The United States is one of the most diverse countries in the world in terms of both geography and ethnicity. It is worthless to specify one culture, tradition, or festival, in this big country of North America. Being home to various cultures, multiple big cities, lakes, and national parks, the US attracts millions of visitors to the country every year.

Big cities in the US are known worldwide and are also the most prominent cities in the world. Cities like New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Las Vegas are exciting to local as well as international travellers. The fun never ends in these sleepless US cities.

Even when you think of the big cities in the United States, high-rise buildings and nightlife come to mind first. Although there is more to these cities than we can think of. Some are the financial hub of the world and some are the entertainment capital.

The United States comprises 50 states, one federal district, and numerous overseas territories on the Caribbean sea and the pacific ocean. Since there are more than 300 cities in the US, in this article, we only list the top 18 cities.

1. New York

New York is the most visited and largest city in the United States. The city is located in the state of the same name New York on the east coast. 

The landscape of the skyscrapers of the city is known worldwide and seen in many Hollywood movies. The Empire State Building is the landmark of the city. The One World Trade Center is the tallest building not only in the United States, or North America but in the Western Hemisphere.

The Statue of Liberty, an American icon and landmark of the country is located in the New York harbour.

Times Square in the heart of New York City is one of America’s most visited places and is regarded as the Center of the Universe.

There are hundreds of tourist attractions in New York City. A few of them are Central Park, the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Rockefeller Centre, High Line, Brooklyn Bridge, Grand Central Terminal, Washington Square Park, Madison Square Park, Coney Island, and Chrysler Building, among others.

“There is something in the New York air that makes sleep useless.”—Simone de Beauvoir

2. Boston, Massachusetts

Located on the West Coast of America on the shore of Massachusetts Bay, Boston is the capital and the largest city in the north-eastern state of Massachusetts. It is home to many world-renowned colleges and universities, making it an educational, and scientific research hub of the world.

Besides all these, Boston is a fun-loving city. The city is popular for its bars and nightclubs and has also been voted as one of the best cities for singles.

Major places to visit in Boston include the Boston Public Garden, Boston Common, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston Harbour Islands State Park, Museum of Science, Bunker Hill monument, and many more.

3. Chicago, Illinois

Chicago is the largest city in the northern US state of Illinois. The third most populous city after New York and Los Angeles is located on the shore of Lake Michigan.

Chicago serves as an international hub for culture, finance, and transportation. It is one of the best cities in the US and many of its landmarks are known worldwide.

Top tourist attractions of Chicago include Millennium Park, Skydeck Chicago at Willis Tower, Navy Pier, Grant Park, Buckingham Fountain, Chicago riverwalk, Museum Campus, and Montrose Beach, among several hundred places.

Chicago is one of the most prominent cities in the world for skyscrapers with many of its high-rise buildings offering observation decks and restaurants at a great heights.

4. Austin, Texas

Austin is the capital of the southern US state of Texas. The music-loving city is known for its live music concerts. Even the city’s official slogan is “The Live Music Capital of The World.”

6th street in the city centre lined with live music centres, bars, and nightclubs is the main entertainment hub of the city that attracts a lot of young crowds.

Austin also boasts numerous outdoor places, lakes, and riverside parks. Some of the best attractions of the city include Barton Springs Municipal Pool, Zilker Botanical Garden, Lady Bird Lake, Texas Capitol, McKinney Falls State Park, Austin aquarium, and Emma Long Metropolitan Park.

Official Website: https://www.austintexas.org/

5. Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles is the largest city in the western US state of California and the second-largest in the United States. The west coast city on the shore of the Pacific Ocean is best known for its association with Hollywood. Los Angeles is the centre of movies, television productions, film studios, and performing arts venues.

The Hollywood sign atop Mountain Lee in Griffith Park in Los Angeles is a landmark and a cultural icon of America and has been featured in many movies and shows.

