen elsewhere. It’s what you’d expect from a state capital that’s also home to one of the nation’s proudest student bodies (as seen on most school-year weekends around the #60-ranked Louisiana State University campus, especially during college football tailgating). The 102,321-seat LSU Tiger Stadium is the eighth largest in the world, with the city’s urban grid as the on- and off-ramp to the revelry (giving you a sense that, in the Red Stick, celebrating is almost dialed to 11). But the state’s second-largest city, located a 90-minute drive from New Orleans, is a 300-year-old portal into the American South, through its seemingly weekly festivals that span the diversity of its citizenry, from Irish movie circuits to a decidedly more considered Mardi Gras. Another cultural gateway is the ascendant culinary scene (#61). Classic soul food musts like Sammy’s Grill on Highland (try the gator) are today joined by elevated rooms like Supper Club, as well as modern twists on Cajun cooking like Spoke & Hub. Economically, $11 billion of recently announced industrial projects are spotlighting the 30,000 job openings in drastic need of workers.

90. Columbia, SC

Like most state capitals, South Carolina’s Columbia is an economically diversified, highly livable jewel too often overlooked by tourists and potential residents. While Columbia’s #60 ranking in our Promotion category isn’t exactly making the city blow up online, its #49 spot in our Google Search subcategory means that curiosity is growing. So what’s the (nascent) buzz? There are plenty of perks to being in the capital, and the State House is a splendid tribute to Greek Revival architecture, situated in a sprawling garden filled with monuments. Six-year-old Segra Park (formerly Spirit Communications Park) is back hosting minor league Fireflies games, shows and public events. Speaking of residents, their Educational Attainment is ranked #62, a testament to the #46-ranked University of South Carolina, which adds a youthful dynamism to the historic urban stock here. The Vista warehouse district is just the latest example, where rehabbed architecture attracted the city’s first Aloft hotel a few years back and today is a good place to order a bourbon and get your bearings. If you’re lucky, you may get invited to a fashion week soiree or a USC event. You are in Southern hospitality country, after all.

91. Akron, OH

Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens was once the family home of F.A. Seiberling, co-founder of the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. With five buildings dating back to 1912 and 10 gardens on 70 acres, it’s Akron’s first National Historic Landmark and the nation’s sixth-largest historic home open to the public. We bring this up because the estate symbolizes the wealth that persists in Akron today. One of the world’s leading polymer centers, the city is home to eight Fortune 500 firms, tying for #43 in that subcategory nationally. Not surprisingly, Akron talent benefits, enjoying the #44 spot for Cost-of-Living-Adjusted Earnings. The city is making the single-largest infrastructure investment in its 190-year history. Akron Waterways Renewed is a $300-million project that includes the nearly $200-million, 6,000-foot-long Ohio Canal Interceptor Tunnel, an integrated plan that could be in the works all the way to 2040. In other development news, downtown’s Bowery Project, a $42-million renovation of six historic buildings, is projected to create 2,000 jobs and $245 million in revenue over 20 years. The city is also buzzing culturally, with the Akron Art Museum turning 100 last year.

92. Cape Coral, FL

Sure, there’s southwest Florida’s first Westin property—still gleaming from a $15-million remodel two years back. As well as another big reno just completed at Boca Grande’s historic Old Florida Gasparilla Inn. But people are coming here to live, drawn by the community’s safety and natural beauty, with 400 miles of canals, among the most of any city on the planet. What Cape Coral lacks in the soft, sandy beaches of its neighboring islands it more than makes up for in riverfront vistas, abundant wildlife and outdoor pursuits galore. No wonder it ranks in the top 20 in the nation in our Outdoors subcategory. It’s also one of the most accessible, with Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW)—ranked #36 nationally for Airport Connectivity—a mere 30-minute drive after baggage claim. But this place is a secret no longer, with housing that a couple of years ago would hover around $250,000 today selling swiftly for the mid-$400,000s and more. Rents are following suit, driven by the thousands of new residents who arrive every month, joining the annual student migration into the dozen colleges and community colleges within 50 miles of the city center.

93. Dayton, OH

The first thing Dayton might bring to mind is airplanes, being the place where the Wright brothers developed and manned the world’s first flying machine. You can immerse yourself in all things aviation at spots such as Huffman Prairie Flying Field and the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. However, the Gem City is also the state’s epicenter of the arts. The Bach Society, Dayton Opera, Dayton Ballet, Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company and the Dayton Playhouse are just some of the organizations that thrive here. The Contemporary Dayton and Dayton Art Institute are but two of several galleries. Dayton performs well in our Culture subcategory, at #55. Along with a #70 ranking for Nightlife, the city hit #74 overall for Programming, a category that also includes Restaurants and Shopping. Downtown is buzzing, too, with the new AC Hotel across from the city’s ball park—it’s just the second newly constructed hotel to open downtown in decades. With strong manufacturing, health care and IT sectors, Dayton is the state’s aerospace hub today and in the future, with a ranking in our Cost-of-Living-Adjusted Earnings subcategory of #39 in the nation.

94. Knoxville, TN

Downtown Knoxville’s walkable heart features museums, vibrant murals, local music venues and historic sites. And investment is pouring in. A $22-million hotel in the Old City joins a forthcoming publicly owned $114-million multi-use stadium scheduled to open on the first day of the local Smokies minor league club’s 2025 season. The Stockyard Lofts project has people moving in already. Instead of playing second fiddle to nearby Asheville and Chattanooga, Knoxville is finding its own groove as a destination for enlightened food lovers, with the state’s first James Beard Award-winning chef, Joseph Lenn, running J.C. Holdway right downtown. What makes the food scene so spectacular is the collaboration, most recently activated at the new Marble City Market, downtown Knoxville’s newest dining destination. Expect the #57 Restaurants ranking to improve soon. Knoxville’s superpower isn’t just pocket urbanism: the city features more than 150 miles of trails and greenways, paddle-friendly rivers and forest trails, all within a quick bike or drive. Or, in the case of the 1,000-acre Urban Wilderness park, right within city limits. No wonder Knoxville ranks #40 for Outdoors.

95. Bakersfield, CA

Just across the Tehachapi Mountains, a two-hour drive from Greater Los Angeles, Bakersfield has a vibrant economy and a culture distinctly its own. Economically dominated by agriculture, energy and transportation and logistics, it’s a magnet for a large foreign-born workforce (ranked #18 nationally). Kern County is the top oil-producing county in the U.S., accounting for 10% of the nation’s production. Bakersfield’s amazing weather has made it a hub for solar power generation, with numerous commercial and utility scale arrays constructed or proposed. As the home of the Bakersfield sound, a unique country music genre made famous by Merle Haggard and Buck Owens, the city is no cultural slouch, with a #92 ranking for Culture that should rise as the city continues investing in a historic downtown arts district that’s packed with murals, sculptures, galleries, theaters and stage houses. New restaurants have improved the #58 Restaurants ranking, while long-awaited redevelopment of the three-story, 44,000-square-foot mid-century modern icon known as the Woolworth’s building is finally afoot. It will house offices and community space and is expected to expedite the ongoing return of financial and tech companies to Bakersfield’s downtown.

96. Pensacola, FL

The smallest city in our ranking shines as bright as its Gulf of Mexico white-sand beaches. History and proximity to Alabama help explain the vibe: Southern hospitality, ironwork balconies and historic bars. Over the course of its 442-year history, Pensacola has been ruled by the British, the Spanish, the French, the Confederacy and the United States—hence its nickname of “The City of Five Flags.” It has rigorously preserved its historic architecture, ranking #73 in our Sights & Landmarks subcategory and #60 in our deep Place category. Of its 52 miles of sugar-white beaches, Pensacola Beach is the pearl, helping power the city to #22 in our Outdoors subcategory. Its pier is one of the longest in the Gulf and the nearby Gulf Islands National Seashore is the longest stretch of protected seashore in the U.S. No wonder every second home here seems to have a bike or a kayak on its porch. But people do work here. More than 500 companies in town specialize in aerospace and defence, cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing or professional services, with more remote talent arriving daily in pursuit of the beach and no state personal income tax.

97. Lakeland, FL

Located 25 miles inland from the Tampa Bay area, Lakeland has its own coastline—mainly in the form of its many lakes that have, from time immemorial, provided sustenance and a home to dozens of Native American tribes. Today, the same lakes and surrounding trails and parkland help lift the city’s #59 ranking in our Outdoors subcategory. Their pedestrian access from the city’s downtown, as well as the ability to fish, boat and birdwatch within minutes of leaving the house, have all contributed to the city’s ascendant livability in recent years. Also notable is Lakeland’s #39 ranking in our BIPOC Residents subcategory, and its relative affordability amid a national housing price surge, with a median home price hovering around $300,000. Is it any wonder that the city’s population has been growing by 2% annually? But it’s not all leisure and outdoors in Lakeland: the area also draws Frank Lloyd Wright fans, who come to see a dozen of his buildings at Florida Southern College, the world’s largest single site of the architect’s work. Investment is pouring in, from the new Florida Polytechnic University’s Citrus Innovation Center and Florida Southern College’s Adams Athletic Performance Center to new health-care facilities.

98. Greensboro, NC

A quest for diversity has long been part of Greensboro’s legacy, and events that transpired in the city helped shape African American history. Today, Greensboro is a city that draws history buffs, antique furniture shoppers and foodies. In North Carolina, fertile farmland is a source of pride, and Greensboro residents have a strong connection to the land and to the food they put on the table. Locals and visitors come together around food—at places like Greensboro Farmers Curb Market, which has been around since 1874, and at unique experiences like the Barn Dinner Theatre. While the town may be steeped in historical significance, it continues to look forward, especially as it tends to its #66 Restaurants ranking. Greensboro’s downtown nightlife (ranked #59) offers a special kind of charm, thanks to street corners humming with buskers and bands, and cafés vibrating with acoustic performances. But the city is also an economic engine of the region—one that’s about to get more powerful with the recent news that Toyota plans to open a $1.3-billion electric-vehicle battery plant near town in 2025, employing 2,000. Its well-connected airport is renovating, too, even adding a manufacturing facility for Boom Supersonic planes.

99. Little Rock, AR

The largest city in Arkansas coaxes talent and investment with aggressive tax breaks and some of the most affordable housing among state capitals. In fact, Little Rock ranks an impressive #55 for our Cost-of-Living-Adjusted Earnings subcategory, indicative of a healthy local economy. A powerful and diverse corporate presence distinguishes Arkansas’ capital city, situated on the banks of the state’s namesake river—one that may surprise many and is more proof that city officials have sharpened their pencils on the economic development front. Dillard’s Department Stores, Windstream Communications and Acxiom are just a few of the corporations founded in a city that has in the past suffered from an undeserved reputation as the capital of an underdeveloped state known mostly for the Ozark Mountains (and Bill Clinton). But the city is also an increasingly coveted hometown, with great weather and a top 50 national ranking for its diverse Sights & Landmarks. Surprises like the ESSE Purse Museum, focusing on “the evolution of the 20th-century American woman through the bags she carried and their contents,” showcase the city’s subdued irreverence. The recently reopened William J. Clinton Library & Museum, gleaming after its pandemic reno, helped the city finish #59 in our Museums subcategory.

100. Chattanooga, TN

Tucked at the base of Lookout Mountain on the banks of the Tennessee River, Chattanooga has earned its Scenic City moniker, as well as its “Best Town Ever” accolades by Outside magazine… twice. The town certainly boasts the adrenal bonafides: from climbing the Tennessee Wall to all manner of self-propulsion just outside city limits. To say nothing of eight (and counting) craft breweries—like the year-old TailGate—to speed recovery time. No wonder it ranks #33 in our Outdoors subcategory. In addition to the natural bounty, Gig City boasts speedy Internet velocity supplied by the publicly owned Electric Power Board. It’s also two hours from Nashville and from Atlanta. Corporations in town include Volkswagen and BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, and new start-ups are emboldened by the biggest business incubator in the state, as well as the largest downtown innovation district of any U.S. city its size. Oh, and the median price for a single-family home hovers around $300,000. The #76-ranked restaurant scene continues to grow post-pandemic and, in addition to southern favorites like Easy Bistro, now includes spots like new restaurant incubator Proof, which provides low-barrier opportunities for chefs to test out their concepts.

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The 27 Best US Cities to Visit

The US is full of a diverse set of people, cultures, and landscapes. For this reason, it is possible to experience so much variety when visiting cities across the country. There is so much variety, where do you even begin? I can help with that!

This post provides a list of the best US cities to visit, and key points that you should know about each. Each city is listed under its corresponding US region (east to west) and includes details on the city’s characteristics, popular attractions, and, of course, the best food to try.

Table of Contents

New England

New England is the easternmost northern region in the US. This region has been known as New England since John Smith (yes, that John) named it so in 1616. Many of the earliest settlers to this region came from eastern Europe, which has given this region a distinct accent, architecture, and cuisine.

1 | Boston, MA

Boston is the largest city in New England, and one of the oldest in the US. Given the age of the city, it has a lot of really cool older buildings from the 17th century and onward and some cobblestone streets to match. Many of the literary greats that you learned about in school lived in or around the city, giving the nickname as the “intellectual capital of the United States”. There is also a great emphasis on the arts and music throughout the city as well.

Popular Attractions:

• The Freedom Trail : Walking this trail will allow you to retrace the steps the US founding fathers took when starting the American Revolutionary War.
• The New England Aquarium : Visit this aquarium to see over 800 different marine animals, including seals, penguins, and sharks.
• Cambridge, Concord, and Lexington : Venture right outside the city to see famous sites from the Revolutionary War and the homes of famous literary greats, like Louisa May Alcott.

What to Eat:

Boston is known for having wonderful seafood, baked beans, and the wonderful Boston cream pie! There are also a lot of great vegan restaurants for those of your veggies out there.

A few restaurants to try include:

• The Warren Tavern – Eat all the classic Bostonian foods at this eatery.
• Panza : Italian food from the North End area, which is similar to Little Italy in NYC.

2 | Portland, Maine

One of the most underrated cities in the Northeast is Portland , Maine. With so many opportunities to explore the stunning coastline and incredible culinary scene, it has everything else you’d expect in an exciting city like museums, history and culture. 

Getting out onto the water is easy in Portland, and this is also one of the best ways to see the city from a unique perspective. There are lots of options for boat tours along Casco Bay that also give you a glimpse of Maine’s famous coastline. From cruises on tall ships to lobster boat tours, there’s a little something for everyone. 

Popular Attractions & Tours:

• Old Port : To get a sense of the history of the city, one of the best neighborhoods to stroll through is Old Port. Sitting along the waterfront, you’ll find cobblestone streets, historic buildings and unique boutiques in this area. 
• While in the area, consider the Old Port Culinary Walking Tour. This will help you explore the best local restaurants serving traditional fare.
• Visit a Lighthouse : Portland is also home to one of Maine’s most iconic attractions, Portland Head Lighthouse . Located in South Portland, this is one of the best spots to take in the dramatic coastline views that the state is known for, without having to leave the city! Also nearby are two smaller, but equally as cool, lighthouses: Spring Point Ledge Light and Bug Light.

What to Eat: 

Portland is also regarded as one of the top foodie cities in the country, so during your visit, you’ll want to consider taking an expert-guided food tour to find all the best things to eat. Whether it’s a donut tour or lobster roll tour, this is the perfect way to get acquainted with the cuisine in the city.

• Duckfat : This sandwich shop is best known for frying french fries in duck fat, and has received quite the reputation for delicious fries. In addition you find plenty of paninis, milkshakes, and salads to make a full and delicious meal. 
• Chaval : This is a brasserie (informal French restaurant) that offers not only French but Spanish-inspired seasonal food. What’s cool about this restaurant is that the menu changes daily – you never know quite what you’ll get! 
• Not only is the food scene here world-class, it’s also home to the most breweries per capita than any other city in the Northeast. So if you love to sample local brews, you won’t run out of options in Portland. A few of the best ones to consider are Bissel Brothers , Goodfire and Rising Tide . 

Mid-Atlantic

This region sits below New England, and above the southern US states. It is characterized by large urbanized areas, prestigious universities, and for being the most-affluent region of the country. There are 30 professional sport franchises in this region, and a wide variety of cultures and accents can be found throughout the states in this region.

3 | New York, NY

NYC has an energy that you can’t find anywhere else in the world. There is reason why its been called the “city that never sleeps” – you can find something to do at any time of the day, 24/7 and the pace never slows. It is the most populous city in the US, and likely the most diverse ethnically as well. The city has been denoted by some as the cultural capital of the world due to the emphasis you’ll find on the performing arts, music, cuisine.

While you are here, don’t just get stuck in Times Square. See world-famous skyscrapers, try the best pizza you’ll eat anywhere in the country, and get some quiet time in Central Park all in a matter of minutes while you are here. 

• New York One World Observatory : Visit the new World Trade Center building for sweeping view of the city, and visit the nearby memorial to 911.
• The Statue of Liberty : This icon of America is rightfully one of the city’s most popular destinations. Visit the close by Ellis Island on the same ticket to get a better understanding of the life and experiences of early immigrants to the city.
• The Met : See why the Metropolitan Museum of Art is world renowned for its fabulous art collection
• Lombardi’s : AKA America’s first pizzeria has great pizza pies – simple, yet delicious
• Molly’s Cupcakes : So not exactly a restaurant, per se, but this place as wonderful cupcakes. I try to stop here every time I come to the city.

4 | Philadelphia, PA

Philadelphia has held on to a lot of its colonial charm, giving it a feel more similar to New England than others in the Mid-Atlantic. This city is full of history, as are many of the others listed here, mostly due to its role as the original capital of the US and the site where the Declaration of Independence was signed. The city has 67 historic landmarks, and 1 UNESCO World Heritage site, just for reference. The city is also home to the iconic steps from Rocky , which you can run up and down too, if so desired.

• Founding Fathers Historical Walking Tour : See sites such as the Independence Mall, Ben Franklin’s home, the first home of the US Presidents, and more!
• Eastern State Penitentiary : Tour what was once the most famous and expensive prison in the world.
• Segway Mural Tour : If street art interests you, take this tour to see all of the cities best-known murals. They can be found everywhere and are really quite something to see!

Where to Eat:

• Joe’s Steaks: Stop here to get the famous Philly Cheesesteak – No trip to Philly is complete without at least one!
• Beiler’s Doughnuts : So, I’m not a huge doughnut person, but these are everything! Dense and cakey with a variety of toppings – these are just perfect.

5 | Washington, DC

Washington, DC is the city that I call home, and I love it here! Despite being best known for its political scene, the city is (thankfully) so much more than that. Full of great (and free!) museums, parks, and restaurants, this city is one full of heart. Although it is a big(ish) city, the low skyline keeps it having a smaller town feel than NYC or Boston, for example.

The city is home to a diverse population, like many urban areas on the east coast. Unlike many of the other cities, however, there really is no distinct accent here or specific food identified with the city. It’s really just a wonderful mix of everything :).

You could go the political route and focus on seeing sites like the White House and Congress, or get lost in the many free Smithsonian museums found along the National Mall.

• Mt. Vernon : Head right outside the city to see George Washington’s estate and learn a lot about the lives of the slaves who kept it running.
• DC Night Monuments Tour : I think that seeing the monuments at night is really the best way to do it (don’t worry, they are all well lit :)).
• Capitol Hill Walking Tour : Really the best way to see the major sites and understand the history if you’re interested in learning about politics in the city, past and present.
• Léziz Cafe & Restaurant : Get great Turkish/Mediterranean food here – tapas style!
• Lincoln : If you’re looking for American, stop here for American-style tapas.
• Georgetown Cupcakes : I mean, if you don’t stop here, did you even visit DC ?

The Midwest is known as “America’s Heartland”, as it is responsible for the majority of the country’s manufacturing and farming sectors. It is known for friendly locals, low-cost real estate, and a low-stress lifestyle (in general). The states covered in this region go as far north as North Dakota / Minnesota and as far south as Kansas and Missouri. This means the temperatures you’ll find here will vary widely. But some of the most brutal winters in the states happen in the more northern states in this region.

6 | Chicago, IL

Chicago is a beautiful city, which has a distinct look due to it positioning by Lake Michigan and around the Chicago River. Chicago is known for its massive skyscrapers, brutal windchill in winter, and deep dish pizzas. Chicago is a hugely popular tourist destination, and is the second most visited city in the US, after New York.

• Willis Tower : Visit what was once known as the Sears Tower, and the tallest building in the world for 25 years. Here you can stand on “The Ledge” and look down 100 stories at the streets beneath your feet.
• Night River Cruise : Marvel at the architecture that has made the city famous while you travel through downtown on an evening river cruise.
• Gangsters and Ghosts Walking Tour : Walk the Chicago Loop and learn the fascinating history of the gangsters who once ran the streets of the city and those who may now haunt the city too. (Nothing like a good ghost tour, right?)
• Bartoli’s Pizza : Stop here to grab a bite of that deep dish pizza the city is so well-known. Unless you are a big eater, I recommend sharing these. These pizza’s are delicious, but that deep dish is DEEP. 
• Lula Cafe : For locally-grown food cooked in an artisenal style, stop at this cafe. This restaurant features a vegetarian and vegan options too.

The definition of the south varies according to who you talk to, but for the intents of this post, we’ll say it starts as high up as Virginia and goes from the east coast to as far west as Mississippi. This area is characterized by its slow pace of life, sprawling cities, southern charm, and delicious fatty foods.

7 | Savannah, Georgia

If you’re looking for the perfect mix of a quaint city, historic sites, beautiful nature, and a quick drive to the beach, Savannah, Georgia is the place for you. Whether you’re visiting Savannah with kids , adults, or even by yourself, this city has something for everyone to enjoy.

When visiting Savannah, spend time exploring the city and enjoying each unique square along the way. Marvel at the beauty of the huge oak trees at Forsyth Park and walk along the historic River Street. To learn more about the city’s history, take a riverboat and trolley tour.  

Once you’re done checking out the historic downtown area, take a short drive to Tybee Island. Here, you’ll be able to take a break from the city and relax on the beach.

• Savannah Riverboat Cruise & City Tour: This tour includes a guided walkthrough of the city via trolley and then a cruise down the Savannah River. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the history and culture of the city.
• Owens-Thomas House & Slave Quarters : This historic home provides a pointed look at the life of the slaves and the proprietors who lived here in the early 1800s. 
• When you’re ready for a bite to eat, grab lunch at Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room . But make sure to arrive early, as reservations cannot be made, and a line will start to form even before the restaurant opens for the day. Make friends with your neighbors while waiting in line because that’s who you’ll be sitting with at this family-style restaurant.
• For a sweet treat, stop by Leopold’s for homemade ice cream. This ice cream shop has been around since 1919 and is a staple in the heart of Savannah.

8 | Orlando, FL

Orlando, known as “The City Beautiful”, is probably best known as pretty much the mecca for theme parks in the United States. With its very mild winters, it is great for a visit any time of the year. In addition to theme parks, you’ll find good outlet shopping and industrial and hi-tech centers.

• Kennedy Space Center : Learn about the history of the space program and what its like to be a real astronaut at KSC.
• Walt Disney World : Visit the most visited them parks in the world! The parks include the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. (There are 2 water parks too!)
• Universal Orlando : Ride the movies at Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Universal Bay.
• Rainforest Cafe : One of my favorite themed restaurants the rainforest has pretty decent food and provides a unique experience to those who dine there. There is one in the Disney Springs area in Orlando.
• Tony’s Town Square Restaurant : Based on the classic movie “Lady and the Tramp”, this Italian spot is one of my favorite restaurants in Disney World. You’ll find this one right off of Main Street in the Magic Kingdom.

9 | Miami, FL

When you think of Miami, you likely think of hot weather, white sand, clear waters, parties, and latin-infused culture. Miami offers all of this, plus great food and beautiful views. Miami has the third tallest skyline in the US, and is a major center for finance, culture, commerce, and media/entertainment.

• South Beach Food Tour : This tour provides a history of the city and takes you to check out the hottest Cuban, artisanal Peruvian, Italian and Jewish comfort foods.
• Half-Day Double Decker Bus and Boat Tour of Miami : Hit all of the city’s major neighborhoods, such as South Beach, Downtown Miami, and Little Havana. Transition then to a boat tour through the lovely Biscayne Bay.
• Everglades National Park Airboat Tour and Wildlife Show : If exploring nature interests you, you can spend some time in the everglades seeing the alligator and other wildlife native to the area.
• Versailles : So much of the culture in Miami is influenced by the Cubans who made this city their home. It’s only appropriate that you try at least Cuban while you’re in town, and Versailles is one of the best.
• My Cupcake World : If you have a sweet tooth, check out this place for some absolutely delicious cupcakes!

10 | Punta Gorda, Florida

Florida’s Gulf Coast is home to America’s best beaches so it makes perfect sense that we would include Punta Gorda on this list of the best US cities to visit. Why Punta Gorda, you may ask? Because it has it all and without the crowds that you’ll find at more popular tourist destinations in the sunshine state.

One of the best spots to play, stay and eat is located along the beautiful Charlotte Harbor. The idyllic Four Points by Sheraton Harborside is a centrally-located place to stay. After you check in, head over to the on-site restaurant. At TT’s Tiki Bar, you’ll witness stunning sunsets over the water while sipping mouth-watering cocktails accompanied by top-notch cuisine. If you’re traveling with athletic types or children, they can jump in on a game of beach volleyball while you relax in one of their colorful Adirondack chairs. 

Punta Gorda offers more than beaches and margaritas so get ready to explore. Both the downtown Farmer’s Market and Fishermen’s Village are ideal places to shop for unique souvenirs. When you’re done shopping, hop on a sunset cruise to explore the Harbor by boat. Post-cruise, enjoy dinner at The Captain’s Table. Their Lobster Ravioli is truly decadent and a great way to end a day of sightseeing. 

Once you’re finished with your adventuring for the day, head back to TT’s Tiki Bar to enjoy Punta Gorda’s best lineup of live entertainment. There’s no need to worry about who is driving when you can sip your margarita mere steps from your hotel room. 

• Another great spot to explore is the Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens , one of the largest botanical and sculpture gardens in the State of Florida. If you’re lucky, you might get to see a butterfly release ceremony. It’s a truly memorable experience! Follow up your tour with a visit to Alligator Bay Distillery for a rum tasting with a Hawaiian twist.
• Punta Gorda History Par k: This park features four local historic homes, three of which are open to the public. You’ll also find a weekly Farmer’s Market here on Sundays as well. 

In addition to the recommendations above, here are some additional restaurants you may consider visiting:

• Village Fish Market & Restaurant : A riverfront restaurant offering New England style seafood (and great views!)
• Carmelo’s Italian Ristorante : Situated in a building that looks like home, this restaurant offers a variety of Tuscan-style fare. 

11 | New Orleans, LA

New Orleans is a great place to experience a very different culture than the rest of the US – its actually pretty similar to Miami in this aspect. You can really feel how this city was impacted by its French and Spanish settlers, and the African slaves who were able to keep more of their culture than others due to different slave laws there. Most iconic and historic is the French Quarter with its beautiful balconies and colorful buildings, and all the wonderful food!

• French Quarter, Cemetery, and Voodoo Tour : Explore the most popular neighborhood in New Orleans, and the neighboring Tremé, and learn all about the history of the city and voodoo culture.
• Ghost Tour : If you like being spooked, explore the city at night and learn all about the haunts that supposedly still roam the streets and buildings today.
• Whitney Plantation Tour : Learn what life was really like for the slaves that lived in Louisiana back in the day.

Where to Eat :

• Muriel’s Jackson Square : For an upscale dining experience you can make a reservation here to try classic New Orleans style food with a bit of a French influence.
• Cafe Du Monde : Get those world-famous biengets here – they never disappoint!

12 | Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston is probably best known for the colorful colonial architecture found in Rainbow Row. These cities once formed the commercial center of the colonial period – something that has been revived in recent years. What I found quite interesting about this city is that it was once a major slave port for the country. In fact, it is known as the Ellis Island for Black Americans as 80 percent of those in the US can trace an ancestor who arrived through this part. Both an interesting and sad fact about this town. 

Popular Attractions and Tours:

• Charleston Historical Downtown Tour : See the most popular places in the city, such as Charleston Harbor, Rainbow Row, King Street, and Charleston Battery. All while riding in a traditional horse-drawn carriage. 
• Aiken Rhett House : This house provides a very poignant look at the lives of slaves in the US. The former owner of this house was quite wealthy, so you just imagine how many lived here back in the day. I really enjoyed the tour here and felt that it was very informative.

