Since ancient times, cities have been the very heart of civilization, and today they offer domestic and foreign visitors a fantastic array of diversions to enjoy. Unique cultural atmospheres offer something different to back home, whether that’s the glitz, glamor, and gambling of Las Vegas’ bright lights and live entertainment or the jazz scene and iconic culinary delights served up in New Orleans.
World-famous attractions soar in steel and glass towers in New York City, with the Big Apple home to unique destinations made famous time and again on the silver screen and magnificent cultural and artistic museums complemented by the countless theatrical diversions available on Broadway.
In Chicago, visitors can find great pizza and the Art Institute and Field Museum, home to the largest tyrannosaurus rex yet discovered. Nature lovers can also find great greenery and floral attractions in and around cities, such as the Portland Japanese Garden and Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden.
Whether interested in science or military museums, or a night owl who loves a vibrant nightlife and diverse array of cuisine, cities have something to sate every cultural appetite. The concentration of humanity means that cities also form natural clusters for entertainment and cultural destinations and are great places to visit.
Cities that Never Sleep
Cities each have their own character, and night owls who can go from dusk to dawn will love New York and Las Vegas, two cities that also never sleep. The Big Apple is one of the biggest tourist cities in the world thanks to its combination of globally renowned attractions and non-stop attitude. Vegas is rightly known as the Gambling Capital of the World, and it’s not only the casinos that go through the night, with live entertainment and great food available at every hour.
New York
Did you know that NY City is amongst the most exciting cities, alongside Las Vegas city? The attractions in New York or, as a lot of people call it – The Big Apple are a lot! It even has very old buildings, and the oldest one is built in 1940s. It is called the Wyckoff Farm, the Brooklyn house was originally built in the 1640s by a servant! Also, the first American pizza joint was built here, back in 1905. Don’t miss out the excitement and the attractions in the Big Apple and make sure to visit New York City, regardless of where you live!
Whether an aficionado of architecture or a silver screen connoisseur, New York has some great buildings to visit, which have starred in countless cinematic creations and offer great views of the skyline. The Empire State and Chrysler Buildings are fantastic examples of early skyscrapers, while the idiosyncratic shape of the Flatiron Building has been made famous as the home of Spiderman’s Daily Bugle. Drama, tragedy, and comedy in theatrical productions, both recent and dating back to Shakespeare, are put on every day at Broadway’s innumerable venues.
Museum-goers, meanwhile, can take their pick from top-class sites such as the American Museum of Natural History, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, or the floating Intrepid Museum. Live entertainment is present in abundance, too, with the Yankee Stadium and Madison Square Garden regularly hosting an assortment of live sports and other events such as concerts.
Las Vegas
Another location that must be on your adventurous to-visit list is of course, Las Vegas City! We know that today you can enjoy your favorite games in online casinos like Mr. Green, for which you can read more at this link, but nothing can be compared to the gambling experience you can get at the American “Sin City” – Las Vegas! This is the city where magical things happen!
Asides from being the home of the largest Mormont populations, Las Vegas is the home of excitement, fun and adventure. It has more than 124,270 hotel rooms, and is the place where you go to when you want to have fun and make real money as well. If you go to a bachelorette party or a get-away-weekend, this is the place for you. Or, if you get sick and you cannot go on that long-expected trip with your friends, don’t worry, you can still feel the Las Vegas magic at and play every online casino game you may like from the comfort of your home. Las Vegas City offers the largest variety of casinos and various blackjack games and slots games.
The city of Las Vegas is also known as the world capital for gambling. This is because you can find the best casino for anyone’s taste. With numerous variations of slots games and blackjack games, you can easily enjoy making money. The best casino for your specific needs is just around the corner in Las Vegas. If you are a tourist eager to make money and have fun you’ll surely enjoy spending a few days here. A very fun fact is that Baccarat is one of the biggest games in Las Vegas.
Although it has a very interesting history, the city of Las Vegas is the most famous home to world-class casinos and probably the best nightlife in the world. Las Vegas’s bright lights and nocturnal delights are well-known, and the reputation for world-class live entertainment goes all the way back to Elvis. These days, the city is home to many of the best casinos in the United States where players can find not only the latest in slots and classic table games but A-list performers. Better yet, many betting venues have an array of culinary styles for guests to sink their teeth into, so whether sushi, burgers or the fine dining of France or Italy appeals, there’s something to sate every appetite.
