The United States of America is considered the most powerful nation in the world and a place so many people dream of visiting, at least once during their lifetime. The country is visited by millions of people from all over the world annually, but only a handful of cities stand out among the rest. It’s in honor of those ranked as a cut above that we present to you the Top 10 Most Visited Cities in the United States by Foreign Travelers. What you’ll notice is that the majority of the top 5 cities boast the added advantage of offering warm weather. Climate is definitely a big key in determining the desired destinations for most travelers. That said, there are also a handful of cities that offer so much character, history and scenery, they’re popular regardless of climate. No matter what floats your boat, there’s something for everyone.
10. Boston
Even outside of the famous Cheers restaurant and the Red Sox’ Fenway Park, Boston has its share of rich history and culture to share with the world. Boston Logan international airport is the best way to access the city from other parts of the world. Within the city, you can take a taxi almost anywhere, but a walk around the city on a sunny afternoon will really open your eyes to Boston’s beauty. One of the many things that the city can boast about is the presence of a large number of exotic restaurants serving international cuisine. If you love eating quality and well-prepared food, you will find Boston a very interesting place.
Boston also offers its share of activities and events; Patriot’s Day and of course the Boston Marathon are two of the marquee events considered to be synonymous with the city. Other festivals include the independent day of Boston and the feast of St. Anthony. Baseball, basketball and football are the most popular sports in the city and the fans are of the die-hard variety, so if you want to see passion, see the Red Sox, Patriots or Bruins play live.
9. Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the state of Illinois, and happens to be one of the most popular and beautiful cities in the country. It boasts a number of top art galleries, hotels, architecture and restaurants. Chi-town offers its share of garden and park areas… not something one would expect to find an abundance of in a major city. Shopping in Chicago is a shopaholic’s dream and fashion designers are in abundance, which means there’s no shortage of availability when it comes to beautiful designer threads. If you want to find the more affordable styles, you can always check out a major outlet that still allows you to go high fashion at lower prices.
Chicago is renowned worldwide for housing over forty different museums. A few of the museums include the Modern Art Museum and The Art Institute of Chicago. The latter, stands out as one of the leading museums in the world today with over 300,000 works exhibited within its confines. Hotels in this city are unbeatable with state of the art architecture and best of the best hotel services. No less than 5 of the top hotels in the city have even made it on the list of the top 500 hotels in the world by a handful of major travel publications. If you want to have a great view of Lake Michigan, doing so from the top of the W Hotel Lakeshore and the Trump International Hotel is an amazing experience.
8. Washington
The capital of the United States and of course the home of the White House comes in as the 8th most visited city on the list. With restaurants sprouting up everywhere, it is becoming one of the top places in the country to enjoy a delicious meal. Washington is popularly known as more of a political city but of course, there is more to the city than just that. It is also a place to know more about the history of America through the numerous monuments scattered all over the city.
Washington is among the most frequently visited city by tourists and business travelers in the US. Things to look out for if you find yourself in Washington D.C. include; the Washington Monument, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Lincoln Memorial, 17 incredible Smithsonian museums and of course the White House. The spring season still remains the best time to visit as it’s prime-time to see the famous cherry blossoms in bloom while Washington’s colors truly shine through in all of their natural glory.
7. Honolulu
Honolulu is the capital and largest city of Hawaii, located on a large bay on the island of Oahu. A host of cultural and historic sites are found just nearby, including both the USS Arizona Memorial and Ornate Lolani Palace. It goes without saying that resort hotels and beautiful beaches serve as perfect relaxation spots in Honolulu. The beaches are truly a sight to behold and the city has no shortage of crystal clear blue waters. Other activities to enjoy include a slew of fine dining establishments, vibrant cultural events, and wild nightlife. There is no doubt Honolulu is a top location for a vacation alone or with your family. The Annual Ukulele Festival is a major attraction in this city and many other expressions of Polynesian and indigenous Hawaiian culture can also be found here.
If you want to learn more on the history of the island, checkout the Polynesian Cultural Center located at the north shore of the island. You’ll find out Hawaiians don’t see themselves as just Native Islanders but also as citizens of the United States…they are very mindful of American heritage even though the city feels like it’s a world away from America’s other metropolitan areas. That’s why you can try a wide variety of food in the city, from your traditional American hamburger to Hawaiian specials like shaved ice with red bean paste or Filipino pork adobo. Renowned chefs such as Alan Wong and Roy Yamaguchi are products of this island. Their unique styles helped make Hawaiian cuisine a very popular all across America.
6. Las Vegas
A city famous for neon lights, casinos and gambling, Las Vegas is an experience like no other and one of the top places to visit in America. It happens to be the largest city in the state and is the “Entertainment Capital of the World”. It’s a city built in the southern Nevada desert, established just over a hundred years ago. The presence of hotels, casinos and other recreational centers makes Sin City a popular place for tourists. The climate conditions are akin to what you’d expect to find in any desert city, hot and dry…and when we say hot, we mean hot, particularly in the summer of course. But believe it or not, the low humidity in Las Vegas actually helps to make the temperature feel not as hot as you might find in other major cities.