Where to Eat: 

• Sushi-Wa : A high-end sushi spot that offers creative takes on some classic sushi dishes. Definitely reserve in advance if you plan to eat here as it is very popular. 
• Wild Olive : This restaurant offers many Italian classics, and a very robust menu. You are certain to find something that you like here – even if you are a picky eater. 

The Southwest

The southwest is characterized as having influences from both the southern states and the frontier west, and many states in this region have a relatively significant native American influence as well.

13 | Austin, Texas

Austin, the capital of Texas, is known for its vibrant music and arts scene, as well as its laid-back atmosphere and outdoor recreational opportunities. The city’s motto is “Keep Austin Weird,” which reflects its diverse and eccentric culture.

One of the main draws to Austin is its live music scene. The city is home to a number of music festivals, including South by Southwest (SXSW) and Austin City Limits, and there are numerous live music venues scattered throughout the city. Austin is also home to a thriving food scene, with a range of cuisines available. Some popular restaurants in the city include Franklin Barbecue, a renowned barbecue joint, and Uchi, a sushi restaurant.

• There are a number of tours available in Austin, including food tours , brewery tours , and guided tours of the city’s street art and murals . 
• Another popular activity is a tour of the Texas State Capitol Building , which offers a glimpse into the history and politics of the state.
• For outdoor enthusiasts, Austin offers a number of recreational opportunities, including hiking and biking trails at the Barton Creek Greenbelt and Lady Bird Lake , and swimming and stand-up paddle-boarding at Barton Springs Pool .

In addition to the restaurants listed above, here are some good dining options to explore: 

• Con Todo : This food truck offers real Mexican tacos that come “con todo” or everything – that is cilantro, onions, and salsa. It won best food truck of the year in 2022.
• Bufalina Due : This pizza joint offers delicious Neapolitan-style pies with recommendations on thoughtful wine pairings. 

Overall, Austin is a lively and eclectic city with a lot to offer visitors, including live music, delicious food, and ample opportunities for outdoor recreation. Visit Guide Your Travel for more travel guides. 

14 | Dallas, TX

Dallas is known for being the center of the art scene for northern Texas. There are many art museums around the city, including the Dallas Museum of Art and Nasher Sculpture city. It is also known for its wide variety of high-quality restaurants. Dallas residents eat out 4 times a week on average, which is only less than Houston and Austin within the state.

• Dallas Uptown Foodie Walk : Explore the uptown neighborhood of West Village and learn about the some of the city’s history while you eat delicious food from around the world.
• Dallas and JFK Limousine Tour : Visit the city’s key monuments and landmarks and then learn all about the circumstances and places involved in JFK’s assassination.
• Dallas CityPASS : Get a discounted ticket for entry to many of Dallas’s top attractions, including the Perot Museum of Nature and Science and the Dallas Zoo.
• Velvet Tacos : This place has the best tacos you will ever eat. Period. Get tacos inspired by a variety of cuisine, like Nashville hot chicken, tikka masala, and more. I make a point to always stop here whenever I’m in the city.
• Gabriella and Sofia’s Tex Mex : You can’t stop in Texas without tex-mex, and this place is legit.

15 | Houston, TX

Despite being part of the southwest, Houston features one of the most diverse city populations in the country – there are over 90 different languages spoken here! Houston has a lively music culture and a thriving theater scene. Houston is a huge city, both in size and population and spread. The sprawl is real here! In fact, the land area for greater Houston is similar to that of the STATE of Massachusetts!

• NASA Space Center Visit : Visit the Johnson Space Center and participate in a guided tram tour around the site. Experience the many interactive exhibits that could be enjoyed by kids and adults alike.
• Houston City Tour (w/ Aquarium) : Explore the city of Houston by bus and stop at as many of the landmarks as you’d like. Get access to the city’s aquarium as well.
• Houston City PASS : Save 47% on the city’s top attractions, including the Museum of Natural Science, the Houston Zoo, and the Kemah Boardwalk.
• El Real Tex-Mex Cafe : Like Dallas, this city is well-known for its tex mex – this spot is one of the best in the city!
• Gatlin’s BBQ : The city is also very popular for its BBQ, so be sure to check out a place like Gatlin’s before you wrap up your visit!

16 | San Antonio, Texas

The home of the famous Alamo and the River Walk, San Antonio is a historic city nestled in south-central Texas. With a population of over 1.4 million, San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States, but it still maintains a small-town Southern charm.

San Antonio is filled with unique places to explore that allow you to delve further into its colonial, Mexican and western history. A trip to San Antonio isn’t complete without a visit to the Alamo. Located in the heart of downtown, this former Spanish mission and fort was the site of an 1836 battle for Texas independence and is now home to a memorial museum.

Visit River City for fantastic parks and outdoor recreational sites for all ages. Take a romantic stroll along the iconic River Walk, lined with bars, restaurants, and shops, and enjoy some of the best Tex-Mex cuisine in the city.

If you’re looking to take in the city’s rich cultural history, spring and fall are the best times to visit San Antonio. The weather is mild, and several special events throughout the year, such as the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo and the Fiesta San Antonio. Although much more crowded, summer is a great time to visit, with plenty of opportunities for swimming and other outdoor activities.

• City Sightseeing San Antonio offers scenic San Antonio River Walk boat tours with knowledgeable narrations during which you can learn more about the city’s history and fun facts. During holidays such as Christmas, carolers also fill the air with cheerful songs to give you a truly magical experience!
• San Antonio UNESCO World Heritage Missions Tour: Embark on a journey back in time, experiencing the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, home to five 18th-century Spanish colonial missions. Wander along Mission Trail and uncover America’s captivating history.Visit places such as Mission San José, San Francisco de Espada, and the Mission Riverwalk Hike and Bike Trail. 

Where to Eat:  

• Domingo Restaurante : This cool open-air restaurant offers impressive views of the city below. The restaurant strives to “offer the flavors of South Texas”, so expect to try modern takes on classics from the area here. 
• Brasao Brazilian Steakhouse : If you haven’t visited a Brazilian steakhouse before, you are in for a treat. Expect a wide variety of meat cuts cooked to perfection alongside delicious sides. 

17 | Santa Fe, New Mexico

Santa Fe, New Mexico is one of the best cities to visit in the US for history buffs, art lovers, foodies, margarita drinkers, chocoholics, and anyone who enjoys the sunshine.

As the oldest capital city in America, Santa Fe boasts many historical sites. The Santa Fe Plaza, a National Landmark, dates back to the 1600’s. The Palace of the Governors borders the plaza and is the oldest building in continuous use in the US. A few blocks away you’ll find the oldest church in the US, San Miguel Chapel, and a little further, the oldest house in New Mexico which is now a museum.

The historic plaza with its adobe architecture stands at the heart of Santa Fe. Southwest boutiques, art galleries, and eateries surround the grassy square at the center. The Georgia O’Keefe Museum, the New Mexico Museum of Art, and the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture all are worth a stop. 

Stay at La Fonda on the Plaza and you’ll enjoy being able to walk to most of Santa Fe’s best sights and restaurants. The hotel’s restaurant, La Plazuela offers a delightful mix of local flavors in traditional and inventive dishes.

• Sante Fe Architectural Walking Tour & Wine Tasting : Learn about the traditional New Mexican Pueblo, Spanish Territorial, and Northern New Mexico building styles that are featured throughout the city and close out the day with a tasting at the Gruet Tasting Room.
• Historic Downtown Self Guided Audio Walking Tour : Get to know more about the city’s history at your own pace and on your own device with this virtual tour option. 
• Some of the best restaurants in Santa Fe are located on the plaza too. Many, like Tia Sophia’s and The Shed, serve delicious New Mexican food specialties. Don’t miss the sopaipillas! 
• Santa Fe is the self-proclaimed Margarita Capital of the World so you know what to drink with your dinner or follow the city’s Margarita Trail to sample more. There’s also a trail for decadent chocolates made with local ingredients like chiles and prickly pear.

The Rocky Mountain Region

This region includes those states surrounding the great mountain region, towards the west of the US and north of the south western states. In terms of ethnicity, this region of the US is probably the least diverse, but that is slowly changing in cities like Denver, for example.

18 | Boulder, Colorado

Boulder, Colorado is home to the Flatiron mountains, eccentric locals, and Pearl Street, a walking mall full of varied shops. Located just an hour’s drive from Rocky Mountain National Park, you can visit the park while staying in Boulder. If you stay in a hotel near Pearl Street , you’ll be right in the center of the action for nightlife and the best restaurants.

During the warmer months you can explore the foothills, with hikes only a mile or so from the center of town. Winter is also a prime time to visit Boulder, where you can snowshoe in Rocky Mountain National Park or downhill ski at Eldora. Outdoor activities are also popular during the shoulder seasons, but prepare for muddy trails if you choose to hike near Boulder in March and April.  

• If you visit during the summer, spend some time relaxing at Boulder Creek , the small river that runs through Boulder. You can purchase an inner tube and float down the river on a hot day, so long as the water isn’t running too quickly.
• Every Saturday is the Boulder Farmers Market , a lively affair with stalls from local farms, restaurants, and other vendors. 
• Cycling enthusiasts may consider joining a tour with Boulder Bike Tours . They offer both a road cycling tour and a mountain biking tour for more serious visitors. Additionally, there is an e-bike tour that covers most of the city’s main areas of interest.
• Have brunch at Lucile’s Creole Cafe , a local haunt with freshly baked southern biscuits, homemade strawberry rhubarb jam, and chicory coffee. 
• For dinner, have a burger and a beer from Mountain Sun , a locally beloved brewery and restaurant. 
• Afterwards, head to Peace, Love and Chocolate for handmade truffles in vibrant and unique flavors. 

19 | Denver, CO

Denver is the largest city in Colorado, and is noted for the beautiful mountains that surround the city. Denver has an active music scene and is known for being a very active/outdoorsy city. Denver has 300 days of sunshine a year, making it a great destination to visit all year.

• Denver Like a Local : Get a private walking tour with a local guide who loves the city and hit up the spots that YOU want to see while you travel.
• Rocky Mountain Explorer Trip from Denver : Head out the city to explore the mountains, including sites such as Bear Canyon Creek and Red Rocks Amphitheater – maybe find some dinosaur tracks along the way too!
• Denver Mile High Culture Pass : Get access to the city’s best attractions for a low price. Visit sites such as the Denver Art Museum, the History Colorado Center, and the Molly Brown House Museum.
• Spuntino : For Italian-inspired fare, stop here to be treated to a wonderful dinner.
• Rioja : Grab dinner here for fresh, Mediterrean-inspired cuisine.

20 | Boise, Idaho

Known as the “City of Trees”, Boise is a vibrant urban oasis surrounded by mountains and outdoor recreation. It’s home to endless opportunities for adventure, from whitewater rafting on the Payette River to skiing in Bogus Basin.

Boise is a great spot for outdoor enthusiasts, with plenty of options for biking, hiking and camping. The city also has its own unique character, with an array of museums, art galleries, and cultural events to explore. Choosing the best places to stay in Boise Idaho is easy, with a variety of options from luxury resorts to budget-friendly motels.

When it comes to leisure vacations, Boise offers the best of both worlds – a bustling urban center coupled with easy access to nature. The city is packed with delicious restaurants and eateries, from farm-to-table cuisine to local craft breweries. For a unique culinary experience, visit the Boise Farmers Market for fresh produce and artisanal goods. There are several great restaurants and cafes downtown, so finding a spot for breakfast or lunch is easy.

• If you’re seeking an outdoor adventure, consider signing up for a Boise River Tour . The tour will take you downtown and along the river, giving you a unique perspective on the city’s history and culture. 
• For a more leisurely day, take a stroll along the Boise Greenbelt for breathtaking views of the city skyline and surrounding foothills.
• Modern Hotel and Bar : A popular option for modern dining in Boise, this restaurant offers a variety of American fare, with a menu that is constantly updated.
• Kibrom’s Ethiopian & Eritrean Food : Ethiopian food is known for being wonderfully spiced and having options that cater to vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. 

The American West

The Western Region of the United States includes those states furthest west in the country. For the intents of this post, this covers the following states: California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona. It is noted for the Pacific Mountains that run through the area and a generally more relaxed vibe than the eastern US states.

21 | Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles brings to mind visions of the beach, celebrities, and probably a theme park or two. LA is the second largest city the US after NYC, but unfortunately it does not have the public transit system that NYC does. So traffic is a given. Don’t let that deter your visit though! LA offers a little bit of everything for those who choose to make a stop here for vacation.

• Disneyland : Now including the California Adventure park and Downtown Disney, it is worth making a stop here if you have kids or are just a big kid at heart (like me :)).
• Universal Studios Hollywood : This park is special because it comes with a tour of many famous movie and TV sets, such as Psycho, Desperate Housewives, and King Kong.
• Hollywood and Celebrity Homes Tour : See classic Hollywood sites like the Chinese Theater and hunt down the homes of your favorite stars from an open-top vehicle.
• The Rose Venice : Get local Southern California cuisine with an international influence.
• Mizlala : This restaurant features affordable, Middle Eastern small plates and flavors you won’t be able to get enough of.

For more ideas on what to do in Los Angeles, check out this 5-Day LA Itinerary !

22 | Monterey, California

One of the best cities in the United States to visit is Monterey, located on the coast of central California. Monterey offers small-town vibes with beautiful sunsets and stunning views.

When visiting Monterey, you can explore the famous Cannery Row area which is home to cute local boutique shops and the world-renown Monterey Bay Aquarium, which houses thousands of marine species in its vast exhibits.

Besides this oceanfront area, Fisherman’s Wharf is also a popular tourist spot. Here, you can take a whale-watching tour or explore the many seafood restaurants and shops that line the wharf. Ablonetti’s Bar and Grill is an Italian seafood restaurant that serves some of the best gnocchi and clam chowder.

The county of Monterey is also home to a variety of parks and recreational areas located a short drive away in Big Sur . Whether it’s visiting Point Lobos State Reserve for a hike, picnicking at Pfeiffer Beach, or stopping at the photographic Bixby Bridge, you’ll find no end of nature scenes to explore.

Monterey also hosts a variety of events throughout the year, such as the Big Sur International Marathon, Monterey Jazz Festival, and the Carmel Art & Film Festival. There’s always something happening in this amazing California city that you won’t want to miss.

With its beautiful scenery, incredible food, and entertaining events, Monterey is a fabulous city to visit in the United States. Make sure to add Monterey to your travel bucket list to experience all that this vibrant coastal community has to offer!

• Monterey Bay Whale Watching Tou r : Observe whales in one of the best places in the world to see whales daily. 
• Big Sur Sightseeing Tour : Explore sites such as the Big Sur State Park, Big Sur Coast, and more on this trip through the area’s natural beauty.

In addition to the restaurants listed above, you may want to try out the following options:

• Estéban Restaurant : This Spanish-style restaurant infuses Spanish fare with local food in the Northern Californian coast. 
• Alvarado Street Brewery & Gril l: This brewery and grill that features delicious food options such as Quesabirria Tacos, Mac & Cheese, and Creamy Tomato Soup. 

23 | San Diego, California

San Diego is the perfect getaway for anyone looking for a sunny vacation. This Southern California city offers year-round beautiful weather, incredible coastline views and sunsets, and some of the most beautiful beaches in the US. 

There are plenty of outdoor activities to take advantage of such as biking, hiking, kayaking, or surfing – all surrounded by the stunning beauty of nature. From the illustrious Mt. Soledad memorial atop a hill to Coronado Island, and from Point Loma to so many other breathtaking places, you’ll find something new and exciting at every turn when visiting San Diego. 

Taking a guided tour of the city is highly recommended to ensure visitors don’t miss hidden gems and learn about the fascinating history behind these places.

• One popular tour includes kayaking in the La Jolla Sea Caves to enjoy the coastal scenery up close, along with the chance to admire the local marine wildlife.
• Another unforgettable tour is the San Diego Scenic Tour , where visitors will be able to cross off several San Diego bucket list items while immersing themselves in the city’s history.

San Diego is also a foodie paradise, offering an exotic blend of culinary treats from around the world. Here you can experience mouthwatering Mexican food as well as exceptional seafood and pizza dishes.

• Some of the more popular restaurants include George’s at the Cove in La Jolla for prime oceanfront dining and incredible seafood.
• Another option is Tribute Pizza in the North Park neighborhood with fresh ingredients and creative pizza specials.

San Diego is a city like no other, and one of the best cities to visit in the US.

24 | San Francisco, CA

San Francisco is probably now best known for its proximity to Silicon Valley and the boom that has had on the tech industry there, and the resulting increases in the area’s cost of living. San Francisco does feature some of the weirdest weather in the US, with its cool summers and hot fall, but it is a really interesting place to visit.

• Half-Day Golden Gate Catamaran Cruise and Alcatraz Visit : Visit the notorious Alcatraz prison, once home to Al Capone and sail by the city for impressive views of the skyline.
• Chinatown Culinary Walking Tour : Explore the largest Chinatown outside of Asia to sample foods and learn the cooking methods used for generations.
• Go San Francisco Explorere Pass : You can choose from a variety of attractions, such as Madame Tussauds, the Asian Art Museum, and the Aquarium of the Bay and visit them all for a low price!
• Beretta : Eat delicious contemporary Italian food at this cute and cozy restaurant.
• Nojo Ramen Tavern : No trip to SF is complete without a ramen stop, and I loved this one!

25 | St. Helena, California

St. Helena, California is one of the beautiful towns that make up America’s premier wine region, Napa Valley. Located in the northern part of the valley, St. Helena is best known as being home to some of the best wineries in Napa Valley. The city has over 150 wineries to choose from with some fan favorites including Spring Mountain Vineyards, Hall Winey, and Pride Mountain Vineyards. 

This quaint town boasts a variety of lovely boutiques and specialty shops. From clothing stores to art galleries to antiques, St. Helena has something for everyone. Plus, many of the shops are located along the town’s historic Main Street, making it a great place to take a leisurely stroll and take in the sights.

St. Helena’s location just 18 miles from the town of Napa at the south end of Napa Valley and eight miles from Calistoga and the north end of the valley makes it a great location for a home base when planning a wine tasting visit to the Napa Valley. 

• Napa Valley: Wine Tasting Tour by Open Air Trolley & Lunch : From St. Helena, visit three wineries to taste and learn more about the wines in the regions, as well as a stop for lunch. 

While wine may be the focus for many visitors to St Helena, the area also has plenty of great food for visitors to choose from. 

• Stop by Gotts Roadside for a low key roadside diner vibe and one of the best burgers you’ll ever taste. 
• Looking for something a little more upscale? Check out the Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch . This elegant eatery serves up delicious, locally-sourced dishes in a stunningly beautiful setting. They also offer an extensive wine list featuring some of the best wines from the region

26 | Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas is truly one of the best cities to visit in the US and should be on everyone’s bucket list to visit at least once! Whether it’s the sun, entertainment, live shows, partying and gambling or even incredible day trips to nearby National Parks, you’ll find what you’re looking for here!

Las Vegas makes a great holiday destination year-round. It offers warm winters for those looking to escape the cold and explore the outdoors, and it has hot summers – where most people like to take advantage of the indoor and pool entertainment on offer!

Las Vegas is internationally known for its nightlife, hotels and casinos on the Las Vegas Strip and that’s what primarily draws people here, but this city offers so much more! Even if you aren’t into gambling or partying, Las Vegas has a lot to offer. 

• Visit the High Roller Observation Wheel , visit Madame Tussauds , visit the iconic Welcome To Fabulous Las Vegas sign, or go on a gondola ride at The Venetian – the choice is yours!
• Alternatively, head into Downtown to visit one of the many fascinating museums: the Mob Museum , the Neon Museum , the Children’s Museum or the Las Vegas National History Museum . You can even visit the L as Vegas Arts District : home to many boutique stores and art galleries. 
• And whilst you’re in Las Vegas you must go on some tours – there are lots of incredible places nearby! Check out a helicopter tour of West Rim Grand Canyo n, visit The Hoover Dam , go on a tour of Red Rock Canyon , or do a day-trip to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon .
• The Top Of The World Restaurant at STRAT Tower makes for a great place to have dinner with a view overlooking the iconic Las Vegas Strip!
• Vanderpump Paris : This French restaurant inside the Cesar’s hotel offers a whimsical dining experience and delicious food. I visited here in the fall of 2022, and every penny spent here was worth it!

27 | Seattle, Washington

When you think of Seattle, the first things that come to mind are Starbucks, the Space Needle, and constant rainy weather, but there’s so much more to Seattle than that. Its’ proximity to the Pacific Ocean and some of the most stunning mountain ranges in the United States make it an amazing place for outdoor enthusiasts.

To get the most out of your visit, plan your vacation in the summer months when the weather is at its best. The perfect summer day in Seattle consists of grabbing coffee at a local café, spotting whales on a whale watching tour, followed by watching the sunset at the top of the Space Needle, and ending the day with a great meal & unique cocktails .  

• Whale Watching Tour – From April through October you can spot whales as they migrate through the waterways near Seattle. Tours depart from Seattle, Port Angeles, or Port Townsend an Puget Sound Express guarantees that you’ll see whales or your next tour is free!
• Seattle CityPASS – This pass is highly recommended for any first time visitors who are looking to see Seattle’s main attractions like the Space Needle, Seattle Aquarium, Museum of Pop Culture, Chihuly Garden & Glass, Woodland Park Zoo, or take a harbor cruise. 
• Seattle Underground Tour – Learn the history of Seattle on this tour that takes you below street level and through the many underground tunnels in Seattle. 
• The Pink Door – This popular Italian restaurant is located in Post Alley near Pike Place Market and is the perfect place for date night or dinner with friends. 
• Deep Dive – If you’re looking for delicious craft cocktails, head over to Deep Dive which is located at the Amazon Spheres. 
• Toulouse Petit – Serves up New Orleans-style dishes and is great for brunch or dinner. 

In Summary | The Best Cities to Visit in the USA

That concludes my list for the best cities to visit in the US. I hope that you have a good idea for which ones are worth your visit! There are, of course, many more, and I’ll keep adding to this list! If you have a favorite city that I haven’t included on this list yet, let me know about it in the comments below!

Related US Travel Guides:

• Historical Sites in New Orleans
• NYC Travel Guide
• New Orleans Travel Guide
• Washington, DC Itinerary
• Virtual Washington, DC Guide

Christen Thomas is the founder of TravelWanderGrow, established in 2018. She has lived abroad and traveled extensively to over 30 countries. In addition, she is a certified Travel Advisor and is an expert in planning trips focused on city history and culture. As a frequent traveler, she also shares tips on how to prepare to travel well and how to save money while doing so.

These are great suggestions, Denver is one of my favorite places to visit so I totally agree! I haven’t been to like half these places though lol – adding them to the bucket list! 🙂

Haha….I’m always adding to my bucket list as well!

This is a really cool informative list of cities to visit. This is an excellent checklist. I need to hit the west cost asap to scratch some of these of the list.

Glad you found the list helpful, Eric!

Great list! I would love to visit a lot on your list. My favorite in the South is either Charleston SC or Savannah GA. I just love the huge trees and historic areas.

Ohh Charleston and Savannah are two on my list that I need to make happen. Thanks for the recommendations!

I would say DONT BOTHER with LA but… People REALLY want to see it. It’s nothing special. I live here. It actually sucks – ha! No beauty at all.

Haha – I’d say there are lots of great things nearby, maybe not so much in downtown :).

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20 Best Cities To Visit In The USA (2024 Review)

Last Updated on January 11, 2024 by Nicole

The United States is filled to the brink with incredible and diverse cities. They range in size from millions of people to a few thousand and from an intense fast paced inner-city experience to a more gentle and slower pace with easy access to nature. Some offer year round warm sunny weather while others offer you the wonderment of all four seasons. Whether you are looking for access to amazing restaurants, world class museums, great beaches, or a launching spot for awe-inspiring day trips, you will find your heart’s desire in one of these 20 best cities to visit in the USA recommended by travel bloggers and industry experts.

This post may contain affiliate links. That means that I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you buy something through my site. This helps me run my website and produce the articles that I hope you find helpful.

Best US Destinations By Month

Many of us want to take a vacation, but then, have no idea where to go. As we all know, the United States is enormous. With its wide ranging geography, some places are better to visit during certain months while others are best avoided at all costs. In addition, most destinations offer amazing annual festivals and events that would be fantastic to see, but how do you plan to go when you have no idea what’s coming up?

For a list of the best places to visit in the US by month, including special events that you wouldn’t want to miss, please take a look at the following articles. The destinations include cities, towns, national and state parks.

• 24 Best Places To Visit In The USA in January ;
• 26 Best Places To Visit In USA In February ;
• 26 Best Places To Visit In The USA In March ;
• 20 Best Places To Visit In The USA In April ;
• 25 Best Places To Visit In The USA In May ;
• 21 Best Places To Visit In The USA In June ;
• 23 Best Places To Visit In The USA in September ;
• 22 Best Places To Visit In The USA In October
• 20 Best Places To Visit In The USA In November ; and
• 23 Best Places To Visit In The USA For Christmas .

If national parks and nature are your sole interest, consider reviewing:

• Best Times To Visit The 25 Best National Parks In The USA ; and
• 23 Best National Parks To Visit In The USA In June ;
• 21 Best US National Parks To Visit In October ;
• 15 Best Waterfalls To Visit In The USA ;
• 10 Best Natural Hot Springs In Northern And Southern California .

If you are looking for a warm winter getaway in the United States, take a look at the 50 best US beaches in winter . If snow and winter sports are more your thing, please see  24 Best Snowy Winter Wonderlands In the USA .

For those who are trying to find a summer vacation with beautiful mild summer days, please take a look at 20 Best US Destinations To Escape The Sizzling Summer Heat .

For anyone who loves a beautiful sunset, check out 24 Best Places In USA For Most Beautiful Sunsets .

Best Cities To Visit In The USA

Here are 20 of the best cities to visit in the USA according to industry insiders and travel experts. They all offer fun or interesting attractions and are easily reached from all parts of the United States (and the world). Most provide an amazing foodie scene and straightforward access to beaches or nature. Included are the best times to go, when you might want to avoid, and a pro tip or two from those in the know.

Boston, Massachusetts

According to Samantha from Seeing Sam , Boston might seem like just another bustling city, famous for beans, baseball, and the legendary bar Cheers but the healthiest city in America (according to the Deutsche Bank) has so much more to offer.

Boston ‘s charm, history, and innovation make it one of the best cities to visit in the USA from its stunning architecture, historic parks and buildings, food markets, sports teams, and cultural museums.

A duck boat tour through downtown and Massachusetts bay is a great way to see the city. Catch a fly ball at iconic Fenway Park or enjoy $1 oysters at many delicious raw bars around town. For those history buffs, soak up some American history on the 2.5 mile Freedom Trail walk.

Boston is home to countless museums, and art galleries, one famous for the largest art heist in the world, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.

Boston also makes an excellent base for lots of day trips, including Cambridge, home to Harvard University, the famous Witch town of Salem, or the popular summer spot, Cape Cod.

There is so much to see and do in Boston; this beautiful historic city easily brings life to the term “something for everyone,” solidifying its place as one of the best cities to visit in the USA.

Approximately 700,000 people.

Best Time To Go

The fall is the greatest time to visit Boston, for its mild autumn weather perfect for walking around the varying neighborhoods. Boston offers beautiful views of fall foliage and plenty of fall activities for travelers, including the famous Boston Marathon, and the New England Christmas Festival beginning in early November.

Best Time To Avoid

Winters are harsh so summer and fall are best.

The city is very walkable, so stay near the center to avoid renting a car and overpaying for parking.

Boston’s international airport, Boston Logan International (BOS), makes Boston convenient to reach from all over the US.

Hotel Recommendation

The Newbury Boston is a new luxury hotel located in Boston’s Back Bay, the city’s premier shopping and dining neighborhood. Tourists and locals alike can be found perusing boutiques, fashion houses, art galleries, and cafes – all housed in elegant brick townhouses.

Copley Square, the 1800s landmark Trinity Church, the Boston Public Garden, and the Boston Public Library, are just a few of the famed destinations that can be found in the area.

Louisville, Kentucky

Louisville, Kentucky is one of the best cities to visit in the United States because of its unique culture and attractions, accessibility and unmatched spirits and culinary scene. A visit to Louisville offers a chance to experience things you can’t do anywhere else in the world, like a walkable Bourbon distillery trail, underground ziplining, and a visit to the home of the longest annually held sporting event in the country.

