The best cities to visit in the U.S. right now

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. For an efficient way to see them all, book a pedicab tour with Adventure DC Tricycle Tours. 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. If you're looking for a historic and centrally located place to stay, book a night at the Willard Intercontinental, just steps from the White House. 

Why go: You could spend weeks exploring the Smithsonian museums lining each side of the National Mall and not see it 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. 

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. 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.

Why go: Portland's food scene is dynamic and always changing—prioritize visiting as many of the area's best restaurants as you can, including experiencing the zillions of food trucks, gourmet doughnut shops and breweries.

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.

Why go: 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.

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.

Why go: Boston loves its seafood, from chowder to lobster rolls. While you're in town, be sure to visit the city's best raw bars and lobster shacks.

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.

Why go: 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. 

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.

Why go: 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.

Charleston is truly one of America’s great metropolises. It is steeped in the nation's history 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. 

Why go: 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.

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.

Why go: Branch out from the typical tourist spots and head to 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.

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 over half a million fans rolling through, they're taking advantage of the warm weather in a big way.

Why go: Cheese curds, breweries, cornhole tournaments and the Packers—these are just a few reasons to visit Milwaukee. But all that is 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.

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.

Why go: Salt Lake City has a lot going on as a city, but there's also the great outdoors nearby: hiking, swimming, and picnicking at the Great Salt Lake is a good place to start.

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. 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.

Why go: 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. 

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 Millennium Falcon at Disneyland’s Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge universe.

Why go: Whether you're a beach bum, movie buff, shopping fanatic or foodie, you can choose your own adventure in L.A.

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. 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.

Why go: Get a taste of country music history by visiting the Historic RCA Studio B, where Elvis made countless records, and drive out to the Bluebird Cafe and the Grand Ole Opry. 

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.

Why go: Your itinerary should also be packed full of trips to the city's best restaurants from classic Cuban mainstays to Michelin-starred Italian spots.

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.

Why go: 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.

With Texas college town vibes, a vibrant restaurant and nightlife scene, and booming growth in recent years, Austin's tourism industry has been strong in recent years—and for good reason. Take a dip in the famous Barton Springs Municipal Pool. Catch a stunning sunset as hundreds of thousands of bats take flight for their nightly meals at the Congress Avenue Bridge. Enjoy some of the best brisket in the country at Franklin Barbecue. Get fitted for perfect boots at Allens Boots, then do si do them over to The White Horse, the city's most iconic honky tonk.

Why go: Embrace the culture of live music in Austin. Wonder neighborhoods aimlessly, without a plan, and simply stop in where you hear tunes to feel the town's true magic. 

The beautiful bay and beaches, a famous zoo and the endearing madness of Comic-Con International—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. 

Why go: 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. Enjoy the weather and get outside. 

A sometimes overlooked destination in the Midwest, Kansas City has become a hub for sports fans and outdoor lovers alike. Until Taylor Swift made it her second home, that is. The city is abuzz from attention these days, with exciting openings like the CPKC Stadium—the first in the world to be built solely for a women's professional soccer team. (And football fans know the Chiefs are on a Super Bowl streak.) That joins other recent developments like a new entertainment district atop an old rail bridge and the inaugural Picklecon (that's right: a pickleball festival). 

Why go: Enjoy world-class museums, from the Nelson Atkins art museum and the nearby Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art to the American Jazz Museum and Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. 

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.

Why go: If you want to do something more unique, 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.

With theme parks like Universal Studios Florida, Legoland and Walt Disney World, Orlando has been the place for families for generations. And while Mickey and friends have drawn younger audiences, as the theme parks have grown so too have the surrounding scenes.

Why go: Aside from Disney, the city boasts an impressive range of restaurants—such as The Boheme—and an equally adult club scene that pays homage all sorts of tunes, from country and hip hip to rock and pop.