FAVORITE TOWNS & CITIES IN THE USA
Any list of favorite towns and cities will always be subjective and highly-opinionated, and mine is no different. While I find lists to be very helpful for highlighting special places, it is inevitable that some folks will feel disappointed that their favorite local place has been omitted.
The places you see listed below are based on two dozen road trips taken over the past twenty years, plus a borderline travel guidebook obsession and lots of internet research. I've tried my best to highlight only the best.
The intent of this page is not to create the perfect list of U.S. places; instead, it is meant to introduce readers to more towns and cities that are nationally significant to the average traveler (as opposed to only being locally interesting). Please take note that I have listed only about 20 major/large U.S. cities on this list. Why not all of them? All major U.S. cities have at least some great things to see, do, and eat, but I only wanted to highlight those large/major U.S. cities that I felt were the most notable for travelers.
I will continue to update this page as I travel more of the U.S. and discover additional interesting towns and cities. If you have any recommendations (which would then be considered for inclusion on this list), please email your suggestions using the email address that you see next to my photo image below. Enjoy!
| STATE |
TOWN / CITY |
NOTEABLE FEATURES |
POPULAT.
(as of 2020) |
| Alabama (AL) |
Fairhope |
views of Mobile Bay; boutique shops and art galleries; "Alabama Gulf Coast's most charming city" |
23,147 |
| Gulf Shores |
sugar-white Gulf of Mexico beaches; boat tours; Gulf State Park; fishing pier; Waterville USA |
15,736 |
| Huntsville |
U.S. Space and Rocket Center (considered one of AL's top tourist attractions); breweries; fishing |
216,963 |
| Orange Beach |
sugar-white Gulf of Mexico beaches; boat tours; golfing; more upscale than nearby Gulf Shores |
8,347 |
| Alaska (AK) |
Anchorage/Girdwood |
mountain scenery; skiing/snowboarding; hiking; fishing; glaciers; Alaska's largest city; Chugach Mtns |
288,121 |
| Homer |
mountain scenery; art galleries; boutique shops; boat tours; "halibut fishing capital of the world" |
5,719 |
| Juneau |
mountain scenery; glaciers; Nugget Falls; Tracy Arm Fjord; cruise ship stop; whale-watching |
32,099 |
| Ketchikan |
art galleries; boutique shops; sea-kayaking; totem poles; "salmon capital of the world"; cruise ship stop |
8,037 |
| Seward |
mountain scenery; fishing; boat tours; kayaking; gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park |
2,625 |
| Skagway |
mountain scenery; gold-rush history; boutique shops; tourist railroad; cruise ship stop |
1,240 |
| Talkeetna |
mountain scenery; scenic flights; snowmobiling; gateway to Denali National Park |
1,055 |
| Valdez |
mountain scenery; fishing; boat tours; glaciers |
3,907 |
| Arizona (AZ) |
Bisbee |
historic buildings; boutique shops; copper mining history; Copper Queen Mine |
4,911 |
| Flagstaff |
mountain scenery; skiing/snowboarding; hiking trails; gateway to Grand Canyon National Park |
76,989 |
| Jerome |
historic buildings; mining history; a few boutique shops |
467 |
| Lake Havasu City |
London Bridge; water sports; "Jet Ski capital of the world"; spring break destination |
58,284 |
| Oatman |
historic buildings; wild burros (donkeys) in the street |
43 |
| Page |
desert scenery; boating on Lake Powell; slot canyon tours by Native Americans; Horseshoe Bend |
7,375 |
| Prescott |
historic downtown; "Whiskey Row"; Watson Lake; Prescott Peavine National Recreation Trail |
43,463 |
| Sedona |
red rock desert scenery; New Age centers; vortexes; 4WD-ing; spas; hiking trails |
9,763 |
| Scottsdale |
upscale resorts and shopping; tons of golfing; desert scenery and hiking (e.g. Camelback Mtn) |
242,743 |
| Tombstone |
wild-west history; historic buildings; boutique shops |
1,307 |
| Williams |
Route 66 history & attractions; various family attractions; gateway to Grand Canyon National Park |
3,267 |
| Winslow |
large route 66 sign; "standing on a corner" statue (great photo opp) |
8,943 |
| Arkansas (AR) |
Bentonville |
art museum; mountain biking trails and rail trails; public art/sculptures; Walmart museum |
56,734 |
| Eureka Springs |
historic buildings; 50+ boutique shops; religious attractions; access to nearby outdoor activities |
2,171 |
| Hot Springs |
boutique shops; gateway to Hot Springs National Park; distilleries and breweries |
38,114 |
| California (CA) |
Anaheim |
home of Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm amusement parks |
345,940 |
| Avalon |
island culture/lifestyle; Mediterranean-style architecture; beaches; boutique shops; boat tours |
3,377 |
| Big Bear Lake |
skiing/snowboarding; log architecture; fishing; boutique shops |
5,068 |
| Carmel-by-the-Sea |
beaches; art galleries; boutique shops; gateway to U.S. 1 / Big Sur Highway |
3,196 |
| Crescent City |
beaches; redwood trees; access to Redwood National Park |
6,676 |
| Dana Point |
beaches; boating; surf culture; gateway to Catalina Island; whale-watching |
32,821 |
| Healdsburg |
wineries/vineyards; fine dining; boutique hotels and shops |
11,924 |
| Laguna Beach |
beaches; art galleries; SCUBA diving; snorkeling; boutique shops |
22,795 |
| Los Angeles |
beaches; museums; Hollywood; celebrity culture; film studios; theatre; professional sports |
3,898,747 |
| Malibu |
beaches; 27 miles of beach front; surfing; fishing pier; hangout of the rich & famous; hiking trails |
10,429 |
| Mammoth Lakes |
skiing/snowboarding; mountain scenery; hiking; gateway to Devils Postpile National Monument |
7,271 |
| Monterey |
Monterey Bay Aquarium; coastal views; boutique shops; historic buildings; gateway to Big Sur hwy |
29,874 |
| Morro Bay |
fishing; Morro Rock; "the Gibraltar of California"; coastal scenery; not far from Hearst Castle |
10,779 |
| Napa |
winery/vineyard capital of the U.S. (> 400 wineries); beautiful countrysides |
78,818 |
| Palm Springs |
