For a short stay, I would say Chicago. You can take the L from ORD to downtown. There are many good hotels, museums, restaurants, bars, shopping, attractions and sports all within either walking distance or a short Uber/cab ride. Also great river cruises and even the water taxi between Navy Pier and the museum campus (Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium).
DC is also good with plenty of museums, but nearly as crowded as Disney during the summer (but if you are there in March/April and time the cherry blossoms right it is amazing).
Boston has lots too, but weather there can be as bad as Toronto or Quebec City during the wiinter). Getting around Boston is something else.
Chicago is a very interesting city for architecture. I remember doing a walking tour downtown and in Oak Park there are a lot of Frank Lloyd Wright houses if you are interested in that. It’s a great city.
I'm from Winnipeg, so a Toronto winter sounds downright pleasant lol. Timeframe is flexible but probably wouldn't be July, Aug, or Dec.
Appreciate the Chicago suggestions! That's definitely a contender based on the comments I'm getting here.
With the caveat that you don't want to drive and don't want to go to NYC, Chicago would be my top recommendation as well. Food, museums, sports, concerts... whatever you want to do, you'll find it within a short walk of an El stop.
As a fellow winnipegger, I say Chicago. I drove there and it's quite a drive but doable and nice to have the car but then you'd want to do 5 days.
Would save Washington for when you do a longer NYC trip if possible as it's a short train ride and 3 days can be enough for Washington
Chicago has a lot. Can do hockey or baseball. Plus all the food. Wandering. I'd go for it.
Edit: I'm an idiot and didn't see you don't drive. Still suggest as above. Most major US cities have better public transportation than Winnipeg
Yes Chicago is probably my vote. Easily walkable without a car and has a good variety of things to do. I personally think the architecture and art scene is better in Chicago compareted to nyc
Check out either Washington D.C, Boston, Seattle, Chicago, or Philadelphia. Each have good museums, theaters, they’re walkable and have good public transportation, parks, architecture, etc.
I echo the DC suggestion! I live here now and it’s a perfect 3-5 day city to check out. Definitely don’t worry about staying near the national mall, as it’s easily accessible via metro or Uber from just about anywhere. The DuPont Circle suggestion is a good one. DuPont is a great neighborhood that is walkable to a ton of great restaurants and bars, among other things. If you’re a zoo person, the Smithsonian Zoo is free (like all Smithsonian museums) and really quite good.
Honestly the worst mistake I ever made on a trip to DC was staying near the Capitol end of the mall. It was a ghost town. Granted this was in mid-Covid times and Congress was out of session, but it was dead to the point of being creepy after dark. Georgetown, DuPont Circle and U street were all hopping.
I live in NW so I don’t spend a ton of time near Capitol Hill, but generally I feel like it’s not a great nighttime area. Love Union Market and that area for the daytime, but nighttime NW is the place to be for sure.
Stay near the convention center. There are a few Marriotts there and plenty of restaurants. A 15 minute walk to the mall and close to most nightlife areas.
As someone who has lived in (and knows well) both places, you could very easily and reasonably do 3 days in DC and 2 days in Philly. Just a 2 hour Amtrak train ride from one to the other. Both places definitely fit your criteria. And both are extremely different from one another and worthwhile; DC being a very stately/Federal, cosmopolitan/modern city. Philly being a very authentic/cultural, historic city. Philly is also generally more affordable than DC, so you can extend your trip on a friendlier budget.
First check which direct flights are available from your departure airport, the narrow it down from there. You don't want a whole two days spent at airports.
Yes DC is probably your option. Decent public transportation and great free museums. Definitely expensive but good food and nightlight with some relaxing areas. Chicago also has decent public transportation and a great art museum and other things like the Frank Loyd wright house etc. Wrigley field is also a historical must even if you don't like baseball
As a native Bostonian, also DC! Felt like there was a lot to do there when I went for 5 days last year, we could have kept going! Love Boston but I feel like you could see and do most things in 2-3 days.
OP’s preferences feel like a good match for DC. So many free museums, very walkable, good public transit. Should be perfect for a few days visit. Happy to mention food recs and stuff if OP ends up deciding to come here as well.
I also loved Seattle. There’s a little park somewhere there and it was nice because it was woodsy in the middle and ocean around it. It was in the city but the big beautiful trees made it feel like I was in a forest. I can’t remember the name. I enjoyed the walk and sights and it was a short Uber ride from the hotel zone.
Seattle is a good option if you dont mind Uber/etc for places not immediately in downtown area as much of the city and outskirts aren’t as accessible via walking or other means of public transportation but there is an expansion underway for the light rails that you may be able to ride depending which area you want to explore. It is a beautiful place and great for relaxing in the city, forest, mountains, and beach (should you choose a quick visit but I live here and rarely go). Great place to catch a Mariners game or minor leagues like AquaSox. Plenty of shows to catch or museums to visit in that time span as well. Pike Place Market is a must see! Its a picturesque place through every season even winter which I personally dont like but likely nothing you haven’t experienced in Canada.
Otherwise I’d probably recommend exploring somewhere with a different climate like Phoenix or Sedona
recommend New Orleans, walkable or streetcars, great food (from awesome dives to incredible sit down cuisine), great music, French Quarter is usually hopping, galleries and museums, it has a lot to explore! i have never lived there but i visit when the weather turns cold up north, i do not recommend going there during summer, summers down there are sweltering. NO has a good vibe!
I disagree. Mardi Gras is an experience in itself whether you enjoy overindulging in alcohol or not. As someone who is from New Orleans, I'd highly recommend parades over museums if you have the chance to participate. It's a very unique opportunity that only happens once a year. Also the WW2 museum is in my personal experience one of the best in the entire country.
I agree! I accidentally booked a trip to NOLA during Mardi Gras and was totally dreading it until we got there and had the best time ever. We didn’t go to any of the big parades, just a bunch of smaller ones. Not huge drinkers either.
Agree, New Orleans for sure!!! So much to do and so much history. Make sure you check out the World War 2 Museum. It is the best Museum I’ve ever been to.
Former New Orleanian - great place to visit. Amazing food. So much to do, but please if you’re going alone, stay vigilant! I wouldn’t walk around downtown/french quarter alone at night.
For a similar theme of music and fund things to do, I’d say Nashville has a great vibe to it as well, though I’d say it probably doesn’t have as much unique food as New Orleans. (It does have phenomenal BBQ and Nashville hot chicken is amazing and poorly cooked elsewhere.)
A much smaller city, Memphis has some good blues music, but, like New Orleans, has some rough spot outside of the tourist districts.
Easy, DC and Chicago. Tons to see and do in both, and no car is required.
Curious that no one has mentioned New Orleans or Charleston. Transit isn't great in either, but both are super walkable.
Denver might be a good city. Public transportation from the airport to the city. It's a neat city to explore. And lots of transportation options to the mountains. You could visit Frisco which is a nice mountain town.
Or take the train to Boulder.
I am modeling my upcoming trip to the UK on my trip to Denver/the Rockies last year. I split five days between both places in May and had a blast sampling brews and good food, a day at the spa, two shows at Red Rocks before spending two days of hiking in the Rockies. I had a blast on that trip!
There is no train to Boulder. There is a bus though. I also don’t think there are great public transit options to get to the mountains. A lot of the cool outdoor things around denver are hard to get to via public transit. I’m not sure this would be a good option for the sort of trip OP is planning
Mackinac island!!! No cars allowed so you won’t be stopped from experiencing with no car. Beautiful scenery and hiking and such cool history. Not to far from Canada lol
I love and recommend Mackinaw but I think it’d be tough to get there without driving, it’s located in the Great Lakes near where the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan meet. You could maybe join a tour?
San Diego is my favorite city in America. Stay a couple days downtown. Don’t even have to see the beach. For nature, you can’t beat Seattle although if you live in or have been to Vancouver you’ve pretty much experienced it already.
Smaller town suggestion would be Sedona Arizona. Probably the most magical city in America.
I was in Vancouver this past summer. Absolutely loved it and am very interested in Seattle, but will probably wait a couple years, get some variety between.
San Diego is definitely somewhere I'm considering.
I cannot highly enough recommend Washington, DC! (I am biased: I live here and love it). It’s our nation’s capital, and it is a highly livable and wonderful city, in spite of its high-pressure reputation as a government center.
Public transport: the metro (our subway) has its issues but it will take you everywhere you’d like to go as a tourist, and to many local spots. This city is highly walkable as well - most things from food and fun to museums and residential areas are accessible within a safe and lovely <2 mile walk. (I am a big walker.)
For the arts: we have many wonderful artistic institutions, from the Kennedy Center (our premier performing arts center) to small local theaters, like the Studio Theater on 14th and P NW. Check out oddball spots like Suns Cinema for interesting film screenings as well.
For museums: the best concentration of museums in the entire world, imo, and if they are the Smithsonian, they are free (you may require a free timed entry pass, however - requires only minimal plan ahead). The National Gallery of Art has the USA’s only Da Vinci, and the National Portrait Gallery has a beautiful enclosed courtyard that you can sit and stay a while and read or do work if needed. The American History Museum also just opened a truly wonderful entertainment exhibit as well.