Kentucky is home to 95% of the world’s Bourbon supply. One third of it is made right in Louisville. Along Louisville’s Main Street, there are five Bourbon distilleries within walking distance, with a handful of others just a short drive away. All of these distilleries offer tours for you to get a taste of America’s only native spirit.

While Louisville does have an amusement park, science museum and history museum, it also offers one of one-of-a-kind attractions that can’t be found anywhere else, such as the Muhammad Ali Center , Kentucky Derby Museum , Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory , and Louisville Mega Cavern – which offers the world’s only fully underground zip-lining adventure.

Approximately 620,000.

Spring & Fall – specifically April -May, September – October. These are the best times of year to visit from a temperature standpoint. In addition, Churchill Downs offers live horse racing during this time.

The summers are often extremely hot and humid (mostly humid).

Though it’s a bucket list item for many, the Kentucky Derby weekend is expensive and has extra crowds. Accordingly, avoid the first full weekend in May.

Get out into the neighborhoods. While downtown offers a majority of the cities’ museums and distilleries, many of the city’s best bar and restaurants can be found in neighborhoods adjacent to downtown.

Louisville’s East Market District or NuLu has an eclectic mix of boutique shops and restaurants. Old Louisville boasts the countries largest collection of Victorian-era mansions, which you can view on a historic walking or haunted ghost tour. 

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport is just a short drive to downtown. In addition, Louisville is located within a day’s drive of over half the U.S. population, which makes it an ideal destination for weekend road trips as well.

Chicago, Illnois

Chicago  is the largest city in the Midwest (and the third largest city in the U.S.). It is home to 77 distinct cultural neighborhoods each with its own vibe and personality ensuring that no matter where your interests lie, there is something special for everyone.

Check out this  neighborhood map  to find the scene that best suits your mood, whether it’s the artsy vibe of Wicker Park/Bucktown, the historic appeal of the 19th century Pullman Historic District, or one of the many others. 

There is an overwhelming amount to do in Chicago . The Chicago Riverwalk stretches 1.25 miles from Lake Michigan to Lake Street. You will discover cafes, wineries and bars, public art installations, monuments, museums, and a boatload of excursions on the water.

Chicago, the birthplace of improv comedy via groups like The Second City, is also home to a thriving theater scene. This includes the Steppenwolf Theatre Company, whose all-star ensemble casts over the years have included the likes of John Malkovich and Gary Sinise.

The  Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s  year-round season features as many as 20 productions and 650 shows annually, including plays, musicals, premieres, and family programming, all inspired by (arguably) the world’s greatest playwright.

As for food, it is one of the reasons Chicago is one of the best cities to visit in the USA. Deep dish pizza, invented in the 1940s, is a legendary Chicago style, instantly recognizable for its bowl-like crust filled with cheese, sauce and toppings. However, Chicago is so much more than just the deep dish pizza. You could spend months eating your way through Chicago!

Approximately 2.7 million.

The best time of year to visit the city is considered by many to be the “shoulder seasons” of Spring (April-June) and Fall (September-October) when temperatures are mild and there are plenty of festivals and events.

Summer tends to be busy and the weather can get very hot.

Winters in Chicago are notoriously cold. On the upside, you are more likely to find cheaper accommodations and can use the winter season as an opportunity to explore Chicago’s indoor attractions, such as its world-famous museums and thriving theater scene! 

Avoid renting a car in Chicago. It has a fantastic mass transportation system and ride sharing. Parking is extremely expensive downtown.

Fly into Chicago via Chicago O’Hare International Airport or Midway International Airport. Downtown is easily accessible from both.

There are fantastic options within blocks of the Michigan Mile with amazing shopping and restaurants. For an upscale experience, consider Omni Chicago Hotel which offers suite style accommodation. For something more value driven, explore the Fairfield Inn And Suites .

If you would like to receive more travel tips to help you Travel Cheaper, Smarter and Easier, click HERE !

St. Augustine, Florida

St. Augustine, Florida  is the oldest city in the U.S., founded by Spaniards in 1565. Set on the Atlantic Coast of Northeast Florida, the appeal of this small city is its incredible food scene, the inspiring artistic culture, its rich history, beautiful beaches, and more.

There are more than 60 historic sites and attractions for visitors to explore. Some of the most popular are the Castillo de San Marcos  National Monument, the oldest fortress in North America. Built between 1672 and 1695, the fort protected the city from British raids and pirate sackings.

The St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum celebrates the city’s rich maritime heritage through exhibits and displays, and guests can climb the 219 steps to the top of the tower for a spectacular view of the city.

Finally, tour the city’s historic area (144 sq. blocks on the National Register of Historic Places) aboard the Red Express Tour or one of the other many tours to learn about the history and people from the city’s storied past.

Take a food tour with one of the local walking tours to eat and drink your way through history, or take a boat tour to see the city from the water.

Approximately 14,500.

The year round temperate climate makes this a comfortable place to visit throughout the year and one of the reasons it is one of the best cities to visit in America.

From Mid-November through January, during  Nights of Lights , the City is lit up with millions of tiny white Lights to celebrate the Holiday season.

With the romance of Mediterranean-style architecture, old-world charm and dozens of elegant inns, February is the perfect time to come to celebrate Valentine’s Day.  

Spring time is filled with food, music and art festivals.

Summer and fall months are perfect for beach getaways (this is a coastal city), family fun and even more music and food.  

Late July and August it does get a bit warmer, but there are usually afternoon showers that cool things down. For those who want to avoid outside, there are plenty of museums and galleries from which to choose.

Weekday visits present better hotel deals and smaller crowds in the Historic district.

There are many major airlines offering non-stop air service to Jacksonville International Airport from larger hub cities like Atlanta, NY, Miami and Charlotte. Orlando International Airport (MCO) is just a 1.5 hour drive away.

San Fransisco, California

San Francisco is one of the best cities to visit in the USA. It is full of great neighborhoods, parks, history, beaches, museums, and fun things to do.

Some amazing things to see and do in San Francisco includes exploring Fisherman’s Wharf. In addition to accessing the former terrifying maximum penitentiary Alcatraz , Fisherman’s Wharf features Ghirardelli Square (for some mouthwatering chocolate and ice cream desserts), the stores and restaurants at Pier 39 (along with a view of hundreds of sea lions lounging in the sun), and The Cartoon Art Museum.

You should definitely cross the Golden Gate Bridge, either on foot or by bike (rentals are easy to find). This incredible bridge is a work of engineering and a popular San Francisco landmark. You should visit the Visitor’s Center to learn about its history.

Approximately 875,000.

The best time to visit San Francisco is in the fall (September through November) when you’ll get the warmest weather and smaller crowds.

Summer is the time to avoid San Francisco because tourist season is at its peak. In addition, temperature hovers around the 60°F and fog consumes the city most afternoons and nights. 

Book your tickets to Alcatraz far in advance. You can only access it by boat and there are limited availability and times.

If you’re traveling internationally, San Francisco International Airport is the best option. If you’re traveling from another US state, Oakland International Airport (OAK) and San Jose International Airport (SJC) are great choices.

Another option is to fly to Los Angeles International Airport and take the Pacific Coast Highway route. Despite its length (442 miles), it is one of America’s most beautiful drives. You should give yourself a day to drive this route so you can enjoy the views along the way.

Anchorage, Alaska

As part of the Last Frontier, Anchorage is in the heart of south central Alaska. It is the largest state in the United States, full of natural beauty, and one of the best cities to visit in America.

According to Tabitha from Travel Compositions , Anchorage is a special city surrounded by pristine mountains and large bodies of water. Moose roam the streets like it’s their own. At the height of summer, it gets 19 hours of daylight; in the winter, only 5 hours. 

Anchorage sits against the Chugach Range and has numerous hiking trails like Flattop Mountain, Rabbit Lake Trail, or Blueberry Loop. In the winter you can go skiing at Hilltop Ski Area.

The best pizza in the country is at Moose’s Tooth Pub & Pizzeria. There is always a wait for a table to get their perfectly baked pizzas, like Amazing Apricot (yes! Apricot pizza). They even have their own brews and serve rotating flavors and classic standards such as their signature, crisp Hard Apple Ale.

Day trips from Anchorage are also amazing. A drive down the Seward Hwy along Turnagain Arm will take your breath away. The road hugs the curves of the mountain range with the inlet following you all the way until you turn into the Kenai Peninsula. Keep your eyes open for mountain sheep up among the rocky cliffs or beluga whales swimming in the inlet. If you plan right, you can experience the bore tide and possibly watch surfers ride the wave.

Approximately 293,000.

Late May – early September is the best time to visit this great city. Daylight is at its max, the weather is temperate, you “shouldn’t” have any snow, and the foliage is full and colorful.

Try to avoid visiting during break-up (April-early May) when everything is muddy and slushy and the trees are brown, not yet bloomed.

The earlier you leave for the Seward Hwy along Turnagain Arm drive the better. It allows you to enjoy the view and not worry as much about the car in front of you. As the day progresses, you get more tourists and RVers on the road.

It is only a 3.5hr flight to Anchorage International Airport from Seattle, so it is a lot closer to the lower 48 than most people realize.

Rochester, New York

Rochester, NY is located on the southern shore of Lake Ontario and one of the most underrated American cities.

Rochester offers world-class attractions like The Strong National Museum of Play , which houses the largest collection of toys, dolls and games in the world, and the George Eastman Museum , the world’s oldest photography museum.

In addition, you can find the National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House, the national historic landmark home of the woman who devoted her entire life to voting rights for women.

Rochester supplies a wide-ranging culinary scene (where else can you dine on something called a “Garbage Plate” for lunch only to have dinner prepared by a Michelin-starred chef), and booming craft breweries and distilleries

More into wine? Rochester is home to two wineries, including Living Roots, the first urban winery in the Finger Lakes region. Beyond Rochester, there are more than 100 wineries spread throughout the region.

With more than 12,000 acres of parkland, and a number of different waterways (a Great Lake, the Erie Canal, a river, bay and the Finger Lakes), there is no limit to what you can do in the outdoors in Rochester. 

Rochester is underrated, friendly, easily accessible, affordable, and one of the best destinations to visit in the USA.

Approximately 206,000.

Weather is optimal from May – October with lots of festivals and events.

It is suitable all year round, but if you are not familiar with traveling and getting around in snow, winter is best avoided.

Be sure to check out High Falls, a 96-foot waterfall located in the heart of downtown Rochester. The Falls are best viewed from the Pont de Rennes pedestrian bridge or the rooftop deck of the Genesee Brew House, the oldest brewery in New York State.

Best airport to fly into is Greater Rochester International Airport.

Charleston, South Carolina

According to Rachel from Means To Explore , Charleston, South Carolina is the perfect city: not too big and noisy, a thriving and diverse foodie scene, and gorgeous historic district with its own brand of Southern charm. Include the fact that you can easily access sandy beaches that can be used all year round thanks to the warm Southern climate, you can understand why it made the list for one of the best cities to visit in the USA.

Go kayaking at Shem’s Creek and meet the local dolphins that inhabit the harbor.

Explore the Charleston Historic District via a walking, carriage, or food tour.

Take a leisurely walk down the Battery, Charleston’s riverside promenade that was once a defensive bulwark. Across is Fort Sumter where the Civil War began.

Take some pictures at the Rainbow Row and make sure you pick a sweetgrass basket at the Charleston City Market. Or just get away for a beach day on Isle of Palms.

Approximately 135,000.

Plan your Charleston trip for spring, end of March to mid-April, when the azaleas burst into bloom and cover every inch of the city with vibrant pinks, purples, and whites. There isn’t a home in Charleston that doesn’t have azaleas!

For an unforgettable spring experience, visit Middleton Place Plantation or Magnolia Gardens & Plantation on the Ashley River. The gardens will blow you away with their spectacular colors.

The summer is hot and has lots of humidity.

Visit The Battery in late afternoon to see dolphins playing in the harbor during sunset.

Charleston International Airport is only 20 minutes north of downtown, but also only 20 minutes south of the Ashley River plantations if you want to check out a gorgeous plantation before you even check in to your hotel. 

Seattle, Washington

According to Megan from My Moments And Memories , there are many reasons to visit Seattle, one of the most beautiful and best cities to visit in the USA.

The city centre overlooks the stunning waters of Puget Sound and the mountains of Olympic National Park. You can easily explore island life, lush rain forests or wild beaches with one of the regular ferries from downtown Seattle.

If you don’t have time for that, head up to Smith Tower for an insight into Seattle’s past, and stunning 360 degree views of the city, and beyond.  This includes Mt Rainier, another Seattle icon. You can even enjoy a cocktail as you take it all in. 

There are an incredible range of hiking trails within an hour or two from Seattle. Mt Rainier National Park is one of them. For an easy hike only 30 minutes from Seattle, consider the spectacular Snoqualmie Falls.  

For city experiences, explore Pike Place Market. It opened in 1907 and it is one of the oldest continuously operated public Farmer’s Market in the USA. You can find fruits, vegetables, seafood and other fresh ingredients, as well as artisan crafts and delicious restaurants.

For something wild, fun and completely different, visit the interactive Museum of Pop Culture .

Approximately 725,000.

Summer when it rains the least.

Winter tends to be damp and gloomy with lots of rain. It rarely snows but when it does, the city shuts down.

If you are short on time, do a Float plane tour of the city (from Lake Union). It is the best way to see as much as you can.

Seatac-Tacoma International Airport is only a 20 minute drive to downtown Seattle.

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Virginia Beach is a legacy destination, known for wide open spaces, pristine beaches and family-friendly attractions.

For a seaside resort town, there is a surprising amount of hiking and biking opportunities. The destination is home to 293​ parks and park facilities and 29 miles of scenic waterways. Lake Lawson is surrounded with stunning trees which in the fall are engulfed in vibrant colors. The nature area also features several overlook platforms for fantastic photos. 

False Cape State Park is an oceanside preserve with 15 miles of trails. It is located at the edge of the Virginia-North Carolina border and offers a serene environment to experience nature. For a shot of adrenaline, take a zip-lining ride at the Adventure Park.

With more than  200 miles of trails , a perfect way to spend a day in Virginia Beach is from a bike seat. Rent a bike and take a self-guided  Bike, Brew and History Trail  tour, which traverses 30 miles of terrain in three hours and includes a salt marshland preserve and coastal dunes. 

Approximately 450,000.

Fall is an excellent time to visit Virginia Beach. The destination is blessed with an extended summer as it lingers into fall. You can see the leaves changing and you’ve got the beaches practically to yourself. 

In Virginia Beach, the summers are warm and muggy and the winters are very cold and windy.

Pack comfortable shoes and an appetite as there is a lot to explore outdoors. Because of the destination’s unique positioning, where the waters of the Chesapeake flow into the Atlantic Ocean, Virginia Beach is home to numerous fish species. As a result, it is one of the best cities to visit in the USA for seafood. But if that isn’t your thing, the destination has diverse culinary offerings as well.

Virginia Beach is conveniently located in the mid-Atlantic. Visitors can fly into Norfolk International Airport and then drive 30 minutes to Virginia Beach.

Los Angeles, California

Why is Los Angeles one of the best cities in the USA to visit? Well, there’s a ton of reasons – but to start, the city exudes “main character energy” and quite honestly — it’s hard to deny the allure of Los Angeles. It’s flashy, in-your-face and a city for anyone who wants to live the golden fantasy. Frankly, it’s about time some of us got a glimpse of everything La La land has to offer.

Everyone’s visited Disneyland , The Grove, and Beverly Hills, but if you’re looking for hidden gems, here’s where you’ll need to go!

The Last Bookstore displays the art of preserving stories through fully-stocked bookshelves and custom-built book sculptures. So, If you love the smell of books and the vintage feel of printed material, that’s where you should be!

If you ever wanted to cross off trespassing across a “no Trespassing” sign from your bucket list, head over to Sunken City. After a landslide occurred in a San Pedro neighborhood, “Sunken City” formed. Today, it has become a very popular hiking trail that locals & tourists love.

Lastly but definitely not least, how can we forget Griffith Park? It’s where Mia & Sebastian fell in love in the Oscar-winning film, “La La Land”. Notable mentions include the Venice canal, The Museum of Death and the Hollywood sign.

Approximately 4 million.

March to May offers fewer crowds, comfortable temperatures and hotel prices that don’t kill your appetite for exploring the City of Angels.

Key events during these months include the Los Angeles Marathon, Fiesta Broadway, Jazz Reggae Festival & more!

Avoid June – August as it is peak tourist season, meaning higher prices & less peace.

While Los Angeles International Airport is the biggest, busiest airport in L.A., it is by no means the only option in the area. San Diego International Airport is only 2 hours away and can be a much better option depending on how much time you have and where you plan to spend most of your time in the LA area.

Columbus, Georgia

Columbus, Georgia , is one of the best places to visit in the USA as it oozes southern hospitality, culinary opportunities and adventure. You can enjoy an outdoor urban escape with geocaching, birding and biking and then, explore city pleasures like fine dining and cultural events.

For thrill seekers, take on the challenge of the rapids of the Chattahoochee River’s urban whitewater course which is the largest in the world of its kind. Alternatively, reach new heights on one of the country’s only interstate zip line system.

The urban core of Columbus offers big city amenities while its waterfront location keeps the outdoors at your fingertips. Souvenir shopping in the heart of the city provides something for everyone including boutiques, large national retailers, antiques and outdoor outfitters.

Culture is tangible through exhibits at the National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus, the River Center for Performing Arts and the Springer Opera House. The Opera House is also a historic landmark built in 1871 in Columbus, GA, and stands as the state’s official theatre. 

Approximately 200,000.

The best time of year to go is September through June when the weather is relatively temperate.

July and August are very hot and humid, and best avoided.

The Lunchbox Museum is very unique and nostalgic. It pulls at your heartstrings when you find the lunchbox you used as a school-age child.

The National Infantry Museum adjacent to Fort Benning is Smithsonian quality. The public art in “Uptown Columbus” is worth a stroll.

The Scrambled Dog is definitely something to try at Dinglewood’s Pharmacy.

And, if you don’t go rafting, you have to at a minimum go walk along the RiverWalk with a stop at Waveshaper Island to watch the white water rafting…see who gets through the “cutbait” rapid without getting dumped out of the boat!

Columbus, Georgia is only an hour and a half south of Atlanta via I-85 and I-185 from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

New York City, New York

New York City is known worldwide for a reason. It is unlikely that any list of the best cities to visit in the United States or the world wouldn’t include it.

There is something for everyone to do , and it is impossible to see it all whether you are there for a weekend or a month.

However, if you are only there for a few days, every traveller should visit Times square at least once. Whether you like it or not, it is probably one of the most iconic symbols of New York City with its towering billboards, chintzy souvenir stores, and thronging masses of people.

Another iconic symbol is the Empire State Building. Arguably one of the most famous skyscrapers in the world, you should head to the top for panoramic views of the city and to plan your next adventure.

New York Travel Tip -A standard ticket gets you to the 86th floor of the Empire State Building. Alternatively, you can pay almost 70% more and go 16 floors higher to the 102nd floor. However, it isn’t necessary. The views from the 86th floor are stunning and don’t really change going up 16 floors.

Lastly, try and go see the Statue of Liberty, designated a National Monument in 1924. It is situated in a park like setting and climbing the stairs to one of its platforms for breathtaking views is an incredible experience. In addition, you must take a ferry to reach the Statue of Liberty and it is a fantastic way to see NYC from a different perspective.

New York Travel Tip – You need to pre-purchase tickets to climb up the Statue of Liberty and these tickets sell out fast so buy as early as you can. In addition, you can get a view of the Statue of Liberty and the New York City skyline by ferry for free if you take the Staten Island Ferry.

For other incredible tips to make your trip to New York City the best, please see 50 Best New York City Tips For First Time Visitors .

Approximately 8.5 million.

You should visit between April and June or in September and October when the weather is warm and the crowds are more manageable.

July and August are best avoided. The days are hot and humid. The nights are barely any cooler. In addition, it gets cold in winter. While the snow is pretty when it falls, it turns into muddy slush quickly.

Take public transit. It is extensive and affordable. Do not rent a car as parking is a fortune and often difficult to find. There are lots of taxis and ride sharing opportunities, but be prepared for traffic.

Leave midtown and explore . Besides seeing Times Square and a Broadway show, there’s nothing to do there. Prices are higher than elsewhere in the city. If you need a meal in midtown, walk a few blocks east or west for a better and more affordable meal.

There are three international airports that service New York City: John F Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport. They each offer shuttle services, bus and ride shares to NYC. Newark offers a train to Penn station in downtown NY.

Nothing is quite as staggering as choosing a hotel in New York City. However, two great choices are  Hotel Kimpton Eventi  and  Knickerbocker Hotel . They are upscale, well located and good value for what they offer. They have easy access to popular subway lines.

If you would like to receive weekly travel tips to help you Travel Cheaper, Smarter and Easier, click HERE !

Cleveland, Mississippi

Cleveland, Mississippi is found right in the heart of the Delta, midway between Memphis and Vicksburg on historic Highway 61. They say this small place has big vibes. That’s a lot of praise in the Mississippi Delta, an area known for its legendary musical vibe. However, in Cleveland, the vibe isn’t just big, it’s one of a kind.

Cleveland is home to the  GRAMMY Museum®  Mississippi. This interactive experience celebrates music of all genres. It is 28,000-square-foot and includes multiple exhibits with films, memorabilia and more. Permanent and rotating exhibits cross all musical spectrums.

Cleveland’s music scene is notable. From the Deep Roots music spectacles to the Bologna Performing Arts Center, music and the arts are a central part of this small city making it one of the best American cities to travel to in the USA. 

Dockery Farms known as the “Birthplace of the Blues”, is a short drive away and a must-see for Blues enthusiasts. Art lovers will want to visit famed McCarty Ceramics in Merigold and Peter’s Pottery in Mound Bayou.

The heart of the city centers around the railroad. The popular Crosstie District in downtown is vibrant and welcoming. It is anchored by the Railroad Heritage Museum, home to an amazing “O” Gauge model train exhibit, which is one of the largest in the country.

Approximately 10,600.

Christmas here is especially charming. A Christmas tree with more than 100,000 lights presides over the town’s legendary  50 Nights of Lights  from mid-November until the beginning of January. More than 350 holiday displays, some as large as 65 feet, fill downtown. You can walk but it also drivable by car. 

Summer is best avoided as it is hot, often with 90% humidity.

Have a drink overlooking the colorful sparkle at  Bar Fontaine , its rooftop bar and restaurant at The Cotton House Hotel, and enjoy award-winning cuisine from James Beard Award nominated  Chef Cole Ellis .  

International travelers should fly into Cleveland via Memphis International Airport. It is about a 2 hour drive.

The  Lyric Hotel  brings Delta traditions and luxury together in Cleveland’s West End. The  Cotton House Cleveland  offers an impressive hotel experience like none other in the region. 

San Antonio, Texas

San Antonio is one of the best US cities to visit for its rich colonial history and architecture.

One of the many highlights is The San Antonio River Walk which is made up of a network of paved paths and lush landscapes that gently wind through the city, offering views of the beautiful natural scenery and the city.

The path runs along the San Antonio River, which represents the heart and soul of the city, and gives access to several of San Antonio’s top attractions, restaurants, and other forms of entertainment.

Another is the  San Antonio’s five Spanish colonial missions which were designated a World Heritage site in 2015. (Only a handful of cultural properties in the United States are on UNESCO’s list.) You can visit one or all five of San Antonio’s well-preserved 18th century Franciscan missions. Four of them are still active and you can attend a service.

To get a feel for the multiple cultures that impact the culture of the city, take a food tour. The Moveable Feast Tour is a walking tour that takes you to the King William district to show you all of the early architectural influences. In addition, you tour the private portion of the riverwalk, rarely seen by tourists. 

Approximately 1.5 million

The best time to go is September – December, and March – June. This way you avoid the extreme temperatures and can enjoy the outdoors.

The best month to avoid is January as it can get very cold. 

Make sure you visit the San Fernando Cathedral laid in 1731. It is vastly different from the European Cathedrals and almost seems to spring up from the ground around it.

The best airports in which to fly would be Austin and drive 1 1/2 hours to San Antonio.

New Orleans, Louisiana

There is no other city like New Orleans in the United States. In certain parts, you feel like you have been dropped into a small European city . Its French-Creole culture is unique and the city is full of great cuisine, music, and architecture. It has something for everyone whether you are travelling with friends or family or hoping for a romantic getaway.

A visit to Nola wouldn’t be complete without spending at least one day and one night in the French Quarter. There are amazing restaurants, great shopping, and a lot of history in this beautiful part of New Orleans.

Make sure you go to Jackson Square, St. Louise Cathedral and of course, Bourbons Street to experience it all. At night, the streets come alive with party goers and music fills the street. At all times of the day, there are tons of exceptionally talented street performers around every corner.

You should also visit the  National WWII Museum . Even if you have no interest in World War II, this is an incredible museum. It is completely interactive as you explore America’s role in Asia and Europe during the war. Videos, lights, sounds, and visual imagery completely capture your attention.

For some fantastic day trips, take a swamp tour or explore Oak Alley Plantation . The swamp tour is a blast. You head out by boat onto the bayou and look for crocodiles, feral hogs and other wildlife.

Oak Alley Plantation is a more serious look at plantation life and includes many original buildings and furniture.

Fun Fact – In New Orleans, you can have your own parade, complete with police escort! You can hire the musicians directly, or a full-service company to handle of all the details. The police will even close the streets to traffic along your route.

For more unique New Orleans travel tips, please see 40 Best Travel Tips For First Time Visitors .

Fall is the best time to go when the temperatures are cooler or springtime for Jazz Fest .

It is best to avoid traveling to New Orleans in the summertime. It is quite hot and humid.

You may also want to avoid Mardi Gras which happens in February or March every year. Although it is a bucket list item for many people, the city becomes very busy and expensive.

Be aware that B&B’s require a minimum two-night stay. Consider the suburbs for more savings.

Skip the long line ups at Cafe Du Monde and instead head to  Cafe Beignet  to try one of these New Orleans treats. Beignets are a cross between a french pastry and a doughnut. They are served warm, a little soft and gooey and are absolutely delicious.

Fly into New Orleans International Airport (MSY) . It is only a 25 minute drive from the airport to the French Quarter.

Indianapolis, Indiana

Indy has undergone momentous growth in the past decade with more cool hotels, an incredible dining scene, and bike trail expansion.

As the home of the Cultural Trail , deemed by Project for Public Spaces as “the biggest and boldest step by any American city,” Indy is truly one of the best cities to visit in the United States from a bicycle seat.

Public art has been a huge focus for the city, including the new, massive Major Taylor mural downtown honoring the life of the country’s first Black sports super star and fastest bicycle rider.

As one of the most family-friendly destinations in the country, families can enjoy the world’s largest children’s museum, a Smithsonian-affiliated interactive history park , and 250-acres of urban green space with the Indian Central Canal flowing through it.

For those with a passion for cars and speed, go 185-mph+ in a real Indy Car on the most iconic racetrack in the world, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway .

Approximately 870,000.

Indy is best when it turns from summer to fall. You beat the humidity of the summer, but it’s not yet cold. Temperature is mild and you can start to see the foliage turning bright fall colors.

Unless you’re specifically coming to see the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” – the Indianapolis 500 – avoid dates in May as it is super busy with the 500 Festival . Room rates are on the higher side.

If you’re flying, no need to rent a car. The downtown is extremely walkable and transportation like the Red Line, ride shares, and bike rentals are readily available.

Fly into Indianapolis International Airport (ranked one of the world’s best). Downtown is only 18 miles away. However, Indianapolis is within a day’s drive to more than half of the United State’s population.

Tallahassee, Florida

Named as one of  Southern Living ’s top 10 cities in the South, Tallahassee’s charm and style is derived from the pretty and often unexpected features found in Florida’s Capital. 

Tallahassee is situated in one of the most biologically diverse regions in the U.S. It is home to more than 700 miles of biking, hiking, paddling, equestrian and running trails — aptly earning the nickname “ Trailahassee ”. For outdoor enthusiasts, it is an ideal escape.

There is zip-lining through canopied trees and over a cypress swamp at the Tallahassee Museum. In addition, there are wildlife encounters while cruising along Wakulla Springs – the world’s deepest freshwater springs.

Lastly, Tallahassee has a vibrant arts, culture and deep-rooted history. They are on display in its murals, museums and performing arts.

Approximately 191,000.

The best time to visit is in the fall or spring. That is when you can enjoy its trails full of Florida fauna.

Summer weather is usually long and hot, and best avoided.

Download the destination mobile  app  for iPhone and Android users, which will allow anyone to view and save listings of places to stay, events to attend, sites to visit and where to eat and drink. Users can make custom itineraries based on their own unique interests, which can be shared with others.

Tallahassee is a great drivable escape for a handful of major cities such as Orlando, Atlanta, Tampa, Jacksonville, Birmingham. However, for those travelers who prefer to fly, the Tallahassee International Airport is only 15 minutes away from downtown.

Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix is the fifth-largest city in the United States and its southwest inspired dining options, innovative cocktail experiences and awe-inspiring museums make it one of the best US cities to visit in the USA. 

It is home to one of a kind experiences like  Century Grand , a turn-of-the-century inspired, cocktail-centric, immersive hospitality venue. Guests journey into an extraordinary world when ‘The West’ was won. Enjoy a cocktail experience filled with intriguing characters and tales of adventure.

Travelers can also experience the vibrant history and culture of the Native American community in Phoenix at the internationally-acclaimed  Heard Museum . 

The Phoenix Art Museum is always a favorite amongst locals and visitors. The  Phoenix Art Museum  opened in 1959 and is now the largest art museum in the southwestern United States providing access to visual arts and educational programs in Arizona. The museum is located in the Roosevelt Arts District, which is known as a hub for arts and culture.

There is also great hiking in Phoenix .

Approximately 1.65 million.

The best time to visit Phoenix is in the fall when it is still warm enough to relax by the pool during the day, but the nights are cool enough to enjoy the gorgeous Phoenix sunsets from a patio or rooftop bar. 

Phoenix has sun and clear skies year round, but for those looking to spend time outside in the desert, it is best to avoid the hot summer months.

For the full art and culture experience of Phoenix, come on the first Friday of any month. 

Phoenix First Fridays  start at the Phoenix Art Museum and through a self-guided tour, visitors get to experience Roosevelt Row when it is most alive.

This monthly event also offers live street performers, access to local galleries and Phoenix’s unofficial “ Mural Alley ”, and a fantastic bar and restaurant scene.

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is centrally located and welcomes travelers to Phoenix.

The  Arizona Biltmore Resort, A Waldorf Astoria  is an iconic Phoenix destination filled with glamour and magic. This resort is an oasis with 39 acres of luscious gardens, glistening swimming pools and awe-inspiring architecture influenced by the famed Frank Lloyd Wright. 

Concord, New Hampshire

Concord, New Hampshire is one of the smaller cities that made the list for one of the best American cities to visit. Whether you come to be a part of its fantastic arts community, the local food movement, or the array of outdoor recreation sites, you’ll be sure to find plenty to do. With a wide range of events hosted all year round, Concord is a lively New England city full of fun-filled opportunities.

With tax-free shopping and plenty of parking, the downtown offers wonderful opportunities for shoppers. In between exploring consignment galleries, cafés and boutiques, you will often find street music – whether it is on the public piano tucked away off Main Street, or the saxophone player often found outside Candle Tree Soy Candles shop.

Beyond local cuisine, local artisans thrive in Concord. The League of NH Craftsman is found in town, and hosts Concord’s annual Capital Arts Fest. The Capitol Center For The Arts hosts performance arts, including music and comedy. With more causal music venues like Dos Hermanos Lounge & Tequila Bar, you will be going day and night.

There are many choices for outdoor recreation right in town. Whether you are looking for hiking trails, family friendly parks, or cross-country skiing, Concord has plenty to offer.

For groomed cross-country ski trails, visit Carter Hill Orchard. In the summertime, you can also pick your own apples.

Approximately 43,000.

In summer, you’ll find a fantastic Farmer’s Market throughout Saturday mornings, hosting vendors from all over the state. In addition, there are many welcoming patio spaces sprinkled about town.

Concord, New Hampshire is an ideal year round destination.

Concord is only 60 miles from The White Mountains , an outdoor enthusiasts dream. You can use it as a home base for day trips or a stopover on your way there.

Concord, New Hampshire is 80 miles or 1 1/2 drives from Boston Logan International Airport.

The 20 best cities to visit in America offer excitement, fun, good food, and plenty of culture. There is something for everyone. The only problem now is deciding where to go first!

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My 31 Favorite Places to Visit in the USA

From sea to shining sea, the United States is home to a diverse landscape — both culturally and physically. Spending months traveling across it gave me a deep appreciation for all my country has to offer.

After traveling across the continental United States as part of multiple cross-country road trips (you never really realize how big Texas is until you drive through it. Damn that state is big!), I wanted to share some of my favorite places in the United States with you. I’ve already talked about my favorite restaurants and lessons learned , so it only seems proper to give you a list of the best places to visit in the USA when you come and travel here!

To help you get started, here’s a quick overview of some of the highlights:

Best destination for foodies: New Orleans Best destination for partying: Miami or Las Vegas Best destination for hiking/nature: Glacier National Park Best destination for history: Natchez Best destination for museums: Washington, D.C. or New York City Best destination for families: The Grand Canyon

In no particular order, here’s my detailed list of the best places to visit in the USA:

( Note: This list is based only on where I myself have been. There are a lot more incredibly breathtaking places I haven’t explored yet, which is why you don’t see them on this list!)  

WHERE TO STAY IN MEMPHIS : Hostel Memphis – A hip hostel in a century-old building with a fully-equipped kitchen and free Wi-Fi. The hostel is also a non-profit that donates 100% of its profit to social justice causes around the city.  

Thanks to everything from the growing food truck population to the flagship Whole Foods store with the incredible salad bar (grilled pineapple!), I eat — and eat well — nonstop. The Austin campus of the University of Texas provides a youthful vigor to the city, and its liberal attitude attracts a diverse and eclectic population. In short, you can’t skip Austin, because if you do, I’ll find you and drag you there.

WHERE TO STAY IN AUSTIN : Firehouse Hostel – This centrally-located hostel is located in an old firehall from 1885. They have fast Wi-Fi, plenty of chill common areas, and an amazing on-site bar that serves top-notch craft cocktails.

For more travel tips on Austin, check out these posts:

• My Complete Guide to Austin
• My Guide to Eating in Austin

3. New Orleans

WHERE TO STAY IN NOLA : HI New Orleans – An award-winning hostel with spacious dorms, comfy beds, privacy curtains, and fast Wi-Fi. Everything a budget traveler needs!

For more travel tips on traveling New Orleans, check out my suggested itinerary on how to spend 4 days there !  

4. Asheville

If you’ve ever seen Downton Abbey, that’s what the house is like! (And, if you haven’t, you should! The show is addicting!)

WHERE TO STAY IN ASHEVILLE : Bon Paul & Sharky’s – A laid-back hsotel with a spacious front and back porch for relaxing. There’s free parking, free Wi-Fi, and plenty of nearby restaurants and cafes.  

5. The Pacific Coastal Drive

WHERE TO STAY ON THE PACFIC COAST HIGHWAY : Airbnb – Airbnb is your best bet here, unless you have camping gear and want to camp in one of the many parks. There are also lots of cheap motels along the highway too.  

6. Redwood National Park

WHERE TO STAY IN REDWOOD NATIONAL PARK : View Crest Lodge – Located on the coast in Trinidad, this rustic budget-friendly lodge has basic amenities like free Wi-Fi and TV, and some of their rooms also have full kitchens. It’s a clean, comfy no-frills place to crash for a night.  

7. Glacier National Park

WHERE TO STAY IN GLACIER NATIONAL PARK : Camping – Pack (or rent) a tent and cozy up for a few nights under the stars. You won’t be disappointed.  

WHERE TO STAY IN DENVER : Ember Hostel – This boutique hostel is rated one of the best in the country, offering a swank interior, free jacuzzi, outdoor firepit, comfy beds with blackout curtains, free parking, and more.  

And once the winter deep freeze is over, Chicagoans burst out of their homes to enjoy the summer weather, so there’s a positive, happy vibe emanating through the city. Take advantage of it.

WHERE TO STAY IN CHICAGO : HI Chicago – A spacious, clean hostel with female-only dorms, free Wi-Fi, and a great location. The beds are comfy and the common area is huge so it’s easy to meet people.

For more travel tips on Chicago, check out this detailed planning guide !  

10. New York City

WHERE TO STAY IN NYC : Jazz on the Park – Located near Central Park on the Upper West Side, this no-frills hostel is close to the train and is one of the more affordable places in the city. The dorms are basic and the beds aren’t winning any awards but it’s cheap (for NYC at least!).

For more travel tips on New York City, check out these posts:

• The Complete Guide to New York City
• The Best Walking Tours of New York City
• 21 Delicious Places to Eat in NYC
• How to Spend 4 Days in New York City

11. Natchez

Now, they are historic monuments, and you can tour them while enjoying a view of the Mississippi River. It’s far off the beaten path — and my favorite discovery from my last road trip.

WHERE TO STAY IN NATCHEZ : The Guest House Historic Mansion – If you want to splash out, this 19th-century mansion includes free breakfast and spacious historic rooms as well as modern amenities like Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and flatscreen TVs.

For more travel tips on Natchez,  check out this post on my visit there .  

12. Savannah

WHERE TO STAY IN SAVANNAH : Thunderbird Inn – This affordable three-star motel is just a short 5-minute walk from downtown. Boasting a retro vibe, there’s free coffee and juice every morning, as well as free donuts and popcorn available in the lobby.  

13. The Grand Canyon

WHERE TO STAY IN THE GRAND CANYON : Camp – Pack (or rent) a tent and cozy up for a few nights under the stars. You’ll need to reserve a spot early though as they disappear fast!

For more travel tips on the Grand Canyon, read this post on hiking the canyon .  

14. Nashville

There’s not a lot of “touristy stuff” to do here, but what makes this city one of my favorites are the music, the food, the wildly friendly and happy people, and the positive energy the city seems to exude. When you’re here, plan to spend a few hours at the Tennessee State Museum. It goes into great (though sometimes very one-sided) detail about the state’s history, but it’s more exciting than you might think.

WHERE TO STAY IN NASHVILLE : Red Roof Inn – While it’s not centrally located, this is one of the city’s few affordable two-star options. A quick 13-minute drive from the Grand Ole Opry, this budget-friendly joint boasts an outdoor pool, free Wi-Fi, and free coffee.  

15. San Francisco

WHERE TO STAY IN SAN FRANCISCO : Green Tortoise – As one of the oldest in town, this hostel is an institution in San Francisco. It offers free breakfast, free dinners multiple times per week, and even a free sauna! It has a huge common room so it’s easy to meet people and has a very fun, social atmosphere.

For more travel tips on San Francisco, read these posts:

• The Complete Guide to San Francisco
• San Francisco Itinerary: Things to See & Do in 3 Days
• The Best Hostels in San Francisco

WHERE TO STAY IN MIAMI : Generator Miami – This hostel has a pool, two restaurants, a bar, and is just minutes away from the beach. It’s massive (there are 8 floors), the beds are more comfortable than the cheap ones you’ll find at the party hostels.

For more travel tips on Miami, check out this detailed planning guide !  

17. San Diego

The downtown Gaslamp area — as well as the famous Pacific Beach — is full of trendy seafood restaurants, bustling bars, and some seriously life-changing taco stalls. I love San Diego .

WHERE TO STAY IN SAN DIEGO : ITH Adventure Hostel – With a focus on sustainable travel (there’s a vegetable garden and backyard chickens), this chill hostel is very friendly and social. It’s clean, and the water pressure in the showers is decent, and the beds are comfy too.  

19. Lake Tahoe

WHERE TO STAY IN LAKE TAHOE : Camping – Pack (or rent) a tent and cozy up for a few nights under the stars. You won’t be disappointed.  

20. Anywhere in Montana

WHERE TO STAY IN MONTANA : Treasure State Hostel – Located in downtown Bozeman, this hotel is quiet, clean, and is home to friendly staff. They organize all kinds of events too, like pub crawls and movie nights, so it’s easy to hang out and meet people.  

21. Washington D.C.

WHERE TO STAY IN WASHINGTON : Highroad Hostel – Offering pod-style bunks, this cool hostel is located in an old Victorian mansion. The beds have memory foam mattresses, there’s a fully-equipped kitchen, and the common area has a fireplace.

For more travel tips on Washington D.C., here are some other articles I’ve written:

• Travel guide to Washington D.C.
• Free Things to do in Washington D.C. in 2019

22. Cape Cod

WHERE TO STAY IN CAPE COD : Cape Sands Inn – Just a short walk from the beach in West Yarmouth, this three-star property has all the standard amenities (TV, coffee/tea, free Wi-Fi), as well as free parking and a relaxing sauna and hot tub.  

It’s home to a ton of activities, like the Freedom Trail and Faneuil Hall, the JFK Museum, and the Boston Commons and Public Garden, as well as some of the best Italian and seafood restaurants in the country. Be sure to eat at Zaftigs for the best brunch in the city! It’s wicked!

WHERE TO STAY IN BOSTON : HI Boston – This spacious and clean hostel is just a short walk from pretty much everything in the city. They have female-only dorms, free Wi-Fi, and several chill common areas where you can meet other travelers.

For more travel tips on Boston, check out these posts:

• Travel guide to Boston
• Boston Itinerary
• Free Things to do in Boston

24. Las Vegas

Get off the Strip, explore the real Vegas (because technically the Strip is located in Paradise, NV, not Las Vegas), and see why people decide to live here.

WHERE TO STAY IN LAS VEGAS : Sin City Hostel – Just a short walk from the (in)famous Fremont Street, this is a social hostel that hosts all kinds of events (such as bar crawls, pasta & wine nights, BBQs, casino nights, and more). It’s a great place to connect with other travelers.

For more travel tips on Las Vegas, these articles can help:

• Travel guide to Las Vegas
• 12 Things to do in Vegas That Don’t Involve a Casino
• How to be a High-Roller in Vegas on a Low-Roller Budget

25. Portland

Portland is just an awesome city, especially in the summer when the weather is perfect and there are festivals and events galore, like the World Domination Summit and the Portland International Beerfest.

WHERE TO STAY IN PORTLAND : HI Portland – Northwest – Rated one of the best hostels in the world, this centrally-located HI hostel offers free breakfast, in-house made craft beer, an outdoor courtyard with a firepit, regular live music, and much more. It’s a lively, social, and fun place to stay!

For more travel tips on Portland, read this post on the city .  

26. Seattle

WHERE TO STAY IN SEATTLE : Green Tortoise – Located right across from the iconic Pike Place Market, this social hostel organizes all kinds of activities so it’s easy to meet people. They also offer free breakfast — a rare perk in the US!

For more travel tips on Seattle, read this detailed planning guide !  

27. Deadwood

WHERE TO STAY IN DEADWOOD : Gold Country Inn – This kitschy hotel is one of the cheapest places in town. Located right downtown, they have a mini gambling hall on-site, free Wi-Fi, and free parking. It’s nothing fancy but it won’t break the bank either.  

28. Kansas City

WHERE TO STAY IN KANSAS CITY : Home2 Suites Downtown – With a fitness center, pool, and a decent breakfast spread, this three-star hotel in downtown KC is one of the more affordable places to crash in the city.  

29. Louisville

Louseiville has a laid-back, artsy vibe to it. It feels much more like an Austin or a Portland than your traditional southern/midwest city. In the past, it was considered a fly-over city and was skipped by most people. It’s definitely not now.

WHERE TO STAY IN LOUISVILLE : Microtel Inn – While it may be 20 minutes from downtown, this budget-friendly inn is affordable, includes free breakfast and free parking, and has free Wi-Fi. It’s a no-frills choice but clean and comfy.  

30. Charleston

WHERE TO STAY IN CHARLESTON : Charlestons NotSo Hostel – Located in a historic neighborhood, this laid-back hostel includes free coffee/tea and oatmeal and free Wi-Fi. The rooms are small but the beds are perfectly comfy.  

31. Franklin

WHERE TO STAY IN FRANKLIN : The Harpeth Hotel – This upscale property features a restaurant on-site, fitness center, bar, and terrace. If you don’t want to splash out, check Booking.com for other options.

The United States is filled with too many “must-sees” places to visit to list in a single blog post. After all, the country is home to over 329 million people and covers 3.8 million square miles.

But for those looking for a starting point for where to go, what to see, and the places to visit, this list should point you in the right direction and fill your time!

Just be sure to turn off the highways, head to the small towns, and discover some favorites of your own. The best of the USA is always away from the major highways in the little no-name towns with little diners, quirky shops, and friendly people!

For more travel tips on traveling the USA, read these other blog posts:

• How to Travel Across the USA on $50 A Day
• 19 Amazing Restaurants from My Road-Trip Across the U.S.
• 9 Things I Learned While Driving Across the U.S.
• Detailed Travel Planning Guide on The United States

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner . It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld . If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• SafetyWing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those 70 and over)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Want to Travel for Free? Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.

Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip? Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.

Ready to Book Your Trip? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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24 Best Places to Visit in the United States

Written by Lana Law Updated May 3, 2023

Author Lana Law has spent many years traveling to all corners of the United States.

With so much to see in this vast country, it can be difficult to know where to start when it comes to planning a trip in the United States. World-class cities , some known for history and others known for fun or glamour, give you a broad spectrum of places to choose from. The best places to visit in the United States may simply depend on your personal interests.

Along the Eastern Seaboard , New York and Washington, D.C. offer two uniquely different city experiences. Along the West Coast , San Francisco and Los Angeles are both hot spots for tourists. In the Southwest , Las Vegas brings the desert to life, and the Grand Canyon shows off one of nature's greatest creations.

Beyond the mainland are the beaches of Waikiki and the tropical Hawaiian Islands , as well as Alaska. These are just a few key locations, but wonderful destinations for any type of traveler can be found all over the country.

Discover more of America with our list of the best places to visit in the United States.

1. New York

2. san francisco, 3. the grand canyon, 5. las vegas, 7. washington, d.c., 9. los angeles, 10. new orleans, 11. utah's national parks, 12. orlando/kissimmee, 13. chicago, 14. phoenix, 15. savannah, 17. yosemite national park, 18. colorado's rocky mountains, 19. seattle, 20. north carolina's outer banks, 21. santa fe, 22. san antonio, 23. yellowstone national park.

New York City is like no other city in the world, and one that must be experienced to be fully appreciated.

For first-time visitors, walking the streets can be like walking through a movie set, with famous sites at every turn, from the Empire State Building , to Rockefeller Plaza , the Chrysler Building , Central Park , The High Line , Times Square , 5th Avenue , Broadway , and of course, the Statue of Liberty .

Sightsee by day, take in a Broadway show in the evening, work in time for shopping or a stroll, and relax and reminisce over a fantastic meal. This is New York. With too much to see and do in a day, a weekend, or even a week, this is a city worth visiting time and time again.

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in New York City

This charming and picturesque West Coast city is the perfect getaway destination for couples, singles, or families. Famous sites, charming streets, beautiful views, and outdoor dining are all part of what makes San Francisco such a great place to visit.

Take a cruise on San Francisco Bay, tour Alcatraz , drive over the Golden Gate Bridge , wander around Fisherman's Wharf , hop on an historic street car, or try a do-it-yourself walking tour to explore the city sites.

Summer or fall is a wonderful time to visit, but the climate here is mild and any time of year is pleasant.

• Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in San Francisco
• Best Free Things to Do in San Francisco

The Grand Canyon is one of those must-see, bucket-list destinations that have been attracting visitors for generations. Gazing out over the canyon walls to an endless horizon and an unfathomable depth below is one of the highlights of any trip in the United States.

Visiting the Grand Canyon can easily be done on a day trip from Las Vegas or Phoenix , and from some smaller cities in the vicinity, including Sedona or Flagstaff . Another option is to incorporate a visit into a larger driving trip through Arizona and surrounding states. A train trip from Williams , AZ on the Grand Canyon Railway is another delightful way to experience the canyon.

The south rim of the Grand Canyon, which is the most popular and most visited section, is open all year, and visitors are welcome at any time of year. To avoid the crush of summer visitors, consider arriving in the spring or fall; the weather is good and the crowds smaller. The road to the north rim of the Grand Canyon is closed in winter due to snow.

• Top Attractions & Things to See at the Grand Canyon
• From Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon: Best Ways to Get There

Houston is the perfect city for a friends' getaway, a couples' retreat, or a family vacation. With direct flights from cities across the United States and Canada, you can easily fly in to see a sports game, wander through Houston's Museum District , lounge by a pool at one of the many luxury hotels, and spend your evenings enjoying incredible meals.

Houston has developed into a hot spot for dining in the United States and is now well known for extraordinary cuisine.

If you want a relaxed but outdoor urban experience, rent a bike and peddle your way through the miles of paved trails in the parks or on the downtown streets. Rent a kayak and paddle along Buffalo Bayou in Buffalo Bayou Park .

In less than an hour, you can be on the nearby beaches or exploring Galveston , and along the way, you can make a stop at Space Center Houston .

• Read More: Top Attractions & Places to Visit in Houston

This glittering city of lights in the desert holds a unique appeal, and one that has been attracting visitors for decades. Huge resort complexes, with all kinds of things to see and do at any time of year, have made this a destination that draws everyone, from want-to-be newlyweds who come here to say their vows, to families or singles who just want to hang out around a pool.

Entertainment options are extensive, with some of the music industry's top stars calling Las Vegas home and playing to packed audiences every night. Cirque du Soleil offers another unique experience, and of course, each resort has something to entertain guests, from dancing fountains to an erupting volcano.

When you've had your fill of the city, there is plenty to explore in the surrounding area , with the Grand Canyon , Hoover Dam , Death Valley National Park , and Valley of Fire State Park all within easy day-tripping distance. Las Vegas is ideal for a long weekend if you live in Los Angeles or Phoenix.

• Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Las Vegas
• Top-Rated Hiking Trails near Las Vegas, NV

Waikiki is one of America's top beaching destinations, with all the comforts of North America on a beautiful tropical island in the Pacific Ocean.

Located on the Hawaiian island of Oahu , Waikiki is a suburb of Honolulu known for the beautiful golden sand beach that stretches along the oceanfront, backed by hotels and retail establishments.

Rent a surfboard and test your skills in the waves, hit the shops when you're done with the beach, and enjoy great dining options in the evening. This is the perfect destination for everyone, from families to couples or singles.

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions & Things To Do in Waikiki

Washington, D.C. is the US capitol and home to some of the most famous sites and national treasures in America, from the White House and the Capitol Building to the Smithsonian museums. This city should be on everyone's itinerary of the East Coast .

In the spring, the Cherry Blossom Festival is a beautiful time to visit, when the trees are in full bloom. Summer can be hot. You may want to hit one of the beaches near Washington for a bit of a cool off.

Fall is also a good time to visit, when the hot summer temperatures have cooled off enough to make walking around outside very comfortable and the rush of the busy summer season has passed. In winter, the crowds are definitely smaller, and the city is stunning after a fresh snowfall.

• Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Washington, DC
• Top-Rated Day Trips from Washington, D.C.

The hot spot of southern Florida, Miami is more than just a great beaching destination. Wonderful beaches can be found all over Florida , but Miami offers an atmosphere like no other city in the state.

The Cuban vibe along Calle Ocho in Little Havana , the Art Deco District in Miami Beach that calls to mind the 1930s era, the endless parade of sports cars cruising along Ocean Drive in the evenings, and the summertime beach scene of South Beach , are just some of the unique aspects that make Miami one of the best cities in the US.

For a unique experience take a day trip from Miami to Everglades National Park to see alligators, turtles, and an array of birds in this one-of-a-kind wetlands area.

Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Miami

Southern California has a culture all of its own, and Los Angeles is the epicenter of this unique area. The city has always been associated with glamour, with the suburbs of Hollywood , Beverly Hills , and Bel Air dominating pop culture. Travelers will find all kinds of vacation possibilities in the Los Angeles area.

Hollywood is a must for movie lovers, families come to experience nearby Disneyland , and shoppers will definitely find what they're looking for in the Los Angeles area .

If you are looking for a little sand and surf, head to one of the many beaches around LA . For an interesting natural history experience, be sure to visit La Brea Tar Pits to see fossil remains of prehistoric animals that roamed this area 40,000 years ago.

• Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Los Angeles
• Best Free Things to Do in Los Angeles, CA

New Orleans is like no other southern city. The mix of cultures, with strong French and Spanish influences, is more reminiscent of the Caribbean than the United States. Cajun and Creole cuisine, jazz music, and the architecture of the French Quarter set this city apart.

Combined with an assortment of luxury resorts and hotels, New Orleans makes a perfect destination for a long weekend getaway .

The highlight of New Orleans' calendar year is Mardi Gras , when elaborate costumes and outrageous floats light up the streets, music can be heard everywhere, and the celebrations seem never-ending. However, if crowds are not your thing, you may want to avoid this time of year.

The best time to visit New Orleans is from December to May, but other seasons offer different benefits. June to November is hotter and prone to storms and hurricanes but is a good time to find deals.

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in New Orleans

Southern Utah is home to a landscape like no other, with canyons, arches, natural amphitheaters, and oddly beautiful rock formations. Fortunately, Utah's parks offer access to the state's most incredible scenery.

Zion National Park is one of the most outstanding, and particularly of interest for its hiking trails . Soaring cliff walls, waterfalls, and the river running through the valley, making this one of the most visited parks in the United States .

Arches National Park , near the town of Moab, is home to more than 2,000 sandstone arches, but is much more than the name suggests. Rock spires, petrified dunes, views to distant mountain peaks, and the numerous adventure opportunities in the area , make this a place you'll want to spend some time. It's also a top mountain biking destination in the United States .

Nearby, but completely different in character, is Canyonlands National Park . Some sections of this park are as enchanting as the Grand Canyon but not nearly as busy. Plan on at least a day to see two separate sections of the park, and more if you want to enjoy the hiking trails.

Bryce Canyon National Park offers a completely different scene, with a huge natural amphitheater providing the base for a forest of colorful rock pinnacles. The hiking trails in Bryce , which take you through this mystical landscape, are mostly easy to moderate and worth doing. And lastly, Capitol Reef National Park is a little out of the way but is worth a stop if you can work it into your itinerary.

• Top-Rated National and State Parks in Utah
• Best Campgrounds Near Capitol Reef National Park

Orlando, which for most tourists is synonymous with Kissimmee, is all about the theme parks; Walt Disney World Resort , Universal Studios , and SeaWorld are the big attractions . This is one of the best vacation spots in the US for families . Kids love it. But adults will also enjoy the parks, as well as the shopping, dining, golfing, and sunshine.

School holidays are the busiest time to visit. Christmas and summer holidays are particularly hectic. Fortunately, Orlando is primed for tourists, with all kinds of hotels and home rentals available in the area.

The city is located inland but within easy day-tripping distance of both coasts and the popular Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral on the Atlantic Coast

• Read More: Top-Rated Beaches near Orlando, FL

Set on the shores of Lake Michigan, Chicago is a great summer destination, with parks and a beautiful waterfront with amazing beaches . But its arts and cultural attractions, as well as fantastic shopping, make it a popular year-round destination.

The Magnificent Mile , along Michigan Avenue, is the city's most famous area, with high-end luxury stores and galleries, along with famous buildings and outstanding architecture. Some of the tourist highlights include Millennium Park , the Art Institute of Chicago , Navy Pier , and the views from the Willis Tower SkyDeck .

• Read More: Top-Rated Attractions in Chicago

In the heart of the Southwestern US , Phoenix is a huge, sprawling city that attracts large numbers of northerners during the winter months, who come here to escape the cold weather. Phoenix is a great destination for golfing, shopping, relaxing, and generally having a good time.

The greater Phoenix area has some of the finest resorts in the state. They range from giant family-friendly complexes with beaches and waterslides to small, intimate operations where your every whim is indulged.

You may want to pack your golf clubs. The city and surroundings, which include Scottsdale , Mesa , and several other townships, are known in particular for their world-class golf resorts, some of the most important stops on the men's and women's PGA Tour.

If you have extra room in your suitcase, maybe squeeze in your hiking boots, too. Natural areas that showcase the desert landscape can be found within the city and nearby, providing easy access for hiking , and mountain biking. Summer temperatures can be extremely high, but October to April is very pleasant, especially if you want to spend time outdoors.

• Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Phoenix
• Top-Rated Campground in the Phoenix Area

Savannah is the quintessential small southern city, with huge moss-covered trees in the beautiful parks, old southern mansions, and a lovely waterfront area with candy stores and other unique shops in historic buildings. The pace is slow, and the people are friendly.

