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Sure, you’ll find some familiar names on this list of the best big cities in the US, but go beyond what you might expect and you’ll find some surprising gems that are always a good idea for a reason.
10. Miami
With an abundance of dreamy beaches, Art Deco architecture, and incredible Cuban food, Miami was once again voted one of the best cities in the US this year. And while some of its beloved clichés (think expensive cars and neon bikinis) can still be found, the Magic City is so much more than a party destination. Art lovers are spoiled for choice when it comes to museums (Pérez Art Museum Miami is a stand-out), while travelers seeking chic cafes and vinyl shops will feel right at home in the Wynwood Arts District.
9. Columbus
Ohio’s capital city is ready for its close-up. Columbus has long been lauded for its burgers—it was here, after all, that Wendy’s first got its start. That claim to fame has never diminished, and there are travel-worthy burgers all around town, from the gooey, overloaded sandwiches at The Thurman Cafe to the surprisingly dazzling beet-and-bean veggie burgers at Northstar Cafe. But visitors also shouldn’t sleep on the city’s international cuisines: Columbus is home to some 30,000 Bhutanese-Nepalese immigrants, and there are plenty of great spots to enjoy Himalayan food and culture accordingly. Namaste Indo-Nepali Cuisine's meat and vegetarian thukpa (noodle soup) is just one stand-out that draw visitors from far and wide.
8. New York City
NYC still buzzes as though perpetually caffeinated—packed with residents who are constantly moving, creating, and making the most of every city block. After a requisite visit to a few world-class museums (you can never take enough trips to the Met or the Guggenheim), make like a local by tucking into soup dumplings in Chinatown, pizza in Greenwich Village, and steak frites in Soho. Walk it all off on the High Line or enjoy a food-truck picnic in Bryant Park—and of course, there other four boroughs beyond Manhattan deserve love, too. Stroll over the Brooklyn Bridge for a drink at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, or venture out to Long Island City for a day at MoMa PS1. In this town for all seasons, there's no wrong itinerary.
7. Boston
For one of the oldest cities in the US, Boston sure has aged with style. To get a quick refresher on our nation’s history, walk the Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile route along a string of historic sites that takes you through the country’s founding. Other activities worth adding to your itinerary include slurping up oysters at Neptune, visiting the salon-style, private-art collection at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and catching a ball game at legendary Fenway Park. Just be sure to learn the words to “Sweet Caroline” before you go.
6. San Francisco
While San Francisco is on the small side for a major city, at just 49 square miles, it packs a punch. Yes, there’s Alcatraz and the famed Golden Gate Bridge, but you could also spend a whole day wandering through the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art or discovering street art in the character-filled Mission District. Treat yourself to some pampering at one of the city’s fantastic spas, or head north and take in the majesty of the redwoods in Muir Woods. Add in some of the best restaurants and bars in the world and a hotel scene that truly has something for everyone, and you’ll likely find that one visit to the city by the bay just isn’t enough.
5. Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. may have finally shed its buttoned-up reputation. Yes, we're still riding the high from the 2016 opening of the National Museum of African-American History and Culture, designed by world-renowned British-Ghanian architect David Adjaye. But then came the smartly revitalized Wharf, with its can't-miss waterfront views, and the arrival of hotel Eaton, which prioritizes activism instead of pillow mints—not to mention the city’s stylish Airbnbs. Suddenly, we can't seem to get enough of the place. Something's brewing in D.C., and it's not just the craft beer.
4. New Orleans
It's easy to experience New Orleans through its most popular attractions: Mardi Gras and Bourbon Street, Cafe du Monde (which is great, don't get us wrong), and Preservation Hall jazz (also fantastic). But there's so much more to this soulful city. Its Creole, Cajun, and French roots inform everything from the music on Frenchman Street to the food and cocktails in the French Quarter over to the Bywater. It's also worth exploring the revitalized Warehouse District, home to the city's Ace Hotel, where you could easily stumble on half a dozen excellent galleries all within a few blocks' radius, or spend a whole day in contemplation at the National WWII Museum.
3. Milwaukee
So much more than just a day trip from Chicago, Milwaukee has many (if not all) of the same qualities that make other cities on this list buzz—and then some. Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, the city’s surprisingly eco-diverse location makes it a hotbed of locavore cuisine. A spate of award-winning restaurants have helped Milwaukee shed its beer-and-cheer reputation, though you can still get your fill of both between fine dinners. The dedicated revitalization of neighborhoods such as the historic Third Ward and Lincoln Village has also kept visitors busy with specialty shops, galleries, and more creative businesses.
2. San Diego
Several years ago, travelers headed to San Diego might have wondered what they would do in the city, besides hitting the beaches. No longer. With a recent string of hot hotel openings (like the Guild and the Carté) and a legit food scene that offers up some of the best Mexican dishes and seafood platters you'll ever taste, San Diego has officially stepped out from the shadow of its big sister to the north, earning world-class destination status that goes well beyond the waves. Come for the sunshine, sure; but stay for everything else.
1. Chicago
It's no wonder Chicago is topping this list yet again. A world-class destination known for its impressive architecture, first-rate museums, brilliant chefs, and massive brewing scene, it’ll take several repeat visits to get through your list of must-dos. Most people start downtown—from the Magnificent Mile to the ritzy Gold Coast to funky Old Town—but there are 77 neighborhoods to explore, where you'll find cutting-edge restaurants, chilled-out corner bars, and, no matter where you go, some of the most pleasant people you'll find anywhere.