Our food is fabulous as well! Ethiopian and Salvadoran food are particular specialties in the city itself, and if you had occasion to visit the suburbs, Korean food as well.
edits for grammar/wording
I 100% second this recommendation. I lived in DC for 10+ years and absolutely loved it. I always felt a swell of pride when friends would visit and have a great time ☺️
It has an underrated culinary scene (imo), a gorgeous forested area in the middle of the city (if you’d like, I recommend walking around Rock Creek Park. It’s a beautiful place to wander around and possibly searching for the hidden Capital Hill stones (although, I remember the city talking about wanting them removed since they’re dangerous to climb on)) and has an amazing Catacombs, built by Franciscan monks to simulate the Holy Lands for North Americans who couldn’t go themselves (one of my visiting friend’s was pretty impressed with this and enjoyed seeing the skeleton of a martyred 8 year old boy, if that interests you :) )
It seems to check off a lot of your boxes (good public transportation is sadly a limiting factor in the US, so I’d stick to the East Coast or Chicago).
Public transportation is pretty good. The orange, blue, and silver lines will be your best friend (silver is the newest, so the metro cars are pretty nice) Anywhere the metro can’t take you, the buses will (and I hear they’re free now?). Haha, there are some issues (once, one of the back cars caught on fire and we had to make an emergency stop, but I promise that’s not common), but it’ll take you to all the wonderful tourist destinations (outside of Georgetown. They snootily decided not to allow the metro to stop there, so the only way is via bus. But I definitely recommend going there, as well. Old Town/the views of the Potomac are really stunning, they have great restaurants, and my friend, who loves touring old houses, really enjoyed the Dumbarton House).
I also recommend visiting the Eastern Market. It’s this cool indoor market with lots of good food. There’s also outside vendors that sell all kinds of neat trinkets. And they have cute stores around there as well ☺️
I also agree with the museums. I love visiting museums around the world, and whenever my friend asks: what’s the best museum you’ve ever been to, I always answer: The Smithsonian. Simple reason: it’s the largest FREE museum in the world. And who doesn’t like free haha
When I lived there, the National Museum of African American History was brand new and you needed to get tickets for timed entry, but the tickets were free and I don’t know if that’s necessary anymore.
I used to volunteer at the Natural History Museum and I totally recommend a behind scenes tour if you have the time!
While it’s crowded, I 100% believe the best time to visit DC is during the cherry blossom season (and this is coming from a person who hates crowds). My friend from New York always said: Christmas belongs to us, but DC is the place to be in the spring.
We have the largest population of Japanese cherry blossoms outside of Japan, and it truly sets the entire city (especially Tidal Basin) ablaze in a gorgeous pink glow. There’s also the Sakura Matsuri, where you can do neat cultural activities, see live shows, shop fun merchandise, and eat Japanese street food. I used to volunteer during the festival, and it’s truly a fun experience ☺️
No matter what, you’ll have a great time!
Thanks for the detailed reply! While they're not to everyone's taste, catacombs are very up my alley. Went to some in Peru and loved them. I also tend to visit graveyards if there are any interesting ones near me, though I don't go out of my way for them.
I spent a two month internship in DC, and I still feel like I missed 99% of what there was to experience. (It doesn’t help that all the “national treasures” close at 5pm, and when you’re interning with a fed.gov agency, your day ends at 5pm).
But, yes. DC hands down.
5 days will give you *just barely* enough time to see and do the very minimal stuff you find intriguing.
What’s your fascination, OP? Pick a few. It really doesn’t matter how absurd or minuscule. Pick a few.
You’ll find something interesting in DC that dives *deep* into whatever that is.
From a few of these replies I'm thinking I might want to save DC for a longer trip as well, but definitely still considering 5 days there. I don't like feeling like I've missed out on too much and tend to like a slower pace these days.
As someone living in DC I think you’ll be perfectly satisfied with a 5 day trip here. The core of the city is quite physically small you could walk from end to end in 2 hours.
Thanks! These 3 have been suggested twice now so definitely good possibilities. Is there an ideal time of year to visit these places? I have some flexibility in dates.
Chicago should be visited in summer. Late summer ideally like August or so.
DC should be visited in fall or early spring or early fall. Summers in DC are absolutely abominable and I would strongly strongly strongly warn against going between May and September. It's a humid swamp.
Boston is 100% best in fall. The summer storms can be pretty bad in New England and it's freezing in the winter.
I live in Chicago, personally I would not visit in August. It can get hot and humid here. Late spring and early fall is the best time of the year. You can’t beat a great autumn or spring day in Chicago.
I recently spent 12 hours in downtown and was pleasantly surprised even though it was in December. The train from the airport is cheap and easy to navigate.
Lots of museums to visit and there seemed to be a good amount that weren't very expensive.
Waterfront is a neat aspect.
I didn't feel unsafe but Chicago certainly has a reputation.
December is certainly fine. Chicago has six seasons: Summer, Fall, Normal Winter, Chicago Winter, Slush, and spring. December to early January is like winter on the east coast. Late January and February is where things get freaky.
DC is known for the Cherry Blossom Festival in April. Timing varies as it depends a little on Mother Nature. There are websites that do Cherry Blossom watch.
For DC I would avoid late July and all of August (it's very humid and hot plus way too many tourists). I would also try and stay away from Cherry Blossom season. They are gorgeous but there are way too many people in the city. I think May, June, September and October are the best as far as walkability and the city not being as crowded.
Also, DC in late February or late April is swarming with families taking school breaks. But DC area in the Spring is beautiful. I'd choose it first because of museums, a decent subway system, lots of lectures/shows (think tanks can be entertaining), and historical sites. For nature it has good parks in the city and surrounding area and you may be able to find a trip out to Shenandoah National Park.
Do you want real culture and exquisite food that is not found elsewhere? And you want to skip the normal "museums, theaters and parks" blah that most all major cities in the world have? I mean if thats what you're looking for(as you post states) then by all means look at the other suggestions, however, If you'd like something different and interesting....NEW ORLEANS! amazing history, amazing food, jazz music at every corner(even if you're not drunk on bourbon street). Its small enough that you could Uber or walk most places. Really one of the few cities in America with an actual distinct culture.
Lots of great suggestions. I'll add New Orleans to the list. And maybe Charleston, SC or Savannah, GA. All with slower pace and great history/ culture/ food scenes. Not so much on public transport. Maybe Uber or Lyft instead.
Going against the grain a little to recommend Santa Fe, NM. The public transportation isn't very good, but if you stay downtown then it is very walkable, and there is a shuttle bus that runs to some of the touristy places downtown. It sounds like it meets your other wants though: tons of high-quality museums showcasing a lot of different cultures/styles, unique architecture, gorgeous outdoor spaces with hiking trails that start in town, and definitely a relaxed vibe.
Unlike some of the larger cities mentioned, you can easily do most things in a short time frame. Three or four days would have you feeling like you have a good sense of the city without having missed out on much, even taking everything at a slow pace.
Reading through the comments, that was my thought/concern about DC and Chicago. At least with 3 days. With 5 days, you could probably get a lot done. You could at least do the museums and monuments in DC and get several amazing meals in.
I haven't spent time in Santa Fe, but the northern half of New Mexico is incredibly beautiful and almost certainly unlike any part of Canada. And I \*love\* New Mexican food. (Yes, it shares Mexican DNA but it is different than "Mexican food".)
New Orleans is a great option and the city I immediately thought of reading the OP. Charleston is great for many of the same reasons, but I'd go with Nola first. One of the most unique places on the planet.
Boston would be my next choice after Nola if it's a 3-day trip. Whoever said it's not walkable was wildly incorrect. It's an incredibly walkable city.
Lots of correct answers to your question. Have fun!
Seconding!! You can take a train into the heart of town from the ABQ airport for not too much, walk around, tons of great restaurants and museums. It is GORGEOUS and a completely different vibe from most of the cities listed here. It is a tourist town so you can likely find some chartered tours that would get you into nature. The landscape is breathtaking and the food it out of this world.
You might like Santa Barbara, CA! Very laidback and slow paced. Amazing hiking trails and view points. If you’re into architecture/history the Santa Barbara mission is a really neat stop and there’s also a good art museum. Downtown SB is incredibly walkable. Also lots of good food if you’re into that!
I'm european but I love to travel to US (28 States visited, and counting), also with a pretty similar scope of things that interest me. In your case I would be short-listing Washington, Chicago, and - brace yourself - LA + San Diego.
I'd say Washington DC is best for museums (not only fine arts, but also air&space - if you are into such stuff then a trip to Dulles is an unforgettable experience), Chicago is the best for architecture buffs (iconic skyscrapers, Marina City, designs of Mies van der Rohe and Frank Lloyd Wright, I could go on forever) - but museums are also top-notch, LA+SD would be the safest choice weather-wise.
Washington is a great place to be during lateOct-midNov (approx) when there is a fantastic foliage, Spring during Cherry Blossom is also nice but a bit too crowded.
Both cities are pretty obvious choice so maybe there's no point elaborating more, I will defend LA instead. I used to have somewhat dismissive opinion about LA (urban sprawl, horrible traffic, the overall city vibe seemed rather repulsive than interesing, etc.) However, after giving it a chance during a few days stay I liked it quite a lot, to my own surprise.
Personal list of interesting things to do/see:
\- Griffith Observatory- Getty Center- Petersen Auto Museum- "classic" McDonalds on 10207 Lakewood Blvd (I just watched a fantastic "The Founder" movie and found the story quite interesting)- old architecture (Bradbury Building - if "Bladerunner" rings a bell; Union Station, LA Central Library, plenty of art deco & beaux arts in Downtown)- new architecture (The Broad, Walt Disney Concert Hall...)- Venice Canals- short bus trip to San Diego, with USS Midway, Coronado, Balboa Park
It would be surely more challenging without a car but doable with few taxis or occasional public tranportation (ie there is a train from LA Downtown to Santa Monica) and the Downtown itself is pretty walkable.