Cultural Powerhouses
Whether considering the appeal of human artistic endeavors or the wondrous beauty of the natural world, some cities, such as Atlanta and Portland, have great cultural attractions. From national museums and art galleries to pleasant parks and gardens, culture vultures have plenty to experience.
Atlanta
There are a lot of attractions in Atlanta, which is why it is on our list of the most exciting cities in the world, alongside Las Vegas. For instance, Atlanta was the main inspiration for (Donald Glover’) Childish Gambino’s show Atlanta, as one of the places where nothing is boring. With so many things happening, any tourist will easily fall in love with Atlanta’s magic. As a southern city, it is mostly warm and excellent for being on the move a lot. The attractions in Atlanta include the Centennial Olympic Park, built for the 1996 Olympics, as well as the huge Georgia Aquarium. Also, the High Museum of Art and the Piedmont Park are a part of the list of attractions in Atlanta that you must see.
We also suggest visiting the Martin Luther King Jr. Historic Site, especially if you want to get to know more about our history. The last but not least thing that you simply must visit here is the CNN headquarters, as this is one of the most famous news franchises in the world, which is why it has a spectacular building as well. In addition to the underwater attractions of the Georgia Aquarium, nature lovers can visit the exotic residents of Zoo Atlanta, including lions and elephants from Africa, lemurs from Madagascar, flamboyant flamingos, and the rare clouded leopard. Budding gardeners will also want to head to Atlanta Botanical Garden, which has 30 acres of pleasant greenery in the heart of Midtown.
History buffs can take a walk into the past at the Atlanta History Center, which features gardens, historic houses, and award-winning exhibitions. The city is also home to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, which looks at the country’s history through the lens of the struggle for equality. A lighter look at the past can also be enjoyed at the College Football Hall of Fame, while the Mercedes-Benz Stadium provides live action in both the NFL and MLS.
Portland
Did you know that the name of Portland was in fact, chosen by a coin toss? We didn’t either until a while ago! It seems that Portland hides so many secrets, and it is definitely a place that will keep you excited! As the city with more microbreweries per capita than any other city in the world, it is a place you go to have fun! As a city of roses, Portland is a very romantic place to spend a weekend or a week with a loved one as well. Still, one of the most important attractions in Portland is Forrest Park – which is one of the largest in the USA.
To make things even more interesting, Portland has the smallest park, too – Mills End Park, which is approximately two feet across. This means it’s literally small enough to jump over, in stark contrast to the national parks in Oregon and around the country. Another pleasant green attraction in the city is the Portland Japanese Garden, which features the Tea Garden, Natural Garden, and Sand and Stone Garden, plus a Moon Bridge and Moon Gate. In addition to the cafe, Learning Center, and gift shop, visitors may also be able to experience a demonstration of the Misono-dana Tea Ceremony.
Over at the Oregon Historical Society, exhibits cover topics as diverse as artwork to model vehicles and Oregon wine, photographic portraits of migrants to the Civil Rights movement. An abundance of creativity is on show at the Portland Art Museum, which has a permanent collection of over 42,000 works. Exhibits active and planned for the future at the time of writing include Black Artists of Oregon, French Moderns, and Psychedelic Rock Posters and Fashion of the 1960s.
Tech Hubs
Technology has never mattered more, nor developed more quickly, than in the modern world. From hardware such as VR and smartphones to software, including the latest games and AI, tech hubs are the bubbling cauldron in which tomorrow’s ideas are concocted. Many such cities have related attractions for tourists.
San Francisco and the Silicon Valley
San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most famous landmarks in the USA and has been featured in numerous movies over the years. It’s a favorite backdrop for souvenir photos, and one of the city’s must-see attractions. Another renowned destination is the former prison (and modern-day tourist destination) of Alcatraz Island, to which millions flock every year. It was also the memorable setting for Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage’s blockbuster The Rock. There’s plenty of art on display at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, while the scientifically inclined might prefer the California Academy of Sciences. Inquiring minds may also want to visit the Exploratorium, where over 650 interactive exhibits allow for the exploration of science, art, and human perception. Among the highlights are the Cafe Wall Illusion, Fog Bridge, and Magnetic Fluid Patterns.
The Tech Interactive is a Silicon Valley museum that is a home to an IMAX cinema. Its exhibits provide an engaging education in subjects including the human body, DNA, robotics, space exploration, music, colors, and much more. Another Silicon Valley museum reflective of its tech hub status is the Intel Museum, which offers interactive learning for visitors, young and old alike. Microprocessor history, chip design, and fabrication are all on the agenda.
