The United States has much to see from wonderful coastlines to grand mountain ranges. From east to west, north and south, beneath are ten of the best urban areas to visit in the U.S.
10. New York City
The City of New York, often called New York City (NYC) or simply New York, is the most populous city in the United States.
The Big Apple is a must-see for anyone. From Times Square and Rockefeller center to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Broadway, the city that never sleeps has attractions and excitement 24-7.
Hotels prices range from just over $100 for a two-star hotel to over $200 for a four to five-star hotel in or near Times Square.
9. Las Vegas, Nevada
Regardless of whether you're a high-stakes card gambler, or simply hoping to take in a show, Las Vegas is an astonishing city with incredible sustenance, high-end shopping and endless fun and excitement! Visit the MGM Grand to bet, do some shopping at Caesars Palace Forum Shops, or take in some Cirque de Soleil. Children love the rides at Circus, or the thrill ride at New York New York.
Hotels prices range from under $100 for up to a five-star hotel on the strip. Many casinos offer inexpensive rooms and meals to attract players to their casinos.
8. Orlando, Florida
Orlando, a city in central Florida, is home to more than a dozen theme parks. The Walt Disney World is one of the world's most renowned landmarks, including Parks like the Magic Kingdom and Epcot, as well as water parks. Another major destination, Universal Orlando, offers Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, with the Wizarding World of Harry Potter straddling both.
Sunny Orlando has lots of fun and exciting adventures for the whole family!
Hotels prices range from under $100 for two and three-star hotel to close to $300 plus for a five-star hotel such as the Ritz Carlton, Orlando.
7. Los Anxheles, California
Los Angeles is a sprawling Southern California city and the center of the nation’s film and television industry. Near its iconic Hollywood sign, studios such as Paramount Pictures, Universal and Warner Brothers offer behind-the-scenes tours. On Hollywood Boulevard, TCL Chinese Theatre displays celebrities’ hand- and footprints, the Walk of Fame honors thousands of luminaries and vendors sell maps to stars’ homes.
Hotels prices range from under $100 for a two-star hotel to over $200 for a five-star hotel such as The London West Hollywood.
6. Denver, Colorado
Denver, the capital of Colorado, is an American metropolis dating to the Old West era. Larimer Square, the city’s oldest block, features landmark 19th-century buildings. Museums include the Denver Art Museum, an ultramodern complex known for its collection of indigenous works, and the mansion of famed Titanic survivor Molly Brown. Denver is also a jumping-off point for ski resorts in the nearby Rocky Mountains.
Hotels prices range from under $100 for a two-star hotel to over $300 for a five-star hotel such as the Four Seasons, Denver.
5. Anchorage, Alaska
Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city, is in the south-central part of the state on the Cook Inlet. It's known for its cultural sites, including the Alaska Native Heritage Center, which displays traditional crafts, stages dances, and presents replicas of dwellings from the area’s indigenous groups. The city is also a gateway to nearby wilderness areas and mountains including the Chugach, Kenai and Talkeetna.
Many hotels and bed and breakfasts can be found for just around $100 per night.
4. Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu, on the island of Oahu’s south shore, is capital of Hawaii and gateway to the U.S. island chain. The Waikiki neighborhood is its center for dining, nightlife and shopping, famed for its iconic crescent beach backed by palms and high-rise hotels, with volcanic Diamond Head crater looming in the distance. Sites relating to the World War II attack on Pearl Harbor include the USS Arizona Memorial.
With its white sand beaches, surfing and gorgeous skies, there is much to do in Honolulu. Take in the sights at the Manoa Falls or hike Diamond Head by day and see the Legends in Concert Waikiki by night. For history/military buffs, visit the Pearl Harbor National Monument or the USS Missouri Memorial.
Hotels prices range from under $100 for a two-star hotel to at or around $300 for a five-star hotel such as the Royal Hawaiian, Waikiki.
3. New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a Louisiana city on the Mississippi River, near the Gulf of Mexico. Nicknamed the "Big Easy," it's known for its round-the-clock nightlife, vibrant live-music scene and spicy, singular cuisine reflecting its history as a melting pot of French, African and American cultures. Embodying its festive spirit is Mardi Gras, the late-winter carnival famed for raucous costumed parades and street parties.
Hotels prices range from under $100 for a two-star hotel to over $200 for a five-star hotel such as the Ritz Carlton, New Orleans.
2. Hershey, Pennsylvania
Hershey is just east of Pennsylvania’s state capital, Harrisburg. The Hershey Story museum chronicles the community's creation as a model town for the workers at Milton Hershey’s chocolate factory. Hersheypark opened in 1907 as a modest green space but grew to include rides and attractions, including a zoo. Hershey Gardens has a rose garden and butterfly house. Hersheypark Stadium and Giant Center host concerts.
Hotels prices range from under $50 for a two-star hotel to over $100 for a three to four-star hotel.
1. San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is a major city in south-central Texas with a rich colonial heritage. The Alamo, an 18th-century Spanish mission preserved as a museum, marks an infamous 1836 battle for Texan independence from Mexico. Following the San Antonio River, the miles-long River Walk is a landmark pedestrian promenade lined with cafes and shops. HemisFair Park’s 750-ft. Tower of the Americas overlooks the city.
Hotels prices range from under $100 for a two-star hotel to just under $200 for a five-star hotel such as the JW Marriott, San Antonio.
