America the beautiful!
The land of opportunity!
The United States is not only one of the biggest and most populated nations, but it also boasts
some of the top tourist destinations on the planet.
From the mountainous highlands surrounding Asheville, North Carolina, to the volcanic
paradise of balmy Honolulu, Hawaii, and everything in between, The US is a country that varies
drastically in terms of its terrain, culture, and cuisine.
A trip-making stops in all 50 US states will sometimes leave you wondering if you are even
in the same country.
America is an extremely diverse country with incredible people, sights, and natural wonders.
While there are many popular cities to travel to in the United States, another reason this
nation is so fantastic for travelers is the nature that can be found just a short drive
away from many of its metropolitan epicenters.
If you're working on your American bucket list or merely curious as to see what some
of the most beautiful, engaging, and lively cities in the country are, you've come to
the right place!
We've compiled a list of what we believe are the best cities to visit in the US.
So, buckle up and grab a snack because this is going to be one wild North American adventure.
Austin, Texas
First up, we have one of the sunniest cities in the country – and one that locals, much
like those in Portland, Oregon, take pride in its uncanny 'weirdness'.
Located in the Lone Star State and serving as its capital, Austin is also the state's
fourth-most populous city.
Austin, unlike other cities in Texas, is very progressive.
The city has sometimes been called a 'Hippie Haven' and even backs that claim up by having
the only nude beach in the state.
You'll also be pleased to find that it's the only city in the country that still operates
old-fashioned moonlight towers.
If you're not familiar with what those are, moon towers, as they are also known, are lighting
structures designed to mimic the moon's illumination to light up portions of the city at night.
Austin has a ton of great parks, world-class hiking trails, river access, an incredible
dining scene, and an equally impressive music scene.
It's also known for having a culture that is warm and accepting of people from all walks
of life, including those that are not from there.
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Asheville, North Carolina
Yet another city that has sometimes been labeled as a 'hippie town', Asheville is tucked away
in the mountains of western North Carolina and boasts an impressive range of outdoor
activities such as hiking, climbing, and kayaking.
The town also has a bustling art scene centered around its River Arts District.
Foodies will delight in its many restaurants, cafes, and pubs where anything from vegan
fare to authentic Malaysian food can be found.
We especially love Rosetta's Kitchen over on North Lexington Ave, which even has a 'pay
it forward' menu for those who can't afford to dine.
Asheville has also earned its nickname of Beer City, USA, thanks to its many breweries.
If you're a beer aficionado, you'll feel like it's Christmas day every time you step into
a local bar.
Visit the Gilded Age-era Biltmore house to see some of the most ornate architecture and
décor you've ever laid your eyes on or join in the city's weekly drum circle in Pritchard
Park to let your inner musician come alive.
Throughout the city, you'll be treated to some of the best street performers we've ever
had the pleasure of seeing as you shop around at the many local boutiques, galleries, and
shops.
If you grow tired of the hustle and bustle, hop in your vehicle and head out to see the
majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, home to stunning vistas, diverse flora and fauna, and fantastic
hiking trails.
Boston, Massachusetts
No other city in the US holds as much history of the Revolutionary and Colonial War eras
as Boston.
So, it's not surprising that it's become a popular pilgrimage site for visitors wanting
to get a better sense of all of that rich history.
Boston is an easy city to explore on foot, and its T subway system makes getting around
that much easier.
Across the Charles River in Cambridge, you'll find a lovely recreation area known as Esplanade
Park.
While Cambridge is technically separate, for all intents and purposes, it's still a park
of the greater Boston metropolitan area.
Two of the nation's most prestigious and influential universities can be found in Boston, MIT and
Harvard.
Because of these two colleges and the various other universities in the Boston area, the
town has a very vibrant and youthful vibe.
With that comes a lively and diverse culture.
Boston is an excellent city to visit if you're a fan of music, theater, and the arts.
Beyond that, some of the best restaurants arguably in the world can be found here.
Any time of the year is perfect for a visit, but we especially love Boston in the springtime
when the Magnolia and Cherry Blossoms are in full bloom.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Situated at the base of the beautifully exquisite Teton Mountains, Jackson Hole is a town that
has become synonymous with skiing and snowboarding.
Our top pick for resorts in the area is The Four Seasons, but we also highly recommend
checking out the modern Anvil Hotel if you're looking to have easy access to Jackson Hole's
shops and restaurants.
While Jackson Hole is the perfect place to visit during the winter months due to its
world-class slopes, during the summer, visitors can hike and camp among the wildflowers at
Grand Teton National Park, which in our opinion, is one of the most gorgeous places in the
country.