It's easy to see that Savannah is a city where people live and enjoy life, rather than an area simply developed for tourism. The city center is small enough that you can walk everywhere. This is a city you can see in a day, but the kind of place where you will want to linger.

Nearby are some beautiful beaches at Tybee Island and Hilton Head Island , both of which can be reached by car in well under an hour.

• Read More: Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Savannah

Located along the Eastern Seaboard, Boston is a city of history. The famous Freedom Trail leads past some of the city's most famous and historic sites, making sightseeing and navigating through the city extremely easy.

Picturesquely situated along the oceanfront, with ferries connecting the outer suburbs, Boston has a unique charm. Modern skyscrapers stand next to centuries-old buildings, and open public spaces , like Boston Common , give the city a quaint, small-town feel. The city also has a strong arts and cultural scene, and is home to the famous Boston Pops Orchestra .

Boston's winters are legendary. Nor'easters roar ashore every now and again, dumping copious quantities of snow. However, that doesn't stop these hardy residents from enjoying life. The list of things to do in winter is long, and this is still a great time of year for a visit.

• Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Boston
• Top-Rated Beaches in the Boston Area

While the Grand Canyon is on most international travelers' itineraries, Yosemite is a national treasure that should not be missed. Yosemite Valley is home to some of America's most famous landscapes and iconic natural attractions, from the dramatic waterfalls to the soaring cliff walls of El Capitan and Half Dome .

The captivating photographs of Ansel Adams , the climbing community that has flocked here for decades, and the generations of families who have been coming to the park to enjoy the campgrounds , hike the spectacular trails , and soak up the scenery have all contributed to the park's history.

But long before this, the Miwok people inhabited the area. You can learn more about this at the Yosemite Museum and Indian Village of the Ahwahnee in the park.

Read More: Top Attractions & Things to Do in Yosemite National Park

The dramatic peaks of the Rocky Mountains can be appreciated in many areas of North America, but in Colorado, the climate and small mountain towns make this one of the best places to visit the Rockies. Waterfalls and snow-capped peaks, more than 50 of which reach a height of 14,000 feet or more, make this a beautiful area for sightseeing and appreciating mountain life.

In summer, hiking , mountain biking , and rafting are popular pastimes. Inn winter, the mountains become a playground for skiers and boarders. The ski resorts in Colorado are some of the best in North America.

Some of the best places to visit are the towns of Vail, Aspen , Telluride , and Durango . Scenic drives, like the San Juan Scenic Byway and the Million Dollar Highway , which leaves from Durango, will take you through breathtaking mountain scenery and old mining towns like Silverton and Ouray . Or, hop on the Silverton & Durango Narrow Gauge Railroad for a relaxing day trip through the Rockies.

On the edge of the Rocky Mountains in the southwest corner of Colorado, a little over an hour from Durango, is Mesa Verde National Park . This fantastic park is home to incredible Native American cliff dwellings, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Read More: Top-Rated Attractions & Places to Visit in Colorado, USA

In the northwest corner of the US is the lovely coastal city of Seattle. Surrounded by water and snow-capped mountains, the city is reminiscent of Vancouver, Canada, with an active, outdoor oriented population and countless things to see and do .

Key sights in the city include the impossible-to-miss Space Needle , the lively Pike Place Market , and the waterfront. Within easy day-tripping distance of the city are beautiful beaches , the Hoh Rain Forest , and mountain landscapes, all waiting to be explored.

Although the winter months see more rain than summer, the city has a mild climate and is a nice place to visit at any time of year. You'll find no shortage of things to do in Seattle in winter .

• Best Museums in Seattle
• Top-Rated Hikes near Seattle, WA

North Carolina's Outer Banks are all about beaches. Miles and miles of spectacular beaches on narrow sand islands have been drawing people from across the United States since the 1830s.

Stretching for over 100 miles, these barrier islands have been the go-to place for families every summer for generations whether at campgrounds or wonderful resorts.

Off the beach, historical cities well worth visiting include Nags Head, Kitty Hawk (home to the Wright Brothers Memorial), Duck, Waves, and the towns on Hatteras Island. The Outer Banks are also home to some of America's most famous lighthouses, many of which are open for tours to the top.

Another popular pursuit is deep sea fishing . Many records have been broken by anglers in this offshore hot spot.

Read More: Best Coastal Towns in North Carolina

A melting pot of Spanish, Native American, Mexican, and Anglo-Americans, Santa Fe has a unique vibe that, once experienced, tends to draw one back time and time again. This historical city's pleasant streets, lined by Spanish colonial churches, adobe homes, and towering trees, just beg to be photographed.

Be sure to visit the Plaza, the beating heart of all that's going on in town. Cute cafés, many with patios, line the square and make a perfect perch to do a bit of people watching. After you've had your fill of that, wander into any one of the eclectic and unusual shops nearby.

Santa Fe is ideally positioned close to the mountains, where you'll find some of the best skiing in New Mexico at resorts including Taos, Pajarito, and Siapu.

Read More: Best Places to Visit in New Mexico

Although Dallas and Houston spring to mind first for many people when they think of Texas , those in the know, will always tell you that San Antonio is their favorite. The reasons for this are many: beautiful Spanish colonial churches and missions, the wonderful Riverwalk area, and, of course, The Alamo.

The city is relatively compact and easy to navigate. For a city of its size, it also has a number of excellent resorts and high-end hotels just waiting for you to check-in and be pampered. The city isn't all about history; it's also the home of the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), and as a result is a hotbed of foodie delights. Be sure to wander over to the Pearl district to find some of the best places; your taste buds will thank you!

Read More: Top Attractions & Places to Visit in San Antonio

The thermal wonderland known as Yellowstone National Park has been drawing visitors since 1872. Bubbling mud pots, colorful boiling-hot water pools, and erupting geysers are sights that continue to amaze thousands of people every day.

Some of the must-sees when visiting the park include Old Faithful, whose eruptions blast scalding water up to 184 feet in the air; the Morning Glory Pool in the Upper Geyser Basin area; and the Minerva Terrace.

The park isn't all about thermal sights — the Lamar Valley is a wonderful area for hiking and seeing wildlife, including the park's signature bison herds.

Read More: Best Campgrounds in Yellowstone National Park

Off on its own in the far northwest, above Canada, lies one of the most fascinating states in the union. Snow-capped peaks, glaciers, wild rivers, and wide open spaces are all things that define Alaska .

A frontier attitude still prevails, and can be experienced in places like Anchorage , Fairbanks, and Juneau . This state is one of the most popular places to take a cruise along the Inside Passage where towering mountains reach right down to sea. Or, snuggle up to a roaring fireplace with your special someone at a luxury resort.

Pick your activity or sport; Alaska is a place for doing things outdoors, whether it's camping, mountaineering, canoeing, or fishing. In winter, head for Alaska's ski resorts or maybe catch a glimpse of the northern lights .

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Best Places to Visit in Winter: If you want to experience winter in all its glory, have a read through our article on the Best Winter Vacations in the United States . This isn't about beaches and warm weather getaways, it's for people thinking about snowmobiling, dog sledding, skiing, and drinking hot chocolate in a cozy cottage. And if you're looking to save a little money, see our list of the Best Cheap Ski Holidays in North America .

Getaways for Couples & Families: Trying to come up with somewhere for you and your partner to take a quick trip? See our list of Best Vacation Spots in the US for Couples to find a romantic destination for two. If you're looking for a destination where you can take the kids and have a good time, you'll enjoy our article on the Top Family Vacations in the US .

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The 9 Best Cities in America to Visit in 2020

Avital Andrews

Avital Andrews, SmarterTravel's editor-at-large, is a travel and lifestyle journalist who is also a contributing editor for AAA's Via magazine. Her stories have been among the 10 most emailed or viewed on the Los Angeles Times, Outside, Sierra, and SmarterTravel websites, and have also appeared in USA Today, HuffPost, Apple News, Business Insider, and many other nationwide outlets. Her travel book , sold at bookstores and on Amazon, is in its fourth edition, and her journalism gets national media attention, including from The New York Times , The Atlantic , Time , NPR, and MTV. She's currently working on her first children's book. Follow her on Twitter @avitalb .

The Handy Item I Always Pack: My laptop—the lightweight and stylish HP Spectre x360—since I'm almost always on deadline.

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: A round-the-world cruise that makes stops to experience Aurora Borealis, the Olympics opening ceremony, Borneo, Madagascar, the Jerusalem Festival of Light, the Bolivian salt flats, Kenya's Giraffe Manor, the Galapagos, the Maldives, Bora Bora, the Seychelles, and every Disney park. (That itinerary definitely exists, right?)

Travel Motto: I'll steal Saint Augustine's: "The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page."

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: Window, always. For the views and also the naps.

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In a single lifetime, no traveler could ever be done exploring America. Even if you relegated yourself to just roaming the nation’s cities—setting aside the 50 states’ vast open, unincorporated spaces—there would still always be more to see.

Still, there are a few cities every year that are a bit more worth visiting, either because they’re experiencing some sort of renaissance, they’ve been underrated or overlooked for too long, they’re marking a meaningful anniversary, or they’re so big and familiar that would-be travelers lean too heavily on assumptions when deciding to skip them.

Which is why I set about narrowing down the scope of the best U.S. cities to visit in 2020. The resulting list is lean, timely, geographically diverse, and realistic to do in a single year. So get out there.

Oakland, California

Oakland ’s relationship to San Francisco often inspires comparison to Brooklyn’s relationship to Manhattan: It’s the bigger city’s hipper, more relaxed neighbor, where creativity thrives and anything that buzzes tends to get its start. (I’ll refrain from using words like “hipster” and “gentrification” here.)

But Oakland is much more than San Francisco’s happenin’ sidekick. It’s a multi-cultural destination unto itself, with world-class attractions including Jack London Square, Lake Merritt, the Fox Theater, the Oakland Zoo, Children’s Fairyland, Temescal Alley, funky Telegraph Avenue, and the Coliseum (where the As play), adjacent to the Oakland Arena, where the Golden State Warriors saw their historic rise. No wonder almost 4 million people travel here every year.

And 2020 looks particularly promising for “ the Town ” to be one of the best cities in America to visit, what with the Oakland Museum of California poised to get a makeover in summer, and Oakland International Airport debuting 17 new eateries—including Brown Sugar Kitchen, Tay Ho, and A16—over the course of the year. It’s also the 130th birthday of the nearby University of California Botanical Garden at Berkeley .

These days, major companies call Oakland home, including Pandora, Kaiser Permanente, the Sierra Club, and VSCO, whose trendy app is giving Instagram a run for its money—and whose building offers a gear-packed, free-to-use studio space for social media-ready photo shoots. Other of-the-moment places to be in this town of more than 1,000 murals include Super Juiced , Swan’s Market , Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park , bars like Drexl, and beer gardens like Temescal Brewing and Lost & Found. Try to be here in early March so you can bring something home from the epic flea market that is the White Elephant Sale .

Where to stay: The Claremont Club & Spa , a Fairmont hotel, was built in 1915 to overlook the San Francisco Bay. It sports a luxurious old-money feel with fine dining, an extensive spa, and elegant rooms. But this country club-style hotel is also surprisingly family-friendly: The cost of your stay (or even just the cost of your spa treatment or restaurant meal) also covers three hours of daily childcare at the fun-filled Kids’ Club.

Check Prices for Claremont Club & Spa, A Fairmont Hotel in Oakland

Honolulu, hawaii.

Most travelers don’t need much convincing that Honolulu is worth their time and money. It’s easily among the very best places to visit in the U.S. But if you’ve been holding off, 2020 is the year to go. With a slew of new flights headed there from all over the U.S., including Hawaiian Airlines’ Boston-to-Honolulu route (America’s longest regularly scheduled domestic segment) and Southwest’s reasonably priced jaunts (book these well ahead—they sell out quickly), the balmy shores of Waikiki are easier to get to than ever.

But Honolulu is much more than a gorgeous beach town—though it’s that, too. It’s also a bastion of culture, both native and not. In 2020, the Bishop Museum will unveil an original exhibit, “Mai Kinohi Mai,” displaying Hawaii’s oldest surfboards, including Duke Kahanamoku’s. The Hawaii Food & Wine Festival will be celebrating its 10th anniversary, Oahu’s Ukulele Festival will be celebrating its 50th, and the USS Missouri its 75th.

Meanwhile, Honolulu’s food scene has been booming: 2020 will see chef Jason Yamaguchi’s Japanese-French restaurant Mugen open in the fancy new Espacio hotel . La Vie, serving modern French food, is the impressive new dining room in Waikiki’s Ritz-Carlton Residences . And a new boutique hotel, Halepuna Waikiki , proffers the casual Halekulani Bakery & Restaurant, whose menu focuses on indigenous ingredients.

But really, all these dining, shopping, and rich cultural experiences serve to enhance the true draw here, which is the natural beauty of a volcanic island in the far middle of the Pacific Ocean. The palm trees sway, the sunsets stun, and the gentle, warm waves keep rolling in. And, as ever, the tourism industry is working hard to help travelers find new ways to experience this unique capital city, from new Atlas Obscura tours to new cruise sailings landing in Honolulu, from Crystal to Carnival.

Where to stay: The Ko Olina Resort is a collection of four celebrated hotels about 15 miles west of Honolulu: Disney’s Aulani (don’t miss the Ka’Waa luau), the lovely Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina (try the spa-and-stargazing and/or the “Navy Seal for a Day” experience), the Beach Villas , and Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club .

Check Prices for Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Kapolei

Lexington, kentucky.

Never considered visiting Lexington, Kentucky? Time to reconsider. It’s one of the best U.S. cities to visit—especially if you have equestrian leanings. The “horse capital of the world” (thanks to more than 400 thoroughbred farms) is emerging as a prime Southern destination. The hometown of Ashley and Naomi Judd, as well as George Clooney (his mom was a city councilwoman), is also home to 14 of the state’s biggest bourbon distilleries and more than 120 worthwhile restaurants.

In 2020, Lexington will host the 2020 Breeders’ Cup Championships at Keeneland Race Course for the second time since 2015, a year that saw the event’s largest attendance ever. A few months prior, Equitana , the world’s largest equine fair, will be launching its first U.S. event at the Kentucky Horse Park. And all year long, travelers can enjoy previously unavailable access to champion race horses in the form of newly introduced private tours .

But Lexington isn’t just about horses. Located in the bluegrass region, it has plenty of music and other cultural events as well. After a successful inaugural year in 2019, the Railbird Festival , Lexington’s first large-scale music festival, is returning in August 2020 to the Grounds at Keeneland.

In early 2020, a vacant bus terminal will finish its transformation into a yet-to-be-named mixed-used space featuring a farmer’s market, restaurants, and boutiques. And the lively Distillery District will continue to grow as an entertainment and food hub that overflows with craft beer and live music.

Where to stay: The chic Origin Hotel debuted in August 2019 as the only hotel in the new Summit at Fritz Farm retail and entertainment center. It’s worth a stay for its modern style, central location, and affordable nightly rates.

Check Prices for Origin Hotel Lexington in Lexington

Los angeles, california.

There’s a reason that Los Angeles got picked to host the 2028 Olympics—lots of reasons, in fact. It’s a complex, multilayered city full of art and grit, energy and culture. It’s packed with truly inspiring places, from the Griffith Observatory to the Getty Center. It’s got iconic beaches, including Malibu, Santa Monica, and Venice. It’s resilient, and often recovering and rebuilding from major wildfires. In short, it’s one of the best cities in America to visit.

And yes, there are two California cities on this list—but the Golden State turns 170 on September 9, 2020, and is celebrating the milestone by debuting a flurry of big attractions.

In Southern California, that includes a massive new sports and music venue—the 70,000-seat SoFi Stadium —that will serve as home turf for the Rams and the Chargers. It’ll also host the Super Bowl in 2022, the College Football Championship game in 2023, and the Olympics’ opening and closing ceremonies. Taylor Swift will inaugurate the arena with concerts on July 25 and 26, 2020.

Other planned 2020 openings in the City of Angels include Destination Crenshaw, a 1.3-mile-long outdoor art and culture experience celebrating African-American culture; La Plaza Cocina, a Mexican food museum downtown; and the Miracle Mile’s Academy Museum of Motion Pictures , dedicated to film art and history.

Also in 2020, several legendary L.A. area institutions will be marking major milestones. The LA Art Show turns 25, LA Pride turns 50 (go in June to see this rollicking event), and the Huntington Library celebrates 100 years since it was designed. An easy day trip north, Hearst Castle also celebrates its centennial in 2020—while you’re in that region, don’t miss artist Bruce Munro’s otherworldly Field of Light installation, which was recently extended to stay up at Sensorio into 2020.

Thanks in part to the city’s vibrant and ever-evolving food scene, the Michelin Guide just returned to Los Angeles for the first time since 2010. Six L.A. restaurants (n/naka, Providence, Somni, Sushi Ginza Onodera, Urasawa, and Vespertine) nabbed two Michelin stars, while 18 others earned one.

Where to stay: Hotel Indigo is a modern boutique option in the heart of downtown, with a scene-y restaurant (Metropole) and easy access to DTLA highlights including the Staples Center, the Grammy Museum, the Broad, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Check Prices for Hotel Indigo Los Angeles Downtown in Los Angeles

Orlando, florida.

Orlando is on most kids’ bucket lists, what with Disney World , Universal, and all. And yes, the activity-filled city is one of the world’s best destinations for theme parks . But there’s more to it than that. Whether you’re coming for Mickey and Harry or whether you’re after science and culture, Orlando is one of the best places to visit in the U.S. in 2020.

Let’s start with what’s happening at the theme parks in 2020. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios , Galaxy’s Edge will have its “Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance” ride up and running, and in spring, “Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway” will open. Epcot  is undergoing a major expansion; its confirmed openings for 2020 include a Mary Poppins attraction, a “Ratatouille”-themed ride, and a new nighttime spectacular called ”HarmonioUS.” A new Disney-themed Cirque du Soleil show is coming to Disney Springs in spring 2020, with tickets already on sale.

Over at Universal , a show called “Bourne Stuntacular” will debut, while Legoland has deemed 2020 the “Year of the Pirate,” with a new hotel and water show to match. Icon Park  will debut two thrill rides, including the world’s tallest free-standing drop tower, plus Ole Red, a restaurant by country star Blake Shelton.

About 50 miles east of Orlando, the Kennedy Space Center will be celebrating Apollo 13’s 50th anniversary, and NASA’s Mars 2020 mission will launch out of Cape Canaveral in summer. Also in summer, the Orlando Science Center will debut a new exhibit called “Pompeii: The Immortal City.”

In 2020 food news, Orlando is seeing fun eateries open over the course of the year: Camelo Pizzeria on International Drive will serve up Brazilian thin-crust pizza; Sixty Vines will turn out Napa-inspired seasonal cuisine in Winter Park; Norman’s is moving from the Ritz-Carlton to Restaurant Row; and chef Jérôme Bocuse’s La Crêperie de Paris will delight in Epcot’s France pavilion.

Where to stay: Orlando has the second-highest number of hotel rooms of any U.S. city, so there are plenty of options, with new properties popping up all the time. Two of 2020’s biggest openings include the JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa , set to open in March with 516 rooms, a spa, a pool and splash pad, specialty restaurants, and a rooftop terrace where guests can enjoy the theme parks’ nightly fireworks. Looking for a budget-friendly option? The 2,050-room, coastal-themed  Dockside Inn and Suites  will open in 2020 as the second wave of Universal’s Endless Summer Resort, with nightly rates starting at $76.

Check Prices for Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites in Orlando

Rochester, new york.

Rochester—New York’s third-biggest city—is in the midst of a revival. The midsized metropolis on Lake Ontario’s south shore has always been the entry point to the Finger Lakes wine region. But now it’s seeing new levels of growth and revitalization, with more than $950 million being invested in the city’s downtown core, in a successful bid to make this one of the best U.S. cities to visit. Its food and drink scene is booming with new restaurants, wineries, breweries, distilleries, and coffee roasters. These include the new REDD Rochester , by Michelin-starred chef and native son Richard Reddington.

Rochester was also the hometown of Susan B. Anthony, whose 200th birthday will be celebrated in 2020 at the National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House (visitors can see the room where she died and the parlor in which she was arrested for voting). The year 2020 is also the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote, and which very well may not have been possible without Susan B. Anthony. Those photos that go viral every election with “I Voted” stickers all over her grave ? That’s in Rochester.

Hence 2020’s lineup of women’s suffrage events in Rochester, including Votercade , a yearlong series of performances, exhibits, and other events across the city to celebrate the right to vote. Denizens of “Flower City,” as it’s known, are experts at putting on events: Rochester hosts more than 140 annual festivals, including the Lilac Festival , International Jazz Festival , and the  Fringe Festival .

Other key attractions include High Falls , a 96-foot Genesee River waterfall in the middle of downtown; the Lake Ontario shoreline; hiking and biking trails along the Erie Canal; Sibley Square (which is getting a new regional-ingredients restaurant marketplace, called The Mercantile , in 2020); the Strong National Museum of Play ; the George Eastman Museum ; the Rochester Museum & Science Center ; and the richly stocked Memorial Art Gallery .

Where to stay: The Inn on Broadway is a historic boutique property with 25 guest rooms, and no two that are the same. A stay includes a hearty breakfast.

Check Prices for The Inn On Broadway in Rochester

Washington, d.c..

Election years are always interesting in America, and the 2020 election promises to be one of the most dramatic ever. Whether you’re there on election night—November 3, 2020—or in the months leading up to it, Washington, D.C. is the center of it all.

At George Washington’s behest, Frenchman Pierre Charles L’Enfant designed much of the nation’s capital in a way that made it among the best cities in America to visit. He applied European aesthetics to the American notion of all people being equal, strategically placing D.C.’s center of power so that every citizen could access it. He didn’t live to see his vision of “Federal Town” come to life, but D.C. did end up being mostly a faithful replication of his design—National Mall, plentiful parks, and all.

On that Mall are some of the world’s best museums, many in the form of the Smithsonian institutions: The unmissable National Museum of American History , the National Museum of Natural History (housing some 146 million scientific specimens), the inspiring Air and Space Museum , and many more. The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum isn’t part of the Smithsonian, but it does provide a powerful and eye-opening education about racism and genocide; with 2020 being the 75th anniversary of Auschwitz’s liberation, it’s a poignant time to pay tribute to the millions who were murdered there.

For more worthwhile attractions to add to your itinerary, see 8 Fun Things to Do in Washington, D.C. and 23 Must-See Washington, D.C. Attractions .

In 2020, D.C. will also be doing much to commemorate the 100th anniversary of American women finally winning the right to vote. The capital city’s suffrage centennial events will include extensive museum exhibits and major public events, including the League of Women Voters’ Centennial Celebration.

The year 2020 also marks the 50th anniversary of the federal Environmental Protection Agency and Earth Day ; climate activists will likely take to the streets on April 22 during EarthRise , to demand a more sustainable future. Other notable 2020 events in D.C. will include the Arsenal of Democracy Flyover (May 7 – 8) and the National Cherry Blossom Festival (March 20 – April 12).

Where to stay: The Watergate Hotel is famous as the place where Nixon’s 1972 political scandal unfolded—but this curvaceous property on the Potomac River still exudes executive elegance and leader-worthy luxuries, thanks to a recent makeover.

Check Prices for The Watergate Hotel Georgetown in Washington DC

Branson, missouri.

Branson, along with its surrounding Ozark Mountains, promises to be well worth traveling to in 2020 and beyond. It’s been a hidden-gem destination for a while now, but with a slew of new openings and tourist attractions, it’s headed into the mainstream as a first-rate family vacation spot in the American heartland, and one of the best places to visit in the U.S.

Among the region’s coming-soon attractions: Mystic River Falls , in Branson’s Silver Dollar City theme park, is a $23 million water ride that will feature the Western Hemisphere’s tallest drop. The new Aquarium at the Boardwalk will include a jellyfish infinity room, a submarine voyage, and an underwater “mermaid palace.” WonderWorks will debut as a science-themed indoor amusement park with more than 100 interactive exhibits, while Big Air Trampoline Park ’s 57 attractions will include a ninja warrior course. The Shepherd of the Hills will add canopy zipline tours, and a range of restaurants will debut in 2020, as well as a new concert hall.

Golfers, in particular, might want to consider a trip here: A Tiger Woods-designed golf course, called Payne’s Valley , is set to open in spring 2020, and the Ozarks National championship course, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, just opened in 2019.

Where to Stay: Big Cedar Lodge is a 4,600-acre wilderness and golf resort on Missouri’s Table Rock Lake, eight miles south of Branson. It offers homey lodgings and restaurants, two marinas, a spa, four golf courses, a 50,000-square-foot activity center, a wide range of outdoor adventures, and a new lakefront “glampsite.”

Check Prices for Big Cedar Lodge in Ridgedale

Salt lake city, utah.

In September 2020, Salt Lake City is getting a $3.6 billion new airport—America’s first new hub airport to be built this century. A complete rebuild of the existing SLC, it’ll feature floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Wasatch Mountains, new restaurants and retailers, and a new light-rail station to make it easy for SLC’s 25 million annual passengers to get downtown.

Some of the world’s best ski resorts—Alta, Brighton, Snowbird, and Solitude—are within 90 minutes of the airport. The lively downtown is much closer—only six miles away, with all of its dining, nightlife, and performing arts, plus the Utah Jazz, the state capitol building, Temple Square , and the dinosaur-filled Natural History Museum .

Like other places on this list, Utah will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage—especially because it was the first state to give women the right to vote. The state will be commemorating the centennial with events all year long .

Where to stay: The Kimpton Hotel Monaco Salt Lake City stocks 225 of SLC’s more than 19,000 hotel rooms. Everything about it is modern, hip, and fun, from its daily happy hour to its posh room decor. The Kimpton is also dog-friendly, centrally located, and the home of the city’s popular Bambara restaurant .

Check Prices for Kimpton Hotel Monaco Salt Lake City in Salt Lake City

For more ideas, see The Top Travel Destinations for 2020 .

What to Wear in the Best U.S. Cities to Visit

Women’s casual dress outfit for a lake town, shop the look.

Shell Headband

Men’s Swimsuit to Wear on a Cruise

Revere Shirt

Board Shorts

Oversized Beach Towel

Women’s Sustainable Jumpsuit Outfit

Anywhere Wrap Dress

Linen Double Stitch Shoe

Recycled Denim Cardi

Mini Day Tote

Men’s style for nyc.

Chambray Button-Up Sport Shirt

Sharp Slim Fit Jeans

Scarface Tee

Swimsuit/Casual Women’s Outfit for a Cruise

Reversible Layering Tank

Ankle Pants

Men’s Casual Outfit for a Trip to Africa

Linen-Blend Shirt

Raw Hem Chino Shorts

Crushable Wool Felt Outback Hat

Leather Bracelet

Women’s Relaxed Outfit for Hawaii

Kelly Straw Fedora

Island One-Piece Halter Swimsuit

Men’s Casual Outfit to Wear with Travel Sandals (no shoes)

Striped Tee

Khakinator Shorts

61mm Aviator Gradient Sunglasses

More from SmarterTravel:

• 11 Hidden Natural Wonders in the United States
• 7 North American Cities Perfect for a 3-Day Weekend
• Cheap Weekend Getaways from 9 Major U.S. Cities

Follow Avital Andrews on Twitter  @avitalb  or on  Facebook .

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13 best cities to visit in the united states.

The United States is the perfect destination for travelers because of its vast and varied options. There is a U.S. city to please every type of traveler. You could choose one of these best cities to visit in the United States every year and never run out of options.

Hop around from place to place if you want to see many different cities, take an extensive road trip, or explore one city at a time over an extended period of time.

Since the country is so large, there are many top cities to visit in the U.S. . Each city has its own distinct personality and offerings, from the immense beauty of the Pacific Northwest , to the soul food and traditions of New Orleans .

You kind of have to try them all to see the diversity of the United States. Between Nick & I, we’ve been to every state in the U.S. and have spent time in each of these 13 best cities to visit in the U.S. 

We know from experience that you can’t go wrong visiting any of these top cities, though you might find that one or two suit you better than the others. Check them out and decide which to add to your list of U.S. cities to visit.

» Looking for more travel inspiration in the United States ? See our U.S. Summer Vacation Ideas and 12 U.S. National Parks to Visit . Here are a few more fabulous U.S. Cities to visit .

Table of Contents

Best Cities to Visit in the U.S.

Chicago, illinois.

You know it for its deep dish pizza. There’s no where else on earth that can replicate one of those pies. But Chicago is known for so much more. You can visit Chicago in the winter , but in the spring and summer is when Chicago really comes alive.

