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Charlotte Bailey
I was born in Vermont and currently live in New York. Still, I have lived in a couple of other Northeastern states and as a freelance writer I am thrilled to share travel resources and stories based on my personal experience and expertise with anyone looking to uncover the Northeast’s charm.
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All the most beautiful cities in the USA are celebrated for many things that instantly make tourists and locals fall in love with them and leave them in absolute awe.
Below are some of the most celebrated and beautiful cities in America. These beautiful US cities are extraordinary and take you from the ordinary world to a much more stunning and awe-inspiring reality.
Cities such as San Francisco, Colorado Springs, Savannah, and many more are considered the most beautiful cities in the United States for their natural beauty, architecture, history, populace, and atmosphere.
You will instantly discover a new love with these cities just by visiting them.
Table of Contents
26 Most Beautiful Cities In The USA
Here are the most beautiful US cities, in our opinion. Enjoy!
1. Washington DC
Washington DC, is not just the capital of the US but also one of the most beautiful cities in the US.
It’s a marvelous urban wonder with stunning American landmarks like the Washington Monument.
This glorious capital city is filled with beautiful national monuments commemorating the importance and rich history of Washington DC.
A highlight includes the Washington Monument, a stunning building and structure resembling the top of a pyramid commemorating George Washington. Another highlight is the National Arboretum pillars.
Around the Washington Monument are many buildings resembling the age of the Roman Empire. On the other side, the city’s neighborhoods are composed of beautiful rows of brick houses.
Insider tip: visit the capital city in the spring, around March and April, to see the cherry blossoms in peak bloom.
As one of the most beautiful cities in America, Washington DC should be on every American’s bucket list.
2. Burlington, Vermont
Not only is Burlington Vermont’s largest city, but it’s also its most exciting.
Spanning from the shores of Lake Champlain to the green forests of Vermont’s backcountry, this vibrant city has it all and more.
Often named one of the best places to visit in the Northeast, Burlington is loved by locals and visitors alike for its fantastic restaurants and breweries!
Burlington is also an excellent romantic getaway in the US for couples.
With incredible places like Waterfront Park, Lake Champlain, and Church Street Marketplace, Burlington VT is hands-down one of the most beautiful cities in the United States.
3. San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio, TX is not only one of the busiest cities but also one of the most beautiful cities in the US.
It’s a hub for arts, culture, and history enthusiasts. It is ripe with a history rooted in Spanish culture, which is owed to its origins as a Spanish colonial outpost in 1718.
A highlight is the San Antonio Art Museum, a place filled with stunning Latin art.
San Antonio has beautiful Spanish architecture and a surprisingly calm atmosphere filled with friendly locals. You will fit right into this beautiful city if you find yourself there.
San Antonio is one of the most beautiful cities in America. Teeming with Spanish heritage, San Antonio is one of the best places to visit in the Southwest.
4. San Diego, California
San Diego is a rich cultural and festive hub and one of the most beautiful US cities. (Needless to say that California is one of the most beautiful states in the US, right?)
This city once belonged to Mexico and still possesses its rich and festive culture.
Spend at least one day in San Diego to immerse yourself in the beauty of its cultural and fun activities ranging from music festivals to excellent restaurants rich in Mexican culture and many other festivities.
The beautiful city of San Diego is perfect for a summer vacation or a stroll at Balboa Park.
San Diego is perfect for a summertime holiday as its home to many beautiful places and beaches, including the famous Pacific Beach.
It’s popular amongst both tourists and locals from everywhere. When not basking in the glorious sun on the Pacific Beach, visit one of its great bars and restaurants near the beach.
San Diego is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in the US for many reasons, such as the richness of Mexican culture and its stunning beaches enjoyed by locals and tourists alike.
5. Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu is one of the prettiest cities in America and, easily, one of the best places to visit in Hawaii. It is trendy for its beaches.
The beaches of Honolulu are an absolute sight to behold. It features calm waters, warm sand, and gorgeous sunsets in the evening.
Waikiki beach is one of the best beaches in Oahu, stretching for five miles, making it one of the longest beaches in the entire city.
The waters on the beaches are also gentle, making it perfect for learning how to surf and scuba dive.
Honolulu is one of the most stunning cities in America, boasting some of the prettiest beaches in Hawaii.
6. Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City is one of the USA’s most beautiful cities. It is a city rooted near many stunning mountains, perfect for skiing in the winter.
It is famous for its beautiful valleys and stunning views of mountains.
