10 of the best cities to visit in the US

Times

14-05-2025

I have lost count of the number of cities I've visited the US — not just for work as a travel writer, but for holidays and concerts, too. I've spent time in some of its best urban hubs (Austin, New Orleans) and some of its worst (Albany, I'm sorry). There are the underdog cities — the ones where people ask why you'd want to go there (one answer is because Detroit is exciting, entrepreneurial and full of incredible architecture). And then there are obvious candidates such as Miami, which I've visited both with my cocktail connoisseur friend, Tom, who loved the LGBT clubs, and solo, both trips being equally fun in different ways. Those are just a handful of the US cities I love — below, you'll find plenty more.
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Detroit is sometimes unfairly judged on its history — the once prosperous city, home of Ford motors and more, fell into huge decline during the second half of the last century, so much so that there are tours of the skeleton remains of factories, warehouses and theatres. The revamp and official reopening in 2024 of the once glamorous, then derelict Michigan Central Station symbolised a new era for the birthplace of Motown music. But there had been signs of change and renewal for decades, with fresh, independent restaurants and great community initiatives: the city has a true entrepreneurial spirit. The Detroit Institute of Arts is one of my favourite galleries in the country (the building alone will stop you in your tracks) and a visit to the Motown Museum is a must.
The watch brand Shinola made its start in the city, and has its own very cool hotel, too.
Newmarket Holidays' ten-day Music Cities of America tour of venues around the Great Lakes takes in Detroit, Chicago, Cleveland and Washington.
• Read our full guide to the US
There's no shortage of superb cities to visit in California, but San Diego takes the state's top spot for me. There are many reasons I love it — the beaches and the outdoor pursuits, from kayaking to surfing, for a start. But the best bit is its food scene. The city's location, right on the border with Mexico (you can hop over to Tijuana for taco tours and tequila) means that you'll find Cal-Mex cuisine at its best — lightly battered fish tacos squeezed with lime, seafood platters, huge salads and every hot sauce imaginable.
From the outside it's a riot of colour; inside, the contemporary bedrooms are a little more grown up. And the downtown location of Staypineapple, Hotel Z, is great too.
This fully guided 13-day group tour from Globus takes in all the big hitters of California, finishing up in San Diego.
• Read our full guide to California• Best things to do in California
There's one city in the US that I urge everyone who loves beaches to visit — Miami. It's a place that has it all — an exciting contemporary art scene (head to Wynwood for that), warm Cuban culture and hospitality in Little Havana and beautiful architecture in the form of candy-coloured art deco hotels. Then there are those seemingly never-ending stretches of sand: the city is a great spot for winter sun, especially if you're looking for a lively atmosphere, LGBT-friendly nightlife and great food. Grab a counter seat and people-watch at La Sandwicherie.
A seafront location, contemporary rooms and excellent spa make Loews Miami Beach Hotel a favourite.
Virgin Atlantic Holidays has reasonable flight and hotel packages for stays in Miami.
• More great hotels in Miami• Discover our full guide to Florida
Providence is not as well known as its neighbours, including Boston, which is about an hour's drive north. But the under-the-radar Rhode Island capital, once one of the richest in America thanks to its textile, tool and jewellery industries, is a destination for certain travellers — namely those keen on dining in the restaurants of the country's next big-name chefs. Why? Well, the city is home to some of the USA's best culinary schools. But it's not all about fancy dining: you'll find entrepreneurs opening doughnut shops and fried chicken shacks alongside award-winning restaurants, plus old-school Italian delis in the Federal Hill neighbourhood.
Aloft Providence Downtown is a fuss-free but stylish hotel in the centre of the city.
Costsaver's ten-day tour wraps up Providence, Cape Cod, Vermont and more in one big trip. Texans — and visitors to the state — will tell you that left-leaning Austin feels very different to the rest of the state. It has a much more relaxed vibe than Dallas and Houston, and operates with the motto 'Keep Austin Weird'. A lot of what you do here should be outside: there are outdoor swimming lakes and municipal parks with so much to do that they could rival theme parks, making it a great city for kids. The best bit may just be the independent restaurants and bars, from an incredible barbecue scene (and vegan food trucks for balance) to festoon light-lit beer gardens, where you can sip locally brewed beers and enjoy live music and line dancing. It's a city that will sweep you away with its effortlessly cool yet unpretentious atmosphere.
