The Best Cities in the United States: 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards
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Unforgettable food. Cutting-edge design. Immersive experiences. These are some of your top criteria for judging what makes a quality hotel—not to mention a worthy resort, cruise, spa, or island. In tallying up the 575,048 votes cast in our 37th annual Readers’ Choice Awards survey, we were struck by both your eagerness to embrace the new and your reverence for tried-and-true classics. Your favorite hotel in the five boroughs is the two-year-old Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad, but you also can’t stop returning to storied French Polynesian resort The Brando. You’ve jetted through the sprawling Istanbul International Airport, booked intrepid sailings to Antarctica, and fallen in love with historic yet innovative cities like Copenhagen. Read on to start planning your next round of travels—these are the best cities in the United States, as voted by our readers.
View the Readers' Choice Award winners for the best cities in the world here.
This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
Good things come in small packages, and nowhere is that more evident than in these 10 dynamic, reader-favorite cities. Whether you're on the lookout for a cutting-edge arts scene, inventive new restaurants, or eye-catching architecture, you're bound to find the next big new thing in travel.
Boogich/Getty10. Chattanooga, Tenn.
Set in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Chattanooga more than lives up to its Scenic City nickname—the natural beauty here is truly unrivaled, and adventurous travelers are already in on the secret. Towering 2,000 feet over downtown, Lookout Mountain is the star of the outdoor show, with hiking paths that afford views of the town and, on clear days, both Georgia and North Carolina. (Don’t feel like walking? The famous Incline Railway will zip you straight to the top.) Closer to sea level, you can explore Coolidge Park, a seven-acre expanse along the northern shore of the Tennessee River. Here you’ll find a charming antique carousel, abundant green space, and a kayaking outpost. Of course, you'll have to head inside at some point—and when you do, check in to The Dwell Hotel, where each of the 16 guest rooms has a distinct, midcentury-modern design aesthetic.
Corey Rich/Getty9. Key West, Fla.
It’s time to open your mind to Key West. Considered by many to be a rallying point for hippies and Jimmy Buffett diehards, the island city defies stereotypes with its historic architecture, first-rate seafood restaurants, and epic sunsets. Order the cheese-smothered hogfish sandwich at Hogfish Bar, followed by the key lime pie at Blue Heaven, and burn it all off later at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, where the artificial reefs draw snorkelers and the stretches of beach keep you outdoors all day. And, of course, don’t forget to slot out some time to take a tour of the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum—and maybe spot a six-toed cat while you’re there.
Jaime Pharr/Getty8. Healdsburg, Calif.
An hour outside San Francisco, tiny Healdsburg is one of the most alluring slices of California wine country—a wonderful mix of scenic vineyards, buzzy restaurant openings, and a vibe that’s managed to stay breezy and relaxed despite the town’s uptick in popularity. Visitors should head straight to the historic Healdsburg Plaza, the city’s beating heart where all paths lead to excellent food and drink. Make sure the dates of your visit include at least one Tuesday or Saturday so you can peruse the Healdsburg Farmers’ Market; if not, head to Ciao Bruto for artisanal Italian foods and biodynamic wines. Outdoor adventures also beckon here, including kayaking on the Russian River and hiking through Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve.
Karl Weatherly/Getty7. Pensacola
Florida certainly has no shortage of beautiful beaches, but few places have the blindingly white sand and Caribbean-blue waters you’ll find in and around this town. Head to the nearby barrier islands for the best (and least crowded) stretches of sand: Pensacola Beach on Santa Rosa Island is often cited as the crown jewel of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, complete with dolphin-rich waters and sand so soft you’d swear you were walking on baby powder. Back on the mainland, spend an afternoon walking through the Chappie James Museum—a must-visit site that honors Daniel “Chappie” James Jr., a Tuskegee Airman who became the first African American to become a four-star general in any branch of the military.
Sunira Moses/Unsplash6. Savannah, Georgia
Mossy, moody Savannah has no shortage of Instagrammable views. Start with a walk along its cobblestoned historic district past horse-drawn carriages and ornate architecture, or find shade under live oak trees drooping with Spanish moss. Book in advance to nab a room at the Gastonian, a historic bed and breakfast just two blocks from 30-acre Forsyth Park. And for a fantastic dining experience, go to The Grey, an elegantly reborn former Greyhound Bus depot, where James Beard Award–winning chef Mashama Bailey serves elevated takes on Southern classics, like foie gras and grits and tempura-fried catfish.