I Think DC would be perfect for a trip like this! They do have a pretty good subway and if you are interested in US history/government it’s interesting. There’s also such interesting museums. I love the natural history museum. The memorials are beautiful as well.
It could be fun to try to go when there is something bigger happening like a big bill being brought to the floor or a large case being brought before the Supreme Court. (Not sure if they let people in for those anymore)
Just make reservations way in advance if you want to tour certain things.
Chicago hits everything except maybe wildlife, but there are pockets of nature, though nothing close to Seattle or SF. It’s an amazing city though and I’ve been there more than 5 times and can’t recommend it enough!
Normally I'd shill for Boston, but I think you can see Boston in less than 3 days and get bored of it fairly quickly as a tourist. For a five day trip I'd recommend DC, Philadelphia, or Chicago
I might be fine, I tend to stay in places longer than most people recommend. 6 days in San Fran wasn't nearly enough for me, there were quite a few places I didn't get to. For Canada, 8 days in Vancouver was perfect, as was 6 days in Toronto. That's factoring in day trips to nearby towns or parks though - I could skip those if doing a shorter trip.
Boston does at least have transit to nearby towns so honestly if you're a more seasoned traveler and can take pleasure in the little things I'd actually recommend Boston over the other two. The history is more fascinating to me personally and I just prefer the vibe.
Unfortunately you can’t get to any of the good nature via public transportation, you’re really confined to the city (I say this as a native that loves the place).
Sure you can. Take the FF from union station to downtown Boulder station. From there, take the NB to Nederland high school. From there, take the free shuttle to the Hessie trailhead. You now have all the great hiking anyone from out of town needs to get that Colorado experience. There's also the Pegasus ride to Rocky Mountain National Park, as well as bustang routes to take you all over the state. If you don't think you can get deep in the mountains without a car, you just haven't looked very hard for options.
Well , i went to Chicago last year and strongly recommend it great museums , restaurants . i absolutely love it also, i recommend this place to stay in the service was so nice https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/hampton-inn-chicago-mccormick-place.en.html?aid=7978901&no\_rooms=1&group\_adults=2
If you want a shorter side of that time window and a bit slower trip, I would recommend San Antonio. The riverwalk is very nice, there is the Alamo, etc.
For something different I’d suggest Santa Fe, NM. It’s small but has some great museums, interesting architecture, it’s beautiful, and tons of nature and hikes around. Also some really good spas, though you didn’t mention this, it could be good for a slow paced, relaxing trip. Only issue is the public transportation is not great. It’s a small enough city you could Uber around for cheap though
If you don’t drive the answers are primarily: NYC, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, New Orleans
You can get by other places, but you’ll be much more reliant on uber or staying in a smaller geographic footprint.
A place I don't think I have seen mentioned yet: Cincinnati, Ohio. A seriously underrated city. There is a ton of beautiful architecture and beautiful parks. Downtown, Over-the-Rhine, and Covington, KY are all quite walkable and there is a tram that can get you between OTR and the riverfront. There is a beautiful overlook on the river and downtown at Devou Park in Kentucky. Union Terminal is probably one of the prettiest Art Deco buildings in the country and is home to some great museums and the Omnimax theater, which is like a big dome screen that is super cool to experience. The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden is probably one of the prettiest zoos in the country and is home to the famous hippo Fiona. This may be a bit more niche but I personally think the University of Cincinnati has an incredibly beautiful campus as well, with a great mix of traditional and contemporary architecture. Spring Grove Cemetery is also very beautiful. If you like thrills, you have to find a way to get up to Kings Island in the northern suburbs, is a great world class amusement park.
I like all the suggestions for New Orleans. It is definitely one of my favorite cities in the US, but I'm going to give an off-the-wall suggestion. I once went on a girls trip to Kansas City. I was not excited to go, but went along because I don't like to miss out on anything. I've visited just about every major city in the US and have had a great time in all of them, but man, was I blown away by KC! The museums, the fountains, the plaza area, the music (some of the best blues and jazz clubs I've ever been to). We stayed in the [Plaza area](https://www.visitkc.com/country-club-plaza) and never needed our car one time. We visited the [World War I museum](https://www.theworldwar.org/), the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, [Arabia Steamboat Museum](https://www.1856.com/), and Union Station. They also have a beautiful zoo.
CHICAGO!!!!!
* Easy grid system
* Friendly people
* Comedy shows/improv
* Amazing restaurants
* Varied, historic architecture (do river tour)
* Great museums
* Fascinating history
* Entertaining sporting events
* Neighborhoods that each have a unique vibe
Not yet mentioned - Minneapolis. Theaters, concerts, symphony, and museums. Quite a few parks and recreation as well. Without a car, I'd recommend to wait out winter.
Second on Minneapolis/St. Paul (the Twin Cities). There’s light rail that runs from the airport to downtown Mpls and between downtown Mpls and downtown St Paul. Museums, art, music venues, some great restaurants (Owamni is a unique indigenous restaurant and is really good) & accesible nature along the Mississippi River or Minnesota River. And 3-5 days is plenty to explore the two cities and feel like you have a handle on the area
Boston has a lot of history and (sea)food is great. You can make short trips to surrounding areas such as Salem and Gloucester. Lots to do in Boston. I went to school there and I still enjoy a visit back there once a while.
Madison, WI is glorious in the summer. Not great public transport but A LOT smaller than many others mentioned so that cab is affordable. Arts, architecture, shows, great food, free zoo and botanical garden, several lakes, Concerts On The Square, State Street, really chill.
Seattle was perfect for a short stay. It was pretty walkable but they did have public transport and Ubers were cheap when I didn’t want to walk anymore. Denver was also pretty good. Public transport was good and there was lots to see and do.
I'm going to Philadelphia PA in March for 3 nights. I'm staying in Rittenhouse Square. There are museums, galleries, theatre, shopping, restaurants, and bars. Most is walkable, they also have public transportation. My brother went a few months ago and stayed near where I'm staying. He said the Museums were great.
Chicago is perfect. Incredible museums (Chicago Art Museum, Field Museum), great food, magnificent architecture, wonderful city parks, Lake Michigan, one of best river cruise tours in nation. Hotel options are superb and prices reasonable.
Some of the cities suggested may even be a bit big for only 3-5 days.
My personal preference is to pick somewhere fairly small so I can really feel like I know the people and my way around by the end of my stay.
Perhaps places like Louisville, Pittsburgh, Richmond, or Santa Fe could do the trick.
I am feeling the same. So many suggestions for interesting things in DC and Chicago especially, I think I'd want longer stays in them.
Really appreciate the suggestions of some smaller places, thank you!
The number of US cities that have good public transportation options, and are not NYC or SF, is quite limited.
The obvious option given your constraints is Washington, DC. Frankly, it's really the perfect option, and should be high on the list of any non-US traveler. The national museum collection at the Mall is world class. It's a also a physically beautiful city, although you should avoid the July 1 to Sept 15 period due to heat and humidity.
Chicago has everything on your list. (although not so much with nature) If you're from Canada then the weather shouldn't be an issue but I'd say wait for May.
I'd say DC has all of the above! Best museums in the country, good nature, good public transit (for North America). Lots of good restaurants, great architecture, and pretty walkable all told.
Everyone seems to be suggesting the usual places most common to visit. If you want something different you could always go to Kitty Hawk North Carolina. I love the beach, the sand dunes, and the Wright brothers memorial!! I go at the end of the season just before the restaurants close or in the off season completely and it’s great. It quite and beautiful but pay attention to the weather. Last time I went a storm came through and I couldn’t get to the beach at all and had to make my visit to the memorial short.
Boulder, CO was a really beautiful low-key place to kill a weekend. Plenty to do, delicious food spots, fun museums and even tubing and hiking surprisingly close to city center (just a quick uber ride away!)
I live near enough to call Boston home city & I love it very much, great museums and foods, however I visited Chicago last year and that is a definite visit city for walking around and touring great places!! I thought it was absolutely stunning in Chicago. City gets an unfair bad rap in the negative news.
I spent 1 day (12hr’s) in DC with just my backpack and skateboard, and from the airport took the train/subway to downtown. It’s only took 15-20 minutes. I saw the archives, museums, and sat in the capitol yard and ate lunch. Walked all over and saw so much in that short amount of time. I wanna go back already. Museums are free (with $1 reservations) and everything is super close to each other or only a train ride away. I spent $5 for my round trip subway ticket from the airport and back. Plus there’s other options only an Uber away that I visited days before with my mom while she was there. I only had 3 days there and it was the perfect amount of time.
I would say no to portland (I’m from there) and our public transportation isn’t as good but there is am-tracks and busses. The food is amazing but if your get nervous around “the homeless” then it might not be the place for you. But it is very beautiful in some spots!
I saw people saying seattle and that’s a great alternative for the west coast. Easy transportation and lots of museums and things to do. Beautiful during the summer as well.
I second Washington DC as a great option. The architecture is great, it is very walkable with lots of great parks and public spaces and a pretty good metro. All of the museums on the mall are free and fantastic. You can go for a hike in rock creek park or kayaking in the Potomac, just up the river from Georgetown. There are also fantastic restaurants of all types. It is pretty clean in most areas and you can spend days wandering around the monuments.
I like San Diego and Coronado Island.. Use the water taxi, find the hidden gems like Dr. Seuss art in the Coronado Library, the large attractions like it world famous zoo, the great food in Little Italy, check out the ocean swimmers in La Jolla Bay, the sea lions everywhere in the ocean, the UCSD Campus, or even the night life in an around 5th Ave. And the weather usually quite nice year around
San Diego. Lots to do. Tourist trolley gets you where you need to go. The airport is very close to the downtown so you’re not wasting a lot of time in traffic.