Hotel San Jose is a mellow, beautifully decorated former motel with a colourful small pool area.
Travelbag's 12-night self-drive trip takes in Austin and other big Texan cities.
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The city of Scottsdale is often overlooked in Best of the US lists — it's just 30 minutes down the road from Phoenix, Arizona's capital, after all. It's smaller, more relaxed and — whisper it — far cooler, with epic desert hikes on its doorstep, lush golf courses, very hip spa hotels and great independent boutiques, restaurants and galleries. Its location makes it a handy base for day trips to the Grand Canyon and it's a great tag-on to any California trip. Don't miss a stroll around Taliesin West, the former home of the architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
Mountain views and a slick spa combine at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, just a ten-minute taxi from the old town.
Cosmos' Western Wonders group tour takes in Scottsdale, San Francisco, Palm Springs and more.
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If you were to visit just one city in the US, I'd make it New Orleans. It's impossible to not be immediately captivated by NOLA, a city that's adored by every visitor, whatever their intentions. Some visit for food and nightlife, others for the historic architecture, from small colourful homes on the outskirts to the ornate balconies of Bourbon Street and the French Quarter. Creole cuisine is big here, as is the po' boy (a Louisiana sandwich), but there are other foodie spots to love — from burgers at the counter at moodily lit Port of Call to cheese and wine with a side of live jazz in the garden at Bacchanal. Music is everywhere — hop between bars and hear sensational solo musicians or bigger brass bands, from morning till late at night.
Electric, colourful decor is just part of the reason that the Columns, a lovingly restored boutique hotel, is such a special stay.
Exodus Adventure Travels has a ten-day New Orleans to Nashville group tour, taking in several soulful southern cities.
• More great hotels in New Orleans• The ultimate guide to Mardi Gras in New Orleans
It would be remiss to write a list of the best cities in the US and not include New York. The sights of Manhattan are a must for first-timers: views from the top of the Empire State Building; pictures beneath the bright lights of Times Square; Central Park wanders. But there are plenty of other great ways to see the city, from kayaking along the Hudson River to joining an afternoon sailing trip (book via Airbnb Experiences), tacking past the Statue of Liberty. Brooklyn has soared in popularity over the past decade thanks to its restaurants and independent shops, but don't bypass Queens for food (Flushing is home to the city's largest Chinatown), or the Bronx, with its Beer Hall in an old-school food hall (deli meats and huge sandwiches) in Little Italy.
Comfy beds, strong rain showers, reasonable prices and a location in the thick of the action makes Moxy NYC Times Square a great choice for first-timers.
Cosmos has 11-day tours of the US, taking in Washington DC, Niagara Falls and plenty of time in NYC, too.
• Best affordable hotels in New York• Best hotels in Brooklyn
Neoclassical mansions on cobbled streets; leafy squares lined with oaks; wide, empty beaches just 15 miles away: Savannah is one of the prettiest cities in the south, and feels like a gentle, elegant escape in a country of thrumming cities. Its temperate climate also makes it a great choice during the UK's winter; you can still dine alfresco in one of the many quirky cafés and stroll streets that feel like an outdoor gallery. The city is really easy to walk around, and it's worth booking a walking tour to digest the fascinating history, from inns and churches to multi-storey mansions. Leave time to explore the sleepy stretches of sand and quaint neighbourhoods of Tybee Island.
Bed down in Hotel Bardo Savannah, one of the city's most stylish and central stays.
Intrepid Travel's eight-day Georgia History Trail tour has stops in Savannah, Charleston and Nashville.
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One of Denver's biggest claims to fame (aside from its location right by the Rocky Mountains) is that it's one of the most liveable cities in the US. Three hundred days of sunshine a year — or something close, at least, to the oft-repeated claim — certainly helps with that. There's plenty to pack in to a few days here, from the antique shops in SoBo to the smart food halls of downtown via excellent museums such as the Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art and the kid-friendly Denver Museum of Nature & Science. That's before you head out on any hikes. There are hundreds of trails within a 20 to 60-minute drive from the city, with forest walks and more challenging mountain ascents.
Inky blue paint and mahogany walls help make Life House, in trendy LoHi, one of the city's coolest stays.
WeVenture Travel's three-day group tour of Denver and the Rocky Mountains is a great tag-on to a trip to the west of the US.
• The ultimate US travel itineraries