America.

It’s on everyone’s bucket list. But there’s one slight problem: it’s a big place!

This is a land of never-ending adventures and countless places to see. There is no way of seeing it all in one lifetime, so what to do? Prioritise! You’ll have to!

Want some ideas of what should be on your shortlist? You’re in the right place. I’ve put together a list of the top 15 U.S cities you need to visit. Keep reading and get inspired!

1. New York City

Let’s start with the blatantly obvious, shall we?

The Big Apple is the United States’ most visited city. In fact, it’s the 5th most visited city in the world! 

There’s a good chance you’ve already ticked NYC off your bucket list, but if you haven’t you need to visit ASAP. It’s everything it’s cracked up to be.

We all know the classic sights: The Statue of Liberty, The Empire State Building, Central Park…the list goes on.

But the city is always changing and there’s a lot more on offer nowadays than those well-known Manhattan attractions. Try exploring Brooklyn and Queens, that way you’ll see more of the “real” New York.

Personally my favourite thing to do in this great city is to catch the Staten Island ferry. You get the most wonderful views of Lady Liberty and Manhattan…and it’s 100% free! 

 

2. Philadelphia

Just a couple of hours on the bus from New York City is where you’ll find Philadelphia.

Founded in 1692 (pretty old by American standards!), this is a wonderful city for lovers of history. Sights such as The Liberty Bell Center and the National Constitution Center do not disappoint. There are some great walking tours available as well – I went on a spooky one at night time!

My favourite part of Philly though? It HAS to be Reading Terminal Market, America’s oldest farmers’ market. This huge foodie’s paradise consists of more than 80 stalls offering pretty much any type of cuisine you can imagine. It is amazing. My mouth is watering just writing about it.

3. San Francisco

Time for a little break from the East Coast!

I left my heart in San Francisco. No really, I did. It’s easily my favourite city in the U.S.

This place is just so beautiful. And the people are so lovely. And the food is so tasty.

Make sure you:

• Say hi to the charming sea lions who chill out at Pier 39. But don’t feed them, that isn’t allowed.
• Take a trip over the Golden Gate Bridge and explore Sausalito (some of the houses there are incredible!).
• Visit Alcatraz – and remember to be organised about this! It’s not always easy to get tickets.

4. New Orleans

The Big Easy is the Southern city that everyone should be dreaming of!

Jazz, soul, blues, eating, drinking, partying, MARDI GRAS(!)…what’s not to like?

But there’s more to this place than getting drunk and taking your top off for some free beads. New Orleans has more historic districts than any other U.S. city, so it’s a great place to get geeky.

Be sure to visit the French Quarter (more of it than just Bourbon Street!) and also consider getting outside of the city for a day to see the swamps and visit an old plantation.

Fun fact: New Orleans is said to be the most haunted city in America. Not a fan of ghosts? You might want to give this one a miss then!

5. Los Angeles

Want great weather, designer shopping and the opportunity to stalk that famous person you’re obsessed with? Then there’s only one place that should be on your bucket list, LA.

Even if you’re not into luxury shopping, a walk down Rodeo Drive is pretty interesting. You get a good taste of how the other half live, and you’re actually quite likely to spot a celebrity!

It’s kind of strange to actually be in LA, we just get so used to seeing it in film and television on a daily basis!

As long as you can handle the horrendous traffic, you’ll enjoy LA. It’s more of a collection of small cities than run into each other, so there’s something for everyone. My favourite area is definitely Santa Monica. It’s beautiful there and the food is great, especially for those who enjoy staying healthy and eating vegan.

6. Boston

One of the few American cities that actually feels fairly old! Boston is wonderful.

Newbury Street is a great place to shop, eat, or just do a bit of people-watching. Boston Common is where to head when you’re in need of a nice stroll and a break from the hustle and bustle.

The most well known attraction, however, has to be the Freedom Trail. This walking route leads you to 16 of the city’s most significant historical sites, and teaches you about the early days of Boston and the people who lived there.

My top tip though? Make sure you have an extra day put aside to take a day trip out of Boston! Where to? Salem. The short ferry ride is beautiful and relaxing. Once you reach Salem you not only learn the fascinating history of the witch trials but you see some absolutely gorgeous New England architecture…the kind of houses you see on postcards!

7. Seattle

I’m not ashamed to admit that the main reason I want to visit Seattle is that Macklemore is my number one celebrity crush, and since this is his hometown I live in hope that I would somehow bump into him and he would offer to have sex with me (in my fantasy his wife is totally cool with it).

Okay, I’ll get back to the serious stuff now.

Top attractions include:

• The Space Needle (this is where go head for the best views)
• Pike Place Market (one of the few places that can rival Philly’s famous foodies’ paradise!)
• The Gum Wall (not sure how I feel about this but there’s no denying it’s unique!)
• The original Starbucks!
• Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum

Seattle may be known for being rainy, but their relationship with water isn’t all bad. Possibly the most charming parts of the city are by the sea, where you will find the most over-water houses in the world outside of Asia.

This place just looks so cool. Thank you, Macklemore, for drawing my attention to it.

8. Orlando

Not exactly a “city break” destination, but how could I resist including Orlando? This has got to be the funnest place on the planet!