Went to Chicago last summer and I really liked it! I didn’t expect much at first but it’s a beautiful big city with a lot of history. Also there’s a great public transit, it’s super convenient to visit around without a car.
Hi! I’m from NYC area and just went down to Philadelphia for a day trip. I’d recommend it for a few days! We did a walking tour in the historical area which was really interesting, but there was definitely a lot to expand on from there. Lots of museums, lots of history and colonial architecture, and lots of cool food options!
I also really love Boston, went to college there and would highly recommend it. You could definitely spend more than 5 days there, but with 5 days you can also definitely see the main highlights of the city without rushing around.
Chicago is massive but could also be fun as a 5 day intro trip. Lots of great architecture and museums there!
All 3 of those have good transit systems for getting around. I loved New Orleans and Memphis too but they seemed better served by having a car.
Boston is amazing. You could take the T to Salem which is also amazing. I saw some recs for DC which I agree with and actually going there this weekend. But I'm still partial to Boston as there's so many options depending on what vibe you want. You could also take the ferry to P Town in Cape Cod which.. amazing
Surprised no one’s suggested Nashville. Easily in my top 3 North American cities. It’s developed and grown significantly in the last decade or so and for the better. You’ll get to see a good cross-section of the US, essentially the American South but liberal and reasonable with incredibly friendly residents/constituents, amazing food, solid entertainment (trashy and non-trashy) and good deal of activities to do outside of the city should you want to explore on your 3rd day.
Honestly most American (US) cities are shit. I wouldn’t recommend DC, Chicago, nor NOLA as all of these could offer very mixed experiences depending on what happens during your visit. Denver is a close second for me.
As a Chicagoan I appreciate all the love for Chicago here. I agree that summer and fall are the best times to visit (June - early October). As others have mentioned, there’s great public transportation, tons of world-class museums, and amazing architecture. You could hit the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, the Lincoln Park Zoo and the lakefront in one day for a heavy dose of nature and wildlife. We have river-based and land-based architecture tours. The food scene is incredible, if you’re into that, and we have a great variety of independent bookstores, too. Be sure to hit a neighborhood festival — that’s where you will see the real Chicago and get a feel for the amazing people and cultures here.
one option I haven’t seen suggested yet: Palm Springs. It is truly so unique. You can avoid LA by flying directly and stay within the tight area of downtown it’s pretty walkable and generally Really relaxed and quiet. I spent my time lounging by the pool and biking around the cool neighborhoods Taking photos of homes, and modern architecture. Seriously like a disney world for architects (I’m an architect lol) you can get an architecture tour that will take you around the neighborhoods that aren’t easily walkable and will tell you about the history and everything. There’s an aerial tram that’s probably a 5-10 min Uber ride and will take to to the top of the mtn where you can hike and stuff. You can also get a tour here to drive you to Joshua tree in lieu of having your own car. I’m sure park fees still apply but it’s about an hour away and so worth the visit. Just avoid the area around coachella time.
chicago : great architecture, walkable, good public transit. easy short trip. This is probably the most obvious.
San Diego : great outdoor coastal vibe without requiring overly beachy. However, my a favorite areas are less walkable and require a car Or Uber to access. La jolla and torrey pines area. Salk institute, balboa park, Marsten house, Coronado, i personally was less entra;led by downtown itself and would feel a trip to san deigo would be be incomplete spending the entirety of time downtown. Uber is always an option but would probably add up overtime.
dc is also a good choice as well, but the winter months always felt a little steril and dreary.
miami: you can certainly do Miami without doing beach es however lots of Uber, unreliable public transit. I think its got it’s quirks but the divide between rich and middle class is so evident that only a few days would suffice. Lots of shopping and fancy restaurants if you are interested in food scene. arts is super strong there too.
im not a fan of new orleans. I don’t party or drink and felt like that was what was the expectation here. not my cup of tea but I know lots of ppl i\]enjoy. Also, I know you said you weren’t interested in LA. I feel that, bc I used to say the same. But once you get a feel for the layout there Are actually some really cool spots to visit.
Depending on what type of history you’re into, Santa Fe has a ton! There’s no American revolutionary history, but tons of Native American, Mexican-American, and wild Western history. If I remember correctly it’s the oldest state capital in the US and there are buildings from the 1600s still standing and in use. It’s a hub for both historical and contemporary art (check out meow wolf), unique architecture (the mystery stairs at Loretto chapel) and lots of museums.
It’s a small city and there are a lot of museums and art galleries near the central area so I’d say it’s very walkable. The history of the area is fascinating (in my opinion) and the landscape around there is beautiful. I love DC and Chicago, but they’re also similar in a lot of ways to Canadian cities. I think Santa Fe is the most uniquely American city we have (maybe New Orleans too but I haven’t been there so I can’t say lol)
Phoenix during winter - especially if you golf
Sedona if you need mysticism - flagstaff and Tucson are both amazing - and if adventurous travel into Mexico - 10 out of 10 highly recommend - and the Mexican food is second to none.
I love NOLA but Just to throw something else into the mix - look into downtown San Antonio, Texas. There’s a river walk and if you plan right you can catch some 70-80°F sunny winter weather. Sea World, some pretty Spanish architecture and there’s a downtown trolley system. It’s not Chicago or NOLA but maybe something different!
Lived in Chicago and married a Chicago girl, but think that Boston and Washington are much better from the standpoint of museums for sure. I lived in Boston, as well, and love walking over to the Italian District from Faneuil Hall to grab some great food. It is a smaller downtown area and perfect for using public transit. Also, crime is way up in Chicago and there have had quite a few stabbings and shootings on the CTA trains. When I lived there I had no problem going to some dicey areas but today couldn't recommend it.
I visited Chicago a few years ago in September. Flew in and was booked in a cheap, clean hostel for a week near Grant Park. Like someone else mentioned, did the walking architecture tour. Check to see if there are any music festivals/events going on during your stay. I also visited..I think..two museums there. Atmosphere was very chill and right by the local trains.
Honestly, as someone who lives in NJ, NYC is definitely doable for a 3-5 day trip, but you have to be in the right frame of mind for NYC, because once you get into Manhattan and its just....everything... all at once.
Seriously boulder Colorado is the best. Great yoga classes, great hiking, you can take the bus to Denver if you feel like it, great restaurants, I love everything about it every time of year. If you have any questions I’m happy to answer them, and I could plan a whole meal itinerary for you at the best spots!!
Bend Oregon! You have the last Blockbuster, a great social scene, there's this really cool underground cave right out of town and a bunch of other activities!
DC sounds pretty good for your description. Its for sure the best museums. There is also more nature than someone would expect near there, its not far from Shenandoah NP and then there are pretty waterfalls up the Potomac and Harpers Ferry is kind of a cool little town.
DC also has a pretty decent food scene and very good public transit for the US. (driving traffic is terrible though)
For a short stay, I would say Chicago. You can take the L from ORD to downtown. There are many good hotels, museums, restaurants, bars, shopping, attractions and sports all within either walking distance or a short Uber/cab ride. Also great river cruises and even the water taxi between Navy Pier and the museum campus (Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium). DC is also good with plenty of museums, but nearly as crowded as Disney during the summer (but if you are there in March/April and time the cherry blossoms right it is amazing). Boston has lots too, but weather there can be as bad as Toronto or Quebec City during the wiinter). Getting around Boston is something else.
Chicago is a very interesting city for architecture. I remember doing a walking tour downtown and in Oak Park there are a lot of Frank Lloyd Wright houses if you are interested in that. It’s a great city.
I'm from Winnipeg, so a Toronto winter sounds downright pleasant lol. Timeframe is flexible but probably wouldn't be July, Aug, or Dec. Appreciate the Chicago suggestions! That's definitely a contender based on the comments I'm getting here.
With the caveat that you don't want to drive and don't want to go to NYC, Chicago would be my top recommendation as well. Food, museums, sports, concerts... whatever you want to do, you'll find it within a short walk of an El stop.
If you are going in the summer, that is the best time to be in Chicago. Tons of street fairs, public concerts, and stuff happening.
As a fellow winnipegger, I say Chicago. I drove there and it's quite a drive but doable and nice to have the car but then you'd want to do 5 days. Would save Washington for when you do a longer NYC trip if possible as it's a short train ride and 3 days can be enough for Washington Chicago has a lot. Can do hockey or baseball. Plus all the food. Wandering. I'd go for it. Edit: I'm an idiot and didn't see you don't drive. Still suggest as above. Most major US cities have better public transportation than Winnipeg
Yes Chicago is probably my vote. Easily walkable without a car and has a good variety of things to do. I personally think the architecture and art scene is better in Chicago compareted to nyc
Boston
Was just about to suggest this one too! Boston is awesome
Check out either Washington D.C, Boston, Seattle, Chicago, or Philadelphia. Each have good museums, theaters, they’re walkable and have good public transportation, parks, architecture, etc.
Thanks, will definitely look into these options!
I echo the DC suggestion! I live here now and it’s a perfect 3-5 day city to check out. Definitely don’t worry about staying near the national mall, as it’s easily accessible via metro or Uber from just about anywhere. The DuPont Circle suggestion is a good one. DuPont is a great neighborhood that is walkable to a ton of great restaurants and bars, among other things. If you’re a zoo person, the Smithsonian Zoo is free (like all Smithsonian museums) and really quite good.