desert scenery; boutique shops; golfing; spas; hiking trails; gateway to Joshua Tree National Park |
45,019 |
| Pismo Beach |
beaches; coastal scenery; ATVing; surfing; hiking trails |
8,036 |
| San Diego |
beaches; great climate; San Diego Zoo (one of the world's best); SeaWorld; LEGOLAND; water sports |
1,381,611 |
| San Francisco |
diverse culture and food; Golden Gate Bridge; Alcatraz; cable cars; curviest road in U.S. |
815,201 |
| Santa Barbara |
beaches; surfing; Mediterranean architecture; gateway to Channel Islands National Park; water sports |
88,255 |
| Santa Cruz |
beaches; youthful/hippy spirit; seaside amusements |
61,950 |
| Sausalito |
view of coastline and San Francisco; boutique shops; boating and water sports |
7,199 |
| Solvang |
Bavarian-themed attractions, stores, and restaurants; "Danish capital of America"; boutique shops |
6,048 |
| Sonoma |
100+ nearby wineries/vineyards; spas; historic downtown |
10,644 |
| Sonora |
historic downtown; boutique shops; outdoor activities; gold rush history |
5,004 |
| South Lake Tahoe |
skiing/snowboarding; hiking; lake activities (e.g. boating); mountain scenery; Lake Tahoe |
21,414 |
| Truckee |
skiing/snowboarding; hiking; lake activities (e.g. boating); mountain scenery; Lake Tahoe |
17,168 |
| Colorado (CO) |
Aspen |
mountain scenery; world-class skiing/snowboarding skiing/snowboarding; art galleries; boutique shops |
6,949 |
| Breckenridge |
mountain scenery; historic/Victorian buildings; art galleries; boutique shops; skiing/snowboarding |
5,024 |
| Buena Vista |
whitewater rafting; attractive downtown; hot springs; cycling/mountain biking; outdoor activities |
2,988 |
| Canon City |
Royal Gorge Bridge & Park; fly-fishing; whitewater rafting; rock climbing |
17,363 |
| Crested Butte |
skiing/snowboarding; "wildflower capital of Colorado"; historic downtown; mining history; mtn views |
1,681 |
| Denver |
breweries; professional sports: "300 days of sunshine per year"; walkable city |
711,463 |
| Durango |
mountain scenery; skiing/snowboarding; hiking trails; rafting; mountain biking; scenic railroad |
19,223 |
| Estes Park |
mountain scenery; hiking trails; boutique shops; gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park |
5,880 |
| Fort Collins |
bicycling; breweries; "cultural hub of northern Colorado"; outdoor activities |
168,538 |
| Glenwood Springs |
bicycling; hot springs pool; outdoor activities (e.g. hiking to Hanging Lake) |
10,326 |
| Manitou Springs |
hippy/arts culture; close to Pike's Peak and Colorado Springs; boutique shops; mineral springs |
4,832 |
| Ouray |
mountain scenery; hot springs; 4WD-ing and hiking trails; ice-climbing; scenic driving |
923 |
| Steamboat Springs |
mountain scenery; world-class skiing/snowboarding; hot springs; hiking trails |
13,390 |
| Telluride |
mountain scenery; world-class skiing/snowboarding; hiking trails; scenic driving |
2,595 |
| Vail |
world-class skiing/snowboarding; largest ski resort in the state; Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater |
4,735 |
| Connecticut (CT) |
Essex |
historic buildings; boutique shops; harbor views |
6,733 |
| Mystic |
waterfront views; maritime history/museums; boutique shops; Mystic Aquarium; Mystic Seaport |
4,776 |
| Simsbury |
attractive downtown; flower bridge; Farmington Canal Heritage Trail; Talcott Mountain State Park |
24,517 |
| Woodbury |
"antique capital of Connecticut"; historic buildings |
9,975 |
| Delaware (DE) |
Bethany Beach |
beaches; beach boardwalk; family-friendly atmosphere |
997 |
| Lewes |
beaches; coastal views; historic district; Cape Henlopen State Park; surfing, fishing, biking |
3,420 |
| Rehoboth Beach |
beaches; beach boardwalk; nightlife; tourist shops |
1,151 |
| Florida (FL) |
Anna Maria |
Gulf beaches on Anna Maria Island; boutique shops; very close to Bradenton |
990 |
| Apalachicola |
seafood; fishing; "oyster capital of the world"; Gulf beaches on Cape San Blas; antebellum architecture |
2,286 |
| Boca Raton |
Atlantic beaches; many golf courses; upscale shopping (e.g. Mizner Park) |
95,787 |
| Bradenton |
Gulf beaches; boating and water sports; art galleries; golfing; several nature preserves |
55,905 |
| Clearwater |
Gulf beaches; water sports; beach pier; sunsets; "the Disney World of beaches" |
116,674 |
| Cocoa Beach |
Atlantic beaches; surfing; fishing pier; "surfing capital of the East Coast"; other water sports |
11,332 |
| Destin |
Gulf beaches; water sports, including para-sailing |
13,956 |
| Fort Lauderdale |
Atlantic beaches; inland waterways; canal gondola rides; "the Venice of America"; close to Miami |
181,818 |
| Fort Myers Beach |
Gulf beaches; water sports, including para-sailing and kayaking; "small old town Florida feel" |
5,636 |
| Islamadora |
diving; sport-fishing; boat tours; dolphin attractions; breweries |
7,076 |
| Key West |
many boutique shops & art galleries; B&Bs; diving; sport-fishing; boating & other water sports; sunsets |
26,527 |
| Miami |
Cuban culture and food; beaches; boating activities; art museums; art deco architecture |
439,890 |
| Naples |
upscale shopping and dining; botanical gardens; Gulf beaches; many golf courses |
19,372 |
| Orlando |
amusement parks; water parks; many family-friendly attractions; gateway to Walt Disney World |
309,154 |
| Panama City Beach |
27 miles of Gulf beaches; fishing; scuba-diving; sunsets; spring-break destination; water sports |
18,294 |
| Sanibel |
Gulf beaches; bicycling (20+ mile bike network); wildlife refuge; shelling; Captiva Island is nearby |
6,461 |
| Sarasota/Siesta Key |
Gulf beaches; water sports, including para-sailing; white quartz sand; often rated a top ten beach in US |
54,764 |
| St. Augustine |
Spanish colonial architecture; cobblestone streets; horse-drawn carriages; beaches; oldest city in US |
15,065 |
| Tampa |
Busch Gardens amusement park; access to nearby beaches; professional sports teams; Ybor City dining |
387,050 |
| Vero Beach |
Atlantic beaches; golfing; fishing; water sports |
16,707 |
| West Palm Beach |
