Top 10 Most Unique Cities in the U.S. According to Americans

Tennessee Williams once famously said, “America has only three cities: New York, San Francisco, and New Orleans. Everywhere else is Cleveland.” An online commenter asks people in a forum to share the most unique cities in the USA — here are their picks.

1. New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans
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NOLA, as people affectionately call it, weaves its Creole spell over most people who make the pilgrimage. “Absolutely nothing like it in the world,” raves the first comment. “My wife is European, and we have both been to about 50 countries between us. Our happy place, both of us, is NOLA, we try to go back every year.”

2. Miami, Florida

Miami
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Surprised nobody has said Miami yet,” ponders another traveler. “It’s a totally different vibe from anywhere else in the U.S. It’s essentially an extension of the Caribbean.” There are no comparisons if you put Miami next to any other city in the country. I would add that it is not just Caribbean culture; it’s Latin America and South America, too. “Miami is basically another country,” adds another fan.

3. Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina
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For smaller cities, I’d offer Charleston, South Carolina, as my vote,” suggests a New Jersey resident who enjoys heading due south. “The downtown/old part of Charleston feels more like a Caribbean fortress or something.” I will agree to disagree here; Charleston’s history is everywhere, but it doesn’t feel Caribbean to me.

4. Santa Fe, New Mexico

Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA in Santa Fe Plaza with the Soldiers' Monument at twilight.
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“One-hundred percent, Santa Fe,” posts a Land of Enchantment fan. “I haven’t seen any other region where Native-American culture is embraced and celebrated and became such a part of the region’s identity.” As I said before, the place leaves its mark — nothing will prepare you for the Pueblo architecture and otherworldly surroundings.

5. San Juan, Puerto Rico

San Juan, Puerto Rico streets and cityscape.
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“San Juan, Puerto Rico. It isn’t the food, language, or even the weather,” votes the next poster. As soon as we started driving, you could tell everything was different from the mainland — the way people drive, build, live, etc.” I am sure Puerto Riceños would agree that their culture is unique; the city certainly feels far from Pittsburgh.

6. Seattle, Washington

Seattle, Washington
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What used to be the serial-killer capital of America (I blame the low light) has gone through various stages in its evolution. From the days of the grunge scene to becoming the new tech-startup capital, Seattle is always a unique place — and dazzlingly beautiful. 

7. Baltimore, Maryland

Baltimore, Maryland
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However judgmental some may feel toward Baltimore’s more crime-ridden reputation, one commenter says they should concentrate on the old quarter. “It has the Visionary Arts museum, everything John Waters, lots of great festivals, a growing artist scene, great local music scene, and friendly people,” says a list-loving commenter.

8. Honolulu, Hawaii

Skyline of Honolulu, Hawaii and the surrounding area including the hotels and buildings on Waikiki Beach
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“Honolulu feels like a completely different world,” says a New Yorker. “People speak American English, and you see the national chains, but that hasn’t changed the culture. It is very much its own place.” The Hawaiian culture still lives strong, which makes me happy, and forms the basis for most people’s reason to visit.

9. San Diego, California

San Diego
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“You can go from sunny beaches to chilly mountains to scorching desert in just two hours of driving in total,” says someone who may need to visit northern Spain. “Where else in the world can this be done?” While San Diego sounds incredible, I am sure this combination exists in other lands.

10. New York City, New York

Times Square, New York City, New York
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Of course, the Big Apple had to appear here, considering its unique geographical proximity, awe-inspiring skyline, and personality. New York City is larger than life and feels like the world capital to me; there’s only one.” Does he mean “world capital” or New York? Maybe he means New York wins the World Series of Cities.

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