The amazing views around this gorgeous city are breathtaking in wintertime when its many mountains are covered with fresh coats of snow.
Salt Lake City is the best place for those that enjoy the great outdoors, making it one of the best winter vacation spots in the US.
If you enjoy skiing, you will love to know that the many mountains surrounding this beautiful city are considered some of the best destinations for skiing.
One of the most beautiful US cities is Salt Lake City, situated near many stunning mountains and beautiful valleys. It is incredibly gorgeous in wintertime.
7. New Orleans, Louisiana
One of the most beautiful US cities is the culturally and musically rich city of New Orleans.
New Orleans is the home and birthplace of Jazz and its influences.
If you are a music fanatic, look no further than Bourbon Street in New Orleans, where you will find the streets and parks buzzing with live music.
The architecture, a mix of French and African cultures, is magnificent, with Royal Street being a stunning example. This beautiful area sports unique architecture and is rich in color.
New Orleans is a city for lovers of music, and you should definitely visit for Mardi Gras.
It is also aesthetically one of the most beautiful cities in America, sporting stunning colorful architecture.
Read next: Weekend in New Orleans
8. Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville, North Carolina, is one of the largest cities in Western North Carolina and the 12th most populous city in the state, situated at the confluence of the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers.
Asheville is famous for its four seasons, but everyone would say the choices are between summer and winter to visit the many attractions in and around Asheville.
You can hike the Blue Ridge Parkway, go skiing, see North Carolina Arboretum, and walk through Smoky Mountains National Park.
These are just a few of the many things you can do in the area. What’s not to love?
9. Chicago, Illinois
Chicago is both underrated and one of the most beautiful cities in the US, especially popular for its architecture.
This stunning city is an architectural wonder. Its city skyline will leave you in absolute awe. Frank Lloyd Wright is famous for many of the beautiful sights of Chicago.
The Aquae is especially a wonder, which uses various spiral-like layers in its construction.
It sports many wonderful city life activities, such as the Lincoln Park Zoo, filled with over 200 species of animals.
Cyclists are everywhere around the city, enjoying Chicago’s many bike lanes.
A particular famous bicycle lane is found along Milwaukee Avenue, a street filled with many shops, restaurants, art galleries, and art museums.
With all its hustle and bustle, Chicago is one of the most beautiful US cities. Highlights include the architectural marvel of the Aqua skyscraper, the famous Lincoln Park Zoo, and bicycle lanes.
10. Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is not only known as one of America’s friendliest cities but also one of the most beautiful cities in the USA.
Its gorgeous cobblestone streets are aligned with street lanterns, making this historical city feel like a fairytale. This fairytale atmosphere is further enhanced by 19th-century architecture.
If you find yourself in Charleston, enjoy the pleasant company of the wonderful residents and visit Fort Sumter, where the civil war started.
Charleston will make you feel like a fairytale with its 19th-century architecture and cobblestone streets aligned with lanterns.
Read next: Weekend in Charleston
11. Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs, a stunning city in front of a beautiful mountain range, is one of the most beautiful cities in the US.
Its populace is friendly and prides itself on being outdoors people. If you enjoy mountain ranges, valleys, trails, and beautiful sunsets, you will instantly fall in love with Colorado Springs.
A highlight is The Garden of the Gods, a huge lush green public park. You can take your jeep or horse to explore its many peaks, rolling green hills, and acres of grass there.
Colorado Springs is truly one of the most beautiful cities in America.
If you visit the wonderful Colorado Springs city, you will instantly fall in love with its stunning mountain range, glorious sunsets, and lush green parks.
12. San Francisco, California
San Francisco is not only an incredible splendor of city life but one of the most beautiful cities in the US of all time.
It presents many stunning landmarks appreciated by both its locals and tourists.
If you find yourself in the stunning hustle and bustle of San Francisco, take a trip to the Golden Gate Bridge and bask in its magnificent splendor.
Or have a walk at Fisherman’s Wharf and laugh at the cute sea lions.
Of course, you should also take a day tour of Alcatraz Island, which despite being a former prison, offers beautiful views from San Francisco.
Another highlight includes the “Painted Ladies,” a group of colorful Victorian townhouses situated in the warm shadow of the splendid skyscrapers of San Francisco.
Visit this beautiful neighborhood to take in all the glory of its aesthetic beauty.
One of the prettiest cities in the USA is San Francisco. It’s famous for The Golden Gate Bridge, grand skyscrapers, and many neighborhoods bursting with colored Victorian townhouses.