We all dream of seeing Walt Disney World…and if you don’t…well…you’re crazy! Four theme parks, 2 water parks, Disney Springs, and countless hotels and resorts make up this magical world of first class fun, entertainment and service. Most of your time in Orlando should be spent here.

But don’t forget Universal Studios (the Harry Potter attractions are phenomenal) and Kennedy Space Center (about an hour from Orlando).

Many adults think of Orlando as a place you only go if you’ve got kids…NOT TRUE. It’s an amazing place where anyone can have fun.

I recommend staying at a Disney hotel. The service is second to none and you will not find a more convenient location. The Boardwalk area is my personal favourite area to stay.

9. Portland

Portland, Oregon probably wouldn’t have made this list a few years ago. Until very recently, people didn’t talk about it all that much.

But that sure as hell is changing. A couple of years ago you probably could have described Portland as an up-and-coming destination, but I think it’s safe to say that ship has sailed.

Maybe it’s to do with the hit TV show Portlandia, which is a good thing to watch if you want to get the gist of what awaits you in this super-hip, ultraliberal city.

Portland boasts:

• The smallest park in the world
• Portlandia (the huge statue, not the show)
• Beautiful architecture
• Multnomah Falls (very tall waterfall about an hour outside the city)

But I think most people want to visit for another reason – so that they can pretend to be much cooler than they actually are.

10. San Diego

Okay, this list is starting to get a little California-heavy. But it’s an awesome State!

San Diego is just a 2.5 hour drive from Los Angeles, and it’s a shame that the latter city gets so much more tourism than the former. Things aren’t so bad for sunny San Diego though, in 2016 almost 35million people paid the city a visit!

So what is there to see?

First of all, San Diego has over 100km of coastline, so if you like the beach you’ll be in your element. If that’s not your thing you can hang out by the harbour or at Hillcrest, a fun and accepting neighbourhood known for its LGBT scene and for its culinary offerings.

Speaking of food, Mexico is just a short drive away. So you can assume there is some pretty good Mexican cuisine on offer. Wash it down with a beer – San Diego is currently earning a reputation as the craft beer capital of America.

11. Las Vegas

Vegas is an acquired taste.

There’s a whole lot of fun on offer, but it’s also hot, tacky, and outrageous (in fairness, some people will see those as being good things!).

But even if it looks like your worst nightmare, you need to see Vegas. Why? Because there is simply nowhere else like it.

Go out partying, gamble your life savings, or just explore all of the sights and entertainment on offer at the city’s many iconic hotels. If that’s not quite hardcore enough for you, throw a Britney Spears and get married just for fun.

When all the madness of the Strip becomes too much, remember that you’re not far from one of nature’s greatest wonders – the Grand Canyon. Treat yourself to a magical helicopter ride over this iconic landmark.

12. Miami

Miami has to be one of the sexiest cities in America. That Latin influence if definitely paying off!

Like the sound of feeling like you have one foot in the U.S. and another in Cuba? Miami is the city where you will find that feeling. 70% of the city is Hispanic and only around a quarter of residents are English-only speakers. Its unlike any other U.S. city I have visited.

Other intresting facts about Miami:

• It is the only U.S. city to be founded by a woman
• It is known as the Cruise Capital of the World (seriously, if you want to go on a cruise this is your place)
• Miami Beach boasts the world’s largest collection of Art-Deco architecture

13. Austin

The Great State of Texas had to be on this list somewhere!

Austin may not be as busy a place as its big brothers Houston, San Antonio and Dallas, but word on the street is that it’s the most progressive part of the State and one of the coolest cities in America. 

When in Austin you need to see the Texas State Capitol, Blanton Museum of Art, and Sixth Street – the “Live Music Capital of the World”.

If you’re looking for an outdoorsy city break, Austin is for you. Zilker Metropolitan Park offers plenty of space to chill out, and when the Texas heat starts to get to you, just take a dip in Barton Springs Pool, the park’s popular outdoor swimming spot.

Fun fact: Austin is seemingly home to the largest population of urban bats in North America. So if you’re not fond of bats, stay away.

14. Chicago

The third most populous city in the United States, Chicago is a must-see!

119 Skyscrapers. 56 museums. 18.5 miles of path along the shore of Lake Michigan. These numbers are what make Chicago special.

Top attractions include:

• The Willis Tower – 110 stories high and the tallest tower in the Western Hemisphere
• Navy Pier – shopping, food and rides by the water
• The Art Institute of Chicago
• Millenium Park – outdoor fun featuring art, an ice-rink and the Harris Theater

Good to know: If you dream of driving Route 66, Chicago is your starting or ending point!

15. Washington, D.C.

Last, but most certainly not least, the capital of the USA!

D.C.’s place on this bucket list requires no explanation, but let me remind you of just a few of the countless fascinating sights

• The White House (fun fact: it is surprisingly small! It looks much bigger on TV)
• The Lincoln Memorial
• The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
• The Martin Luther King, Jr Memorial
• The National Mall
• The Vietnam Veterans Memorial

For a great cultural experience and the chance to learn as much as possible about American politics and history, nowhere can compare to Washington, D.C.

What are your thoughts on these American cities? Do you have any others on your own bucket list?

Let’s chat in the comments!

Lots of love xxx