After spending the day exploring nature, head downtown to wander around Jackson Town Square.
Be sure to take time to snap a picture of the iconic antler archway before grabbing
a pint at the famous Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, where you'll feel like you just got transported
back in time to the old Wild West.
Key West, Florida
The island city of Key West is home to historic architecture, top-tier restaurants, and some
genuinely out-of-this-world sunsets.
And of course, you've just got to try out the Key Lime pie!
While many different establishments across town feature the famed dessert, we recommend
trying a slice over at Blue Heaven.
Trust us, you won't be disappointed.
After grabbing a cheese-covered hogfish sandwich over at the Hogfish Bar, head on down to Fort
Zachary Taylor State Park, where snorkelers and scuba divers can be found exploring the
artificial reefs and the sandy beach and emerald waters await you.
Make sure you devote some time to taking a tour of the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
as well, especially if you consider yourself a lover of Hemingway's novels.
The best way to get around town is by bike.
Rentals are affordable and everywhere.
The island itself isn't very big.
Spanning just three-miles, you would think that you would run out of things to do, but
you could easily spend several days seeing and experiencing everything that Key West
has to offer.
Savannah, Georgia
This town, in many ways, feels a lot like a miniature New Orleans.
Some of the best seafood joints in the south await you here, but our favorites are Sorry
Charlie's Oyster Bar and The Olde Pink House.
On River Street, you'll find many different shops, cafes, boutiques, galleries and bars.
Savannah also has a very rich and captivating history – both because it's the oldest city
in the state of Georgia and because it's often called the most haunted city in America.
The city also boasts a ton of youthful and creative energy thanks to it being the home
of SCAD, the Savannah College of Art and Design.
Just a short 20-minute drive away, you'll find Tybee Island, where you can spend the
day relaxing on the beach, admiring baby seas turtles, and checking out the local bar scene.
Portland, Maine
While the other Portland almost made this video, we think this one takes the cake.
Feel free to argue for Portland, Oregon's supremacy in the comments if you really feel
that passionate about it.
It's impossible to grow tired of New England's quaint, coastal charm.
From all of the historic and ever-so-romantic lighthouses to the incredible seafood restaurants
dishing out buttery lobster and bowls of piping hot clam chowder to the rocky beaches that
are accentuated by looming pines.
New England truly is a picturesque place.
If you're interested in seeing all of those things, Portland has got you covered.
It's a town that has world-class dining, pristine seaside charm, and access to nearby islands
that will leave you in awe.
Throughout the year, the Portland area hosts several festivals, including our favorite,
the Maine Lobster Festival in nearby Rockland.
We also recommend checking out Portland's First Friday Art Walk to check out some of
the local talent.
After spending the day exploring, dining, and taking in the natural beauty of the Portland
area, spend the evening sipping on cocktails downtown.
Really, no matter what time of year you visit, you'll be blown away by all that Portland
has to offer.
If you can endure a frigid New England winter, we think that the town especially comes alive
during the Holiday season.
Chicago, Illinois
Known by locals by its nicknames, the Third Coast and the Windy City, this mega-metropolis
boasts incredible architecture, culture, shopping, and of course, pizza.
But even if deep-dish pies aren't really your thing, you'll find that Chicago has one of
the most robust and diverse dining scenes in the world.
Aside from the famed Magnificent Mile, Chicago is known for its 77 distinct neighborhoods.
And we've just got to say that each one is well worth exploring.
A few of our favorites include artsy Wicker Park, diverse Pilsen, and trendy Logan Square
– although the scholarly Hyde Park also deserves a mention.
If live entertainment is your jam, catch a comedy show at Second City or see a theatrical
performance at the CIBC Theater.
To really experience Chicago in all of its glory, go out on the water by taking a river
tour provided by Shoreline Sightseeing.
And to experience one of the liveliest LGBT scenes, check out Andersonville.
Art lovers will appreciate the Art Institute of Chicago, while history buffs will easily
spend all day at the Chicago History Museum.
Whatever your interests, Chicago has more than enough to keep you busy for days.
Obviously, we only had enough time to discuss a handful of US cities.
And whenever talking about the 'best of' anything there will always be a lot of debate about
what should or shouldn't make the list.
So, if your favorite didn't get a shout-out, don't feel too offended.
There is only so much that we can discuss in one video.
Which US city is your favorite?
And are there any US cities that you think don't receive as much praise as they should?
Let us know in the comments.
And before you move on to watching another one of our travel videos, take a moment to
show us a little support by giving this video a like and by subscribing to the Viewcation
channel If you haven't already.
As always, thanks for watching, and safe travels!