You can take an architecture river cruise to see and learn about the world-class architecture. You can watch a baseball game at the famous Wrigley Field. You can admire the views from the John Hancock Building observatory deck.

Chicago is also well known for its food. There’s the iconic deep dish pizza, but Chicago is also home to the Chicago-style hot dog and Italian beef. If you’re in to fine dining, Chicago is home to one of the top fine dining experiences worth traveling for: Alinea .

⇒ What’s the #1 hotel in Chicago? Read reviews & find hotel deals on TripAdvisor!

Tours to Book:

• Chicago Pizza Tour
• Chicago’s Ultimate City Bike Tour

New Orleans, Louisiana

Of all the top U.S. cities to visit, New Orleans probably has the most unique experiences to offer. A melting pot of cultures have defined the New Orleans of today. New Orleans is also the birthplace of jazz, and live music of all kinds permeates the city, day and night. There’s no lack of great places to enjoy the flavors of New Orleans, as well.

Whether you visit one of the oldest and high class restaurants in New Orleans , Commander’s Palace, or set out to find new modern cuisine from some of the top chefs in town, like Emeril’s or Restaurant August, you can’t go wrong. Not sure what to order? Try these foods you must eat in New Orleans.

We also highly recommend these cocktails you must try in New Orleans . If you’re up for it, stay in a hotel near Bourbon Street for the most fun!

Check out our full guide to New Orlean’s French Quarter here.

⇒ View New Orleans Hotel Deals on Trip Advisor

• Swamp and Bayou Sightseeing Boat Tour with Transportation from New Orleans
• New Orleans City Tour: Katrina, Garden District, French Quarter & Cemetery
• New Orleans Food Walking Tour of the French Quarter with Small-Group Option

Seattle, Washington

We lived in Seattle for almost eight years, so we’re very familiar with its numerous charms. People like to say it’s always rainy and overcast in Seattle, but that’s not the case. Seattle has many beautiful, blue sky days that are so crisp and bright that you must immediately drop what you’re doing and spend the rest of the day outdoors.

With so many fun things to do in Seattle , you can easily spend a week in the city and not get bored. While you are there check out a brewery or two and find out where to get some great tacos , pizza , and burgers.

Pike Place Market is also a huge draw for tourists in Seattle. The 100-year old market is packed full of vendors selling vegetables, huge bouquets of flowers, fresh seafood, amazing donut holes (seriously, don’t miss this!), and souvenirs of Seattle.

It’s a fun place to walk around and it has an incredible view of the Puget Sound and the mountains in the distance. Also from downtown Seattle, you can quickly take the ferry to the San Juan Islands or even all the way up to Victoria, Canada .

Use our shortcut travel guide to Seattle to plan your trip!

⇒ Find a great place to stay in Seattle, WA with Trip Advisor. If you want to stay near Pike Place, see our recommendations .

• Beneath The Streets Underground History Tour
• Snoqualmie Falls and Seattle Winery Tour
• San Juan Island Tour with Seaplane Flight from Seattle

San Diego, California

The perfect combination of beach and city is what San Diego is – and that is often quite appealing for tourists. There are a lot of art galleries, artist studios, and museums to visit, plus the world-famous San Diego Zoo, and when you’re done with those city things, you can retreat to the beaches and parks to enjoy the perpetually fantastic weather.

San Diego has also become quite the craft beer city. So many new breweries have opened in the past few years that it’s hard to keep track of the count, but it’s over 100. Beer lovers will have a great time brewery hopping. Of course, there’s a lot of great food in San Diego too. Don’t miss trying the famous California burrito from one of the many Mexican restaurants

⇒ Find a great place to stay in San Diego, CA with Trip Advisor.

• San Diego Harbor Cruise
• San Diego Whale Watching Cruise
• Tequila, Tacos and Tombstones Culinary Tour of San Diego

San Francisco, California

San Francisco is a vibrant city by the sea, with views for miles and a really unique and interesting city vibe. This is attributable to many things that the city is known for. It is a hub of many things – from innovative technology to individualism at its best. You’ll find people in business suits mingling with free spirits, all out together enjoying their city.

You’ll want to spend time walking along Fisherman’s Wharf, riding the historic cable car, eating Ghirardelli chocolates and shopping in Union Square. There’s plenty of seafood to be had, alongside fantastic craft beer, and loads of quaffable wine from Sonoma and Napa Valley , just to the north. Also be sure to check out these top bakeries in the city.

We’ve put together a shortcut guide to help you plan your trip to San Francisco, along with a list of the top things to do and short day trips to take while you’re there.

→ Find the best hotels in San Francisco on Booking.com. We recommend the San Francisco Marriott Union Square .

• Straight to the Gate Access: Golden Gate Bay Cruise
• Napa and Sonoma Wine Country Full-Day Tour from San Francisco
• Little Italy and North Beach Walking Tour

Miami, Florida

It’s not just the amazing weather and the beautiful beaches that makes Miami a top tourist destination in the United States. There’s also a very Caribbean vibe, a Little Havana-type atmosphere, and a lot of partying going on in both Miami and South Beach, Florida.

We haven’t even mentioned the joy of Disney World and Universal Orlando ! These are fantastic fun for everyone – even if you don’t have kids. Kennedy Space Center is also located in Florida, and so are the Everglades. It’s a state packed full with experiences.

You don’t have to always be active in Florida. The beaches offer the perfect place to unwind and have a good time, while relaxing in the sun, drinking mojitos and eating tons of delicious Caribbean-inspired foods. Some of the top beaches in Florida are South Beach in Miami, Clearwater Beach on the Gulf Coast, and all along the Florida Keys.

⇒ Check Miami hotel rates! Read reviews & find the lowest prices at TripAdvisor!

• Speedboat Sightseeing Tour of Miami
• Little Havana Food and Walking Tour in Miami
• Miami to Key West Day Trip with Activities
• Full-Day Everglades Naturalist-Led Adventure: Cruise, Hike, and Airboat

Washington, DC

History and politics are the name of the game in Washington, DC , the capital city of the United States. If you’re not hopping between all of the free Smithsonian museums or participating in a Capitol Building or White House tour, you’re probably out exploring the many fun neighborhoods that make DC feel more like a home and less like a place to rub shoulders with politicians and well-heeled lawyers and lobbyist.

There is plenty to do in Washington, DC, for singles and for families. Check out our post with 50 great thing to do in Washington DC and use this itinerary to help you plan your stay. One of the biggest draws is all the history and politics that make up this town, but there’s also a very eclectic feel to the food that can be found in the different neighborhoods.

Love Ethiopian food? You’ll find it in abundance here, as well as lots of microbreweries and markets. Look here for non-touristy things to do in DC .

⇒ What’s the #1 hotel in DC? Read reviews & find hotel deals on TripAdvisor!

• Washington DC Monuments by Moonlight Tour by Trolley
• Best of DC Tour – With Access to US Capitol & National Archives Buildings
• U Street: Food, History, and Street Art Tour
• Mount Vernon Grounds Pass

New York City, New York

If you love art, Broadway and food, New York City is the best city in America to take advantage of these amazing things. Not only is New York City the food capital of the United States, it is teeming with bars and lounges, nightlight and any other type of drinking, dancing, partying venue you’re looking for.

Of course, there are also a ton of touristy things to do in New York City , like bicycling though Central Park , visiting the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty, and admiring the lights of Times Square.

You can spend your time watching dozens of Broadway musicals and plays, as well as Off-Broadway productions, and sometimes ticket prices are highly discounted, making it even easier to enjoy more of these great shows. Be sure to check out the half-price ticket stand in Times Square.

If you’ve ever been to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, you’ll know that New York City has it all for art lovers. You can get lost in that museum and not resurface for days.

To make the most of your stay, you need to understand the best areas to stay in City and a little help from this New York City itinerary to help you see all the top sights and fun spots to explore.

⇒ Find a great place to stay in New York City, NY with Trip Advisor .

• OPEN: Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Tour: All Options
• Empire State Building General & Skip-the-Line Tickets
• 9/11 Memorial Museum Admission Ticket
• Chelsea Market and High Line Food Tour

Portland, Oregon

I grew up in Oregon and we regularly visited Portland, both as an exciting big city and as a launching off point for the Oregon Coast and the Willamette Valley wine region . There’s a lot of see and enjoy in the city of Portland.

Portland is a bit of an idyllic city with a bustling town center where locals hang out on the weekends, lots of independent shops, craft breweries , and tons of coffee bars. You won’t want to miss a chance to try Voodoo Doughnuts, Salt & Straw ice cream, and one of the best Thai restaurants around, Pok Pok.

It’s really easy to get around in Portland, especially downtown. It’s a very walkable city, plus there’s good public transportation. Expect to spend lots of time wandering around, stopping in to coffee shops, browsing through the millions of books at Powell’s and gorging on incredible, fresh, seasonable food.

Plan your trip with our shortcut travel guide to Portland .

→ Find the best hotels in Portland for your stay.

• Morning Half-Day Multnomah Falls and Columbia River Gorge Waterfalls Tour from Portland
• Willamette Valley Wine Tour from Portland with Lunch
• Portland City Portland Afternoon City Tour
• Portland, Oregon City Tour!
• Donuts of Portland

Boston, Massachusetts

For first-time visitors of Massachusetts’ capital, exploring Boston can be filled with history lessons, sightseeing tours, and food tastings. There’s so much to do and appreciate in this eclectic city.

Boston has many amazing qualities. This city contains so much of the nation’s history , that you’ll see it everywhere you go. It’s hard to vacation in Boston without noticing the character of the architecture, the beauty of the outdoor spaces, and the amazing harborside views.

Beantown has a wide range of things to do, see, and eat without being completely overwhelming. You can walk along the Freedom Trail, shop through Harvard Square and Newbury St, and indulge in Boston’s food scene at Boston Public Market and Faneuil Hall Marketplace.

» For a great affordable luxury stay in Boston, we recommend Intercontinental Boston  ⇒ Read reviews on Trip Advisor | Reserve a room

• Tour of Historic Fenway Park, America’s Most Beloved Ballpark
• Boston Small-Group Food & History North End Freedom Trail Walking Tour
• The Revolutionary Story Tour
• Boston’s North End Small-Group Walking Food Tour

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia has always been a popular destination for Americans, especially families, who want to see and learn more about the early history of the United States, but it’s an incredible city for visitors from all over the world, too. See our shortcut guide for all the great things to do here.

You can easily fill a week with activities in this city, from visiting Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, to eating your way around Reading Terminal Market, and trying all of the exciting restaurants. We like to go on a self-guided food tour around the city to try all the specialties, like Pat’s and Gino’s Philly Cheesesteak.

Philadelphia is also home to a lot of great craft breweries . With the number of breweries and distilleries in the city, you could fill an entire day sampling them all.

» We recommend staying at the Sofitel Philadelphia – great location and very comfortable rooms ⇒ Read reviews  |  Check prices

• Old City Historic Walking Tour in Philadelphia
• Philadelphia Segway Tour
• The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia
• Flavors of Philly Food Tour

Austin, Texas

Austin is the state capital of Texas, but above all, it’s a college town, home to the University of Texas – you’ll know that the second you arrive on 6th Ave. But don’t let that sway your impression of Austin, because there’s so much more to it than that.

Austin is also well known for its eclectic music scene and outrageously good BBQ. If you’re into festivals, you may have heard of the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival that takes place in Austin every year in March, celebrating interactive media, film and music.

Maybe you’ve heard about our favorite event of the year, the  Austin Food & Wine Festival . Austin is a serious food mecca, between breakfast tacos, some of the best Bloody Mary’s, top chefs doing awesome things and dozens of food trucks. Explore the food scene with this guide on where to eat .

No matter your reason for visiting Austin, you’ll find something unique and refreshing about it. Take a look at our travel guide to Austin to plan your stay.

→ Find the best hotels in Austin on Booking.com. We highly recommend the Intercontinental Austin , as it’s in the very best location and is a classy affordable luxury hotel.

• Best of Austin Small-Group Guided Tour
• Austin Craft Beer and Brewery Tour
• Capitol of Texas Segway Tour in Austin

Charleston, South Carolina

You won’t believe how many great Charleston restaurants have popped up in the past few years. Not only does it have a lot of cultural and historical significance in the United States, being the crux of the South in the Civil War, but it also has its own very unique Southern hospitality and atmosphere.

You will definitely feel like you’re in the south, from the hotel you choose to stay in to the restaurants you eat at, and the way people speak to you on the street – it’s all very “Charleston”. It’s a charming city with a lot of polite and friendly folks who are eager to share their heritage with you.

⇒ Find a great place to stay in Charleston, SC with  Trip Advisor .

• Charleston’s Old South Carriage Historic Horse & Carriage Tour
• Charleston Marsh Eco Boat Cruise with stop at Morris Island Lighthouse
• Savor the Flavors of Charleston Walking Food Tour
• 2-Hour Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour

Smaller Cities to Visit

1. maui, hawaii.

There are many great destinations to visit in Hawaii, but we absolutely love the island of  Mau i. It is easy to get to, has fantastic affordable luxury accommodations, and plenty of activities, like snorkeling , swimming with sea turtles, trying new delicacies like poke, hiking on volcanos , and going on excursions like whale watching.

The other great thing about Maui is that the island isn’t exceptionally large, so you can drive around to the activities you want to do and see easily, circle the whole island, or even stay on different parts of the island so you can see it all.

2. Monterey, California

If you’ve never been to Cannery Row in Monterey, California, you absolutely must go. On Cannery Row, you’ll find the world famous  Monterey Bay Aquarium , which will captivate your soul with its world class inhabitants.

One of our favorite things about the Monterey area is the abundance of great food. You can find the freshest seafood at restaurants like Sandbar & Grill and Schooners Monterey. It’s also a major growing area for artichokes and garlic. Let us help you find all of the fun things to do while you are there.

Just a short drive away is the stunning coastline and many fantastic, enormous beaches to explore and play on. Some of the  best beaches  include Moss Landing, Lovers Point, Asilomar State Beach, and Del Monte Beach. You’ll also want to save time for the 17-Mile Drive, scenic road that winds through Pebble Beach and Pacific Grove on the Monterey Peninsula. You won’t believe the sights along the way. It’s one of the prettiest drives in America.

3. Niagara Falls, New York

Niagara Falls is a stunning natural attraction that many travelers can’t wait to see. Not only is it an incredible example of how nature and landscape collide, it’s a destination packed with  things to do and see , both super tourist and not so touristy.

Walk around the falls, or even stay at a hotel with a view of the waterfall. Take the Maid of the Mist boat ride up to the falls or take the Journey Behind the Falls tour, which lets you see the underside of the waterfall.

Just a few miles away from the falls is the town of  Niagara on the Lake , which has some great opportunities for wine tasting, including the area’s special Ice Wine.

4. Sedona, Arizona

Sedona is one of the best places to visit in winter in the USA if you don’t want to stay cooped up indoors. This warm city gives visitors front-row seats to views of snow-capped red rocks with plenty of trails to hike through.

While many visitors avoid Arizona from late spring to late fall because of the tremendous heat, the winter is a great time to avoid the heat, go on hikes, and even go winter camping. And  ATV tour  through the canyons is also a stunner.

Admire the flora at the  Sedona Desert Botanical Garden  or stroll the lit-up downtown and its many shops, and take some time to peruse the Native American crafts and art at Kachina House.

» Check out this  Half-day Sedona Sightseeing Tour

5. Anchorage, Alaska

If you can handle a freezing winter in the US, head to exciting Anchorage in Alaska . The small town has activities like dog sledding, cross-country skiing,  snowshoeing , awe-inspiring glaciers, and ice fishing at the ready.

The best part of a visit to Anchorage is seeing the jaw-dropping  Northern Lights  dance in the night sky. The entertainment scene here is as varied as the landscape, with bars, theaters, and eateries aplenty.

Whether you want to play in the snow, curl up next to the fireplace, or celebrate winter in classic Alaska form,  Anchorage  is the perfect winter destination.

» Check out this  Wilderness, Wildlife, Glacier Experience, add upgrade to Portage Glacier Cruise

6. Nantucket, Massachusetts

Along with lively winter vacations, the USA also has something for people after a peaceful getaway.  Nantucket  fits the bill ever so well as it’s a summertime destination that has little-to-no tourists in winter, perfect for tranquil holidays.

Despite its quietness, holiday cheer isn’t completely lost as you can get lost in a forest of trees during the  Festival of Trees.  You can also enjoy ice skating at a rink or marvel at the snow-capped sand beaches.

Before You Go

Since you made it to the end of this article, you’re must be pretty interested in finding great vacation spots. Here are a few more articles we think you might enjoy.

• 8 Archeological Treasures To See In The United States
• 10 Great Wine Regions In The United States For A Wine Tasting Trip
• 11 Off The Beaten Path Places to Visit in the United States

Be Prepared For Travel Planning is the most important part of any successful trip. Do it the easy way:

🧳 Travel Packing List | ✔️ Why You Need Travel Insurance | ✈️ What to Do Before You Leave Home

• Find and book the best hotel (our favorite booking site is Expedia)
• Research flight options (our favorite tool is Skyscanner )
• Book a tour (we always use Viator to find the best tours)
• Rent a car through Discover Cars (they search the best deals for you!)

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

17 Awesome Places to Visit in the United States

11 Off the Beaten Path Places to Visit in the United States

10 Great Wine Regions in the United States for a Wine Tasting Trip

50 Things to Do in Washington DC

Like this post? Why not save it to Pinterest? FOLLOW US  on  Pinterest ,  Instagram ,  Facebook  for more great travel inspiration and tips.

Laura Lynch, creator and writer of Savored Journeys, is an avid world traveler, certified wine expert, and international food specialist. She has written about travel and food for over 20 years and has visited over 75 countries. Her work has been published in numerous guidebooks, websites, and magazines.

7 thoughts on “ 13 Best Cities to Visit in the United States ”

I’ve been to all of these exception being Chicago – and totally agree! My favorite was Washington DC – can’t wait to go back, all the free museums and ease of public transport made it so easy for us as tourists!

Oh Charleston and Chicago are still on my list. I would always have said Chicago would have taken priority but you’ve intrigued me about Charleston. Sounds really interesting.

Both cities have their interesting aspects. I love them both, but for very different reasons.

Wonderful list, they all look great! Already added them to my list so hopefully will get to check them out soon!

US is a massive country and just seeing the list of names is intimidating for me, right now…because we haven’t even got started on it yet. Europe is always calling us back each time, and there are still so many places there we haven’t seen yet! But one has to start somewhere. Great compilation, though.

I know, it’s really hard to give up Europe to travel to US, but there really are some great places to visit if you ever do come our way.

My colleague keeps talking about Chicago and Washington DC. I definitely need to head south more often. Great post!!!

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• Travel Resources

I've traveled to all 50 states. Here are 12 of the best US cities to visit.

• Over the course of many years, I traveled to all 50 states and visited lots of amazing cities. 
• Moab, Utah, and Honolulu, Hawaii, are both great spots for outdoor adventures.
• I loved the art in Miami, Florida, and enjoyed seeing Mount Rushmore in Keystone, South Dakota.

In my late 20s, I embarked on a mission to go to every state.

Exploring the United States as a solo, Latina traveler was both rewarding and terrifying. 

I grew up in a sheltered, working-class home, but when I had a tumultuous breakup in my late 20s, I decided to visit the 30 states I hadn't yet seen as a creative way to heal. 

It took me nine years to complete my list, and there were some definite highlights along the way.

I experienced freezing temperatures in Fairbanks, Alaska.

I didn't know what cold really was until I visited Fairbanks in January 2020, with temperatures dipping to minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit.

Alaska was the 50th state on my list, and I chose to visit Fairbanks because it's considered one of the best places to see the Aurora Borealis.

It was disappointing not to catch a glimpse of the northern lights, but I warmed up at Chena Hot Springs, where the water reached 106 degrees Fahrenheit.

I also visited the North Pole, a small, nearby city known for its year-round Christmas decorations. And the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum was a cool place to see antique cars.

Portland, Oregon, is full of tourist attractions and great food.

I visited several traditional tourist attractions like the Portland Art Museum, Powell's City of Books, the Oregon Historical Society, the Oregon Zoo, and the Jade District — where I celebrated the 2019 Lunar New Year.

I also took a delicious culinary tour throughout the city. My favorite bites were at the Thai street-food spot Pok Pok (which is no longer open), Cuban restaurant Palomar, and dessert shop Voodoo Doughnut. 

I went on outdoor adventures in Moab, Utah.

I had traveled most of the country by the time I visited this ruby-red state in November 2018, but yet, I wasn't fully prepared for the six-hour round-trip hike to Delicate Arch, a freestanding rock formation near Moab.

Instead of wearing appropriate footwear, I had on dressy ankle-length boots and didn't bring hiking sticks. The terrain was rocky and uneven, and I almost fell three times.

But the serene and majestic view was worth it, as was the incredibly challenging journey. I learned that with persistence, I could overcome the hardest challenges.

I enjoyed the Latinx community in Omaha, Nebraska.

When I traveled to the Cornhusker State in early 2017, I was pleasantly surprised to find a bustling Latinx community within Omaha, plus a museum that honored the heritage and contribution of Spanish-speaking immigrants in the Midwestern state .

In Ralston, Nebraska, I also found one of the best Cuban restaurants outside of my New Jersey hometown, the now-closed Gusto Cuban Café.

There are some great spots in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, for wellness and art.

During the worst of my post-breakup gloom in 2011, I became a recluse, eschewing social media and forgoing in-person gatherings.

But my friend Amanda invited me to the Kripalu Center For Yoga and Health, a wellness center she was teaching at in Stockbridge.

Eating more wholesome foods, meditating , and practicing yoga helped with my depression.

Years later, I returned to visit the city's Norman Rockwell Museum, a must-see if you're a fan of the namesake artist's illustrations of everyday life in the 20th century.

Chimayó, New Mexico, is home to a religious-pilgrimage site.

In July 2011, I visited El Santuario de Chimayó, a Catholic pilgrimage site.

Past tourists left behind mementos like crutches and photos as proof of miracles. Even though I was a bit skeptical, I prayed for a reprieve from my post-breakup depression.

I also enjoyed meeting pilgrims from Spain, Kentucky, and all other parts of the globe and country.

The sanctuary is worth a visit, even for non-Catholics. The small church is a national historic landmark  that dates back to the early 1800s.

Keystone, South Dakota, is home to a famous historical landmark.

When I was briefly unemployed in 2012, I drove from New Jersey to Seattle .

Along the way, I made a pit stop to see Mount Rushmore and found that the presidents were much smaller than they seemed on television. I was more interested in the Avenue of Flags, a showcase of flags from all of the states, one district, three territories, and two commonwealths.

Also while in South Dakota, I was low on fuel and the only available lodging was a creepy-looking Bates Motel doppelgänger I'll never forget. 

New Orleans, Louisiana, has so much to do.

My first solo, post-breakup journey was to New Orleans in March 2011, during Mardi Gras.

I wasn't keen on drinking, so I munched on muffulettas, a popular Italian sandwich loaded with meats and cheeses between Sicilian sesame bread.

I also found solace in the French Quarter at St. Louis Cathedral, one of the oldest cathedrals in North America that dates back to 1720.

During my four-day trip, I visited the city's above-ground cemeteries, listened to jazz at local restaurants and music venues, tried alligator for the first time, and enjoyed the nightlife on Bourbon Street.

Wynwood in Miami, Florida, is a great neighborhood to appreciate art and food.

Before I could crawl or talk, my parents, grandmother, and I would spend most of the summer in Miami, as much of our extended Cuban-exile family lived there.

I thought I knew all about south Florida until my cousin suggested we have dinner in Wynwood, a neighborhood of Miami , in the summer of 2017.

Wynwood is known for its large-scale murals by some of the best-known street artists in the world.

The combination of cool craft breweries, art galleries, and stylish clothing boutiques makes Wynwood a must-see if you're visiting Miami-Dade County. 

Newport and Providence, Rhode Island, are tied for the third spot on my list.

My best memories of Providence are walking around the Rhode Island School of Design campus, as well as heading to art museums, breweries, and seafood restaurants . 

I also enjoyed strolling through the cobblestone-lined Benefit Street.

But last year I visited Newport for the first time and discovered the beautiful views along Cliff Walk, the incredible Newport Mansions, the gentle waves of Easton's Beach, and the window shopping on Thames Street.

Honolulu, Hawaii, is full of nature and adventure.

I went on my first submarine ride in Honolulu, 100 feet below the surface, and felt a sense of accomplishment for challenging my boundaries and facing my fears.

During my December 2019 Hawaii trip , I also went to a luau, hiked the summit of Diamond Head crater, visited Pearl Harbor, and enjoyed loco moco (a dish consisting of white rice topped with a hamburger, a fried egg, and brown gravy).

I had a lot of fun when I visited St. Louis, Missouri.

I visited St. Louis in 2014 when it was celebrating its 250th birthday.

There were painted cake sculptures depicting the city's cultural icons, and I was on a quest to find as many as possible at spots like the Budweiser brewery or near the Gateway Arch.

Additionally, the Show Me State had the most delicious food. I particularly enjoyed the fried ravioli, St. Louis-style pizza (cut into squares with an unleavened, cracker-like crust and topped with Provel cheese), and gooey butter cake.

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More From Forbes

The 25 u.s. cities with the best quality of life, ranked in a new report.

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The quest for a better quality of life influences many Americans’ decisions on where to live, work, play and travel. U.S. News and World Report has just released its ranking of the top 25 U.S. cities that offer the highest quality of life .

The list is based on a number of factors, including crime rates, educational quality, general well-being, commuter indices, healthcare availability, air quality, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Risk Index and more.

The report provides valuable insights for anyone considering a move, looking to travel to a high-quality place or just curious about how their city stacks up against other locations.

Ann Arbor, Michigan has been named the city with the highest quality of life in the U.S.

Topping the list as the city with the highest quality of life is Ann Arbor, Michigan, which has a score of 7.9 out of 10. “Ann Arbor is a city of contrasts. It is at once rural and urban, sporty and smart, outdoorsy and high-tech, counterculture and high society,” says U.S. News and World Report. The presence of the University of Michigan injects a vibrant cultural and educational spirit, and residents enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, a rich cultural scene and a strong job market, according to U.S. News and World Report. In addition the city’s cost of living and property values are above the national average, according to U.S. News and World Report, reflecting its desirability and economic vitality.

Boulder, Colorado—at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains—comes in second on the list with a score of 7.7. This city is celebrated for its stunning natural beauty, health-conscious community and outdoor recreational opportunities: “For residents seeking wellness, Boulder has opportunities from forest bathing and free meditation sessions to an abundance of marijuana dispensaries, spas and alternative health care studios,” says U.S. News and World Report. Combined with its active arts scene and high-quality dining options, this make Boulder a magnet for those seeking a balanced and engaging lifestyle. According to U.S. News and World Report, Boulder's high cost of living and limited housing due to geographical constraints are notable challenges.

The list reveals a clear trend toward cities that offer a blend of natural beauty, recreational opportunities and cultural amenities. Most of these cities are home to major universities, which contribute to their vibrant local economies and cultural scenes.

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But it’s not all small cities: New York City, one of the world's largest metropolitan areas, also makes the top 25 list. “The metro area is a place of opportunity, which is why—despite the crowds and costs—people keep coming,” says U.S. News and World Report.

Read on for the complete list.

Boulder, Colorado—which has been named as the having the second best quality of life in the United ... [+] States.

The Top 25 U.S. Cities With The Best Quality Of Life

• Ann Arbor, Michigan
• Boulder, Colorado
• Madison, Wisconsin
• San Jose, California
• Portland, Maine
• Boston, Massachusetts
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
• Hartford, Connecticut
• Rochester, New York
• Trenton, New Jersey
• Boise, Idaho
• Washington, D.C.
• Raleigh and Durham, North Carolina
• Grand Rapids, Michigan
• Fort Collins, Colorado
• Worcester, Massachusetts
• Albany, New York
• Naples, Florida
• Syracuse, New York
• Manchester, New Hampshire
• Lancaster, Pennsylvania
• New Haven, Connecticut
• Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky
• Providence, Rhode Island
• New York City, New York

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Travelicious

The 12 Best U.S. Cities Every Traveler Should See

Posted: May 8, 2023 | Last updated: July 14, 2023

From sea to shining sea, the U.S. is filled with incredible cities. From the historic hubs (like Boston and New Orleans) to seaside escapes (like, well, almost anywhere on California's coast), there's no shortage of interesting places to check out without leaving U.S. borders. But with so many cities to choose from, it can be hard to narrow down your bucket list. To help you out, we compiled a list of the top spots that travel experts say you absolutely need to check out. Read on for the 12 best cities every traveler should see.

