For sheer number of visitors, these U. S. cities rank at the top of most lists of popular vacation spots. After the number one place – San Francisco – the others could appear in any order in any given year. For most travelers a city’s ranking matters less than its ease of accessibility and the variety of attractions.
1. San Francisco
According to TripAdvisor.com, the top U. S. destination is San Francisco. It’s hard to imagine a city that offers more, whether it’s your first visit or your tenth. In such a vibrant and dynamic setting, one never really sees it all. Highlights include the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf and the sea lions of Pier 39, Alcatraz, and the Maritime Museum. All are an easy walk from a centrally located hotel. And hotel prices in San Francisco are a tad more affordable than in the past.
Just a few blocks away, visitors can explore the Ferry Building, accessible by streetcar, before heading up to Coit Tower and Telegraph Hill. A bit further from the wharf area are numerous neighborhoods, each with a distinctive ethnic background and charm: Chinatown, the Italian District, and more. Golden Gate Park offers a fantastic art museum and the newly designed California Academy of Science.
A short ride across Golden Gate Bridge, Muir Woods invites a quiet interlude. Ferry trips to Sausalito and to other directions as well offer a chance to cruise the Bay and enjoy the scenery without the hassle of driving.
2. New York City
Millions of visitors pour into America’s number one city each year to explore sites of historic and cultural interest. Whether it’s a day spent at the Statue of Liberty or evenings spent taking in the latest Broadway shows, an all-out shopping trip down Fifth Avenue or a stroll through Central Park, visitors are never far from their favorite activities. Art museums, concert halls, the financial district, the architecture of America’s earliest and most famous skyscrapers, only begin to scratch the surface of this endlessly fascinating city.
3. Chicago
With a world-class museum and art gallery only a few blocks from each other, linked by a fine stroll along Lake Michigan, the city of Chicago lures visitors to her friendly, midwestern hospitality. It may be the easiest of all major cities to reach and to get around in once you are there. With two airports, train service, and major interstates connecting all other parts of the country to its heart, Chicago welcomes everyone. Flying into Midway Airport allows visitors to step out of the airport and onto the El, arriving within blocks of Lake Michigan in a matter of minutes. Hotels line Michigan Avenue and provide a great central location for exploring all the other sites, such as Navy Pier, the Sears Building, and the famous shops and restaurants along the way. Don’t forget to hop on the river cruise ships for a delightful view of the city from the water.
4. Washington D. C.
With an incredible number of museums and historic places, anyone who visits D. C. will find themselves returning most likely. D. C. is easy to get around in and you can reach many of the top sites on foot. Within a 20-minute walk in one direction, you will pass the White House, the Treasury Building, the Smithsonian Museum of American Crafts, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial and other significant sites. Head in another direction and spend the day visiting the Capitol, the Library of Congress, National Art Museums, the Native American Museum, and stroll the length of the National Mall. One does not need to leave the core area to easily spend a week.
5. Las Vegas is still a top destination for many vacationers. While some of the bargains of years past may not be so common, there is no other place quite like it. Of course, there are the casinos where money and shows provide round the clock entertainment. But the street performers and the street life in all its colorful variety are top attractions as well. Just outside the city bustle, many people are fascinated with the Hoover Dam and the new bridge being constructed there. Tours leave from Vegas and make this side trip easy to arrange.
Certainly, many people have their own top destinations, but simply by number of visitors yearly, these five cities top most lists.