Los Angeles boasts long beaches like Venice Beach and Manhattan Beach. Some of the city’s best destinations include Disneyland Park, Universal Studios Hollywood, Griffith Park, Santa Monica Pier, TCL Chinese Theatre, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Universal Citywalk, Los Angeles Zoo, Pacific Park, and Madame Tussauds Hollywood.

6. San Francisco, California

San Francisco is one of the most visited places in the United States located on the west coast of America. It is one of the main cultural and commercial hubs of California.

The Golden Gate Bridge on the confluence of San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean is world-renowned and has become one of the landmark attractions of California and San Francisco. Millions come to the city just to get a view of this landmark bridge and to drive on the bridge.

San Francisco is best known for its cable cars and steep streets. Some of the major tourist attractions of the city include The Golden Gate Park, The Place of Fine Arts, Twin Peaks, The Painted Ladies, San Francisco – Oakland Bay Bridge, The Alcatraz Island, 39 Union Square, and The Sutro Baths.

Official Website: https://www.sftravel.com/

7. San Diego, California

San Diego is the southernmost city of California on the coast of the Pacific Ocean on the US-Mexico border, located 120 miles south away from Los Angeles. The city’s blissful climate has drawn many people into the city. 

San Diego is best known for its open spaces, parks, and beaches that attract a lot of visitors. Some of San Diego’s best spots to visit include the USS Midway Museum, Belmont Park, Balboa Park, San Diego Beach, SeaWorld San Diego, Seaport Village, Ocean Beach Pier, and Maritime Museum of San Diego.

Official Website: https://www.sandiego.org/ 

8. Las Vegas, Nevada

Las Vegas is the largest city in the western US state of Nevada. Vice City is regarded as the Entertainment Capital of the World and the Gambling Capital of the World. The lavish atmosphere, casino resorts, entertainment venues, night clubs earn the city the nickname Sin City.

Las Vegas has more casinos than any other city in the United States. The nightlife and entertainment is the main attraction of the city. In the heart of the city is the Las Vegas strip, which is home to numerous high-end shopping centres, resorts, restaurants, hotels, and high-rise buildings.

Official Website: https://www.visitlasvegas.com/ 

9. Tampa, Florida

Tampa is located on the west coast of the western US state of Florida on Tampa Bay. It is one of the main cruising hubs in Florida, best known for its beaches, ports, and waterfront parks.

Sailing in Tampa Bay is a favourite leisure activity both for locals and visitors and is one of the best ways to get a panoramic view of the city.

Tampa is well-known for its performing arts venues and nightlife districts and is one of the best places to party in the United States. The best places to visit in Tampa include Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, The Florida Aquarium, Tampa Riverwalk, The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tampa, Adventure Island, Tampa Bay History Center, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, among many others. 

Official Website: https://www.visittampabay.com/ 

10. Hollywood, Florida

Hollywood is a city on the west coast of Florida on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. Florida’s this city is best known for the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk which is an oceanside promenade lined with restaurants and bars. The palm-dotted Broadwalk is the main attraction of the city which offers a walking path and bike lane along the beach.

Hollywood city boasts numerous amusement and water parks, golf courses, and long sandy beaches.

The iconic guitar-shaped building, known as the Guitar Building, is located in Hollywood, Florida.

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11. Orlando, Florida

Orlando is located in the centre of the east coast US state of Florida. Being home to numerous world-renowned theme parks, Orlando is known as The Theme Park Capital of the World. 

Among Orlando’s dozens of theme parks, the most notable ones are Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Studio Florida, Harry Potter and The Forbidden Journey, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, and The Magic Kingdom Park. The Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando is the largest of all the Disney parks in the world.

Besides being famous for its amusement and theme parks, Orlando is well-known for its movie studios, music centres, and nightclubs.

Official Website: https://www.visitorlando.com/en

12. Miami, Florida

The waterfront city on the west coast of America is one of the country’s favourite beach destinations. Its PortMiami is the busiest cruise port in the world, making it a cruising Hub in North America.

