US City Destinations You Shouldn’t Overlook
Planning a city break in the US? Beyond the traditional destinations like New York and San Francisco are many highly underrated cities that are teeming with history, culture and unique sights. Below are 7 examples of city break destinations in the US that you shouldn’t overlook.
Indianapolis, Indiana
Fans of motor racing are certain to enjoy a trip to Indianapolis – home of the Indy 500 (a 500-mile annual race around the city’s speedway). You can visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum to learn about the history of this legendary race and tour the iconic oval. This is one of many world-class museums throughout the city (others include The Children’s Museum, Indiana State Museum and Eiteljorg Museum). Book a hotel in the center or stay in an RV park on the outskirts.
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is a must-visit city for anyone passionate about bourbon, baseball or boxing. It’s the ‘bourbon capital of the world’, home of the Louisville Slugger baseball bat and the birthplace of Muhammad Ali. Horse-racing enthusiasts may also know this city as the host of the Kentucky Derby. From distillery tours to museum visits, there are many activities to keep you busy in Louisville.
San Antonio, Texas
History buffs may enjoy a trip to this city – it’s the location of The Alamo, which was a pivotal site in the Texas revolution. The 18th Century mission is well-preserved and has been classed as a UNESCO world heritage site. San Antonio is also renowned for its romantic river walk and its Tex Mex cuisine.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is a haven for foodies and craft beer lovers. Try street foods from around the world at the Milwaukee Public Market, enjoy a tour and tastings at Lakefront Brewery, and dine at restaurants along the scenic Riverwalk. Milwaukee is also the home of Harley-Davidson and there is a museum dedicated to the history and manufacture of its motorcycles.
Pittsburgh, Philadelphia
Art lovers may enjoy a trip to Pittsburgh. It’s home to Andy Warhol, whose works you can learn about at the Andy Warhol Museum. The Carnegie Museums of Natural History meanwhile, comprises two museums: one dedicated to paintings and sculpture, the other dedicated to natural history (including dinosaurs). This city is also known for its culinary scene and professional theatre productions, as well as being situated next to a mountain that you can scale using a vintage cable car.
Charleston, West Virginia
Not to be confused with Charleston in South Carolina (which is an amazing city, but hardly overlooked), Charleston in West Virginia is a small inland city with lots of great rural hikes on its doorstep (visit Kanawha State Forest). The city itself is very historic and it has one of the largest state capitol buildings in the US. Capitol Street is meanwhile made up of 19th century buildings and has many great restaurants.
Salt Lake City, Utah
Surrounded by mountains, Salt Lake City has a beautiful backdrop and many great outdoor activities that you can explore nearby from mountain biking to skiing. The city itself also has some incredible architecture including the mighty Salt Lake Temple overlooking Temple Square and Utah State Capitol. A trip to the city’s Natural History Museum is also recommended for its hands-on exhibits and scenic views.