Atlantic beaches; fishing; upscale shopping (e.g. Worth Avenue); nightlife; mansions; resorts |
117,286 |
| Georgia (GA) |
Dahlonega |
gold/mining history; wineries; historic buildings; holiday attractions; quaint downtown |
6,654 |
| Helen |
Oktoberfest event; "Alpine-inspired village"; tons of boutique/tourist shops; nearby waterfalls |
545 |
| Jekyll Island |
ten miles of beaches; water sports; bike trails; Georgia Seat Turtle Center; Driftwood Beach |
1,116 |
| Savannah |
Spanish moss; southern charm; cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages; antebellum architecture |
147,088 |
| St. Simons Island |
beaches on large barrier island; golfing; water sports; historic fort; lighthouse |
15,291 |
| Tybee Island |
beaches; barrier island; boating; water sports; lighthouse; fishing; civil war history; close to Savannah |
3,091 |
| Hawaii (HI) |
Haleiwa (O'ahu) |
beaches; water sports; "social and artistic hub of the North Shore"; surfing culture |
4,589 |
| Hanalei (Kauai) |
beaches; water sports; "hippest town in Kauai"; gateway to the Na Pali Coast; beautiful scenery |
408 |
| Honolulu (O'ahu) |
beaches (e.g. Waikiki); resorts; surfing; Pearl Harbor memorial; Polynesian culture |
347,181 |
| Kailua (O'ahu) |
two beaches; water sports, including windsurfing and kite-surfing; hiking trails |
37,900 |
| Kailua-Kona (Big Island) |
deep-sea fishing; gateway to Mauna Kea and Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park; beaches; beach resorts |
22,972 |
| Lahaina (Maui) |
art galleries; boutique shops; HI history museums; "West Maui’s most popping district"; whale watches |
13,216 |
| Pa'ia (Maui) |
beaches (e.g. Ho'okipa, HA Baldwin); windsurfing; boutique shops and art galleries; bicycling |
2,285 |
| Idaho (ID) |
Coeur d’Alene |
mountain scenery; golfing; boat tours; one of the best rail trails in the US (Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes) |
51,491 |
| Ketchum |
mountain scenery; skiing/snowboarding; hot springs; outdoor activities; gateway to Sawtooth NRA |
2,843 |
| Illinois (IL) |
Casey |
dozens of roadside attractions in or near downtown (the biggest cluster in the U.S.) |
2,655 |
| Chicago |
greatest city in US; architecture; food (e.g. deep dish pizza, hot dogs); world-famous museums and parks |
2,696,555 |
| Galena |
historic red-brick buildings; many boutique shops and art galleries; B&Bs; "best small town in IL" |
3,168 |
| Indiana (IN) |
Angola |
seasonal lake town; Civil War history; historic buildings; Pokagon State Park |
8,706 |
| French Lick/West Baden |
Beaux-Arts hotels; golfing; French Lick Springs Hotel; Spring Mill State Park; mineral springs |
1,792 |
| Madison |
historic district (largest contiguous district in the country); many shops and local restaurants |
11,783 |
| Nashville |
historic district; boutique shops; art galleries |
1,266 |
| Santa Claus |
holiday-loving town; Holiday World Theme Park & Splashin' Safari |
2,495 |
| Shipshewanna |
Dutch/Amish culture and attractions; Midwest's Largest Flea Market; Blue Gate Theatre |
1,031 |
| Iowa (IA) |
Pella |
Dutch-style architecture; huge windmill; historic downtown |
10,279 |
| Winterset |
gateway to the many covered bridges of Madison County; John Wayne Birthplace & Museum |
5,309 |
| Kansas (KS) |
Lawrence |
downtown district with shops and restaurants; "one of the most beautiful Main Streets in the USA" |
97,348 |
| Lindsborg |
"Little Sweden USA"; art galleries |
3,294 |
| Kentucky (KY) |
Bardstown |
bourbon distilleries; "Bourbon Capital of the World"; historic downtown district |
13,169 |
| Berea |
art galleries; boutique shops; historic buildings; Berea Pinnacles; "folk arts and crafts capital of KY" |
15,773 |
| Louisiana (LA) |
Natchitoches |
B&Bs; historic buildings; riverfront downtown district; cobblestone streets; famous Christmas Festival |
17,711 |
| New Orleans |
French culture, cuisine, and architecture; jazz; Mardi Gras event |
391,249 |
| Maine (ME) |
Bar Harbor |
many boutique shops; boat tours; family-friendly attractions; gateway to Acadia National Park |
5,535 |
| Boothbay Harbor |
boutique shops and art galleries; coastal gardens; harbor views; boat tours; "classic seaside Maine" |
2,199 |
| Camden |
historic downtown; coastal town with great ocean views; outdoor activities (e.g. hiking Mount Battie) |
5,232 |
| Farmington |
historic downtown; boutique shops |
7,581 |
| Freeport |
L.L. Bean flagship store; many outlet stores; "best weekend of shopping in New England" |
8,737 |
| Kennebunkport |
charming coastal town with many boutique shops; excellent fried clams; beaches |
3,629 |
| Lubec |
outdoor activities; nature preserves; coastal hikes; white and red-striped lighthouse; Quoddy Head SP |
400 |
| Monhegan Island |
a "car-free and care-free" island; hiking trails; ocean views; high cliffs; historical museum |
64 |
| Ogunquit |
beaches; boutique shops; playhouse; gay-friendly; artist colony; coastal walks (e.g. Marginal Way) |
1,577 |
| Old Orchard Beach |
beaches; seaside amusements; family-fun attractions; beach pier; close to Funtown Splashtown |
8,960 |
| Portland |
historic buildings; innovative restaurants; many boutique shops; maritime history; TONS of breweries |
68,313 |
| Rangeley |
skiing/snowboarding (Saddleback); hiking trails; nearby waterfalls (e.g. Smalls Falls) |
1,148 |
| York |
beaches; seaside amusements; start of scenic coastal drives; not far from Ogunquit |
13,723 |
| Maryland (MD) |
Annapolis |
Colonial architecture; cobblestone streets; historic sites; "vibrant waterfront w/shops & restaurants" |
39,321 |
| Frederick |
historic buildings; Civil War history; many boutique shops and art galleries |
71,843 |
| Havre de Grace |
pretty town at mouth of Chesapeake Bay; lighthouse; fishing; historic downtown district |
13,808 |
| Ocean City |
beaches; beach boardwalk; family-fun attractions; seafood restaurants; fishing (e.g. marlin) |
6,957 |
| St. Michaels |
picturesque harbor town; maritime history; boutique shops; historic downtown |
1,024 |
| Massachusetts (MA) |
Boston |