Las Vegas is home to 17 of the top 20 biggest hotels in the United States. It has witnessed a constant and unbelievable expansion over the years and you will be dazzled at the wide variety of things to do and lovely places to visit while in the city. But while the city is famous for bright lights and gambling, you should know that the majority of the money that comes into the city is thanks to the marquee shows and booming electronic dance music movement that host parties like no other.
5. San Francisco
With a population just below 1 million, San Francisco is the second most densely populated city and one of the most visited cities in the U.S. You’ve probably seen loads of movies and pictures featuring this beautiful city, but regardless of what you’ve seen before, there’s still much more that San Francisco has to offer. The majority of the tourist attractions in San Francisco are located in close proximity to each other, making them easily accessible. Considered the most beautiful city in the country by many, San Francisco is renowned for its vibrant art scene, exquisite restaurants and incredible outdoor recreation.
If you are a lover of amazing art work, great food, shopping and stunning surroundings, then the best place for you is San Francisco. Thousands of tourists and business people alike visit just to enjoy spectacular scenery and experience fun filled moments. For a more relaxed time, you can take a trip to the pristine white sand beaches near the city, where you can swim, sunbathe and engage in other water sport activities. Overall, San Francisco is an amazing place for any traveler.
4. Orlando
Orlando comes in at the number 4 spot on this list. This central Florida city has everything to offer tourists who are looking to experience the most remarkable moments of their lives including great shopping malls, amazing rides at Disneyland, great food and white-knuckle skydiving encounters -Orlando is definitely a favorite travel destination among tourists from all over the world. The city boasts over 5,000 restaurants from fine dining experiences to family-friendly favorites, about 170 spectacular golf courses where both novice and expert golfers can take on a wide range of challenging courses, and great shopping centers where you can buy an array of top quality items including jewelry, bags, clothes and much more. The city also plays home to incredible resort style spas where guests are treated to heavenly relaxation.
Orlando bills itself as the only place in the country where you can experience unforgettable outdoor activities such as boating, swimming, fishing and trails for walking and biking. Orlando is also considered a haven for honeymooners. With over 95 tourist attractions, Orlando is most definitely among the world’s premier destinations with an array of fun and exciting things to do that keeps most visitors coming back to experience more fun. A combination of its various world-class attractions including world famous Disney parks with pleasant, warm weather makes Orlando one of the top places to visit in the United States. In order to fully explore the city, you’ll need to spend a couple of days here yourself…and you won’t be sorry you did.
3. Los Angeles
Los Angeles should be at the top of the list when it comes to the most scenic, vibrant and lovely cities in the world. It’s the world’s third largest economic center after Tokyo and New York and is the third most visited city in the U.S. The city is home to over 140 ethnic groups speaking 86 different languages and offering a unique mix of culture. Los Angeles is filled with protected and unspoiled natural land. It’s also home to some of the greatest tourist attractions you can find in the world including the Hollywood Hills, Griffith Park, Walt Disney Music Hall, San Gabriel and the Santa Monica mountains.
Like it’s Florida counterpart, Disneyland is of course a world-renowned attraction. It was built way back in 1955. It gives visitors the opportunity to meet different characters from the popular Disney movies, enjoy amusement rides and take in some of the world’s best musical entertainment. Fascinating museums with great art exhibitions, exotic restaurants that offer memorable mealtime experiences, legendary theme parks, comfortable and classy hotel accommodations ranging from cheap to luxury, and scenic drives all make Los Angeles stand out as one of the best cities in the country for tourists.
2. Miami
Are you planning on visiting the United States, yet indecisive of the place to experience fun at its best? Miami is the perfect place for you. Its close proximity to the Caribbean makes Miami an ideal destination for beach goers. An array of palm trees, beautiful beaches and clear blue waters make it a getaway haven for international visitors looking to cross the ocean and experience a different culture. Part of what makes Miami so captivating and enticing are the many free and fun things to do, especially at the white sand beaches. The beaches are great for swimming and usually filled with people, especially on weekends.
Take a stroll along the streets of Miami and catch amazing views of various Art Deco architecture styles and their unique shapes. Miami is also a great place for car enthusiasts, especially in the summer time as luxury and classic cars can be seen driving the main strips. Miami is also one of the cheapest cities to visit by air in the country, allowing savings for tourists and travelers. The pleasant weather, sand, sun, and free entertainment make Miami second on this list of the most visited destinations in the country.
1. New York
New York City is the most populated city in North America and has also been featured in more movies and TV shows than any other city in the United States. It’s no surprise that the Big Apple is the #1 most visited city in the U.S. by foreign travelers. Offering the best of the best fine dining, world-class accommodations, spectacular designs, rich history and unique culture, NYC is one of the true great melting pots in the world. Home to over 8 million people, New York tops many list of the most amazing travel destinations in the United States. It attracts millions of tourists annually and offers visitors a wide variety of lovely things to do.
Some of those things to do include touring famous landmarks such as the Empire State Building, Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, and Metropolitan Museum of Arts. There’s so much you can do in New York, it’s almost impossible to see everything you want in just one visit. The best part is, virtually all of it is a subway or yellow cab away. All of these elements mix and mingle to creating a destination known worldwide as ‘THE’ city to visit in the United States.