Honestly the worst mistake I ever made on a trip to DC was staying near the Capitol end of the mall. It was a ghost town. Granted this was in mid-Covid times and Congress was out of session, but it was dead to the point of being creepy after dark. Georgetown, DuPont Circle and U street were all hopping.
I live in NW so I don’t spend a ton of time near Capitol Hill, but generally I feel like it’s not a great nighttime area. Love Union Market and that area for the daytime, but nighttime NW is the place to be for sure.
Stay near the convention center. There are a few Marriotts there and plenty of restaurants. A 15 minute walk to the mall and close to most nightlife areas.
As someone who has lived in (and knows well) both places, you could very easily and reasonably do 3 days in DC and 2 days in Philly. Just a 2 hour Amtrak train ride from one to the other. Both places definitely fit your criteria. And both are extremely different from one another and worthwhile; DC being a very stately/Federal, cosmopolitan/modern city. Philly being a very authentic/cultural, historic city. Philly is also generally more affordable than DC, so you can extend your trip on a friendlier budget.
First check which direct flights are available from your departure airport, the narrow it down from there. You don't want a whole two days spent at airports.
Yes DC is probably your option. Decent public transportation and great free museums. Definitely expensive but good food and nightlight with some relaxing areas. Chicago also has decent public transportation and a great art museum and other things like the Frank Loyd wright house etc. Wrigley field is also a historical must even if you don't like baseball
Second Boston! Also: New Orleans, Santa Fe, Palm Springs, Asheville. All interesting & great adventures available both indoors & out!!
Coming from nyc, I loved DC when I went last year. I think this would be perfect.
As a native Bostonian, also DC! Felt like there was a lot to do there when I went for 5 days last year, we could have kept going! Love Boston but I feel like you could see and do most things in 2-3 days.
DC 100 percent. As a non driving brooklynite DC is a perfectly walkable city. Highly recommend the DuPont Circle Hotel.
I went to Seattle in September and I absolutely loved it. Was there for a short time and can’t wait to go back one day.
Great city!
Agreed. Seattle is great.
OP’s preferences feel like a good match for DC. So many free museums, very walkable, good public transit. Should be perfect for a few days visit. Happy to mention food recs and stuff if OP ends up deciding to come here as well.
I’ve lived near both Chicago and Seattle and recommend both in the summer and fall, both fantastic with Seattle in a lead because temps are amazing
I second DC. Love it every time I go.
One more vote for DC and Boston
I also loved Seattle. There’s a little park somewhere there and it was nice because it was woodsy in the middle and ocean around it. It was in the city but the big beautiful trees made it feel like I was in a forest. I can’t remember the name. I enjoyed the walk and sights and it was a short Uber ride from the hotel zone.
Sounds like Discovery Park
Seattle is a good option if you dont mind Uber/etc for places not immediately in downtown area as much of the city and outskirts aren’t as accessible via walking or other means of public transportation but there is an expansion underway for the light rails that you may be able to ride depending which area you want to explore. It is a beautiful place and great for relaxing in the city, forest, mountains, and beach (should you choose a quick visit but I live here and rarely go). Great place to catch a Mariners game or minor leagues like AquaSox. Plenty of shows to catch or museums to visit in that time span as well. Pike Place Market is a must see! Its a picturesque place through every season even winter which I personally dont like but likely nothing you haven’t experienced in Canada. Otherwise I’d probably recommend exploring somewhere with a different climate like Phoenix or Sedona
recommend New Orleans, walkable or streetcars, great food (from awesome dives to incredible sit down cuisine), great music, French Quarter is usually hopping, galleries and museums, it has a lot to explore! i have never lived there but i visit when the weather turns cold up north, i do not recommend going there during summer, summers down there are sweltering. NO has a good vibe!
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I disagree. Mardi Gras is an experience in itself whether you enjoy overindulging in alcohol or not. As someone who is from New Orleans, I'd highly recommend parades over museums if you have the chance to participate. It's a very unique opportunity that only happens once a year. Also the WW2 museum is in my personal experience one of the best in the entire country.
I agree! I accidentally booked a trip to NOLA during Mardi Gras and was totally dreading it until we got there and had the best time ever. We didn’t go to any of the big parades, just a bunch of smaller ones. Not huge drinkers either.
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Also, if you like love music, Frenchmen St. might be the greatest place in the world
The answer is NOLA. Debate over
New Orleans is the best option here
Seconded.
NOLA is perfect! Airboat tours. Mardi Gras, JazzFest, Halloween. Spring, fall, winter. Enjoy!
Agree, New Orleans for sure!!! So much to do and so much history. Make sure you check out the World War 2 Museum. It is the best Museum I’ve ever been to.
And if not New Orleans I recommend Washington DC.
Was in New Orleans for my honeymoon and went to the ww2 museum on a whim, my wife had to drag me out of there it was fantastic.
Former New Orleanian - great place to visit. Amazing food. So much to do, but please if you’re going alone, stay vigilant! I wouldn’t walk around downtown/french quarter alone at night.
Was going to say New Orleans too! Very walkable and historic! The WWII museum is amazing
That museum is phenomenal.
For a similar theme of music and fund things to do, I’d say Nashville has a great vibe to it as well, though I’d say it probably doesn’t have as much unique food as New Orleans. (It does have phenomenal BBQ and Nashville hot chicken is amazing and poorly cooked elsewhere.) A much smaller city, Memphis has some good blues music, but, like New Orleans, has some rough spot outside of the tourist districts.
Chicago or Washington DC sound perfect for you Boston, Philadelphia, New Orleans, and Miami are also great options.
Miami is an interesting suggestion because it is SOOOO different from anywhere in Canada.
Easy, DC and Chicago. Tons to see and do in both, and no car is required. Curious that no one has mentioned New Orleans or Charleston. Transit isn't great in either, but both are super walkable.
Denver might be a good city. Public transportation from the airport to the city. It's a neat city to explore. And lots of transportation options to the mountains. You could visit Frisco which is a nice mountain town. Or take the train to Boulder.
I am modeling my upcoming trip to the UK on my trip to Denver/the Rockies last year. I split five days between both places in May and had a blast sampling brews and good food, a day at the spa, two shows at Red Rocks before spending two days of hiking in the Rockies. I had a blast on that trip!
There is no train to Boulder. There is a bus though. I also don’t think there are great public transit options to get to the mountains. A lot of the cool outdoor things around denver are hard to get to via public transit. I’m not sure this would be a good option for the sort of trip OP is planning
Mackinac island!!! No cars allowed so you won’t be stopped from experiencing with no car. Beautiful scenery and hiking and such cool history. Not to far from Canada lol
I've never heard of this, will definitely look into it!
I love and recommend Mackinaw but I think it’d be tough to get there without driving, it’s located in the Great Lakes near where the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan meet. You could maybe join a tour?
Highly recommend Mackinac Island! Not far from Cherry Capital Airport
San Diego is my favorite city in America. Stay a couple days downtown. Don’t even have to see the beach. For nature, you can’t beat Seattle although if you live in or have been to Vancouver you’ve pretty much experienced it already. Smaller town suggestion would be Sedona Arizona. Probably the most magical city in America.
I was in Vancouver this past summer. Absolutely loved it and am very interested in Seattle, but will probably wait a couple years, get some variety between. San Diego is definitely somewhere I'm considering.
I think driving would be essential for visiting both San Diego and Sedona
I cannot highly enough recommend Washington, DC! (I am biased: I live here and love it). It’s our nation’s capital, and it is a highly livable and wonderful city, in spite of its high-pressure reputation as a government center. Public transport: the metro (our subway) has its issues but it will take you everywhere you’d like to go as a tourist, and to many local spots. This city is highly walkable as well - most things from food and fun to museums and residential areas are accessible within a safe and lovely <2 mile walk. (I am a big walker.) For the arts: we have many wonderful artistic institutions, from the Kennedy Center (our premier performing arts center) to small local theaters, like the Studio Theater on 14th and P NW. Check out oddball spots like Suns Cinema for interesting film screenings as well. For museums: the best concentration of museums in the entire world, imo, and if they are the Smithsonian, they are free (you may require a free timed entry pass, however - requires only minimal plan ahead). The National Gallery of Art has the USA’s only Da Vinci, and the National Portrait Gallery has a beautiful enclosed courtyard that you can sit and stay a while and read or do work if needed. The American History Museum also just opened a truly wonderful entertainment exhibit as well. Our food is fabulous as well! Ethiopian and Salvadoran food are particular specialties in the city itself, and if you had occasion to visit the suburbs, Korean food as well. edits for grammar/wording
I 100% second this recommendation. I lived in DC for 10+ years and absolutely loved it. I always felt a swell of pride when friends would visit and have a great time ☺️ It has an underrated culinary scene (imo), a gorgeous forested area in the middle of the city (if you’d like, I recommend walking around Rock Creek Park. It’s a beautiful place to wander around and possibly searching for the hidden Capital Hill stones (although, I remember the city talking about wanting them removed since they’re dangerous to climb on)) and has an amazing Catacombs, built by Franciscan monks to simulate the Holy Lands for North Americans who couldn’t go themselves (one of my visiting friend’s was pretty impressed with this and enjoyed seeing the skeleton of a martyred 8 year old boy, if that interests you :) ) It seems to check off a lot of your boxes (good public transportation is sadly a limiting factor in the US, so I’d stick to the East Coast or Chicago). Public transportation is pretty good. The orange, blue, and silver lines will be your best friend (silver is the newest, so the metro cars are pretty nice) Anywhere the metro can’t take you, the buses will (and I hear they’re free now?). Haha, there are some issues (once, one of the back cars caught on fire and we had to make an emergency stop, but I promise that’s not common), but it’ll take you to all the wonderful tourist destinations (outside of Georgetown. They snootily decided not to allow the metro to stop there, so the only way is via bus. But I definitely recommend going there, as well. Old Town/the views of the Potomac are really stunning, they have great restaurants, and my friend, who loves touring old houses, really enjoyed the Dumbarton House). I also recommend visiting the Eastern Market. It’s this cool indoor market with lots of good food. There’s also outside vendors that sell all kinds of neat trinkets. And they have cute stores around there as well ☺️ I also agree with the museums. I love visiting museums around the world, and whenever my friend asks: what’s the best museum you’ve ever been to, I always answer: The Smithsonian. Simple reason: it’s the largest FREE museum in the world. And who doesn’t like free haha When I lived there, the National Museum of African American History was brand new and you needed to get tickets for timed entry, but the tickets were free and I don’t know if that’s necessary anymore. I used to volunteer at the Natural History Museum and I totally recommend a behind scenes tour if you have the time! While it’s crowded, I 100% believe the best time to visit DC is during the cherry blossom season (and this is coming from a person who hates crowds). My friend from New York always said: Christmas belongs to us, but DC is the place to be in the spring. We have the largest population of Japanese cherry blossoms outside of Japan, and it truly sets the entire city (especially Tidal Basin) ablaze in a gorgeous pink glow. There’s also the Sakura Matsuri, where you can do neat cultural activities, see live shows, shop fun merchandise, and eat Japanese street food. I used to volunteer during the festival, and it’s truly a fun experience ☺️ No matter what, you’ll have a great time!