colonial/revolutionary history; historic buildings; Fenway Park; one of U.S.'s most walkable cities |
689,326 |
| Cambridge |
Harvard University & MIT; boutique shops and art galleries; nightlife; diverse cuisine; historic sites |
117,822 |
| Chatham |
beaches; boutique shops; Chatham Lighthouse; gateway to Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge |
6,594 |
| Edgartown |
island culture/lifestyle on Martha's Vineyard (island); white-clapboard colonial homes; boutique shops |
5,168 |
| Falmouth |
boutique shops; Shining Sea Bikeway; gateway to Martha's Vineyard (island); Nobska Lighthouse |
32,517 |
| Great Barrington |
boutique shops; access to nearby Appalachian Trail; close to Bash Bish Falls (best waterfall in MA) |
7,172 |
| Lenox |
boutique shops; close to spa/retreat-style resorts; Tanglewood events (orchestras/concerts) |
5,095 |
| Nantucket |
Nantucket Island; boutique shops; bicycling; cobblestone streets; beaches; whaling history |
14,255 |
| Newburyport |
boutique shops in coastal city; harbor views; sculptures along Clipper City Rail Trail; maritime history |
18,197 |
| Northampton |
historic buildings; boutique shops and restaurants; access to two excellent rail trails |
28,552 |
| Oak Bluffs |
upscale culture/lifestyle on Martha's Vineyard (island); boutique shops; "gingerbread" houses |
5,341 |
| Plymouth |
boutique shops on coastal town; Plymouth Rock; colonial/pilgrim history; Plimoth Patuxet Museum |
61,217 |
| Provincetown |
beaches; whale-watching; boutique shops; art galleries; drag shows; gay-friendly; nearby beaches |
3,664 |
| Rockport |
boutique shops; artist colony; photographic harbor; Halibut Point State Park |
6,992 |
| Stockbridge |
historic architecture; boutique shops; Norman Rockwell history; Red Lion Inn |
2,018 |
| Michigan (MI) |
Charlevoix |
beaches on Lake Michigan; water sports; harbor views; boutique shops; gateway to Beaver Island |
2,347 |
| Copper Harbor |
gateway to Isle Royale National Park; scenic drives; outdoor activities; historic fort; mountain biking |
125 |
| Frankenmuth |
Bavarian-themed town; boutique shops; largest Christmas store in the world; chicken dinners |
5,193 |
| Frankfort |
beaches; lighthouse; sand dunes; Victorian homes; boutique stores; gateway to Sleeping Bear Dunes NL |
1,272 |
| Grand Haven |
beaches; fishing; golfing; lighthouses; musical fountain; water sports |
10,991 |
| Grand Marais |
gateway to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore; historic buildings; boating and other outdoor activities |
317 |
| Grayling |
canoeing, tubing, and fishing the AuSable River; small but attractive downtown; other outdoor activities |
1,832 |
| Holland |
Dutch heritage and attractions; DeZwaan Windmill; tulip blooms; Holland State Park |
33,329 |
| Ludington |
beaches on Lake Michigan; lighthouses; fishing; maritime history; Ludington State Park |
7,721 |
| Mackinac Island |
Victorian architecture; boutique shops; horse-drawn carriages; fudge shops; historic fort; bicycling |
585 |
| Marquette |
basecamp for U.P. (upper peninsula) adventures; Presque Isle Park; Lakenenland Sculpture Park |
20,394 |
| Munising |
gateway to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore; outdoor activities; boat tours; many waterfalls nearby |
1,973 |
| Petoskey |
Victorian architecture; historic shopping district; hunting for Petoskey Stones; outdoor activities |
5,905 |
| Saugatuck/Douglas |
beaches on Lake Michigan; dune rides; boutique shops; art galleries on the "art coast of Michigan" |
977 |
| Traverse City |
beaches; water sports; cherries; wineries/vineyards; golfing; gateway to Sleeping Bear Dunes NL |
15,559 |
| Minnesota (MT) |
Bemidji |
Paul Bunyan attractions; Paul Bunyan State Trail (rail trail); "full of North Woods beauty" |
15,279 |
| Duluth |
historic sites/museums; gateway to North Shore Scenic Drive; Aerial Lift Bridge; outdoor activities |
86,372 |
| Ely |
canoeing/kayaking; dog-sledding; gateway to Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness |
3,233 |
| Grand Marais |
harbor village on Lake Superior; outdoor activities; gateway to Boundary Waters canoeing |
1,426 |
| Mississippi (MS) |
Natchez |
antebellum homes; "B&B capital of the south"; start of the Natchez Trace Parkway; music history |
14,854 |
| Vicksburg |
antebellum homes; Civil War battlefields and museums; |
22,045 |
| Missouri (MO) |
Branson |
theatre/live shows; amusement parks, mountain coasters & dozens of other tourist attractions |
11,526 |
| Eminence |
"canoe capital of the world"; Alley Spring Grist Mill; outdoor activities; Blue Spring; wild horses/elk |
625 |
| Hannibal |
Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum; cave tours; historic downtown and mansions; water sports |
17,312 |
| Hermann |
wineries; historic buildings; German culture; outdoor activities |
2,375 |
| Joplin |
route 66 history & mural park; Grand Falls; historic downtown district; golfing |
50,580 |
| Kansas City |
some of the best BBQ in the world; professional sports teams; jazz heritage; public art |
491,158 |
| Lake of the Ozarks |
boating; water activities; fishing and other outdoor activities; MO's "most popular lake destination" |
2,077 |
| St. Charles |
Main Street historic district; Lewis & Clark history; boutique shops & art galleries; nearby wineries |
2,077 |
| Montana (MT) |
Big Sky |
skiing/snowboarding; mountain scenery; outdoor activities; less than 1 hour from Bozeman, MT |
3,054 |
| Bozeman |
historic buildings; mountain scenery; hip culture; fly-fishing; skiing/snowboarding; hiking trails |
48,330 |
| Cooke City |
fly-fishing; hiking; horseback riding; gateway to Yellowstone National Park; not far from Red Lodge |
69 |
| Red Lodge |
historic buildings; mountain scenery; skiing/snowboarding; hiking trails |
2,134 |
| West Yellowstone |
fly-fishing; horseback riding; gateway to Yellowstone National Park |
1,090 |
| Whitefish |
historic buildings; mountain scenery; skiing/snowboarding; gateway to Glacier National Park |
8,032 |
| Nevada (NV) |
Ely |
mining and stagecoach history; outdoor activities; eastern edge of the "loneliest road in America" |
