Which US Cities Should I Visit?

[Wilfrid]

A little in the spirit of the re-reading project I sort of think I should have a list of places I need to visit, this thread specifically being about U.S. cities.

Where should I go that I haven't been? Top of mind for me are Detroit, Houston, Portland (Oregon) and St Louis. I am also very aware that I haven't visited the deep south enough, Mississippi and Alabama for example.

I would love recommendations. Of course I am interested in restaurants and museums/galleries, but also old taverns and inns and history.

The easiest thing is probably to list where I have been, often many times. Where else should I go?

(This list is useful for me anyway).

Akron (start with the best)

Atlanta

Austin

Baltimore

Boston

Bridgeport

Buffalo

Charleston

Chicago

Dallas

Denver

Fort Lauderdale

Fort Worth

Gloucester

Hartford

Kansas City

Las Vegas

Los Angeles

Memphis

Miami

Minneapolis

Monterey

Nashville

New Haven

New Orleans

Orlando

Philadelphia

Phoenix

Portland (Maine)

Providence

Salt Lake City

San Diego

San Francisco

Santa Cruz

Savannah

Seattle

St Paul (and finish with not my favorite)

Washington DC (accidentally omitted)

 

 

 

 

[MitchW]

Richmond, VA (and/or concurrently Charlottesville, because I believe Monticello to be a must visit, and also a lot of good people there).

Pittsburgh - some really great museums, and quite historic. Those 3 rivers were important.

We liked Madison (the final flight of Otis Redding) and Milwaukee.

 

 

 

 

 

[MitchW]

Burlington. Gorgeous, on the lake, good food, good markets, much beer.

You've been to Memphis and Nashville, but not Knoxville? You may not be missing much. but it's nice.  Every little city has its cluster of hipsters trying to do good stuff.

[MitchW]

Provincetown - because it's the end of the continent (and where the "pilgrims" actually landed), and it's totally crazy. And our mishpucha are now opening a cocktail place, to go along with their 10-year old sandwich shop.  Do not go in the summer, but just before and a bit after are fine.

[Wilfrid]

This is great, thanks. I deliberately omitted a small Wisconsin city from my list because I have even more negative feelings about it than I do about St Paul. I had to go there for business but never had a chance to visit Madison or Milwaukee.

[Wilfrid]

I can also have my memory prompted. Have I been to Provincetown? I certainly saw Plymouth Rock somewhere (duh, Plymouth). But on that trip I did go to Gloucester and saw Charles Olson's house so I will add that to the list.

[hollywood]

Lake Tahoe

Palm Springs

San Antonio

[Wilfrid]

I was invited to San Antonio on business this year, but it didn't work out. Definite addition.

[Evelyn]

Defintely Houston and San Antonio for TX.

Napa Valley  / Sonoma etc. I can be more specific if need be.

Birmingham, AL for the Civil Rights District/Trail-and some stellar Southern Cuisine

If you are interested in the space program-Huntsville, AL. Food options are limited-but enough for 48 hours.

Lexington, KY- horses, racing and good food and cocktails

St. Augustine, FL history and dining

[hollywood]

For something different from the usual city environments, you could explore Honolulu.

[maison rustique]

I recently asked on FB about good places to make an overnight trip. Several people recommended Des Moines. Apparently they have some superb restaurants there.Who knew!

 

I keep saying that one of these days I will make a driving trip through Kansas to go see the salt mine and all the funky "World's Largest" type attractions. A kitsch trip if you will.

Edited June 1, 2025 by maison rustique
clarification

[MitchW]

8 hours ago, Evelyn said:

Napa Valley  / Sonoma etc. I can be more specific if need be.

Birmingham, AL for the Civil Rights District/Trail-and some stellar Southern Cuisine

Well, I can certainly start with Healdsburgh up in Sonoma.  I think you really have to want to drive to explore Napa and Sonoma, however.  Certainly to get over to the Sonoma coast.

More civil rights stuff  in Greensboro, NC, but once you’ve seen the Woolworth’s and its museum…

I’m interested in how many recommendations tend to go south and west of where we are, as opposed to New England and mid-Atlantic.

And though I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it at this point, DC can be a very nice city, with some excellent food options.  

Annapolis is beautiful.

Edited June 1, 2025 by MitchW

[Wilfrid]

Perhaps a lot of obvious NE destinations are already covered on the list, thanks to my location. I was dumb to omit DC, which I have visited a lot. Will add it.

[Wilfrid]

I have traveled around Sonoma; guess it didn't occur to me when I was listing cities. But great suggestions here that I wouldn't have thought about. Much appreciated.

[bloviatrix]

Not a city but a region - the American southwest: Bryce, Zion, Arches National Parks.

[StephanieL]

4 hours ago, bloviatrix said:

Not a city but a region - the American southwest: Bryce, Zion, Arches National Parks.

In that vein: Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Tucson.

[hollywood]

Yes, Santa Fe/Taos is cool.

[Wilfrid]

I know it's just the name that intrigues me, but does anyone have a good word to say about Oklahoma City? Same question, Omaha.

Is there anything in the Dakotas? The answer might be no. I am aware there's a swathe of the country I have ignored.

Perhaps I should note, for anyone who doesn't know, I haven't driven a car in forever and won't start now. Hence my emphasis on cities. (I had a wonderful time seeing Big Sur and Carmel by asking in my Monterey hotel if anyone wanted to drive me up there for the afternoon; no trouble finding a volunteer.)

 

[Wilfrid]

I have negative feelings about Arkansas. Am I wrong?

[Wilfrid]

17 hours ago, hollywood said:

For something different from the usual city environments, you could explore Honolulu.

I admit I never think of Honolulu. Or Anchorage.

[Wilfrid]

I sent my daughter the link and she asked what was so great about Akron. Young people don't get jokes.

[maison rustique]

40 minutes ago, Wilfrid said:

I have negative feelings about Arkansas. Am I wrong?

I've not spent much time there (though I have aunt/uncle who live in Mountain Home). But should you decide to go for whatever reason, Eureka Springs is OK. And not too far from there, Crystal Bridges museum is nice. We went when it very first opened and it was not fully open, but I understand now that it is wonderful.

 

 

[MitchW]

1 hour ago, Wilfrid said:

I have negative feelings about Arkansas. Am I wrong?

No, and I'd put it way down on the list even if you were.

Edited June 2, 2025 by MitchW

[MitchW]

1 hour ago, Wilfrid said:

I have negative feelings about Arkansas. Am I wrong?

As Richard Pryor once opined (and maybe not about AZ)...

 

[Evelyn]

I generally have to go to Arkansas (football or basketball) at least once a year. And I wish I didn't. So I wouldn't put it on the list. As for Omaha-the only excitement is the Men's and Women's College World Series. Or maybe running into Warren Buffet. I will say you can find a good steak there (and no-not Omaha Steaks brand). 

I second recommendations for Taos, Santa Fe and Hawaii. Presuming this is a summer trip other than driving around Lake Tahoe or playing golf, there's not a lot to do. And whatever you do-don't stay in Reno. It's awful.