13. Key West, Florida
The beautiful sunny Key West is one of the most beautiful cities in the US and a unique place to visit in Florida.
The entire city is on an island famous for its Cuban culture, Cuban architectural neighborhoods, and nightlife.
Key West is a beach town on an island sporting beautiful sunsets and some of the best beaches in Florida.
Smathers Beach is the best beach to visit if you find yourself in this tropical southern city. It is excellent for surfing, and you will often see parasailer’s in the sunny sky above you.
To get a taste of Key West’s nightlife, visit Duval Street, a place filled with Cuban architectural buildings home to many clubs and bars.
The Green Parrot is especially a highlight if you enjoy a lively atmosphere of live music.
Most of Key West’s neighborhoods are filled with sublime Cuban architectural houses sporting many colors.
The island of Key West is one of the most beautiful cities in America.
If you like beaches, the Cuban aesthetic and culture, and vibrant nightlife, you will fall in love with the beautiful city of Key West.
14. Hilo, Hawaii
Hilo is an incredibly sunny and beautiful city in Hawaii. It is famous for its beautiful parks, gardens, and waterfalls.
One of Hilo’s most beautiful waterfalls is the Wailuku River. This stunning waterfall is about 80 feet tall.
It is known as well as the Rainbow Water, as you will often spot rainbows in the mist caused by the waterfall. (Which is one of the best things to do on Big Island.)
A stunning garden to visit is Liliʻuokalani Gardens. This serene garden is a Japanese garden filled with rock gardens, fishponds, and a beautiful Japanese-style bench.
Hilo is one of the prettiest cities in America, famous for its waterfalls, gardens, and parks.
15. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The birthplace of American democracy, Philadelphia, is a bustling city filled with glorious architecture, museums, and many pretty sites, and is one of the most beautiful cities in the US.
The city of Philadelphia has both magnificent modern and historic buildings.
From the historic building that houses the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts to the stunningly modern Kimmel Centre, it has an incredible mixture of architectural sites.
Highlights include the aforementioned Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.
There you will find art pieces such as the Claes Oldenburg Paintbrush, a giant inverted paintbrush, and much more.
A uniquely beautiful site is the Longwood Gardens, sporting many fairy lights in its beautiful trees and a giant tree house. This site is a lovely contrast to Philadelphia’s busy, bustling city.
Also, Philly boasts the oldest continuously inhabited residential street in America—Elfreth’s Alley.
Philadelphia, a stunning bustling city sporting stunning architecture, fascinating museums, and lovely sites, is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful US cities.
16. New York City, New York
The busy, populated city of New York is one of the most beautiful cities in the US.
It’s towering with extraordinary buildings, some of the most magnificent skyscrapers, and a skyline that will leave you in awe.
The architecture of New York will leave you in absolute awe. It has some of the tallest and most beautiful skyscrapers, such as the magnificent Empire State Building looking over Central Park.
The skyline of Midtown Manhattan will leave you in absolute awe, especially at night when all of the building’s lights sparkle in the darkness.
Between all the hustle and bustle of buildings, there are always people making you never feel isolated. Everybody belongs to different cultural groups, making this wonderful city beautifully diverse.
New York is an architectural wonder filled with many friendly people, tall skyscrapers, and beautiful skylines.
17. Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara, CA, is not only one of the biggest coastal cities in America but also one of the most beautiful US cities.
Known for its beautiful coastline, the city of Santa Barbara, CA, is sprawling with stunning beaches filled with palm trees, warm sand, and glorious sunsets.
Butterfly beach is incredibly gorgeous and one you should not miss should you find yourself in Santa Barbara, CA.
It’s popular among locals, tourists, and even celebrities. While soaking up the sun, you could buy a lovely co*cktail nearby to enjoy your day at the beach.
The neighborhoods, boutique shops, and buildings with beautiful Spanish-inspired architecture are situated along streets lined with palm trees.
Its inhabitants working and staying there are amicable and evoke a lovely sense of community.
Santa Barbara, CA, is hands-down one of the best places to visit in California and one of the prettiest American cities on the coast.
Read next: Epic Things To Do In California
18. Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is not only one of the oldest cities in Georgia but also one of the most beautiful cities in the US. It is famous for its Georgian-style architecture, rich history, and popular art scene.
You will see first-hand Savannah’s cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages, and antebellum architecture.
A prime example is the marvelous Savannah City Hall, a large, beautiful dome-like building.
As one of the best places to visit in the south, this beautiful city is famous for its art scene. Highlights include the famous Savannah Art Walk.