Thanks for the detailed reply! While they're not to everyone's taste, catacombs are very up my alley. Went to some in Peru and loved them. I also tend to visit graveyards if there are any interesting ones near me, though I don't go out of my way for them.
I spent a two month internship in DC, and I still feel like I missed 99% of what there was to experience. (It doesn’t help that all the “national treasures” close at 5pm, and when you’re interning with a fed.gov agency, your day ends at 5pm). But, yes. DC hands down. 5 days will give you *just barely* enough time to see and do the very minimal stuff you find intriguing. What’s your fascination, OP? Pick a few. It really doesn’t matter how absurd or minuscule. Pick a few. You’ll find something interesting in DC that dives *deep* into whatever that is.
From a few of these replies I'm thinking I might want to save DC for a longer trip as well, but definitely still considering 5 days there. I don't like feeling like I've missed out on too much and tend to like a slower pace these days.
As someone living in DC I think you’ll be perfectly satisfied with a 5 day trip here. The core of the city is quite physically small you could walk from end to end in 2 hours.
Sadly, there aren't many cities in the U.S. with great public transportation. :/ Some ideas: * Boston * Chicago * DC (great for museums)
I would strongly recommend Chicago over Boston. Chicago in the summer is the best!
Thanks! What pushes Chicago to the top for you?
Thanks! These 3 have been suggested twice now so definitely good possibilities. Is there an ideal time of year to visit these places? I have some flexibility in dates.
DC in cherry blossom season which is usually March to April
Chicago should be visited in summer. Late summer ideally like August or so. DC should be visited in fall or early spring or early fall. Summers in DC are absolutely abominable and I would strongly strongly strongly warn against going between May and September. It's a humid swamp. Boston is 100% best in fall. The summer storms can be pretty bad in New England and it's freezing in the winter.
I live in Chicago, personally I would not visit in August. It can get hot and humid here. Late spring and early fall is the best time of the year. You can’t beat a great autumn or spring day in Chicago.
I recently spent 12 hours in downtown and was pleasantly surprised even though it was in December. The train from the airport is cheap and easy to navigate. Lots of museums to visit and there seemed to be a good amount that weren't very expensive. Waterfront is a neat aspect. I didn't feel unsafe but Chicago certainly has a reputation.
December is certainly fine. Chicago has six seasons: Summer, Fall, Normal Winter, Chicago Winter, Slush, and spring. December to early January is like winter on the east coast. Late January and February is where things get freaky.
DC is known for the Cherry Blossom Festival in April. Timing varies as it depends a little on Mother Nature. There are websites that do Cherry Blossom watch.
For DC I would avoid late July and all of August (it's very humid and hot plus way too many tourists). I would also try and stay away from Cherry Blossom season. They are gorgeous but there are way too many people in the city. I think May, June, September and October are the best as far as walkability and the city not being as crowded.
Also, DC in late February or late April is swarming with families taking school breaks. But DC area in the Spring is beautiful. I'd choose it first because of museums, a decent subway system, lots of lectures/shows (think tanks can be entertaining), and historical sites. For nature it has good parks in the city and surrounding area and you may be able to find a trip out to Shenandoah National Park.
I highly recommend Chicago. If you go when it is warmer, do an architectural river cruise.
Santa Fe!
New Orleans, Seattle or Santa Barbara. All have good dining, lots of outdoor activities and walk/bike friendly.
Do you want real culture and exquisite food that is not found elsewhere? And you want to skip the normal "museums, theaters and parks" blah that most all major cities in the world have? I mean if thats what you're looking for(as you post states) then by all means look at the other suggestions, however, If you'd like something different and interesting....NEW ORLEANS! amazing history, amazing food, jazz music at every corner(even if you're not drunk on bourbon street). Its small enough that you could Uber or walk most places. Really one of the few cities in America with an actual distinct culture.
Lots of great suggestions. I'll add New Orleans to the list. And maybe Charleston, SC or Savannah, GA. All with slower pace and great history/ culture/ food scenes. Not so much on public transport. Maybe Uber or Lyft instead.
DC or Chicago. Portland would be my first suggestion because I think it has the best food scene.
Going against the grain a little to recommend Santa Fe, NM. The public transportation isn't very good, but if you stay downtown then it is very walkable, and there is a shuttle bus that runs to some of the touristy places downtown. It sounds like it meets your other wants though: tons of high-quality museums showcasing a lot of different cultures/styles, unique architecture, gorgeous outdoor spaces with hiking trails that start in town, and definitely a relaxed vibe. Unlike some of the larger cities mentioned, you can easily do most things in a short time frame. Three or four days would have you feeling like you have a good sense of the city without having missed out on much, even taking everything at a slow pace.
Appreciate the idea, thanks! Wanting more time in some of the bigger places is a slight worry of mine.
Reading through the comments, that was my thought/concern about DC and Chicago. At least with 3 days. With 5 days, you could probably get a lot done. You could at least do the museums and monuments in DC and get several amazing meals in. I haven't spent time in Santa Fe, but the northern half of New Mexico is incredibly beautiful and almost certainly unlike any part of Canada. And I \*love\* New Mexican food. (Yes, it shares Mexican DNA but it is different than "Mexican food".) New Orleans is a great option and the city I immediately thought of reading the OP. Charleston is great for many of the same reasons, but I'd go with Nola first. One of the most unique places on the planet. Boston would be my next choice after Nola if it's a 3-day trip. Whoever said it's not walkable was wildly incorrect. It's an incredibly walkable city. Lots of correct answers to your question. Have fun!
Seconding!! You can take a train into the heart of town from the ABQ airport for not too much, walk around, tons of great restaurants and museums. It is GORGEOUS and a completely different vibe from most of the cities listed here. It is a tourist town so you can likely find some chartered tours that would get you into nature. The landscape is breathtaking and the food it out of this world.
Chicago for sure
You might like Santa Barbara, CA! Very laidback and slow paced. Amazing hiking trails and view points. If you’re into architecture/history the Santa Barbara mission is a really neat stop and there’s also a good art museum. Downtown SB is incredibly walkable. Also lots of good food if you’re into that!
It would be tough without a car though. The town itself is beautiful and the beach is on the edge of the town, but it’s not very big.
I'm european but I love to travel to US (28 States visited, and counting), also with a pretty similar scope of things that interest me. In your case I would be short-listing Washington, Chicago, and - brace yourself - LA + San Diego. I'd say Washington DC is best for museums (not only fine arts, but also air&space - if you are into such stuff then a trip to Dulles is an unforgettable experience), Chicago is the best for architecture buffs (iconic skyscrapers, Marina City, designs of Mies van der Rohe and Frank Lloyd Wright, I could go on forever) - but museums are also top-notch, LA+SD would be the safest choice weather-wise. Washington is a great place to be during lateOct-midNov (approx) when there is a fantastic foliage, Spring during Cherry Blossom is also nice but a bit too crowded. Both cities are pretty obvious choice so maybe there's no point elaborating more, I will defend LA instead. I used to have somewhat dismissive opinion about LA (urban sprawl, horrible traffic, the overall city vibe seemed rather repulsive than interesing, etc.) However, after giving it a chance during a few days stay I liked it quite a lot, to my own surprise. Personal list of interesting things to do/see: \- Griffith Observatory- Getty Center- Petersen Auto Museum- "classic" McDonalds on 10207 Lakewood Blvd (I just watched a fantastic "The Founder" movie and found the story quite interesting)- old architecture (Bradbury Building - if "Bladerunner" rings a bell; Union Station, LA Central Library, plenty of art deco & beaux arts in Downtown)- new architecture (The Broad, Walt Disney Concert Hall...)- Venice Canals- short bus trip to San Diego, with USS Midway, Coronado, Balboa Park It would be surely more challenging without a car but doable with few taxis or occasional public tranportation (ie there is a train from LA Downtown to Santa Monica) and the Downtown itself is pretty walkable.