3,993 |
| Las Vegas |
mega-casinos; resorts; museums; access to nearby outdoor activities (e.g. hiking, rock-climbing) |
644,594 |
| Reno |
"biggest little city in the world"; casinos and neon lights; cheaper alternative to Las Vegas |
250,903 |
| New Hampshire (NH) |
Conway/North Conway |
mountain scenery; hiking trails; skiing/snowboarding; gateway to White Mountain National Forest |
10,266 |
| Hanover |
historic downtown; boutique shops; home of Dartmouth College; access to Appalachian Trail |
8,744 |
| Jackson |
skiing/snowboarding; family-friendly attractions; middle of White Mountain National Forest |
860 |
| Keene |
historic downtown; boutique shops; Mt. Monadnock is close (one of the world's most hiked mountains) |
22,823 |
| Lincoln/Woodstock |
skiing/snowboarding; family-friendly attractions; gateway to White Mountain National Forest |
1,760 |
| Meredith |
lake activities (e.g. boating); boutique shops; lakeshore walk; world's largest arcade (Funspot) is nearby |
6,662 |
| Portsmouth |
colonial buildings; boutique shops in historic downtown area (tax-free); Strawberry Bank Museum |
21,418 |
| New Jersey (NJ) |
Asbury Park |
beaches; beach boardwalk; boutique shops and art galleries |
15,536 |
| Cape May |
Victorian architecture; boutique shops; B&Bs; golfing; whale-watching; bird-watching |
3,446 |
| Ocean City |
beaches; beach boardwalk; mini-golfing; family-friendly amusement parks & attractions; a "dry" town |
11,065 |
| Wildwood |
beaches; beach boardwalk; amusement parks; water parks |
4,985 |
| New Mexico (NM) |
Roswell |
International UFO Museum & Research Center; other UFO/alien-focused attractions |
47,751 |
| Santa Fe |
adobe architecture; baroque churches; art galleries; one of U.S.'s oldest cities; Native American culture |
84,418 |
| Taos |
art galleries; boutique shops; skiing/snowboarding; Native American culture |
5,950 |
| Truth or Consequences |
hippy/art culture; hot springs; wellness tourism; historic buildings |
5,839 |
| New York (NY) |
Cooperstown / Otsego |
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum; baseball history; historic buildings |
58,524 |
| Ithaca |
waterfalls and gorges; wineries/vineyards; gateway to Finger Lakes region |
30,715 |
| Lake George |
lake beaches; water sports; boat tours; family-fun attractions; Six Flags Great Escape |
1,028 |
| Lake Placid |
Olympic history; mountain scenery & hiking (Adirondack Park); skiing/snowboarding; boutique shops |
2,229 |
| New York City |
dozens of world-class attractions and museums; Central Park; Broadway shows; amazingly diverse food |
8,930,002 |
| Niagara Falls |
waterfalls, family-friendly attractions (especially on the Canadian side of the falls) |
47,978 |
| Old Forge |
gateway to Adirondack Park; family-fun attractions; outdoor activities; Bald Mountain; water park |
606 |
| Sag Harbor |
located on Long Island; nature preserves; beaches; boating |
1,959 |
| Saratoga Springs |
premier horse-racing events & history; boutique shops; spas; mineral springs |
28,056 |
| North Carolina (NC) |
Asheville |
awesome BBQ; many, many breweries; ghost/haunted tours; Biltmore mansion; gateway to Pisgah NF |
92,328 |
| Beaufort |
maritime history; seafood restaurants; boating |
4,382 |
| Blowing Rock |
"crown of the Blue Ridge"; historic downtown; close to Grandfather Mountain SP; Tweetsie Railroad |
1,149 |
| Boone |
mountain scenery; Appalachian music heritage; access to Blue Ridge Parkway; attractive downtown |
19,466 |
| Bryson City |
gateway to Great Smoky Mountains NP; access to Appalachian Trail; whitewater rafting; fishing |
1,777 |
| Mount Airy |
historic downtown; boutique shops; access to the Blue Ridge Parkway; Andy Griffith attractions |
10,213 |
| Nags Head |
beaches; part of the Outer Banks; Jockey's Ridge State Park; water sports |
2,965 |
| Ocracoke |
beaches; part of the Outer Banks; excellent shelling; fishing; |
973 |
| Topsail Beach |
beaches; maritime forests; sea turtles |
466 |
| North Dakota (ND) |
Medora |
theatre; gateway to Theodore Roosevelt National Park |
142 |
| Ohio (OH) |
Geneva-on-the-Lake |
beaches; Geneva State Park; family-fun attractions (e.g. arcade, Ferris wheel, etc.); water sports |
978 |
| Kelleys Island |
boating; fishing; "Walleye Fishing capital of the World"; views of Lake Erie; geological attractions |
283 |
| Marietta |
outdoor activities; historic downtown; Victorian houses; kayaking; Hopewell cultural sites |
13,551 |
| Put-in-Bay |
aka South Bass Island; boating; fishing; "Key West of the North"; Peace Memorial; water sports |
56 |
| Sandusky |
amusement parks; water parks; other family-friendly attractions |
24,651 |
| Yellow Springs |
historic downtown; boutique shops; Clifton Gorge State Nature Pres.; outdoor activities; "hippie town" |
3,972 |
| Oklahoma (OK) |
Medicine Park |
"cobblestone resort town"; gateway to Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge; water sports nearby |
317 |
| Oklahoma City |
OKC National Memorial & Museum; Bricktown Entertainment District; cowboy/western heritage |
649,821 |
| Oregon (OR) |
Ashland |
Victorian architecture; B&Bs; Shakespearean theatre |
21,607 |
| Astoria |
Victorian architecture; The Goonies movie locations; fishing; Astoria Column; Lewis & Clark history |
10,343 |
| Bandon |
coastal scenery; seafood shacks; historic buildings; golfing; historic lighthouse |
3,331 |
| Bend |
hiking & mountain biking trails; waterfalls; microbreweries; skiing/snowboarding |
102,059 |
| Cannon Beach |
beaches; sea stacks (e.g. Haystack Rock); art galleries; boutique shops |
1,547 |
| Depoe Bay |
coastal scenery; "whale watching capital of Oregon"; outdoor activities |
1,518 |
| Florence |
beaches; historic buildings; san dunes; Heceta Head Lighthouse |
9,475 |
| Hood River |
breweries; gateway to Columbia River Gorge & the Cascade Range; outdoor activities; mountain scenery |
8,341 |
| Newport |
two lighthouses; ocean views; bird-watching; Oregon Coast Aquarium; historic bayfront |
10,496 |
| Portland |