Beachside clubs, hotels, restaurants, and a vibrant atmosphere make Miami one of the most visited destinations in the United States. 

Miami is globally known for its beaches with some of them offering topless bathing. South Beach, Crandon Park, Haulover Park are some of Miami’s several beaches that offer pristine coastline, sandy beaches as well as surfing waves.

Official Website: https://www.miamiandbeaches.com/ 

13. Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix is the capital and the largest city of the southwestern state of Arizona. Being located in the northern reaches of the Sonoran desert, Phoenix has a hot climate and is home to many desert animals and trees.

Phoenix is home to numerous hiking trails, mount summit, high-end spa resorts, and nightclubs. The city is also renowned for its performing arts venues, opera house, and concert halls. Remarkable places to visit in  Phoenix include Castles N’ Coasters, Hole-in-the-Rock, The Phoenix Zoo, Desert Botanical Garden, Papago Park, South Mountain Park and Preserve, and Piestewa Peak Park, among others.

Official Website: https://www.visitphoenix.com/ 

14. New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans is located in the south end of the US state of Louisiana on the bank of the Mississippi River. It is one of the top ten most visited cities in the United States. New Orleans is best known for its year-round vibrant nightlife and festive mood. 

In the heart of the city lies the French Quarter which contains the city’s most vibrant place, Bourbon Street.

Bourbon Street is the city’s best nightlife centre lined with bars, nightclubs, and jazz venues. It is very common to see people wildly dancing and partying on Bourbon Street.

Besides partying, there is much more to see in New Orleans. Attractive places in the city include New Orleans, The National WWII Museum, The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, City Park, Preservation Hall, Louis Armstrong Park, Crescent Park, and many more.

Official Website: https://www.neworleans.com/ 

15. Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. is the capital city of the United States, located near the east coast of America. Some of the nation’s most important buildings like the White House and the United States capitol are situated here. The government buildings, national monuments, and museums situated in Washington are nothing less than architectural pieces of art.

Some of the best places to visit Washington include the White House, United States Capitol, Lincoln Memorial, National Mall, Library of Congress, Jefferson Memorial, Washington Monument, and Renwick Gallery.

16. Seattle, Washington

Seattle is the largest city in the western US state of Washington, located on the west coast. It is a port city famous for its city landscape and is one of the tech hubs in the country.

Seattle is a centre of Grunge music and many annual festivals. Pike Place Market, Chihuly Garden and Glass, Seattle Center, The Seattle Great Wheel, The Museum of Flight, and Volunteer Park are some of the most beautiful places in Seattle to visit.

The Space Needle, located in the centre of the city, is an iconic landmark of the city that features an observation deck 520 ft above the ground.

Official Website: https://washington.org/ 

17. Denver, Colorado

Denver is the capital and the largest city in the mountainous western US state of Colorado. Denver is famous for its views of the nearby Rocky Mountains and numerous outdoor places. The city’s atmosphere, culture, and opportunity for plenty of outdoor activities make Denver one of the best places to live in the United States.

The best places to visit in and nearby Denver include Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, Cherry Creek State Park, Denver Botanic Gardens, The Denver Art Museum, Elitch Gardens, Lakeside Amusement Park, and Barr Lake State Park, among several others.

Official Website: https://www.denver.org/ 

18. Honolulu, Hawaii

Located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, some 2,300 miles east away from the mainland United States, Hawaii is the only island state in the United States. The capital and the largest city of Hawaii is Honolulu.

The tropical climate, scenic bluewater beaches, and mountains make Honolulu a favourite destination among travellers. Famous for its landscape, the city boasts plenty of outdoor places to visit. Some of the best places to visit in Honolulu include Hanauma Bay, Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor National Memorial, Iolani Palace, Ala Moana Regional Park, The Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden, Fort DeRussy Beach Park, and Tantalus Lookout – Puu Ualakaa State Park.