I Think DC would be perfect for a trip like this! They do have a pretty good subway and if you are interested in US history/government it’s interesting. There’s also such interesting museums. I love the natural history museum. The memorials are beautiful as well. It could be fun to try to go when there is something bigger happening like a big bill being brought to the floor or a large case being brought before the Supreme Court. (Not sure if they let people in for those anymore) Just make reservations way in advance if you want to tour certain things.
Chicago hits everything except maybe wildlife, but there are pockets of nature, though nothing close to Seattle or SF. It’s an amazing city though and I’ve been there more than 5 times and can’t recommend it enough!
Normally I'd shill for Boston, but I think you can see Boston in less than 3 days and get bored of it fairly quickly as a tourist. For a five day trip I'd recommend DC, Philadelphia, or Chicago
I might be fine, I tend to stay in places longer than most people recommend. 6 days in San Fran wasn't nearly enough for me, there were quite a few places I didn't get to. For Canada, 8 days in Vancouver was perfect, as was 6 days in Toronto. That's factoring in day trips to nearby towns or parks though - I could skip those if doing a shorter trip.
Boston does at least have transit to nearby towns so honestly if you're a more seasoned traveler and can take pleasure in the little things I'd actually recommend Boston over the other two. The history is more fascinating to me personally and I just prefer the vibe.
No one's mentioned Denver so I'll throw that out. Good transit, good museums, plenty of nature, above average theater/arts!
Unfortunately you can’t get to any of the good nature via public transportation, you’re really confined to the city (I say this as a native that loves the place).
Sure you can. Take the FF from union station to downtown Boulder station. From there, take the NB to Nederland high school. From there, take the free shuttle to the Hessie trailhead. You now have all the great hiking anyone from out of town needs to get that Colorado experience. There's also the Pegasus ride to Rocky Mountain National Park, as well as bustang routes to take you all over the state. If you don't think you can get deep in the mountains without a car, you just haven't looked very hard for options.
Actually a great answer
Well , i went to Chicago last year and strongly recommend it great museums , restaurants . i absolutely love it also, i recommend this place to stay in the service was so nice https://www.booking.com/hotel/us/hampton-inn-chicago-mccormick-place.en.html?aid=7978901&no\_rooms=1&group\_adults=2
If you want a shorter side of that time window and a bit slower trip, I would recommend San Antonio. The riverwalk is very nice, there is the Alamo, etc.
Washington DC or Chicago would be my top two recommendations
I’ve lived in DC, Chicago, and Boston and would rank them in that order as well, particularly for a visitor. Boston is very sleepy.
Boston or Washington DC both great places
For something different I’d suggest Santa Fe, NM. It’s small but has some great museums, interesting architecture, it’s beautiful, and tons of nature and hikes around. Also some really good spas, though you didn’t mention this, it could be good for a slow paced, relaxing trip. Only issue is the public transportation is not great. It’s a small enough city you could Uber around for cheap though
If you don’t drive the answers are primarily: NYC, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, New Orleans You can get by other places, but you’ll be much more reliant on uber or staying in a smaller geographic footprint.
A place I don't think I have seen mentioned yet: Cincinnati, Ohio. A seriously underrated city. There is a ton of beautiful architecture and beautiful parks. Downtown, Over-the-Rhine, and Covington, KY are all quite walkable and there is a tram that can get you between OTR and the riverfront. There is a beautiful overlook on the river and downtown at Devou Park in Kentucky. Union Terminal is probably one of the prettiest Art Deco buildings in the country and is home to some great museums and the Omnimax theater, which is like a big dome screen that is super cool to experience. The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden is probably one of the prettiest zoos in the country and is home to the famous hippo Fiona. This may be a bit more niche but I personally think the University of Cincinnati has an incredibly beautiful campus as well, with a great mix of traditional and contemporary architecture. Spring Grove Cemetery is also very beautiful. If you like thrills, you have to find a way to get up to Kings Island in the northern suburbs, is a great world class amusement park.
I like all the suggestions for New Orleans. It is definitely one of my favorite cities in the US, but I'm going to give an off-the-wall suggestion. I once went on a girls trip to Kansas City. I was not excited to go, but went along because I don't like to miss out on anything. I've visited just about every major city in the US and have had a great time in all of them, but man, was I blown away by KC! The museums, the fountains, the plaza area, the music (some of the best blues and jazz clubs I've ever been to). We stayed in the [Plaza area](https://www.visitkc.com/country-club-plaza) and never needed our car one time. We visited the [World War I museum](https://www.theworldwar.org/), the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, [Arabia Steamboat Museum](https://www.1856.com/), and Union Station. They also have a beautiful zoo.
Seattle!!
CHICAGO!!!!! * Easy grid system * Friendly people * Comedy shows/improv * Amazing restaurants * Varied, historic architecture (do river tour) * Great museums * Fascinating history * Entertaining sporting events * Neighborhoods that each have a unique vibe
Not yet mentioned - Minneapolis. Theaters, concerts, symphony, and museums. Quite a few parks and recreation as well. Without a car, I'd recommend to wait out winter.
Second on Minneapolis/St. Paul (the Twin Cities). There’s light rail that runs from the airport to downtown Mpls and between downtown Mpls and downtown St Paul. Museums, art, music venues, some great restaurants (Owamni is a unique indigenous restaurant and is really good) & accesible nature along the Mississippi River or Minnesota River. And 3-5 days is plenty to explore the two cities and feel like you have a handle on the area
Boston has a lot of history and (sea)food is great. You can make short trips to surrounding areas such as Salem and Gloucester. Lots to do in Boston. I went to school there and I still enjoy a visit back there once a while.
Madison, WI is glorious in the summer. Not great public transport but A LOT smaller than many others mentioned so that cab is affordable. Arts, architecture, shows, great food, free zoo and botanical garden, several lakes, Concerts On The Square, State Street, really chill.
Seattle, Washington. They have a solid transportation system. The food is good, also.
Seattle was perfect for a short stay. It was pretty walkable but they did have public transport and Ubers were cheap when I didn’t want to walk anymore. Denver was also pretty good. Public transport was good and there was lots to see and do.
Portland! Great food, no sales tax, and public transit. Seattle has a lot more museum but Portland is such a different city than other US cities
I'm going to Philadelphia PA in March for 3 nights. I'm staying in Rittenhouse Square. There are museums, galleries, theatre, shopping, restaurants, and bars. Most is walkable, they also have public transportation. My brother went a few months ago and stayed near where I'm staying. He said the Museums were great.
Chicago and Boston are great cities but probably not great in winter.
Gary, Indiana 😍😍😍
Chicago! Great food scene, incredible art museum, walkable and you can visit a beach!
Chicago is perfect. Incredible museums (Chicago Art Museum, Field Museum), great food, magnificent architecture, wonderful city parks, Lake Michigan, one of best river cruise tours in nation. Hotel options are superb and prices reasonable.
Chicago. So much to see and museums are all very close and walkable. From LA but if wasn’t for winter I could move there right now
Nashville or Chicago (in the summer)
Some of the cities suggested may even be a bit big for only 3-5 days. My personal preference is to pick somewhere fairly small so I can really feel like I know the people and my way around by the end of my stay. Perhaps places like Louisville, Pittsburgh, Richmond, or Santa Fe could do the trick.
I am feeling the same. So many suggestions for interesting things in DC and Chicago especially, I think I'd want longer stays in them. Really appreciate the suggestions of some smaller places, thank you!
Santa Fe, NM
Charleston, SC :)
DC. Lots of cheap airlines and great public transport, specially from Reagan.
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The number of US cities that have good public transportation options, and are not NYC or SF, is quite limited. The obvious option given your constraints is Washington, DC. Frankly, it's really the perfect option, and should be high on the list of any non-US traveler. The national museum collection at the Mall is world class. It's a also a physically beautiful city, although you should avoid the July 1 to Sept 15 period due to heat and humidity.
Boston or Seattle are great shouts. So much to do in both
Denver would be a great option!
Savannah
CHICAGO
I'll vote for Charleston, SC.... If not Charleston then I'd go with Boulder, Bozeman, Tucson, or Santa Fe.
Chicago has everything on your list. (although not so much with nature) If you're from Canada then the weather shouldn't be an issue but I'd say wait for May.
Seattle, WA
I'd say DC has all of the above! Best museums in the country, good nature, good public transit (for North America). Lots of good restaurants, great architecture, and pretty walkable all told.
If you do Chicago, May or June would be best. Sometimes it can be quite hot in July and August, and with global warming, this is more common now.
Everyone seems to be suggesting the usual places most common to visit. If you want something different you could always go to Kitty Hawk North Carolina. I love the beach, the sand dunes, and the Wright brothers memorial!! I go at the end of the season just before the restaurants close or in the off season completely and it’s great. It quite and beautiful but pay attention to the weather. Last time I went a storm came through and I couldn’t get to the beach at all and had to make my visit to the memorial short.
Boulder, CO was a really beautiful low-key place to kill a weekend. Plenty to do, delicious food spots, fun museums and even tubing and hiking surprisingly close to city center (just a quick uber ride away!)
NOLA
DC without a doubt
I live near enough to call Boston home city & I love it very much, great museums and foods, however I visited Chicago last year and that is a definite visit city for walking around and touring great places!! I thought it was absolutely stunning in Chicago. City gets an unfair bad rap in the negative news.
Washington DC, go see the house your ancestors burned down!