breweries; green spaces and cycling; gateway to Columbia River Gorge (tons of waterfalls) |
641,162 |
| Seaside |
Seaside Beach; Lewis & Clark history; ocean views; Seaside Promenade boardwalk; Ecola State Park |
7,234 |
| Sisters |
outdoor activities; mountain views; historic buildings; boutique shops; waterfalls; scenic drives |
3,081 |
| Yachats |
beautiful coastal scenery; hiking; Cape Perpetua Scenic Area; "gem of the Oregon coast" |
1,006 |
| Pennsylvania (PA) |
Adamstown |
"antiques capital of the USA": dozens of other antique shops nearby (PA Route 272) |
2,286 |
| Bird-In-Hand |
Dutch/Amish culture; "shoofly" pies; boutique shops; farmer's market; close to Lancaster attractions |
352 |
| Gettysburg |
Civil War history; historic battlefield and museums; other historic buildings |
7,684 |
| Erie |
beaches; gateway to Presque Isle State Park; Waldameer Amusement Park; maritime history |
2,890 |
| Hershey |
Hersheypark; other chocolate-themed attractions and museums |
14,941 |
| Intercourse |
Amish culture; boutique shops; horse-carriage rides; "shoofly pies" and other Dutch treats |
1,899 |
| Jim Thorpe |
Victorian architecture; close to the Pocono Mountains and Hickory Run State Park |
4,648 |
| Lancaster |
Dutch/Amish culture; theatre performances; close to Dutch Wonderland amusement park |
59,321 |
| New Hope |
historic buildings & mansions; boutique shops; Bucks County Playhouse; Delaware Canal State Park |
2,518 |
| Philadelphia |
revolutionary/historic attractions; amazing cheesesteaks; professional sports teams; famous museums |
1,603,797 |
| Rhode Island (RI) |
Block Island |
beaches; bicycling; boutique shops; art galleries; hiking; boating and other water activities |
1,410 |
| Narragansett |
Narragansett Beach and other beaches; surfing; gateway to Block Island |
14,532 |
| Newport |
mansion tours; beaches; boutique shops; coastal walk (e.g. Cliff Walk); "sailing capital of the World" |
24,697 |
| South Carolina (SC) |
Beaufort |
antebellum architecture/mansions; boutique shops; B&Bs; historic district |
13,417 |
| Charleston |
historic buildings; boutique shops; southern charm; world-renowned restaurants; cobblestone streets |
137,041 |
| Folly Beach |
beaches; surfing; fishing; Folly Beach Pier; boating and other water activities |
2,664 |
| Greenville |
outdoor activities; several excellent state parks are nearby; nice downtown district |
69,648 |
| Edisto Beach |
beaches on a small barrier island; plantations; boat tours; only 1 hour from Charleston |
1,157 |
| Hilton Head Island |
beaches; golfing; water sports; boat tours; paved bicycling paths |
37,661 |
| Myrtle Beach |
beaches; golfing; water sports; boat tours; arcades; amusement parks; mini-golfing |
33,638 |
| South Dakota (SD) |
Deadwood |
historic buildings; gambling parlors; wild-west history; one of best rail trails in the US (Mickelson) |
1,584 |
| Hill City |
gateway to Black Hills attractions, including Mt. Rushmore & Custer State Park; tourist shops |
587 |
| Keystone |
gateway to Black Hills attractions, including Mt. Rushmore & Custer State Park; tourist shops |
542 |
| Rapid City |
gateway to Black Hills attractions, including Mt. Rushmore& Custer State Park; historic downtown |
76,541 |
| Tennessee (TN) |
Chattanooga |
outdoor activities; family-friendly attractions; Civil War history; nature parks; cave tours; Rock City |
181,370 |
| Franklin |
historic downtown/main street; boutique shops; art galleries; gateway to Natchez Trace Parkway |
80,675 |
| Gatlinburg |
tourist attractions; mini-golf; moonshine distilleries; gateway to Great Smoky Mtns NP |
3,944 |
| Lynchburg |
distilleries, including Jack Daniel's Distillery; historic buildings; Cave Spring Hollow |
6,396 |
| Memphis |
world-famous BBQ; music (blues, soul, rock & roll); Beale Street; Elvis & Johnny Cash attractions |
650,910 |
| Nashville |
the "capital of country music" ; honky-tonk bars; Ryman Auditorium; Grand Ole Opry; hot chicken |
689,447 |
| Pigeon Forge |
tourist attractions; live theater; amusement parks; gateway to Great Smoky Mtns |
6,247 |
| Sevierville |
tourist attractions; distilleries; wineries; cave tours; next to Pigeon Forge |
17,185 |
| Texas (TX) |
Austin |
live music scene ("live music capital of the world"); cool/hippy culture; awesome BBQ and breweries |
965,872 |
| Dallas |
several excellent museums; professional sports; Dallas Arboretum; large arts district; golfing |
1,325,691 |
| Fort Worth |
Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District; cattle drive history; Western heritage |
892,221 |
| Fredericksburg |
boutique shops; historical museums; "German heritage with Texan hospitality" |
11,341 |
| Galveston |
beaches; boutique shops; cruise-ship destination; boardwalk entertainment |
50,307 |
| San Antonio |
River Walk (#1 most popular attraction in Texas); the Alamo; Latin heritage |
1,434,270 |
| South Padre Island |
beaches (34 miles of them); water sports; barrier island; birding; boat tours |
2,798 |
| Utah (UT) |
Kanab |
desert scenery; hiking; adventure/photography tours; slot canyons; Best Friends Animal Sanctuary |
4,767 |
| Moab |
desert scenery; hiking, mtn biking, & off-road trails; gateway to two national parks & BLM land |
5,303 |
| Park City |
mountain scenery; skiing/snowboarding; hiking and mountain biking trails; boutique shops |
8,467 |
| Springdale |
desert scenery; boutique shops and art galleries; off-roading tours; gateway to Zion National Park |
489 |
| St. George |
desert scenery; beautiful town parks; outdoor activities (all year); gateway to Snow Canyon State Park |
87,176 |
| Torrey |
desert scenery; scenic drives; gateway to Capitol Reef National Park |
282 |
| Vermont (VT) |
Brattleboro |
historic downtown; boutique shops; art galleries |
12,184 |
| Burlington |
hip/eclectic college-town atmosphere; skiing/snowboarding; breweries; bike paths; Lake Champlain |
42,645 |
| Manchester |
historic downtown; boutique shops; art galleries; fly-fishing; Hildene (Lincoln historical site) |
4,484 |
| Middlebury |
