Top Ten U.S. Cities for Traveling

The U.S. is a large mixing pot full of culture and vast amounts of excitement. With so much ground to cover, it's difficult to pick one spot suitable for traveling to, so we've narrowed it down to the top ten.

1. 1. 1. Chicago

         Chicago is a bustling city filled with beautiful structures and rich attractions. For fans of great architecture, you'll enjoy the Sears Tower (now called Willis Tower), which was formerly the tallest tower in the world, as well as the Chicago River, which is bordered with remarkable sky scrapers. A sightseeing boat trip around the river is a great way to view the many historical structures the city has to offer. Chicago is also known for being at the forefront of public art, for instance, a popular attraction has always been the Cloud Gate, lovingly dubbed "The Bean" by locals, due to its peculiar shape.

      2. San Diego

         San Diego is widely known for its wonderful "nautical" attractions. There are over 30 beaches stretching along 70 miles of coastline, including La Jolla, which is known for its cultural activities, fine restaurants, and Southern European/SoCal feel. San Diego boasts many attractions, though perhaps the most colorful is Old Town San Diego; dating back to the time of the early Spaniards in California, Old Town San Diego reflects the rich and colorful history of early California. For even more family-oriented activities, Sea World, and the San Diego Zoo, are very popular, fun, and educational attractions.

      3. Boston

         There are plenty of entertaining, and enlightening activities in Boston. Take a brisk walk on the Freedom Trail, a 2.5 mile trek from Boston Common to the Bunker Hill Monument, and take in 16 significant historical sites. Be sure to make a trip to Fenway Park, the oldest baseball stadium still in use, to catch one of the city’s most famous attractions, the Boston Red Sox. After a long day of site seeing, wind down by visiting Legal Sea Foods and have a bowl of Boston’s notorious dish, clam chowder!

      4. Los Angeles

         Los Angeles is by far one of the U.S.’s most infamous tourist cities, with attractions that appeal to almost anyone. Venice Beach, perhaps LA’s most prominent attraction, projects a circus-like waterfront, and dazzles with one-of-a-kind street performers, eccentric vendors, distinctive restaurants, and worthy beach views. Of course, what’s a trip to LA without visiting the Hollywood Walk of Fame? Movie buffs will enjoy perusing the names of more than 2,300 entertainers that tile Hollywood Boulevard's fancy sidewalk, as well as the “Hollywood” sign; an infamous landmark you can actually hike, which began its life as a real-estate advertisement.

      5. Miami

         South Beach is the quintessential Miami hot spot. From shopping to partying, this area of Miami Beach is well-known for being a trendy locale. For animal lovers, Zoo Miami; one of the first free-range zoos, is rapidly becoming one of the best in the nation. Its climate allows it to keep a wide variety of animals from Asia, Australia and Africa like no other zoo in the country. Miami also offers a wide array of enlightening activities, such as the Museum of Science, and the Children’s Museum. The Everglades National Park is one of the most unusual public parks in the United States. Located on the southern tip of Florida, the park is home to 14 rare and endangered species, including the American Crocodile, the Florida Panther and the West Indian Manatee.

      6. New York

         Likely the most visited city in the U.S., New York City has many well-known historical attractions anyone can enjoy. The Statue of Liberty is the symbol of American freedom, and open arms to immigrants seeking a better life. It’s one of New York’s most prominent, and beautiful attractions. Nearby is Ellis Island, where you can visit the Immigration Museum, which features interactive exhibits, walking tours, and movies reveal the hardships and challenges faced by immigrants passing through Ellis Island. When you’ve had a long day, staring up at all the impressive structures and sky scrapers, check out the view of New York City from atop the Empire State Building. It’s one of the city’s classic attractions that offer wonderful views of NYC and the surrounding areas.

      7. Oahu

         Oahu’s most famous stretch of coast is the Waikiki Beach on the south shore, a surfing destination that draws 4 million visitors a year. On the north shore, you’ll find the best beach for snorkeling is the Kawela Bay, where you may get a glimpse of the Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle. For a great panoramic view of Waikiki, make a trip to the Diamond Head State Monument, a 760-foot crater, formed more than 100,000 years ago. Kids and adults will enjoy the Sea Life Park Hawaii, where guests can swim and play with dolphins and sea lions. For a historically enlightening attraction, relive the Japanese attack in 1941 that prompted the United States’ entry into World War II, with a visit to the Pearl Harbor Nation Historic Sites, among which is the USS Arizona Memorial.

      8. Orlando

         Orlando is home to more than 95 unforgettable attractions. Whether you want to enjoy the heart pounding thrills, or the serenity of nature, Orlando offers a wide array of dazzling activities suitable for the whole family. Walt Disney World, and Universal Studios are two of Orlando’s most popular stops, where you can discover an amazing variety of entertainment and adventure filled attractions. A favorite among the children is SeaWorld Orlando, where they are able to view majestic marine life like never before, and even meet Shamu! Tired of theme parks? Discovery Cove allows you to truly interact with dolphins and sting rays, while enjoying an exotic tropical oasis.

      9. San Francisco

         Voted America’s top city in numerous surveys, the colorful and cosmopolitan city of San Francisco invariably charms its visitors. View one of the country’s top ten construction marvels, the 1.7 mile long Golden Gate Bridge, which is an unforgettable icon to drive, walk or cycle across. Contemplate your next movie in Golden Gate Park; within its thousand-plus acres lies a wonderful collection of gardens, lakes, and walking paths, including the Japanese Tea Garden, originally part of the 1894 World’s Fair Exhibit. For a unique tour of the city, consider a historic ride on the cable cars, via the California Street line, which runs along the Financial District, through Chinatown, and over Nob Hill.

      10. Seattle

          Seattle is a smart and sophisticated place that also exists in a virtual wonderland for outdoor recreation. Visit one of the tallest peaks in the US, Mount Rainier National Park. Mt. Rainier is a training destination for international climbing parties, but during mild seasons on basic routes the trek is accessible to climbers of most skill levels. Spend some time at the Seattle Aquarium, and visit the notoriously adorable otters, and indigenous the Pacific Northwest marine life, including the giant octopi that dwell in the murky depths of the Puget Sound. After a long day of sightseeing, experience the fine-dining that the top of the needle has to offer, with one of its few revolving restaurants. The 360-degree view of the city is spectacular.