READ THIS NEXT:  The 12 Best U.S. Cities for Outdoor Adventures .

1 Washington, D.C.

What better place to start your U.S. city tour than in the nation's capital? According to  Samantha Linnett , travel planner and blogger of Discover with Sam , Washington, D.C. should be at the top of your bucket list.

"D.C. is a fantastic city for some obvious reasons," she says. Be sure to take tours of the White House, the U.S. Capitol, and the Supreme Court. Linnet also un-surprisingly suggests taking in the National Monuments, but she recommends going at night when they're "particularly gorgeous."

Beyond the typical draws, Linnet says there are some lesser-known reasons you need to explore Washington, D.C., including the food and art scene.

"D.C. has a fantastic cultural food scene throughout so many of its neighborhoods," she says. "Eastern Market and Union Market provide opportunities to experience both historic and revival food halls, respectively. The H Street Northeast corridor is chock full of different cultural tastes. I highly recommend Ethiopic on H & 4th St NE ."

If you're more into art, D.C. has you covered there as well. You can explore the National Gallery of Art and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Linnett says, both of which are free; or go for a "funkier experience" and explore the O Street Museum.

Washington, D.C. also has no shortage of green space—it actually has more park space per capita than any other U.S. city—so outdoor enthusiasts won't feel out of place in this metropolis. Linnett recommends Rock Creek Park, which offers 1,754 acres of basically untouched green space. "You'd never know you were in a city while hiking there!"

2 San Diego, California

Head to the West Coast and you absolutely must visit San Diego, according to Kristin Lee , travel expert and author of the travel blog Global Travel Escapades .

"One city that no traveler to the U.S. should ever skip out on visiting is San Diego," Lee says. "The Southern California beach town attracts millions of visitors each year because of its almost perfect year-round weather, thriving surf culture, and many gorgeous beaches !"

On top of this, you can explore San Diego's many neighborhoods, which all maintain their own unique atmosphere, she adds.

READ THIS NEXT:  The 10 Best U.S. Cities to Visit If You Love Old Houses .

3 Boston, Massachusetts

For any history buff, Boston is a must-visit city when traveling through the U.S. Even a ride on Boston's public transportation is a step into history, as the city had the first subway system in the country. The Freedom Trail, which brings visitors to many of the city's most historic sights, is also an essential activity for anyone vacationing in Beantown.

"In Boston—one of America's earliest great cities and now one of its finest—history and modernity are linked at the hip," says Mathew Bowley , the marketing manager at Solmar Villas . "Make a point of seeing the Back Bay row homes, which are common Instagram fodder, but are truly a must-see."

In addition to seeing some of the most historic architecture that the country has to offer, Bowley also recommends hitting up the city's well-known seafood scene while visiting.

"Boston loves its seafood, from chowder to lobster rolls, so make a point of visiting the city's greatest raw bars and lobster shacks while you're here," Bowley says.

4 Huntington Beach, California

From San Diego, drive 90 minutes north and hit Huntington Beach, which is one of the most exciting places to visit in the state.

"Home to the U.S. Open of Surfing, the Pacific Air Show, and many other water-based events, Huntington Beach has earned its reputation as Surf City, USA," says Elizabeth Borsting , an account manager at travel marketing company Development Counsellors International.

"With a walkable downtown, miles of pristine beaches (including one just for dogs), oceanfront resorts, and the Bolsa Chica Wetlands teeming with wildlife and flora, Huntington Beach is a great home base for exploring Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego Counties," Borsting says.

READ THIS NEXT:  The 7 Biggest Tourist Traps to Avoid in the U.S.

5 Chicago, Illinois

If you love architecture, live music, and especially food, there are few better American destinations to visit than Chicago—the largest city in the Midwest. According to U.S. News & World Report, it's also one of the best foodie destinations in the country.

"Chicago has a lot to offer, whether you want to tour a beautiful city while eating a slice of deep-dish pizza or sit down for some fantastic meals and see some of the best museums and arts," says Jenny Ly , the founder of Go Wanderly . "Take a kayaking trip down the Chicago River, take pictures with the Bean at Millennium Park, or visit the Skydeck at Willis Tower for panoramic views."

Need some other ideas? After gorging on Chicago-style hot dogs and traditional Rainbow Cones, make time to go on an architecture tour of the city's downtown and check out some of its top-tier museums. You won't want to miss The Art Institute of Chicago—one of the best places to check out impressionist masterworks.

6 Port Aransas, Texas

While some of America's best cities to visit are large hubs with international airports, others are more under-the-radar and difficult to get to. One such city is Port Aransas, Texas, located on an island near Corpus Christi. Voted as one of the best places to go in the Corpus Christi area, Port Aransas has approximately 18 miles of shoreline, numerous hiking trails, and is home to Texas SandFest , an increasingly popular sand sculpture festival.

READ THIS NEXT:  The 12 Most Romantic Cities in the U.S. You Should Visit With Your Partner .

7 Santa Fe, New Mexico

Whether you're a big fan of Georgia O'Keeffe , green chiles, or simply being in the mountains, Santa Fe, New Mexico, is an unbeatable and affordable destination in the Southwest. Santa Fe has been ranked by the U.S. News & World Report as the best place to visit in the state of New Mexico, as well as one of the best cheap winter or fall vacations in the country.

"It's a gorgeous city with a vibrant arts and culture scene and plenty of art galleries and shopping available for travelers," says Ravi Parikh , the CEO of RoverPass .

While Santa Fe is by no means a large city, it's close to both the Bandelier National Monument (which features human settlements from more than 11 thousand years ago), and the Santa Fe National Forest (if you're looking for a place to really get into nature).

"Northern New Mexico is a gorgeous area as well, with plenty of high desert landscape surrounding Santa Fe to be explored," adds Parikh.

8 St. Augustine, Florida

If you're exploring cities in America, it's worth visiting the first one Europeans ever saw—St. Augustine, Florida. The seaside city is the home of the first European settlement in the U.S.

"St. Augustine is widely known for being the oldest city in the U.S., a claim hard to deny once you see the historic Spanish architecture and monuments of American history," says Christie Hudson , a senior PR manager for Expedia North America .

READ THIS NEXT:  The 10 Best U.S. Cities to Visit for Beer Lovers .

9 New York City

What list of American cities would be complete without the Big Apple? The largest city in the country and the inspiration for countless movies, poems, TV shows, books, and songs, New York City is hands down one of the best places to visit in the U.S., according to rankings from U.S. News & World Report.

"New York has a certain kind of magic, and arguably more to see and do than any other U.S. city," Hudson says. "Visit historic Ellis Island, see a Broadway show, walk the Highline, ride the subway, grab a slice, go to the top of the Empire State Building, or take in the 911 Memorial—the list goes on."

While the city experiences all four seasons, getting very hot in the summer and very cold in the winter, it's great to visit any time of year, and there's a range of activities suitable for any time of year. However, Hudson says that based on Expedia lodging data, fall through the holiday season is the most expensive time to visit—so plan accordingly.

10 Seattle, Washington

Known for being a draw for foodies (the city was ranked in the top 10 best foodie cities in the country and it is the birthplace of Starbucks, after all), Seattle received approximately 41 million visitors in 2019. That number makes sense when you consider all that the city has to offer.

"Seattle is the crown gem of the Pacific Northwest, with lush parks and boundless vistas of Puget Sound," Bowley says. "From the top of the famed Space Needle—a 360-degree spinning atrium with a glass floor—you can see it all. Seattle is home to some of the best restaurants in the world, as well as world-class institutions such as the Seattle Art Museum and the Museum of Pop Culture."

Bowley also says that the city is well-known for its contributions to music—especially through its thriving punk and grunge scenes in the '90s. It was the home base for iconic bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam—and that legacy still lives on in its live music venues today.

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11 Boulder, Colorado

Located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and home to the University of Colorado, Boulder has regularly been ranked as one of the best places in the country. U.S. News & World Report has ranked the small city as not just the best place to live in Colorado, but the best place to live in the country . It's also been ranked as the second-best city for quality of life and one of the top 100 cities to retire in. So, it's safe to say that if Boulder is so great to live in, it must be pretty spectacular to visit— and it might even inspire a future move for you.

"Boulder's setting is spectacular," says Dan Meyer , the founder and director of BACK&PACK . "The city limits the height of development, so you can typically see the iconic Flatirons regardless of where you are. It's simply beautiful no matter what time of year you visit, but spring is especially wonderful. All of the tulips come up in town and give the city a very fresh and vibrant feel."

12 New Orleans, Louisiana

There are few better comeback stories than that of New Orleans, Louisiana. In 2005, the city was devastated by Hurricane Katrina, but now, the Big Easy consistently ranks as one of the best places to visit for a vacation. U.S. News & World Report ranked it not only as the best place to visit in February (when it's gearing up for Mardi Gras), but also as another one of the best foodie destinations. So, get ready to dig into some po' boy sandwiches and beignets.

"They love to dress up and party in New Orleans, so throw on a wig and mask and go to the French Quarter and Marigny for some of the greatest cuisine in the city," Bowley says. "Grab a to-go cup of handmade drinks from one of the city's top bars and listen to some of New Orleans' best live music."

"Keep an eye out for the unique architecture that marks this one-of-a-million, music-loving city while you're here," Bowley adds. This includes its cemeteries, where the tombs are all above-ground.

Read the original article on  Best Life .

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17 Best Beach Towns in the U.S. With Laid-back Vibes and Stunning Coastal Views

From coast to coast, these are the best beach towns in the U.S.

Anne Olivia Bauso is a travel writer and hotel expert based in New York City. She has written hundreds of hotel reviews, from 5-star Ritz-Carlton properties to treehouse eco-resorts in the jungle.

Come summertime, the longing for sea breezes and salt water rushing over your toes is powerful stuff. When the pull of the beach is strong, you may just adopt an "any beach will do" mentality. But there's a big case to be made for seeking out the best beach towns in the U.S., where an easygoing vibe and beautiful coastal views make for an intoxicating combination. For beach lovers who prefer quaint cottages, custard stands, and historic wharves over beachfront go-karts and megaresorts, these are some of the best beach towns the American shoreline has to offer.

Block Island, Rhode Island

A one-hour ferry ride from mainland Rhode Island , Block Island combines a quaint downtown area, breathtaking coastal scenery, and a rolling green interior crisscrossed with low fieldstone walls, reminiscent of a remote British Isle. The village-like Old Harbor has Victorian bed-and-breakfasts, quirky boutiques, and the island's few grocery stores (there's not a chain to be found). It's all about the simple pleasures here: misty mornings, beach walks, ice cream on the front porch, bicycle rides, and afternoon hikes to mighty bluffs overlooking the Atlantic.

Ocracoke, North Carolina

Before it was permanently settled in the 1700s, this tiny island was a hideout for pirates, the infamous Blackbeard among them. Today, the same remoteness that once drew buccaneers lures tens of thousands of yearly visitors. Accessible only by boat or ferry — this is one of the most distant of North Carolina's Outer Banks — Ocracoke offers big sandy beaches coupled with wild nature. Around the harbor are slushy stands, surf shops, family-friendly barbecue restaurants and oyster bars, and old-fashioned hotels (cottage rentals and beach camping are popular alternatives).

Friday Harbor, San Juan Islands, Washington

Catch the ferry or ride a seaplane into this sweet island village near Seattle. This isn't the kind of beach for arcade games on the boardwalk or rummy drinks under a palapa, but rather natural-feeling beaches, independent bookstores and restaurants, and even a lavender farm with views of the Olympic Mountains . Hike along the rocky coastline and look for whales and other wildlife (foxes, bald eagles, dolphins) at Lime Kiln Point State Park , where a 1919 lighthouse keeps watch. If seeing an orca pod in the wild inspires you, a trip to The Whale Museum will tell you all about the marine mammals who call San Juan Islands' waters home.

Edisto, South Carolina

Edisto Island is perfect for a back-to-basics beach vacation. On the itinerary: exploring Botany Bay, the island's one-of-a-kind nature reserve covered in driftwood and seashells; hiking or biking through live oak and palmettos to a 4,000-year-old Native American shell mound; meeting turtles and gators at the serpentarium; and swinging by roadside farmers markets for fresh produce, local Marsh Hen Mill grits, and Key lime pie. (Have one meal at Whaley's , a former gas station serving fried oysters and crab cakes since the '40s.)

Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

Lauren Breedlove/Travel + Leisure

By the early 1900s, charming Carmel-by-the-Sea was already the preferred getaway for creative types. Even through decades of tourism and celeb-induced limelight (Jack London was an early fan, and Clint Eastwood is just one of its former thespian mayors), Carmel-by-the-Sea has held fast to its small-town charm . The small, walkable downtown feels out of a fairy tale; its streets are cobbled and lined with shops, galleries, wine-driven restaurants, magical 1920s cottages, and tucked-away gardens and courtyards. To see Carmel's wind-chiseled cliffs and lovely white-sand coves, head to the town's Point Lobos State Natural Reserve , Carmel River State Beach , and Garrapata State Park .

Sanibel Island, Florida

Kelly Griffin/Travel + Leisure

Located on Florida's Gulf of Mexico side, about 130 miles due north of Key West, Sanibel Island is a beachy paradise for nature lovers. The enchanting, off-the-grid-feeling island has an east-west orientation that makes it a natural repository for seashells, and collecting specimens on Bowman's Beach is a favorite visitor pastime (official name: the Sanibel Stoop). A huge chunk of the island is protected, including a wildlife refuge perfect for bird-watching, kayaking, fishing, and picnicking. In terms of Sanibel commerce, there are a few local spots for custard and seafood and a local farmers market in the summer.

Port Aransas, Texas

Clear across the Gulf of Mexico from Sanibel is Port Aransas , the self-proclaimed "Fishing Capital of Texas." Lovers of the sport have 18 miles of beach and chartered deep-sea excursions at the ready. Beyond fishing, there's swimming, kayaking, parasailing, golfing, dolphin spotting, and birding to enjoy. Port Aransas' marshy nature preserves and estuaries are havens for hundreds of bird species, including pelicans, ducks, and the majestic roseate spoonbill, the destination's flamingo-pink official bird. Padre Island National Seashore is a worthy side trip; the undeveloped barrier island offers 66 miles of pristine beach, rolling sand dunes, and lagoon-like waters.

Cannon Beach, Oregon

What put Cannon Beach on the map is distinctive Haystack Rock, a basalt tower shooting 235 feet from the water's edge. With Haystack and many other stacks scattered around the shoreline, Cannon Beach is one of the most striking and recognizable destinations in the state. Miles of beach offer a peaceful backdrop for swimming, walking, kayaking, and bird-watching. Time your visit to Hug Point (framed by cliffs and misty old-growth woods) for low tide, when the ocean recedes to reveal caves and marine life. Forward-thinking regulations have kept overdevelopment and chain commerce in check, helping the town preserve its under-the-radar vibe.

Capitola, California

Escape crowded Santa Cruz for this colorful village with a beautiful bay and delightful waterfront scene. The town is very lively and colorful, with brightly painted houses, a historic wharf, and village shops. Food and drink options range from local pubs and taco joints to the multilevel Shadowbrook Restaurant , a wine-centric restaurant built from local redwood into a steep hillside overlooking Soquel Creek.

Bald Head Island, North Carolina

The marshy coastlines of the Carolinas and Georgia are dotted with pretty, peaceful beach communities (see: Edisto), and North Carolina's Bald Head Island is one of the dreamiest. The East Coast's northernmost subtropical island, Bald Head is largely protected maritime forest, with beach rentals, nature trails, a few cafes, and miles of spectacular, unspoiled beaches. Cars aren't allowed, so guests zip around in golf carts — and on bike, in kayaks, and on their own two feet. Between beach walks, bike rides, and board games on the porch, travelers can visit the state's oldest standing lighthouse (named Old Baldy) and meet native loggerhead sea turtles at Bald Head Island Conservancy .

St. Augustine, Florida

Not every beach vacation coincides with an Old World atmosphere. In centuries-old St. Augustine, culture and coastal nature go hand in hand. The Spanish-founded town is home to peaceful beaches, historic sites, like Castillo de San Marcos (the country's oldest standing masonry fort), and quaint European-style shopping streets, such as St. George and Aviles. Other must-sees include the St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum , the local alligator zoo, and St. Augustine Distillery , open daily for tours and artisanal tastings.

Ogunquit, Maine

The Algonquin translation for Ogunquit is "beautiful place by the sea," and the town more than lives up to its moniker. Ogunquit's wide, white-sand beaches are far from the typical rocky Maine shoreline. For a taste of classic coastal Maine , walk the clifftop Marginal Way, which boasts incredible sights and sounds of the pounding Atlantic. Explore the cute town on foot or courtesy of a summer trolley and check out its theaters, art galleries, antique shops, lobster shacks, wine bars, and breakfast cafes — and don't leave without ordering a big stack of fluffy Maine blueberry pancakes!

Cape May, New Jersey

Set on the southernmost edge of New Jersey, Cape May is a perfect destination for beach lovers with a penchant for history and architecture. The town is filled to the brim with textbook Victorians — cottages, hotels, summer homes — and the vibe is appropriately vintage. Stroll the brick sidewalks (or take a horse-drawn carriage tour) to see colorful gingerbread architecture and poke in the mom-and-pop shops for saltwater taffy and local finds. Even if you don't stay at The Chalfonte Hotel , the town's oldest hotel, plan a fried-chicken dinner on the wraparound porch with live music.

San Clemente, California

Lovely Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, sandy cliff-backed beaches, and coastal trails are all part of this Orange County town's appealing package. The gorgeous San Clemente coast is a mecca for swimmers, longboarders, campers, and hikers. The town itself has farmers markets, breweries, casual eateries, and an all-around mellow vibe that's a nice contrast to some neighboring Southern California's best beach towns .

Newport, Rhode Island

This New England seaport shot to prominence when it became the chosen summer playground for early American titans of industry (think: the Astors, Morgans, and Vanderbilts, whose Newport "cottage" is The Breakers, a 70-room Italian Renaissance estate). Stroll past the legendary home and other historic Gilded-Age mansions on Newport's Cliff Walk as it winds over coastal bluffs. Continue till Easton's Beach, a family-friendly stretch of sand known as First Beach to locals. (Hit the lobster roll stand and the lemonade truck if refreshments are in order.) On the harbor side, brick sidewalks and colonial merchant buildings define Bowen's Wharf, where you can eat oysters to your heart's content. Newport's thriving music scene is anchored by the famous Newport Jazz and Newport Folk festivals.

Solana Beach, California

Yes, the best beach towns run up and down the California coastline, but Solana Beach stands out for its utter lack of pretension. Natural beauty is the name of the game in this laidback San Diego County town, where the best activities are simply sunning on the lovely beaches, exploring rugged hiking areas with ocean and lagoon views (Annie's Canyon Trail is a favorite), trying homemade tamales and chocolate halvah at the farmers market , and enjoying casual food and drinks at Solana's seafood restaurants, pancake houses, and wineries.

Provincetown, Massachusetts

Perched on the tip of Cape Cod , this sleepy town with only about 3,500 year-round residents swells to six times that during the high season. Provincetown pulls in its bohemian-spirited summer crowd with a winning combo of stunning natural scenery, 19th-century houses, and an everyone-is-welcome cultural scene. Vacationers spend the days frolicking at commerce-free Race Point and Herring Cove beaches, biking through pine forests and dunes, or strolling downtown's Commercial Street to visit its funky shops, galleries, and eateries. P-town's vibrant LGBTQ+ scene shines with cabarets and drag shows (often with Broadway and RuPaul's Drag Race vets at the helm) and a whole lot of dancing.

10 of the best places in the US to see the northern lights in 2024

Astronomers predict this year will be the best in the last decade to see the northern lights. We have the sun's current solar cycle to thank for the stronger aurora borealis in 2024. Scientists say the sun is hitting its "solar maximum," or the highest activity rate during its current solar cycle, meaning more frequent and brighter northern lights. The sun's energized particles hit Earth's upper atmosphere, which then scatter toward its north and south poles. The redirected particles are what we see as the dancing hues of green, yellow, and magenta across the sky.

There are a few things you should do to plan before your trip. Winter is typically the best season to view the northern lights because of its longer, darker nights. It's possible to take a solo trip to see the lights, but many people recommend going in a group or on a guided tour for safety, especially if you're in an unfamiliar place.

Before venturing out into the cold, dark night, be sure to check an aurora forecast to understand what will likely happen in the sky. You'll need to venture away from any strong sources of light pollution like cities. Finally, get comfortable and be patient! Sometimes the aurora is only visible for a few minutes; sometimes it'll go on for hours.

If seeing the northern lights has been on your bucket list, now could be the best time to make it happen. Though Norway, Finland, and Iceland are the usual suspects when chasing northern lights, you don't have to travel outside of the United States to do it. Many of the country's northernmost states have dark skies that give a good chance for seeing the aurora borealis.

Stacker used various sources to create this list of 10 of the best destinations in the United States to view the northern lights.

Fairbanks, Alaska

There are many reasons why Fairbanks, Alaska, is considered one of the best places in the world to view the northern lights. The most important reason is it's inside the "aurora oval," which sees a higher concentration of aurora lights. It also has many nights with clear skies.

Fairbanks is home to some of the world's best aurora forecasters at the Geophysical Institute of the University of Alaska Fairbanks . The season for viewing the lights in Fairbanks is from Aug. 21 to April 21. During that time frame, late August through early September usually have the best chances for viewing the aurora borealis while enjoying summer activities.

New Town, North Dakota

The nice thing about North Dakota is that if the aurora borealis is going to show up here, it will likely be visible across the entire state. The only things you'll need to ensure are clear skies and a low-light moon because sometimes a radiant moon can make the sky too bright to see the faint glow of the northern lights.

If you're looking for a nice vantage point to take in the night sky, Crow Flies High State Recreation Area near New Town, North Dakota, in the western part of the state, is an ideal place. The scenic stop overlooks Lake Sakakawea and gives an unobstructed view of the night sky. You could also chase the northern lights inside Theodore Roosevelt National Park near Medora, North Dakota.

Glacier National Park, Montana

Glacier National Park in northwestern Montana's Rocky Mountains puts travelers just south of the U.S.-Canada border. It's a certified International Dark Sky Park, so light pollution won't get in the way of viewing the aurora. The national park has many ideal lookout locations, such as Lake McDonald, a popular destination for kayaking during the day. For those who prefer a less remote viewing party, The Northern Lights Saloon in nearby Polebridge, Montana, offers live music while you skywatch.

Aroostook County, Maine

The earliest written account of seeing the northern lights in Maine dates back to 1719. It described the colorful display as both dreadful and indescribable. Today, the aurora borealis still leaves people breathless, but thankfully they seem to enjoy it more than those who viewed it more than 300 years ago.

Aroostook County, Maine's northernmost county bordered by Canada, is one of the best places on the U.S. east coast to try to catch the northern lights. It has some of the darkest skies east of the Mississippi. Visit in September or October to ensure the dark skies are clear of clouds. For those who like to gaze at other natural wonders, the Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge is also a great place to birdwatch and spot other wildlife.

Newport State Park, Wisconsin

Nearly two hours from Green Bay, Wisconsin, the state's only dark-sky park sits on the edge of the Door peninsula. Late December through early March bring the best chances to see the aurora borealis during high auroral activity. Being on the shore of Lake Michigan gives viewers a better, unobstructed view of the northern horizon, which is important in catching the northern lights from the lower 48. People can also use the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's aurora forecast tool to get a 30-minute heads-up on whether the northern lights will be visible near their position in northern Michigan.

Upper Peninsula of Michigan

North of Wisconsin's Door peninsula is Michigan's Upper Peninsula, another ideal place to see the northern lights. The remote peninsula has hundreds of miles of shoreline along Lake Superior, making it easy to view the sky. If you find yourself in Michigan's Lower Peninsula instead, Port Crescent State Park and the Headlands International Dark Sky Park are good options. October, November, and April are the best months to see the aurora borealis in Michigan, although viewers have spotted it earlier in the fall and spring.

Duluth, Minnesota

It's safe to say spots all along Lake Superior are great for viewing the aurora in the lower 48 because Duluth, Minnesota, is another place that gives visitors a good chance to see the northern lights.

Duluth is to the west of Wisconsin's and Michigan's viewing areas but sits at roughly the same latitude, which means chances for seeing the northern lights go up when there's increased solar activity. Duluth has prime places to see the northern lights, including Hawk Ridge, White Sky Rock, and Little Stone Lake.

Idaho Panhandle National Forests

Go to the northernmost tip of Idaho for your best chance at capturing a glimpse of the aurora borealis. About 120 miles from Spokane, Washington, the Idaho Panhandle National Forests—which also cover small regions of eastern Washington and western Montana—are also a camper's and hiker's paradise. Check out Priest Lake for one of the best vantage points in the state. Add to the beauty of the lights by watching them both in the sky and their reflection on the lake.

If you'd prefer to stay a little further south, Heyburn State Park near Chatcolet Lake is also a great place for chasing the northern lights. Opt for a spot along the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes' bridge on the lake.

Utqiaġvik, Alaska

The northern lights are visible across most of Alaska. Still, those looking for a more adventurous journey may consider traveling to Utqiaġvik, the most northern community in the U.S. During the winter months, the sun sets on Utqiaġvik on Nov. 17. It doesn't rise again until Jan. 24, giving the small town 67 days of darkness, with only a little bit of sunlight shining on the horizon. That little bit of twilight means northern lights chasers will still need to wait for the night hours to see the celestial phenomenon. The aurora borealis typically isn't as strong in Utqiaġvik compared to Fairbanks since this small northern Alaska town is at the edge of the zone that tends to get visible lights.

San Juan Islands, Washington

The archipelago off the northwest coast of Washington State is known for many things: ferry rides, uncrowded beaches, and world-class whale watching. Stargazing may not be at the top of visitors' lists, but it should be, especially during the solar maximum. The islands have low light pollution and get more than 247 days of clear skies, giving it the perfect combination for viewing the northern lights. There's usually increased aurora activity in September and March, although there are several local reports of catching the northern lights year-round, including in midsummer.

Story editing by Carren Jao. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Clarese Moller.

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The 9 best places to visit in the Gili Islands

Apr 22, 2024 • 6 min read

Popular for diving, beaches and incredible sunset views, here's where to go in the Gili Islands © Seungwon Ryu / Getty Images

The Gili Islands: the scenery around here is what most envision when they drum up mental imagery of "tropical paradise". This idyllic archipelago might be tiny in regards to landmass, but it's anything but small when it comes to stunning marine life, friendly vibes, and gorgeous views. You'll get a wildly different experience depending on where you rock up onshore – seeing as Bintang-fueled day parties, epic undersea experiences, and stunningly tranquil hideaways all coexist in unique harmony across this chain of islands.

Gili Trawangan , known for its thumping nightlife, is the largest and most visited of all three – where you'll encounter a busy port and myriad shops and restaurants on arrival. Meander over to Trawangan's west coast, however, and you'll find a serene setting with marvelous views of Bali off in the distance. Little Gili Meno sits quietly in the middle, a peaceful neighbor to Trawangan's excitement where you can dive into crystal clear waters and also authentic Sasak culture. 

To the east, cheerful Gili Air combines a beautiful laidback pace with an energized social vibe – a place where you can laze about all day long under the shade of a palm tree or grab a Bintang beer and befriend people from both near and far.

If you're wondering where to go in the Gili Islands, start here. From shipwrecks replete with marine life to buzzy social scenes onshore, these 10 areas are worth exploring.

1. Snorkeling and diving spots throughout the Gilis

Best for experiencing Indonesia's stunning marine life

To visit the Gilis without snorkeling or diving would be like visiting France without eating a croissant – one hell of a lost opportunity for something great. With around 25 different dive sites scattered around the three Gilis, you're spoiled for choice when it comes to some of the world's most dazzling marine life and crystal clear waters.

Most snorkel and dive boats cruise around to the same well-known sites regardless of which island you embark from, sampling the surrounding protected marine area in all its glory. Off the coast of Gili T: Shark Point , Turtle Heaven , and Manta Point are aptly named for their undersea populations. Schools of fish flutter about impressive coral formations off the coast of Meno at Meno Wall and Simon's Reef . Just pack swimwear and get on a boat; you won't be disappointed.