historic downtown; several breweries; access to Green Mountain National Forest |
9,152 |
| Stowe |
mountain scenery; hiking trails; skiing/snowboarding; waterfalls and swimming holes; Mt. Mansfield |
5,223 |
| Woodstock |
Federal and Georgian-style homes; boutique shops; art galleries; close to Quechee Gorge |
3,005 |
| Virginia (VA) |
Alexandria |
Old Town district (historic buildings); colonial history; boutique shops |
158,309 |
| Charlottesville |
culinary hot spot; outdoor activities; nearby wineries an breweries; historic sites/areas |
47,217 |
| Chincoteague |
beaches; wild horses; boat tours; bird-watching; oyster beds; clamming |
2,885 |
| Williamsburg |
Colonial Williamsburg; Jamestown Settlement; Busch Gardens amusement park; Water Country USA |
15,034 |
| Washington (WA) |
Anacortes |
boating; coastal views; gateway to the San Juan Islands; historic downtown |
17,231 |
| Bellingham |
outdoor recreation; more than a dozen breweries; fishing; boating; water sports; boutique shops |
90,821 |
| Chelan |
picturesque lakeside town on Lake Chelan; water sports; fishing; nearby wineries |
4,174 |
| Friday Harbor |
kayaking; whale-watching (orcas); accessible by boat or seaplane only; Lime Kiln Point State Park |
2,406 |
| Gig Harbor |
views of Mt. Rainier; picturesque harbor; boating; walkable waterfront; maritime history |
10,280 |
| Leavenworth |
Bavarian-themed attractions, stores & restaurants; gateway to Alpine Wilderness (e.g. hiking) |
2,489 |
| Port Townsend |
Victorian architecture; art galleries; boutique stores; gateway to Olympic National Park |
9,710 |
| Seattle |
Space Needle; museums; "coffee-lovers paradise"; Pike Place Market; professional sports teams |
741,251 |
| Winthrop |
historic downtown; boutique shops; gateway to North Cascades National Park |
340 |
| Washington DC |
Washington DC |
Smithsonian museums; governmental attractions; bicycling paths; Cherry Blossom Festival |
701,974 |
| West Virginia (WV) |
Fayetteville |
outdoor activities; historic buildings; gateway to New River Gorge National Park; whitewater rafting |
2,751 |
| Harpers Ferry |
historic downtown; boutique shops; Harpers Ferry Nat. Historic Park; access to the Appalachian Trail |
334 |
| Lewisburg |
attractive and historic Main Street district; boutique shops and art galleries; Lost World Caverns |
3,857 |
| Wisconsin (WI) |
Bailey’s Harbor |
small town on Lake Michigan (part of famous Door County); 3 lighthouses; boating & water sports |
1,003 |
| Baraboo |
the "Circus City"; Circus World; great hiking in Devil's Lake State Park; geologic formations; wineries |
12,133 |
| Eau Claire |
"indie music capital of the Midwest"; art galleries; outdoor activities; several breweries |
68,720 |
| Egg Harbor |
small town on Lake Michigan (part of famous Door County); boutique shops; fine dining |
250 |
| Fish Creek |
small town on Lake Michigan (part of famous Door County); Peninsula State Park; theaters; wineries |
1,119 |
| Sisters Bay |
small town on Lake Michigan (part of famous Door County); boutique shops; art galleries |
873 |
| Wisconsin Dells |
"water park capital of the world"; family-fun attractions and museums; quirky roadside attractions |
2,907 |
| Wyoming (WY) |
Cody |
western themed attractions & museums; nightly rodeos; gateway to Yellowstone National Park |
9,810 |
| Jackson |
skiing/snowshoeing; whitewater rafting; boutique shops; gateway to Grand Teton National Park |
10,585 |
| Lander |
outdoor activities; gateway to the Wind River Range (famous for hiking and rock-climbing) |
7,533 |
| Sheridan |
Old West charm; outdoor activities; historic downtown |
17,938 |
FAVORITE LARGE/MAJOR U.S. CITIES
Here are my favorite large/major cities in the U.S.:
Top Tier/Favorites:
Austin, TX
Boston, MA
Chicago, IL - my favorite large/major U.S. city
Las Vegas, NV
New Orleans, LA
New York City, NY - my 2nd favorite large/major U.S. city
San Diego, CA
Philadelphia, PA
San Francisco, CA
Washington, DC
Second Tier/Runner-ups:
Atlanta, GA
Denver, CO
Honolulu, HI
Los Angeles, CA
Miami, FL
Nashville, TN
Portland, OR
San Antonio, TX
Seattle, WA
FAVORITE SMALL/MEDIUM U.S. CITIES
Here are my favorite small/medium-sized cities in the U.S.:
Anchorage, AK
Ann Arbor, MI
Annapolis, MD
Asheville, NC
Boulder, CO
Bozeman, MT
Burlington, VT
Charleston, SC
Charlottesville, VA
Fort Myers, FL
Frederick, MD
Madison, WI
Naples, FL
Orlando, FL
Palm Springs, CA
Portsmouth, NH
Portland, ME
Reno, NV
Santa Barbara, CA
Santa Cruz, CA
Santa Fe, NM
Sarasota/Siesta Key, FL
Savannah, GA
FAVORITE U.S. TOWNS & CITIES FOR FAMILY VACATIONS
Each of these towns, cities, or areas in the U.S. has plenty of family-friendly attractions that can keep you occupied for days:
Anaheim, CA
Bar Harbor, ME
Branson, MO
Bird-In-Hand / Intercourse / Lancaster / Amish Country area, PA
Chicago, IL
Cody, WY
Conway/North Conway, NH
Destin, FL
Erie, PA
Gatlinburg, TN
Gulf Shores/Orange Beach, AL
Hershey, PA
Hilton Head Island, SC
Hot Springs, AR
Jackson, WY
Keystone / Hill City / Black Hills area, SD
Lake George, NY
Las Vegas, NV
Lincoln / Woodstock, NH
Moab, UT
Myrtle Beach, SC
New York City, NY
Niagara Falls, NY - tip: try to stay on the Canadian side of the falls
Ocean City, MD
Ocean City, NJ
Orlando, FL
Outer Banks, NC
Pigeon Forge / Sevierville, TN
Sandusky, OH
San Diego, CA
Sedona, AZ
Siesta Key/Sarasota, FL
St. George, UT
St. Louis, MO
Stowe, VT
Tampa / Clearwater, FL
Virginia Beach, VA
Washington D.C.
Wildwood, NJ
Williams / Grand Canyon, AZ
Williamsburg, VA
Wisconsin Dells, WI
FAVORITE U.S. CITIES FOR WALKING
You can walk for miles-upon-miles in these fantastic U.S. cities:
Boston, MA
Charleston, SC
New York City, NY
Chicago, IL
Philadelphia, PA
San Francisco, CA
Washington, DC
FAVORITE U.S. TOWNS & CITIES FOR HIKING
Each of these towns and cities serves as a great hub for nearby hiking trails:
Asheville, NC
Bar Harbor, ME
Bend, OR
Boulder, CO
Conway/North Conway, NH
Durango, CO
Estes Park, CO
Gatlinburg, TN
Jackson, WY
Leavenworth, WA
Lake Placid, NY
Lincoln/Woodstock, NH
Moab, UT - my favorite hiking destination in the U.S.