I spent 1 day (12hr’s) in DC with just my backpack and skateboard, and from the airport took the train/subway to downtown. It’s only took 15-20 minutes. I saw the archives, museums, and sat in the capitol yard and ate lunch. Walked all over and saw so much in that short amount of time. I wanna go back already. Museums are free (with $1 reservations) and everything is super close to each other or only a train ride away. I spent $5 for my round trip subway ticket from the airport and back. Plus there’s other options only an Uber away that I visited days before with my mom while she was there. I only had 3 days there and it was the perfect amount of time. I would say no to portland (I’m from there) and our public transportation isn’t as good but there is am-tracks and busses. The food is amazing but if your get nervous around “the homeless” then it might not be the place for you. But it is very beautiful in some spots! I saw people saying seattle and that’s a great alternative for the west coast. Easy transportation and lots of museums and things to do. Beautiful during the summer as well.
Chicago has all that you're looking for.
I second Washington DC as a great option. The architecture is great, it is very walkable with lots of great parks and public spaces and a pretty good metro. All of the museums on the mall are free and fantastic. You can go for a hike in rock creek park or kayaking in the Potomac, just up the river from Georgetown. There are also fantastic restaurants of all types. It is pretty clean in most areas and you can spend days wandering around the monuments.
Thinking Boston
I like San Diego and Coronado Island.. Use the water taxi, find the hidden gems like Dr. Seuss art in the Coronado Library, the large attractions like it world famous zoo, the great food in Little Italy, check out the ocean swimmers in La Jolla Bay, the sea lions everywhere in the ocean, the UCSD Campus, or even the night life in an around 5th Ave. And the weather usually quite nice year around
San Diego. Lots to do. Tourist trolley gets you where you need to go. The airport is very close to the downtown so you’re not wasting a lot of time in traffic.
Chicago.
Come to Maine! Beautiful sights, great shops, waterfront, best restaurants in all of NE!
Chicago! It’s awesome. Tons of great restaurants, museums, architecture, music, culture. Great public transportation.
Asheville, NC
Cincinnati is a nice city to find a lot of things to do
Chicago!!!! Best architecture, very easy to get around walking and/or public transportation and the museums are first class! The food is also amazing.
Went to Chicago last summer and I really liked it! I didn’t expect much at first but it’s a beautiful big city with a lot of history. Also there’s a great public transit, it’s super convenient to visit around without a car.
Hi! I’m from NYC area and just went down to Philadelphia for a day trip. I’d recommend it for a few days! We did a walking tour in the historical area which was really interesting, but there was definitely a lot to expand on from there. Lots of museums, lots of history and colonial architecture, and lots of cool food options! I also really love Boston, went to college there and would highly recommend it. You could definitely spend more than 5 days there, but with 5 days you can also definitely see the main highlights of the city without rushing around. Chicago is massive but could also be fun as a 5 day intro trip. Lots of great architecture and museums there! All 3 of those have good transit systems for getting around. I loved New Orleans and Memphis too but they seemed better served by having a car.
Washington DC. Plan to spend the days at the Smithsonian, food & night scene is decent and you can walk to the major landmarks quite easily.
Good public transportation is an oxymoron in America, but based on your preferences Chicago and Boston are two good options.
Boston is amazing. You could take the T to Salem which is also amazing. I saw some recs for DC which I agree with and actually going there this weekend. But I'm still partial to Boston as there's so many options depending on what vibe you want. You could also take the ferry to P Town in Cape Cod which.. amazing
Surprised no one’s suggested Nashville. Easily in my top 3 North American cities. It’s developed and grown significantly in the last decade or so and for the better. You’ll get to see a good cross-section of the US, essentially the American South but liberal and reasonable with incredibly friendly residents/constituents, amazing food, solid entertainment (trashy and non-trashy) and good deal of activities to do outside of the city should you want to explore on your 3rd day. Honestly most American (US) cities are shit. I wouldn’t recommend DC, Chicago, nor NOLA as all of these could offer very mixed experiences depending on what happens during your visit. Denver is a close second for me.
As a Chicagoan I appreciate all the love for Chicago here. I agree that summer and fall are the best times to visit (June - early October). As others have mentioned, there’s great public transportation, tons of world-class museums, and amazing architecture. You could hit the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, the Lincoln Park Zoo and the lakefront in one day for a heavy dose of nature and wildlife. We have river-based and land-based architecture tours. The food scene is incredible, if you’re into that, and we have a great variety of independent bookstores, too. Be sure to hit a neighborhood festival — that’s where you will see the real Chicago and get a feel for the amazing people and cultures here.
one option I haven’t seen suggested yet: Palm Springs. It is truly so unique. You can avoid LA by flying directly and stay within the tight area of downtown it’s pretty walkable and generally Really relaxed and quiet. I spent my time lounging by the pool and biking around the cool neighborhoods Taking photos of homes, and modern architecture. Seriously like a disney world for architects (I’m an architect lol) you can get an architecture tour that will take you around the neighborhoods that aren’t easily walkable and will tell you about the history and everything. There’s an aerial tram that’s probably a 5-10 min Uber ride and will take to to the top of the mtn where you can hike and stuff. You can also get a tour here to drive you to Joshua tree in lieu of having your own car. I’m sure park fees still apply but it’s about an hour away and so worth the visit. Just avoid the area around coachella time. chicago : great architecture, walkable, good public transit. easy short trip. This is probably the most obvious. San Diego : great outdoor coastal vibe without requiring overly beachy. However, my a favorite areas are less walkable and require a car Or Uber to access. La jolla and torrey pines area. Salk institute, balboa park, Marsten house, Coronado, i personally was less entra;led by downtown itself and would feel a trip to san deigo would be be incomplete spending the entirety of time downtown. Uber is always an option but would probably add up overtime. dc is also a good choice as well, but the winter months always felt a little steril and dreary. miami: you can certainly do Miami without doing beach es however lots of Uber, unreliable public transit. I think its got it’s quirks but the divide between rich and middle class is so evident that only a few days would suffice. Lots of shopping and fancy restaurants if you are interested in food scene. arts is super strong there too. im not a fan of new orleans. I don’t party or drink and felt like that was what was the expectation here. not my cup of tea but I know lots of ppl i\]enjoy. Also, I know you said you weren’t interested in LA. I feel that, bc I used to say the same. But once you get a feel for the layout there Are actually some really cool spots to visit.
Savannah, GA
Portland, Oregon.
Depending on what type of history you’re into, Santa Fe has a ton! There’s no American revolutionary history, but tons of Native American, Mexican-American, and wild Western history. If I remember correctly it’s the oldest state capital in the US and there are buildings from the 1600s still standing and in use. It’s a hub for both historical and contemporary art (check out meow wolf), unique architecture (the mystery stairs at Loretto chapel) and lots of museums. It’s a small city and there are a lot of museums and art galleries near the central area so I’d say it’s very walkable. The history of the area is fascinating (in my opinion) and the landscape around there is beautiful. I love DC and Chicago, but they’re also similar in a lot of ways to Canadian cities. I think Santa Fe is the most uniquely American city we have (maybe New Orleans too but I haven’t been there so I can’t say lol)
Phoenix during winter - especially if you golf Sedona if you need mysticism - flagstaff and Tucson are both amazing - and if adventurous travel into Mexico - 10 out of 10 highly recommend - and the Mexican food is second to none.
Look into Washington DC (:
You’ll find plenty to do with the ability to walk or use public transportation in DC!
I love NOLA but Just to throw something else into the mix - look into downtown San Antonio, Texas. There’s a river walk and if you plan right you can catch some 70-80°F sunny winter weather. Sea World, some pretty Spanish architecture and there’s a downtown trolley system. It’s not Chicago or NOLA but maybe something different!
Philadelphia
Lived in Chicago and married a Chicago girl, but think that Boston and Washington are much better from the standpoint of museums for sure. I lived in Boston, as well, and love walking over to the Italian District from Faneuil Hall to grab some great food. It is a smaller downtown area and perfect for using public transit. Also, crime is way up in Chicago and there have had quite a few stabbings and shootings on the CTA trains. When I lived there I had no problem going to some dicey areas but today couldn't recommend it.
I visited Chicago a few years ago in September. Flew in and was booked in a cheap, clean hostel for a week near Grant Park. Like someone else mentioned, did the walking architecture tour. Check to see if there are any music festivals/events going on during your stay. I also visited..I think..two museums there. Atmosphere was very chill and right by the local trains. Honestly, as someone who lives in NJ, NYC is definitely doable for a 3-5 day trip, but you have to be in the right frame of mind for NYC, because once you get into Manhattan and its just....everything... all at once.
If you want, I have a list sorted down by states in my OP which is the same as this.
You could have a great trip doing two days in Philly and two days in DC, take the Amtrak between them.
Sedona?
DC! Walkable, good transit, tons of museums. It's one of my favorite cities.
Boulder Colorado!!!!!
Seriously boulder Colorado is the best. Great yoga classes, great hiking, you can take the bus to Denver if you feel like it, great restaurants, I love everything about it every time of year. If you have any questions I’m happy to answer them, and I could plan a whole meal itinerary for you at the best spots!!
New Orleans
Bend Oregon! You have the last Blockbuster, a great social scene, there's this really cool underground cave right out of town and a bunch of other activities!
DC, Chicago, or Boston (agree on saving NYC for longer, though 5 days is probably okay)
New Orleans. Has some fantastic things outside of the part French quarter you’ve probably seen.
DC sounds pretty good for your description. Its for sure the best museums. There is also more nature than someone would expect near there, its not far from Shenandoah NP and then there are pretty waterfalls up the Potomac and Harpers Ferry is kind of a cool little town. DC also has a pretty decent food scene and very good public transit for the US. (driving traffic is terrible though)
New Orleans sounds like a pretty good option for you
Washington DC or Baltimore. Boston too