It is an event that takes you to various art galleries around Savannah’s many historic destinations.
Walk along River Street along the waterfront or stroll around Forsyth Park, and you will see another reason why Savannah is one of the most beautiful cities in the United States.
19. Seattle, Washington
With endless views of Puget Sound, Seattle is not only one of the most liked cities in America but also one of the most beautiful cities in the US.
This city loves festivals, has a great music scene, and prides itself on having great coffee.
Seattle hosts many exciting festivals, such as Oktoberfest, which celebrates the city’s food culture, and the Seattle International Film Festival, which celebrates film culture.
Seattle is famous for welcoming the grunge music genre and is home to the renowned grunge band Nirvana.
The city of Seattle loves its coffee and is home to the prestigious coffee franchise Starbucks. Starbucks is a brand loved by coffee lovers all over the world.
Seattle is one of the most beautifully stunning cities in the US, famous for its festivities, music, and coffee culture.
Some attractions you should add to your Seattle itinerary are the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, Discovery Park, and Seattle Center.
20. Sedona, Arizona
The incredibly stunning city of Sedona is one of the most beautiful cities in the US. It’s famous for its red stones, one of the primary sources of attraction for visitors and locals alike.
Sedona is one of those cities that takes you back to the exciting days of the wild west because of the beautiful red stones that are a staple of the city.
Hikers will enjoy taking a stroll in Sedona among its beautiful red stone formations.
Sedona is beautiful, reminding you of a stunning wild west that is great for everyone who enjoys stunning scenery.
21. Seward, Alaska
Seward is a stunning small city seen as one of the most beautiful US cities. Its gorgeous scenery, small-town atmosphere, and fishing destinations are famous.
Seaward is a city in Alaska with beautiful scenery, such as snowcap mountains, rivers, and glaciers.
A highlight is the lovely Resurrection River, a stunning river located and flowing from the Kenai Mountains.
It is also a popular fishing destination. Fisherman enjoys the tranquil rivers, and it is a popular destination for Salmon fishing.
The city of Seward’s beauty is owed to its quaint small-town nature, stunning scenery, and popularity as a fishing destination.
22. Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is one of the most stunningly beautiful cities in the US. It is one of the prettiest seaside cities in America.
It sports a glorious view of the magnificent Atlantic Ocean. If you enjoy sailing, do not miss a trip to Newport harbor, an excellent and memorable opportunity to get onto Newport’s ocean.
Also, the opulent display of Gilded Age mansions is a must-see while in town.
Newport is one of the most beautiful US cities, famous for being a stunning seaside city with a stunning view of the Atlantic Ocean.
23. Madison, Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin, is a stunningly beautiful city famous for its natural beauties and Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture.
It is located between the beautiful Monona and Mendota lakes sprawling with beautiful hiking trails, which is also great for biking.
Other draws are great farmer markets enjoyed by locals and tourists alike.
Madison, Wisconsin, is a stunning city known for its natural beauty and beautiful architecture designed by the famous Frank Lloyd Wright.
24. Morrison, Colorado
Morrison, Co is famous for the Red Rock Amphitheatre, which is one of the many reasons it’s one of the prettiest cities in the US.
A highlight of Morrison, CO, is the famous Red Rock Amphitheatre, a stunning music theatre made out of red stones.
If you find yourself in Morrison, CO, you will also enjoy various outdoor activities. Highlights include the Dinosaur Ridge, where you will find sites of previously roaming dinosaurs.
Morrison, CO, is a stunning city known for many beautiful sites and activities like the Red Rock Amphitheater.
25. Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, is one of the most stunning cities in America. It’s famous for many of its natural beauty.
A highlight of this charming city that makes it beautiful is Lake Coeur d’Alene, a beautiful huge lake.
If you decide to visit this magnificent lake, enjoy jet skiing on the massive Lake Coeur d’Alene. Along the lake, there are stunning hiking trails and campsites.
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, is a gorgeous city famous for the beautiful Lake Coeur d’Alene.
26. Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is one of the most stunning cities in America, famous for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and natural beauty.
Cleveland is situated on the gorgeous Lake Erie. It’s also home to the famous Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a stunning museum celebrating rock and roll history.
Cleveland is one of America’s most beautiful cities.
Final Thoughts On Beautiful Cities In The Unites States
While this list of the most beautiful cities in the United States only shows a fraction of America’s beauty, we hope we teased you enough to go out and explore the four corners of this great country!
And, if you know more beautiful US cities, drop them in the comments. We would love to hear from you!
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