Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about my list of must-visit cities in the USA. Now, I’m not talking about the best destinations or the top destinations, because then you’d see places like Disney or the Grand Canyon. These must-visit cities in US offer a well-rounded vacation destination, with culture, cuisine and history.
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago is the home of the skyscraper. Chicago has a rich history of wealth and development, so there are some really great museums to check out. The Art Institute, the Field Museum, the Museum of Science and Industry, and the Shedd Aquarium are the top museums in Chicago. The architecture in Chicago is fantastic; it really is the birthplace of the skyscraper and the former training grounds for Frank Lloyd Wright.
Sports fans will also love Chicago. Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs baseball team, is one of the oldest baseball stadiums in the country. Chicago also has another MLB team, the Chicago White Sox, the Chicago Bulls basketball team and the Chicago Blackhawks NHL team.
Five Things You Will Love & Hate About Chicago
New York, New York
This list would not be complete without mentioning the Big Apple. New York is quite possibly the coolest city in America. New York such an international city and a cultural melting pot, so you won’t get as much as the “Americana” feel, but it’s a city everyone should experience at least once. There are so many great neighborhoods in New York: from Chinatown to Little Italy, and all of the outer boroughs that are often overlooked by tourists.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, or the Met, is probably one of the top three art museums in the world. The food and culture in New York are amazing, and you can get pretty much any cuisine you want, anytime you want. There are so many iconic experiences in New York: from Broadway Plays to the Statue of Liberty to a stroll in Central Park.
Five Things You’ll Love & Hate About New York
Boston, Massachusetts
Boston is another of my favorite cities in the United States. It’s one of the birthplaces of the country, and there is so much history to explore in Boston. The Freedom Trail is a great place to start your Boston vacation; this 4-kilometer walk takes you around the city to various points of interest. Once you’ve explored the city, you can head out to the harbor islands and check out the seaside a bit. If you are interested in history, you’ll love visiting Boston. It has some of the oldest buildings and business in the country, including the Union Oyster House, the oldest continuously-running restaurant in the country. Bell In Hand is the country’s oldest continuously-operating tavern, and the Omni Parker House is the longest continuously operating hotel in the United States.
Five Things You’ll Love & Hate About Boston
Washington DC
You can’t come to the United States without visiting the capital city. There are so many cool government monuments in DC, including the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. The museums in Washington DC are first-class. The Smithsonian Institution comprises 17 museums and galleries, including the National Zoo, the National Portrait Gallery, the American Indian Museum and the Museum of American History.
Georgetown is a great neighborhood for eating and drinking in Washington DC. I would argue that Washington DC has the best public transportation system in the United States. It’s so easy to use, it will take you anywhere, and it’s very clean.
Five Things You Have to Eat in Washington DC
Charleston, South Carolina
Now, Charleston is smaller than the other cities on this list, but I think it really represents the South, which is a unique culture to experience. Charleston is one of the best southern cities to visit. You can go to the Battery and see historic homes and streets lined with ancient oak trees. They also have a really great aquarium in Charleston; our kids love it. Of course, you can also get your fill of delicious Southern food here in Charleston!
Five Things You’ll Love & Hate About the South
Miami, Florida
If you want to know where all the beautiful people are, head to Miami. Specifically, South Beach. It’s not great for the ego, but Miami is an amazing city with fierce Latin vibes. The beaches are fantastic, there’s a great Art Deco district, and Little Havana is the hub of Cuban culture in Miami. Miami nightlife is pretty legendary and as an international melting pot, you can get some amazing food in Miami, too.
What NOT to Do When You Visit Florida
New Orleans, Louisiana
Another unique American city is New Orleans. The French Quarter is the main destination for tourists visiting New Orleans. Whether you visit for Mardi Gras or any other time of year, Bourbon Street and the French Quarter is where to find New Orleans nightlife. New Orleans does have a distinctly European feel, and even the food and local dialect have a lot in common with the French. New Orleans also has a lot of history and cool architecture, but its reputation as a party town is well-deserved.
Five Things You’ll Love & Hate About New Orleans
San Antonio, Texas
Texas has some really great cities. Austin, Dallas, and Houston are all cool places to go in Texas. But our favorite is San Antonio. Between the Alamo and the Riverwalk and the Icehouses where you can get a cold beer, San Antonio is just a great city to visit. San Antonio also has some of the best Tex-Mex food in the States, so you’ll eat really well in San Antonio. Add to all of this the friendly locals, and I think San Antonio is well worth your time.
Five Tips for Visiting San Antonio, Texas
San Francisco, California
San Francisco is one of the most beautiful cities in the USA. Starting with the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, to the most famous prison in the world, Alcatraz. Fisherman’s Wharf is the tourist hub of the city, but still worth visiting, especially if you’re in San Francisco with kids. San Francisco has one of the best Chinatown districts, with amazing food. Of course, you can’t miss out on Haight Ashbury and a ride on the famous cable cars. San Francisco is totally unlike any other city in the US, so you really should see it for yourself.
Five Things You’ll Love & Hate About California
Los Angeles, California
For being in the same state, Los Angeles and San Francisco are totally different, which is why they are both on this list. Now, it’s not necessarily one of our favorite places to go, but you can’t argue the icon status of Los Angeles. There are so many cool things to see in Los Angeles, and you will sometimes feel like you are in a movie because some locations have been featured so many times. A lot of LA tours and attractions can be on the cheesy side, but if you love movies and TV, you’ll love LA! If you want beaches and an urban environment, Los Angeles has both. From a scenery perspective, the Los Angeles area is one of the most beautiful cities in the USA.
I think these are great cities where you can really go and get a good sense of American culture. They are not listed in any kind of order because I love them all. Each of them gives you a unique perspective on American culture and cuisine. Don’t try to see all of these in one trip! Make sure you pick a region and start exploring at your own pace. If you want more tips on travel in the United States, check out some of our other blog posts: