The Largest Cities in the United States

Concrete jungle where dreams are made. Shopping and dining capital extraordinaire. Inspirational trendsetter. New York City wears a number of hats. It is comprised of five well-known boroughs that surround the meeting point of the Hudson River and Atlantic Ocean – the Bronx, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island. Manhattan is the world’s leading financial, commercial, and cultural center. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Modern Art, and Frick Collection, are just the beginning of the dizzying list of world-renowned art galleries. New York is a city brimming with iconic attractions like Time Square, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, and the Brooklyn Bridge.

Los Angeles is a Southern California city that is deeply creative, ruggedly good looking, and filled with countless sunny days. From natural beauty to architectural riches to world-renowned attractions to award-winning cuisine, the City of Angels has it all. LA is a city with mighty ties to Mother Nature; where city streets lead to flower-carpeted hillsides, vibrant neighborhoods back up to golden beaches, and deep-blue skies are the symbolic IMAX screen for epic sunsets. Los Angeles offers so much to see and do from the Santa Monica Pier to Universal Studios to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. So whether travelers are looking to tie up those hiking boots, surf a few waves, or catch a glimpse of a celebrity, they’ll find it here.

Chicago is a sprawling waterfront city on the shores Lake Michigan. The Windy City will blow visitors away with its steely skyscrapers, rocking festivals, top chefs, and low-key Midwest culture. The city’s skyline is punctuated by towering, iconic skyscrapers that include the John Hancock Center, Willis Tower, and the neo-gothic Tribune Tower. Visitors can take their pick of impressive art galleries; from outsider drawings displayed at the Intuit Gallery to the psychedelic paintings of the Museum of Mexican Art to the Art Institute’s impressionist masterpieces. No Chicago experience would be complete without a trip to Millennium Park, Wrigley Field, Lincoln Park Zoo, and the Garfield Park Conservatory.

Houston is a laid-back metropolis in southeast Texas. It’s connected to Galveston Bay, and just minutes from the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico. This city is a high-powered, high-cultured, boot-scooting, pick-up truck kind of town, where visitors can enjoy shopping and take in museums during the day, and enjoy happy hours on leaf-shaded decks in the afternoon. With a world-renowned entertainment and restaurant scene, visitors will have the opportunity to revel in cultural and culinary bliss every night. Houston has a bevy of attractions that bring in tourists from all around the world, such as the Space Center Houston, Museum of Natural Science, Discovery Green, Children’s Museum, and Museum of Fine Arts.

Located in the Sonoran Desert, Phoenix is the sprawling capital city of Arizona in the Southwest U.S. The city offers much more than an escape for snowbirds. There are world-class museums, Mexican-influenced cuisine, rugged deserts and mountains to bike and hike, and high-end shopping boutiques. The city receives over 300 days of welcomed sunshine each year, making it an idyllic destination for outdoor recreation. Sports enthusiasts can catch MLB, NFL, NHL, or NCAA games while in town. Some of the city’s other top attractions include the Desert Botanical Garden, Camelback Mountain, Phoenix Zoo, and Phoenix Art Museum.

Philadelphia, nestled along the gently flowing Delaware River, is Pennsylvania’s largest city. The self-proclaimed “City of Brotherly Love” is home to Independence Hall – the very location the Declaration of Independence was signed by America’s Founding Fathers, as well as the Liberty Bell, a symbol of independence. ‘Philly’, as it’s affectionately referred to by locals, has a vibrant culinary scene influenced by the city’s blended ethnicities. South 9th Street Italian Market or Reading Terminal Market offer a culinary overview. Hallmarks include the popular Philly Cheesesteak sandwich and Philly-style soft pretzel, must-try foodie experiences. Besides the city’s rich history, visitors may want to explore Franklin Institute Science Museum, Philadelphia Zoo, and Rittenhouse Square.

San Antonio is a major metropolis that is located in south-central Texas, approximately 80 miles southwest of Austin. San Antonio is home to The Alamo, an 18th-century Spanish mission that’s been well preserved and now serves as a museum. The site marks a significant battle that took place in 1836, and is a World Heritage Site. River Walk is a focal point of the city, where visitors will find stone walkways lined with restaurants, shaded by large trees. It’s a beautiful area, with calm water flowing down the San Antonio River, graceful bridges, and lots of birds. Visitors should also explore the San Antonio Museum of Art, McNay Art Museum, and San Antonio Botanical Garden.

Self-proclaimed as ‘America’s Finest City’, San Diego may just be that. Approximately 20 miles north of the US/Mexico border, it’s a city known for its 70-mile coastline and famous attractions. San Diego is home to Balboa Park – the country’s largest urban park, Mission Bay – a 4,600-acre manmade aquatic park, and 30th Street Corridor – an emerging craft brew scene. This culturally diverse city is brimming interesting neighborhoods like Little Italy, the Gaslamp Quarter, East Village, and La Jolla that provide their own unique charm and vibrant energy. Boasting weather that’s “always sunny and 72”, San Diegans naturally love the outdoors. Must-see attractions include San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld, Cabrillo National Monument, and LEGOLAND California.

Dallas is a modern, sprawling metropolis that is located in northeast Texas, about 35 miles east of Fort Worth. The city has long been recognized as a cultural and commercial hub for the state of Texas. Famous for its vast contributions in pop culture – most notably the NFL Franchise Dallas Cowboys, the birth of 7-Eleven, Tex-Mex, and the TV Series, Dallas. Visitors should pick a charming neighborhood like Lower Greenville, Deep Ellum, or the Bishop Arts District, stake out a spot on a shaded patio, order a cold beer, and enjoy the quintessential Dallas experience. Visitors should also check out the Dallas Museum of Art, AT&T Stadium, Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, and Klyde Warren Park.

Located approximately 50 miles south of San Francisco, San Jose is a vibrant Bar Area city that is surrounded by beautiful rolling hills within Silicon Valley. The city’s downtown historic district is comprised of several Spanish Colonial Revival structures and an Italianate-style Oddfellows building from 1883. The city has been recognized as one of California’s major technology hubs and is appropriately home to the Tech Museum of Innovation. Santana Row is a popular spot to spend some time, with its delectable eateries, charming movie theater, and designer shops. San Jose features a plethora of fascinating attractions, including the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, San Jose Museum of Art, and Japanese Friendship Garden.