Park City, UT
Sedona, AZ
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Springdale, UT
Stowe, VT
Telluride, CO
Truckee, CA
FAVORITE U.S. CITIES FOR ROAD BIKING/CYCLING
Each of these U.S. cities is famous for its road biking/cycling trail network:
Arlington, VA
Austin, TX
Boulder, CO
Chicago, IL
Denver, CO
Eugene, OR
Fort Collins, CO
Madison, WI
Minneapolis, MN
New York City, NY
Portland, OR
San Francisco, CA
Seattle, WA
Washington, D.C
FAVORITE U.S. TOWNS & CITIES FOR MOUNTAIN BIKING
Each of these U.S. locations is world-famous for its mountain biking trail network:
Asheville, NC
Bend, OR
Bentonville, AK
Copper Harbor, MI
Crested Butte, CO
East Burke, VT
Moab, UT
Sedona, AZ
FAVORITE U.S. NATIONAL PARK GATEWAY TOWNS
These towns all serve as an excellent gateway to at least one of the U.S. national parks:
Bar Harbor, ME - Acadia National Park
Cody, WY - Yellowstone National Park
Durango, CO - Mesa Verde National Park
Estes Park, CO - Rocky Mountain National Park
Gatlinburg, TN - Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Jackson, WY - Grand Teton National Park
Key West, FL - Dry Tortugas National Park
Moab, UT - Arches National Park & Canyonlands National Park
Palm Springs, CA - Joshua Tree National Park
Pigeon Forge, TN - Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Santa Barbara, CA - Channel Islands National Park
Springdale, UT - Zion National Park
FAVORITE U.S. BEACH TOWNS
These towns are often considered the best beach towns in the U.S.:
Anna Maria, FL
Bethany Beach, DE
Cannon Beach, OR
Charlevoix, MI
Destin, FL
Gulf Shores, AL
Haleiwa, Oahu, HI
Hilton Head, SC
Nags Head, NC
Ocean City, MD
Ocean City, NJ
Old Orchard Beach, ME
Ogunquit, ME
Rehoboth Beach, DE
Saugatuck, MI
Sanibel Island, FL
Siesta Key/Sarasota, FL
Wildwood, NJ
FAVORITE U.S. SKI TOWNS
These towns are often considered the classic ski towns in the U.S.:
Aspen, CO
Bend, OR
Breckenridge, CO
Conway/North Conway, NH
Crested Butte, CO
Girdwood, AK
Jackson, WY
Lake Placid, NY
Ketchum, ID
Lincoln, NH
Mammoth Lakes, CA
Park City, UT
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Steamboat Springs, CO
Stowe, VT
Taos, NM
Telluride, CO
Truckee, CA
Vail, CO
Whitefish, MT
FAVORITE U.S. TOWNS & CITIES FOR ANTIQUES
These U.S. towns and cities offer excellent antiquing. Some of these locations have many antique shops (e.g. Adamstown), some have a gigantic antique mall (e.g. Springfield, OH), and some have massive antiquing events (e.g. Brimfield).
Adamstown, PA
Aurora, OR
Brimfield, MA
Clinton, TN
Galena, IL
Edinburgh, IN
Hazel, KY
Henderson, CO
Snohomish, WA
Springfield, OH
Stillwater, MN
Ventura, CA
Verona, VA
Volo, IL
Wiscasset, ME
Woodbury, CT
FAVORITE U.S. TOWNS & CITIES FOR AMUSEMENT PARKS
These U.S. towns or cities are famous for their amusement parks:
Anaheim & Buena Park, CA - Disneyland Park, Knott's Berry Farm, Knott's Soak City, Adventure City
Branson, MO - Silver Dollar City
Hershey & Elysburg, PA - Hersheypark, Knoebels Amusement Resort, Funtown Splashtown USA
Jackson, NJ - Six Flags Great Adventure
Mason, OH - Kings Island
Orlando & Lake Buena Vista, FL - Walt Disney World (various parks), Universal Orlando (various parks), SeaWorld, LEGOLAND
Pigeon Forge & Sevierville, TN - Dollywood, Dollywood's Splash Country, Soaky Mountain Waterpark
Sandusky, OH - Cedar Point
San Antonio & New Braunfels, TX - Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Morgan's Wonderland, SeaWorld, Aquatica, Schlitterbahn New Braunfels
San Diego, CA - SeaWorld, Sesame Place, Belmont Park, Aquatica, LEGOLAND
Santa Claus, IL - Holiday World & Splashin' Safari
Tampa, FL - Busch Gardens, Adventure Island
Universal City & Los Angeles, CA - Universal Studios Hollywood, Six Flags Magic Mountain
Williamsburg, VA - Busch Gardens, Water Country USA
Wisconsin Dells, WI - Noah's Ark, Mt. Olympus, many other smaller amusement and water parks
FAVORITE U.S. TOWNS & CITIES FOR BEER / BREWERIES
These U.S. towns and cities lead the way in terms of breweries per capita:
Asheville, NC - "Beer City USA"
Atlanta, GA
Austin, TX
Bend, OR
Bellingham, WA
Boulder, CO
Burlington, VT
Chicago, IL
Denver, CO
Fort Collins, CO
Kalamazoo, MI
Grand Rapids, MI
Milwaukee, WI
Minneapolis / St. Paul, MN
Pittsburg, PA
Portland, ME
Portland, OR
San Diego, CA
Seattle, WA
Wilmington, NC
FAVORITE U.S. TOWNS & CITIES FOR LIVE MUSIC
These U.S. towns and cities are considered live music meccas:
Asheville, NC
Atlanta, GA
Austin, TX - especially indie rock, reggae, punk
Chicago, IL - especially jazz
Los Angeles, CA
Memphis, TN - especially blues
Nashville, TN - especially bluegrass and country
New Orleans, LA - especially jazz and zydeco
New York, NY
Seattle, WA
FAVORITE U.S. TOWNS & CITIES FOR FOOD
These U.S. towns and cities are famous for their cuisine:
Asheville, NC
Austin, TX
Charleston, SC
Chicago, IL
Healdsburg, CA
Las Vegas, NV
Los Angeles, CA
Miami, FL
New Orleans, LA
New York, NY
Philadelphia, PA
Portland, ME
Portland, OR
San Francisco, CA
Seattle, WA
FAVORITE AREAS FOR PROFESSIONAL SPORTS
These cities and areas of the U.S. are obsessed with professional sports:
Boston, MA area- Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, Red Sox
Chicago, IL area - Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls, Cubs, White Sox
Dallas, TX area - Cowboys, Mavericks, Rangers, Stars
Denver, CO area - Broncos, Nuggets, Avalanche, Rockies
Los Angeles, CA area - Lakers, Dodgers, Rams, Chargers, Clippers, Kings
Miami, FL area - Heat, Dolphins, Marlins
New York, NY area - Yankees, Giants, Mets, Jets, Islanders, Rangers, Knicks
Philadelphia, PA area - 76ers, Eagles, Flyers, Phillies
San Francisco Bay area, CA - Warriors, Athletics, 49ers, Giants, Sharks
FAVORITE U.S. TOWNS AND CITIES FOR GAMBLING / CASINOS
These U.S. cities feature a strong dose of gambling / casinos:
Atlantic City, NJ
Biloxi / Gulf Coast, MS
Cripple Creek, CO
Detroit, MI
Deadwood, SD
Las Vegas, NV
New Orleans, LA
Reno, NV
South Lake Tahoe, CA
Tunica, MS
Boston, Massachusetts
Charleston, South Carolina
Chicago, Illinois
Cody, Wyoming
Durango, Colorado
Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Galena, Illinois
Hershey, Pennsylvania
Key West, Florida
Mackinac Island, Michigan
Madison, Wisconsin
Nashville, Tennessee
Old Orchard Beach, Maine
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Rehoboth, Delaware
Roswell, New Mexico
Savannah, Georgia
Williams, Arizona
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