USA Must-See Cities

No visitor should pass up the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles, the round-the-clock excitement of New York City, or the multicultural metropolis of Miami. Nonetheless, the curious traveler should also take time to explore the wealth of lesser-known American cities with their own regional flavor. Hidden between the twin giants of New York and Boston, compact and walkable Providence, RI , beckons with a slower, more inviting pace. Standing guard as the gateway to the West, St. Louis, MO , combines distinctive neighborhoods and eclectic dining with an energetic nightlife scene fueled by the world’s biggest brewery, Anheuser-Busch. Travelers to Charleston, SC , are rewarded with lush gardens, antebellum plantations, and Southern charm. No party animal should miss Mardi Gras in New Orleans, LA , where the city’s carefree attitude, rich musical tradition, and sumptuous Creole cookin’ cast an enchanting spell. Arts and crafts enthusiasts flock to Santa Fe, NM , where old adobe churches, gorgeous galleries, and authentic Southwestern cuisine share the streets with the ritzy shops and restaurants serving the city’s wealthy second-homers. The bohemian metropolis of Portland, OR , known as the microbrewery capital of North America, is worth seeing for its fantastic open-air market alone.

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For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.