Seattle
The aptly named Space Needle is an observation deck of unique, futuristic design, built for the 1962 World’s Fair and today standing as an iconic landmark. It soars to over 600 feet tall and is designed to be resistant to earthquakes and wind speeds of up to 200mph. The Loupe Lounge’s revolving glass floor is one-of-a-kind, although perhaps not for those with a touch of vertigo. Another spectacular view can be had at the Sky View Observatory, which is 902 feet high on the 73rd floor of the Columbia Center. Sightseers can also indulge in refreshments at the Sky View Café & Bar. The Museum of Flight is another top attraction in the city, with exhibits covering World War Two, Vietnam, and spacecraft and charting the advances in technology that has helped to make travel accessible to ordinary people.
The Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) often updates its exhibits, so no two visits are ever quite the same. One of its permanent exhibits is the Bezos Center for Innovation which explores the area’s history of invention and innovations. Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, donated $10m so that the Center for Innovation could undergo expansion. This is fitting, given that Amazon is headquartered in Seattle. Another tech giant with its headquarters in Seattle is Microsoft, which moved into the Microsoft campus back in 1986.
Foodie Paradise
A love of food is something almost everyone can appreciate and there’s nothing quite like trying the genuine article when on vacation. Authentic culinary styles can provide inspiration for cooking back home, and some cities have a fabulous reputation for delicious dining.
New Orleans
New Orleans’ cuisine is probably the most distinctive in the entire USA, and its inspirations come from a broad range of sources, meaning the city’s culinary offering is far from a single style. Top treats visitors should make a point of trying include gumbo (meat/shellfish stew), jambalaya (rice and meat dish), crawfish étouffée, po’ boy (sandwich with roast meat or fried seafood), and muffuletta sandwiches, and many others. Among the major influences on New Orleans’ cuisine are:
- Cajun
- Creole
- Italian/Sicilian
- Seafood
- Soul Food
However, while the food is great, there are many other things to see and do in New Orleans, and eating constantly would mean missing out on the attractions. The city’s most famous festival Is celebrated at Mardi Gras World, which explores the history of Mardi Gras and is home to literally hundreds of parade floats. Sazerac House perfectly complements New Orleans’ famed cuisine with a wide array of cocktails and spirits that celebrate the city’s joie de vivre. The establishment hosts tours and events, such as tastings, for enthusiasts of cocktails and whisky. Visitors to the city may also wish to explore history at the National WWII Museum, where the exhibits include the Road to Tokyo, and the Road to Berlin, covering the two primary theaters of war. The New Orleans Museum of Art presents the culturally inclined with a feast for their eyes to match the city’s famed cuisine.
Chicago
The Windy City is known for many things and one at the top of the list (or menu) is undoubtedly deep dish pizza. Fans of the Italian treat should be sure to check out Chicago’s take on pizza. There are many venues at which to try it, but many consider Lou Malnati’s to be the best place to savor deep-dish pizza. A fast food option for those on the go is Chicago-style hot dogs, which began life as a cheap option in the Depression. Take a poppy seed bun, add a beef wiener and the traditional toppings, which include yellow mustard (and remember that ketchup is unacceptable on this Chicago staple). The Italian beef sandwich is another delectable creation of the city, which features thinly sliced beef and an Italian roll. It can be served dry, or with a little, or a lot, of gravy.
Pizza, hot dogs, and Italian beef sandwiches are great, and when the time for dining is done, Chicago has some world-class destinations to enjoy. Skydeck Chicago, in the Willis Tower, has amazing views spanning four states. For those with especially strong stomachs The Ledge is just the ticket; this glass balcony extends from the side of the 103rd floor (that’s 1,353 feet up). Back on the ground, the Field Museum of Natural History is an expansive site that is home to Máximo the titanosaur and Sue the tyrannosaurus rex plus Sobek the spinosaurus. Other exhibits cover topics as diverse as Tang China, DNA, a Maori meeting house, Ancient Egypt, and much more.
The leading cities of the United States of America all have their own character and unique little idiosyncrasies that set them apart from anywhere else. While they all feature attractions worth seeing and have an excellent array of diversions, these differ enough that each one offers something all its own. Whether it’s bright lights, live entertainment, and a paradise for betting in Las Vegas, or the soaring skyscrapers, amazing museums, and world-famous theater district of New York, holidaymakers in the USA have some of the best cities anywhere on the planet to explore. From the highly advanced attractions of tech hubs to a mouthwatering array of specialty culinary dishes, wandering rose gardens to delving into natural history, the only problem that the foremost US cities present visitors is deciding just what to see (or eat) first.