2. The energetic east coast of Gili Trawangan

Best for eating, drinking, and socializing

Love it or leave it, Gili Trawangan's east coast has become a bustling little strip full of everything from booze-fueled party hotspots to dive shops, airy little cafes, and tourism operators. Make it your go-to destination if you're looking for a hopping social scene or delicious local eats – whether devouring Indonesian classics at the Trawangan night market or grabbing a pizza just up the road. If rest and quiet is what you're after, you're going to want to make a beeline for the opposite coast of the island, where crowds are scant and swim spots are ripe for the picking. 

3. The tallest point in the Gili Islands

Best place for getting a lay of the land

If reaching the highest landmass to survey surroundings is your thing, then boy, do we have good news for you: Gili Trawangan's tallest point – Gili Trawangan Hill – is easily reached by foot. This 15 to 20 minute hike (depending on your cardio abilities) is located in the southwest corner of Gili Trawangan, offering sweet views of nearby Lombok's rugged coast and beautiful Bali off to the west. You'll trek through some shrubbery on the way up, but when the vegetation clears, it's a pretty great spot to kick back and get a lay of the land.

4. Beaches on Gili Air's northwest corner

Best place for watching sunsets

Competitive opinions abound when it comes to deliberating over the best sunset spots in the Gili Islands. Tried and true, there's something about Gili Air's northwest corner that just keeps us going back. Between the friendly vibes, soft white sand, and stellar views of Trawangan, Meno, and Bali's towering volcano Gunung Agung in the distance – it's pretty hard to beat. Come for a coconut at a sun-bleached beach bar and stay for when the evening energy picks up.

5. Gili Meno's traditional Sasak village

Best place to experience Indonesian culture and heritage

Grab a bicycle and cycle inward down Gili Meno's quiet sandy pathways to discover a traditional Sasak village, where the quiet hum of family life moves on throughout the day. Here, farmers' cattle meander through palm-shaded fields, and the lovely aroma of Indonesian cuisine can be experienced while passing by warungs (family-run restaurants). While you're never far from the beach in the Gili Islands, be sure to cover up when you're not right on the shoreline. Most people in the Gilis are Muslim, and dressing appropriately is an important component of respect.

6. NEST underwater sculptures

Best place for feeling like you're in Atlantis

You might've seen it on your Instagram feed, but NEST underwater sculptures aren't just fodder for social media stardom – they're absolutely worth seeing in real life. One of the Gilis' must-visit attractions, this underwater sculpture features 48 human figures connected in a circle. Since it was constructed from environmental-grade concrete, the sculpture is slowly becoming a part of the marinescape – frequented by schools of fish (and also people with GoPros and flippers). Regardless of the often sizable group of snorkelers, it's still really cool to see. A word of the wise: you can simply swim right up to it from the coast of Meno, near BASK resort. It's not far offshore.

7. The charming streets of Gili Air

Best for eating and shopping for various trinkets

Right off the southward facing port of Gili Air, a small network of tiny streets beckon with plentiful bright eateries and browse-worthy shops. The vibes are undeniably good, and you can easily grab a nasi goreng (fried rice) or fresh Italian gelato depending on whether you're feeling salty or sweet. While it's hard to choose favorites, some of the Gilis' best places to stay are around here – where the car and motorcycle-free pathways are never congested, but still full of life. Stop in the area for a meal or a beverage, then embark on a wander in literally any direction to make your way to the beach.

8. Shipwrecks engulfed in marine life

Best place for scuba diving

Upping the ante on the Gilis' diving appeal, three different shipwrecks lie on the seafloor surrounding the islands. The Glenn Nusa Wreck – the only intentional wreck of the bunch – was cleaned and purposely sunk back in 2016 to serve as a dive site and also artificial reef. In between Gili and Lombok's mainland, the Japanese Wreck went down in the 1940's, with unclear reasoning as to why it sank. The Bounty Wreck went down off of Gili Meno's southwest coast around 15 years ago during a severe storm, and is suitable for all levels of divers.

9. Gili Trawangan's laidback west coast

Best for escaping the noise while staying close to the action

Unlike the busy east coast of Gili T, the west coast brings a completely different mood – one of relaxation, typically with a sweet coconut or frosty cold Bintang within arm's reach. While a sprinkling of large scale developments punctuate the coast, there are still plenty of open sandy stretches to bliss out and forget about the world for a little bit. More visitors arrive around sunset when the sun hangs low over Bali's outline in the distance, but it's still easy to have plenty of space to yourself.

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The 18 best places to see the northern lights.

Check the aurora borealis off your bucket list.

The Best Places for the Northern Lights

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The northern lights, known as the aurora borealis, are a spectacular natural light show visible at certain times of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. They occur when electrically charged particles from the sun collide with gases in the Earth's atmosphere, creating vibrant streaks of blue, green, pink and violet dancing across the night sky. 2024 and 2025 are an excellent time to catch the northern lights: Solar activity will be at a peak, making for a more impressive experience, if you're in the right place.

The best places to see the aurora borealis have little light pollution, clear skies and no precipitation. The lights are only visible at northern latitudes when it's dark outside, so the months from September to April are best for seeing the aurora. There's also a Southern Hemisphere counterpart, the aurora australis; there are fewer easy spots from which to view this phenomenon, but if you're lucky, it can be equally brilliant.

For more information on the northern lights, scroll down to the FAQ section at the bottom of this page. Read on to discover the top destinations where you can see the kaleidoscopic northern and southern lights.

Fairbanks, Alaska

Fairbanks is by far one of the best places in the world to view the northern lights, as it's located directly under the auroral oval. This ring-shaped zone sits around the Earth's geomagnetic North Pole and is generally associated with the most vibrant aurora sightings. Visitors can expect to see the lights on an average of four out of five clear nights during aurora season, which lasts from late August to late April.

You can book a northern lights tour to see the aurora from the springs and tubs at Chena Hot Springs Resort. This excursion includes round-trip transportation to the resort from town, a soak in the hot springs, a visit to the Fairbanks Aurora Ice Museum and an aurora viewing tour; dinner and drinks centered around Alaska produce are an option extra with hot drinks supplied.

There's more to Fairbanks than just the northern lights: If you visit in late summer, consider family-friendly activities like a ride on the Riverboat Discovery or gold panning. For a festive holiday experience in the winter, head around 15 miles out of Fairbanks to visit the Santa Claus House in the city of North Pole. Travelers can also see ice sculptures in February and March at the impressive World Ice Art Championships or take a dog-sledding or snowmobiling tour .

Where to stay: For excellent chances of aurora viewing, book a private igloo at Borealis Basecamp, a top glamping resort located on 100 remote acres of boreal forest about 25 miles from Fairbanks. With activities like dog-sledding on top of aurora viewing, past visitors regularly describe it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Tromsø, Norway

Located about 220 miles above the Arctic Circle, Tromsø is one of several top spots to view the northern lights in Norway. At the darkest point of the aurora season – which runs from September to early April – the sun doesn't rise in this northern part of the country, although there is twilight during the day. With this level of darkness, there are more opportunities to see the aurora.

Tromsø itself is a small but lively city, so there's plenty to see and do when you're not looking up at the sky, including a visit to the beautiful Arctic Cathedral. In late January to early February, the city hosts the Northern Lights Festival, a 10-day music and performing arts event featuring a variety of musical genres.

Aurora chasers can view the lights on their own while in town, but to get a better view, it's recommended to head away from the city lights. Arctic Circle Tours is one company offering guided trips, with small groups for a more personal vibe. Alternatively, adventure-seekers can embark on an exhilarating husky trekking expedition in the Arctic wilderness.

Where to stay: For accommodations with harbor views, look no further than the Scandic Ishavshotel – guests love it for its convenient central location in the city, as well as its plus-sized breakfast buffet with plenty of choices.

Luosto and Rovaniemi (Lapland), Finland

Lapland is located within the Arctic Circle in the northernmost part of Finland. The northern lights are most visible here between the end of August and April – and approximately 200 times a year – so there are many opportunities for aurora spotting. Finnish Lapland is also known as home to the Sámi people (the only recognized Indigenous group in the European Union region), some 200,000 reindeer and Santa Claus – who can be visited in the town of Rovaniemi, the region's largest city and a great base for your aurora expedition.

Consider venturing roughly 70 miles north of Rovaniemi to the resort town of Luosto, set among the picturesque and hilly landscape of Pyhä-Luosto National Park. Here, you can also spend a magical evening outdoors under star-filled skies during a reindeer-drawn sleigh ride through the snow-covered forests. Jaakkola Reindeer Farm offers a reindeer sleigh tour to spot the aurora once weekly; it includes a stop to warm up at a bonfire camp with snacks, hot beverages and local fireside stories.

Where to stay: For a bucket list experience, watch the impressive light show from a glass igloo at Santa's Hotel Aurora & Igloos in Luosto. Past visitors love the cozy atmosphere here, boosted by amenities like saunas and log fireplaces. If you're sticking to Rovaniemi, the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel is a stunning choice, with designer cabins perched among the snow-covered taiga forest.

Orkney, Scotland

This group of captivating (and mostly uninhabited) islands, located about 10 miles off Scotland's remote northern coast, is one of the best places to see the northern nights in the U.K. Fall and winter are the best seasons to witness the aurora, also known in local Shetland dialect as the "Mirrie Dancers," with fall bringing the highest proportion of clear nights. A few places to see the spectacular light show include along the coast at Birsay or the Broch of Gurness, an archaeological ruin on a sweeping and dramatic coastline.

In addition to the aurora, Orkney is home to breathtaking coastal landscapes and more sheep than you can count (try some local lamb, if you can). Travelers can also visit the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with several monuments dating back 5,000 years.

Where to stay: During your visit, plan to stay in the historic town of Kirkwall, the capital of the Orkney Islands: The no-fuss Ayre Hotel offers harbor views, and past visitors compliment the hearty meals in the hotel restaurant. Spot the aurora close to town at Inganess Bay and Wideford Hill.

Yellowknife, Canada

Yellowknife, the capital of Canada 's Northwest Territories, dubs itself the "Aurora Capital of the World." Thanks to its position in the middle of the auroral oval, the city puts on one of the world's most awe-inspiring light shows. The period from mid-November to the beginning of April is the recommended time to spot the aurora, but it's also possible to see the aurora during more hospitable weather from late summer to early fall as the lights are visible up to 240 days a year.

Located on the northern shore of Great Slave Lake, Yellowknife boasts winter sports such as ice fishing and cross-country skiing. If you visit in March, plan to attend the monthlong Snowkings' Winter Festival, which features events and activities like a snow-carving competition, a snow castle, live music and more.

For a unique experience, book a tour through Aurora Village to view the lights. The property will pick you up from your hotel and take you to its site, where you can stay warm in a tent while sipping hot beverages. The Aboriginal-owned Aurora Village also offers activities such as dog-sledding or snowshoeing excursions.

Where to stay: Warm up in the fireside lounge at The Explorer Hotel in Yellowknife. Previous visitors note the warm and helpful staff as a strength here.

Jukkasjärvi, Sweden

The optimal time for seeing the illuminated skies in the northern part of Sweden, known as Swedish Lapland, is between early September and late March. The small Swedish village of Jukkasjärvi sits around 125 miles above the Arctic Circle on the Torne River and is an ideal locale for aurora viewing. You'll fly to the nearby Kiruna Airport to get here. With the village's origins dating back to the 17th century, you can still find some of the original homesteads, including an old timber cottage. Today the village boasts 800 residents – and more than 1,000 dogs.

Where to stay: If you're up for a chilly overnight adventure, reserve accommodations at the world's first permanent ice hotel, the aptly named Icehotel 365. Each of its artist-designed suites is sculpted from ice with a unique theme and maintains temperatures around minus 5 degrees Celsius (about 23 degrees Fahrenheit). The rooms also feature beds with reindeer hides and thermal sleeping bags so you can bundle up during the night. While you're at the property, take advantage of the guided "Northern Lights Safari on Snowmobile" or embark on the "Moose Safari on Horseback" atop an Icelandic horse.

Reykjavik, Iceland

October through March is the best time to chase the aurora borealis in Iceland . There are numerous natural parks and attractions throughout the country where you can view the show during the long and dark winter, but the capital city of Reykjavik also offers many options for accommodations, restaurants, tours and other activities for your visit. For optimum aurora viewing in the city away from the light pollution, head to Öskjuhlið. This wooded and hilly area in Reykjavik sits at 200 feet above sea level and has walkways and paths where you can see the nighttime show.

Atop this hill sits Perlan, which houses the only planetarium in the country and a museum featuring exhibits about Iceland. Perlan is also home to the world's first indoor ice cave and glacier exploratorium. During your visit, don't miss the panoramic views of the city from the building's fourth-floor observation deck. From this vantage point, you'll be able to see the Snæfellsjökull glacier; Keilir, a volcanic mountain; and Esja, the mountain of Reykjavik.

Where to stay: While in Reykjavik, splurge on an overnight tour with Buubble Tours. This experience includes breathtaking sightseeing spots and a night spent under the magical northern skies in a transparent bubble at the 5 Million Star Hotel. For longer stays, consider the eco-friendly Eyja Guldsmeden Hotel, with sweeping views of the city – guests love it for its cozy yet chic Scandinavian design.

Southern Iceland

While Reykjavik is a great aurora-viewing spot if you like having amenities close by, consider getting out into Iceland's stunning, otherworldly countryside for a unique backdrop for the northern lights. One unique place to see them is the black sand beach at Reynisfjara (but watch out for the dangerous waves here). Alternatively, head to Jökulsárlón, a glacial lagoon and seal habitat, where the aurora's reflections in the icy water are truly beautiful.

There's no shortage of tours that will stop by these locations and more for possible aurora sightings. Consider a 10- or 13-day tour around the country with Fun Travel, or a four-day option from Arctic Adventures. If you want to do things at your own place, it's also possible to self-drive – just know that road conditions can be icy, particularly in the depths of winter (although Icelandic roads are generally well-maintained).

Where to stay: Hotel Rangá is a formidable option for aurora-spotting. It offers a variety of special amenities, such as aurora wake-up calls, a lookout deck and snowsuits to keep you warm if you're outside viewing the lights. Past visitors praise Rangá for being a comfortable yet luxurious place to relax, be it in the outdoor hot tubs or the cozy and sociable bar.

Kangerlussuaq, Greenland

Greenland may not be the most accessible place to travel for viewing the northern lights, with limited flight options (mostly via Iceland), but those who make it here will be thrilled they did. The tundra of Kalaallit Nunaat – the Greenlandic name for the country – is one of the best places on the globe to see the aurora from September to early April.

For the more adventurous aurora seekers, head to the top of the Greenland Ice Cap for spectacular views of the lights. This impressive glacier covers 80% of the country and is accessible via the tiny town of Kangerlussuaq. Located on a fjord right along the Arctic Circle, the town, often described as a gateway to Greenland, was a former U.S. Air Force base and is now home to Greenland's main airport. The town is known for having clear skies on some 300 nights per year, so chances of a sighting are particularly good here.

Tour company Guide to Greenland offers various tours, from two-hour aurora-viewing trips to a tough but rewarding multi-night dog-sledding expedition across the ice. For a less strenuous experience, companies like Nordic Saga Tours offer cruises through the Arctic landscapes around Kangerlussuaq.

Viking cruise along Norway's coast

Courtesy of Viking

Embrace the winter and set sail for the Arctic Circle to experience the aurora in northern Norway. The 13-day "In Search of the Northern Lights" cruise itinerary with Viking departs from London for the North Sea with stops in ports of call that are top aurora-viewing locales, including Tromsø, Alta and Narvik, plus a stop in Amsterdam en route. The cruise ends in Bergen, Norway.

While on land, take in the natural beauty of the snow-blanketed landscapes and book bucket list excursions like a night spent in an igloo or a reindeer sledding adventure. You can also chase the lights into the wilderness by snowmobile, take a dog sled ride under the stars or view them from a Sámi tent atop the mountain Pæska in Alta. This Viking Ocean Cruises itinerary is offered with departure dates from mid-January to mid-March.

Headlands International Dark Sky Park, Michigan

Regarded as one of the top spots in the U.S. to see the aurora outside Alaska, Headlands International Dark Sky Park sits at the top of Michigan 's lower peninsula, less than 5 miles from Mackinaw City. While the northern lights are less common here due to the relatively southern location, the best time to catch a glimpse of this phenomenon is typically during the spring and fall – and appearances can usually be predicted a couple of days in advance. The park even maintains an online Clear Sky Chart so you can check the weather forecast before you go.

There are also other stargazing opportunities throughout the year at Headlands. During the summer months the Milky Way is visible across the sky, and late summer evenings entertain visitors with meteor showers.

Where to stay: If you're visiting between late April and the end of October, splurge on a stay at Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island, where the aurora should also be visible. Guests describe this iconic property situated along the shoreline of Lake Huron as positively charming, thanks to its historic nature and manicured grounds. The resort also offers a host of outdoor activities from bike rentals to swimming.

Tips on Trips and Expert Picks

Travel tips, vacation ideas and more to make your next vacation stellar.

Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota

Martha Shuff | Courtesy of Voyageurs National Park

Located on the international border between Minnesota and Ontario, Voyageurs National Park is an approximately 218,000-acre labyrinth of boreal forests, lakes and streams. Voyageurs is Minnesota's only national park; it's also unique in that the park's interior is accessible only by boat, unless you visit by snowmobile in winter. As a certified International Dark Sky Park , Voyageurs provides opportunities to view the Milky Way on clear evenings, especially in the summer. Year-round aurora viewing is also possible on evenings with clear dark skies, but chances are better during the winter, when it's dark for longer.

For a guided stargazing tour – including the Milky Way, the constellations and (if you're lucky) the northern lights – book with Voyageurs Outfitters. If you're on your own, park officials note that almost any campsite is a good spot for northern lights viewing and stargazing. You can also check out the boat launch areas around Ash River, Kabetogama Lake and the Rainy Lake Visitor Center for top-notch views.

Where to stay: Those who prefer to sleep in a warm, cozy bed instead of camping under the stars can make reservations at the Cantilever Distillery + Hotel, a boutique Trademark Collection by Wyndham property in the nearby town of Ranier, Minnesota. Visitors report that there's a lot to like here, from the industrial-chic rooms to friendly staff to top-notch cocktails in the active distillery on the premises.

Abisko National Park, Sweden

Given its Arctic location, Sweden is one of the prime spots for aurora viewing in the Northern Hemisphere, with Swedish Lapland at the top of the list. The fall and winter months (from September to March) offer the best opportunities to witness the spectacle, as there is more darkness than light during the days.

If you're up for the Arctic adventure, December is an ideal month to visit Abisko National Park, which some regard as one of the best places on Earth to see the lights dance across the sky. The park's mountainous terrain and clear dark skies offer dramatic front-row seats for viewing the northern lights. The Aurora Sky Station is one of the best vantage points to see the aurora in the park. Join one of the expert presentations to learn about the science behind this fascinating phenomenon.

If you'd prefer to chase the lights with a curated tour, professional photographers and aurora-chasing guides at Visit Abisko lead three- to four-hour tours throughout the fall and winter. If you can, try to join the tours in fall, as this time of year offers a unique opportunity to view the lights both in the sky and reflected in the lakes and rivers, which you won't see in the winter months.

Where to stay: For cozy Nordic vibes, stay at Abisko Mountain Lodge, which also offers activities like ice climbing and snowmobile tours in winter. Guests love the excellent restaurant here, which offers Swedish specialties ranging from salmon to moose.

Nellim, Finland

Courtesy of Wilderness Hotels

Located a stone's throw from the Russian border in Finnish Lapland, this remote Arctic destination is a top-rated locale to view the northern lights due to the lack of light pollution. You'll be seriously out of the way of any built-up areas, as there's not even a paved road into Nellim. The best time to visit is between December and early April. This village is a great place to hunker down in a lodge and relax while enjoying a slice of life in the Finnish wilderness.

Where to stay: The Nellim Wilderness Hotel offers a perfect base with year-round activities, including aurora-chasing tours by car, snowmobile or on snowshoes. You can even take a sleigh ride through the snow to a campsite on Lake Inari to spot the aurora in pristine nature.

Beyond standard rooms, the Wilderness Hotel also offers glass-roofed cabins, as well as classic log cabins and bubble-shaped accommodations for two where guests can watch the dancing lights through the glass roof above your warm, cozy bed. When you're not chasing the lights, enjoy other Arctic activities like a husky safari, ice fishing, snowmobiling or a day in the snow meeting the local reindeer.

Saariselkä and Kakslauttanen, Finland

These two towns are around 150 miles above the Arctic Circle, with a prime location under the auroral oval, allowing as many as 200 opportunities per year to see the northern lights (weather permitting, of course). This area in Finnish Lapland is known for its stunning scenery, Sámi culture, cross-country and downhill skiing, and Urho Kekkonen National Park – one of Finland's largest.

Ski enthusiasts can roll two trips into one by hitting the slopes by day in Saariselkä and aurora spotting by night at Finland's northernmost ski resort. March into early April is the best time to view the aurora, as the Finnish Meteorological Institute notes that the weather is usually clearer at this time of year. But it's possible to see the northern lights at any time during the season from late August to early or mid-April.

Where to stay: Seven miles south of Saariselkä sits the village of Kakslauttanen, where you can book two- or four-person Glass Igloos at the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort. The new Kelo-Glass Igloos, which sleep up to six, mix the comforts of a log chalet with the visibility of the glass roof; enjoy a private sauna, a fireplace and more. There's also an impressive selection of year-round tours and activities at this resort, including northern lights excursions on snowmobiles or by horse-drawn carriage.

Stewart Island, New Zealand

Courtesy of RealNZ

Although they may be isolated, some far-south destinations offer the chance to see the aurora australis – or southern lights. While you might be able to see them year-round in some locations (just as with the northern lights), certain months are better for aurora viewing in the Southern Hemisphere. Stewart Island is regarded as one of the top spots to see the brilliant display in New Zealand , with 85% of the island encompassed by Rakiura National Park, so there are few people and virtually no light pollution. You can reach Stewart Island by flying in from Invercargill or taking a ferry from Bluff.

New Zealand's winter months – June to August – are the best time to see the southern lights; spring and fall are also not bad times to spot them. The brighter summer months, between December and February, make it more difficult to spot the aurora, but there's still a chance you'll catch a glimpse between midnight and 4 a.m.

Where to stay: Consider reserving a room with at Stewart Island Lodge, an intimate bed-and-breakfast. This beautiful property is just minutes by foot from the village of Oban, and the property will pick you up at the ferry terminal for your stay. Past visitors rave about the spectacular views of Halfmoon Bay and the Foveaux Strait from both the rooms and lodge terrace.

Tasmania sits approximately 150 miles south of mainland Australia. This mountainous island is one of relatively few places on the planet where it's theoretically possible to see the aurora 365 days a year due to its latitude, which allows for full darkness even on summer nights. The capital city of Hobart is the easiest point of entry: It's home to Tasmania's largest airport and serves as a convenient base. The city's burgeoning food and cultural scenes will also give you plenty to see and do.

From here you'll be able to reach several great viewing locations with unobstructed and open views of the sea along the southern and southeast coastlines, like Goat Bluff and Tinderbox Bay. When you're not staring at the night sky, splurge on a once-in-a-lifetime helicopter flight with Tasmanian Air Tours. Depending on your whims, your private pilot can whisk you away to soar over the sea cliffs; stop at a local winery to sample local vintages; or head south to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Port Arthur , Tasmania 's historic and most notorious prison.

Where to stay: Reserve accommodations at The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart. The historic luxury property is situated along the lively waterfront area with harbor views. Past guests admired the historic building housing the hotel and loved the heritage rooms featuring gas fireplaces for those cold Tasmanian nights.

Expedition cruise to Antarctica

If you're one of the lucky few people on the planet to travel to the southernmost continent on Earth, it may be pricey, but you'll have an adventure of a lifetime in Antarctica, especially if the aurora illuminates the sky. The southern lights are most visible in the winter months (between March and October), but due to weather conditions, only researchers brave the Antarctic winter – and they mostly stay indoors.

However, all hope is not lost if you seek to view the aurora australis in Antarctica. Late-season expedition cruises to this continent offered in March also bring the opportunity to view the southern lights and enjoy the end of Antarctica's fleeting summer. As the days shorten in length, you may encounter light snow across the extreme landscape and ice starting to form on the water's surface.

When it comes to wildlife viewing, humpback whale sightings are abundant, and you'll still see penguin colonies – including king and gentoo penguins. You can also keep your eyes peeled for elephant seals, leopard seals, wandering albatross and other species of birds. When night falls on clear evenings, look for the light show in the southern sky. Companies that offer March voyages include Swoop Antarctica, Atlas Ocean Voyages, Silversea Cruises , Aurora Expeditions and Hurtigruten Expeditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

There's no one location that's widely accepted as the best place to see the northern lights. However, the strongest light displays are within what's called the "auroral oval": a rough circle around the Earth's magnetic northern pole that tends to occur around 60 to 70 degrees of latitude. The oval's exact size expands and contracts (some more southerly destinations can fall under it when the aurora is particularly strong), but there are certain locations that generally fall within the oval most of the time.

These places include:

• Central and northern Alaska
• Large areas of Yukon, the Northwest Territories and northern Quebec in Canada
• Southern Greenland
• Far northern Norway, Sweden and Finland

Within these areas, it could be argued that Iceland is the best place to see the aurora as it experiences much milder temperatures than some other areas within the oval. But this is subjective, and some travelers may prefer a location like Yellowknife in Canada for a full-on, very cold Arctic experience.

The northern lights are only visible when it's dark out. Since many of the best places to see them are so far north that they experience near-constant daylight in the summer, you'll generally want to schedule a trip between late August and early April. However, within this time period, there's some debate about the best time to catch the lights. For example, the aurora tends to be more active around the September and March equinoxes due to stronger solar winds – but on the other hand, your chances of seeing them may be higher in the depths of winter, since there's longer nights and therefore a longer window in which they might appear.

In more southern locations like Minnesota, it may be possible to see the light show in the summer months, but it's still advisable to go at a time when the nights are longer. It can also be worth trying to schedule your northern lights trip when there's a new moon: While the aurora can shine through moonlight, it may be harder to see if there's a full moon.

Of course, cloudy weather can block the aurora even if you go at the right time of year. So, it may be wise to research the local weather patterns at your chosen destination to find out if there's a month where you can expect clearer skies. In many cases, though, there's a little luck involved.

These two countries can offer excellent views of the northern lights, since both are directly under the typical auroral oval. Yet there are some differences to be aware of.

In Norway, you'll need to head to the north of the country to catch the aurora: While they have been sighted in Oslo , the capital and largest city, it's too far south to be a reliable vantage point. Cities like Tromsø are popular spots, but direct flights there are only possible from some European cities, so North Americans will have to take connecting flights. On the other hand, Iceland is generally easier to reach, with direct flights to its capital, Reykjavik, from a large number of U.S. destinations (particularly from the East Coast) with no further connection required.

Since clear skies are key for seeing the northern lights, weather is another factor to consider. In November, December and March, Reykjavik has statistically slightly more frequent clear skies, while in January and February, Tromsø is a little better, but the difference isn't big: Both places have clear skies only around 25 to 30% of the time in these months. Reykjavik has slightly warmer weather, though, so between that and the ease of access, it has a slight edge over Norway for seeing the northern lights.

Alaska and Iceland are known for stellar aurora light shows, so deciding between them may depend on which destination you find more convenient and more to your tastes. In Alaska , the city of Fairbanks is considered a great spot to catch the northern lights. (They can still be seen elsewhere in the state – for example, in Anchorage, although they're not so common in more southern locations like Juneau). The advantage of Fairbanks is that you won't need a passport , yet there aren't many direct flights from the lower 48 states. Despite being an international destination, Iceland may be more accessible (particularly from the eastern U.S.), thanks to fairly regular flights to Reykjavik from numerous American cities.

Fairbanks does offer statistically better weather for aurora viewing: It has clear skies more often than Reykjavik, particularly in March when the Alaska city experiences them around 45% of the time (compared to about 25% for Reykjavik). But you'll have to be able to tolerate the cold. While temperatures in Reykjavik hover around freezing in midwinter, Fairbanks is a veritable deep freeze, with average highs around 5 degrees Fahrenheit down to lows colder than minus 5 in December.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Timothy Forster , as a Canadian who has traveled from coast to coast in that sprawling country, knows all about travel in the cold northern reaches of the world. Forster used his extensive traveling background along with research expertise to curate this article.

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