Jonathan Hanna/Unsplash5. Greenville, South Carolina
Want to get in on a secret? Plan a trip to Greenville now and you might see it just on the cusp of stardom. The food lover’s town has a farm-to-table scene that continues to rise in the ranks (try Jianna for Italian and freshly shucked oysters, and Vault & Vator, the city's first speakeasy, for a strong, well-crafted cocktail), and its craft beer scene is seeing a similar explosion. Paired with its dynamic urban spaces are abundant natural resources, including 32-acre Falls Park, which runs through the middle of town, and the Swamp Rabbit bike trail—now at a whopping 22 miles and counting.
Visit Lexington4. Lexington, Ky.
Despite its Horse Capital of the World moniker, equines are only a small part of Lexington’s appeal. (Though the Kentucky Horse Park and the Keeneland Race Course are both worth a spot on your itinerary.) Thanks to its location on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, the city is a treasure trove of distilleries, ranging from the biggies (Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark) to local darlings like Fresh Bourbon Distillery and Bluegrass Distillers. Lexington’s spirits scene is matched only by its culinary scene: Be sure to stop by Doodles for loaded breakfast sandwiches, Bourbon on Rye for burgers topped with beer cheese, and Crank & Boom for an ice cream flight to write home about.
Courtesy of Visit Alexandria/Sam Kittner3. Alexandria, Virginia
Washingtonians are all in on the secret, but it’s no surprise the rest of the world is catching up: Alexandria, Virginia, the charming, historic city just across the Potomac River from our nation's capital, draws travelers and would-be residents alike. Most folks start to imagine moving there immediately after setting foot in Old Town, once they’ve strolled the red-brick sidewalks, clocking street after street of perfectly preserved rowhouses from the 18th and 19th centuries. When you visit, scope out King Street, packed with boutiques, restaurants, and specialty shops; then land at the waterfront, where you can watch the boats bobbing on the water before touring the Torpedo Factory Art Center, a collective of galleries and artists’ studios. End the day at Gadsby’s Tavern, where some of our founding fathers used to drink—don’t mind the actors in colonial garb.
Taylor Simpson/Unsplash2. Santa Fe
Santa Fe acts as both New Mexico’s political and creative capital: Wander its wide streets, flanked by adobe houses, and you’ll begin to see why artists like Georgia O'Keeffe were so inspired by this eclectic, historic town. (Traveler readers also can't stay away—Santa Fe has long been a regular on this list.) The city’s many art institutions, 250-plus galleries (notably SITE Santa Fe, in the Railyard, an emerging contemporary arts hub), and Spanish colonial churches keep culture fiends busy. If the fantastical is more your thing, Meow Wolf’s House of Eternal Return is an explorable art experience with more than 70 rooms of immersive art. To recharge after an active day of museum-hopping, we recommend ordering 505 Manhattans at Radish & Rye, whose 75 bourbons and whiskeys are an antidote to tequila overload.
Nikki Gibson/Unsplash1. Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston may be a small town, but this city punches well above its weight. When you consider everything it has to offer—history, culture, food, charm—it’s no wonder the so-called Holy City has repeatedly topped our list of the best small cities in the US. While its robust food scene, which includes a steady annual circuit of nationally recognized food and culture festivals, continues to be a draw, visitors are rarely prepared for the city's good looks. Stately homes, cobblestone streets, waterfront views, and an abundance of flowering window boxes only add to its welcoming vibe. Find a seat among its many outdoor terraces for a drink and some fresh oysters, and try to resist the urge to up and move here.
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.
Alexander Spatari/Getty10. 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.
traveler1116/Getty9. 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.
Jason Briscoe/Unsplash8. 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.
Aubrey Odom Mabey/Unsplash7. 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.
Eric Ward/Unsplash6. 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.
Eleven Photographs/Unsplash5. 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.
Nico Bhlr/Unsplash4. 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 Barnett 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.
Jon Mattrisch/Getty3. 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.
Braden Jarvis/Unsplash2. 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.
Joe Thomas1. 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.