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
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
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
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
“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. 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
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
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
“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
“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
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.
More From Savoteur
Some places on our planet experience the skin-tingling warmth of our solar star, others its fiery flames. From bustling cities to unforgiving desert landscapes, these intensely hot landscapes test the limits of human endurance.
10 Hottest Places on the Planet, Ranked
Top 10 Longest Hiking Trails in the World
Are you looking for a memorable adventure? While conquering thousands of miles on foot will likely cause equal parts pleasure and pain, the beautiful sights along the way will keep you going. From North America to Europe, Asia, and New Zealand—the longest hiking trails worldwide are waiting for you. So, grab a passport, lace up your boots, and put one foot in front of the other. The world is waiting for you.
Top 10 Longest Hiking Trails in the World
10 Obscure Islands You’ve Probably Never Even Heard Of But Should Visit
Depending on how you look at it, the earth is big and small; even for most avid travelers, there’s always a treasure trove of unbeaten paths holding rarely-seen surprises. While famous Islands like Bali and Santorini are always in the spotlight, these hidden gems with unnatural beauties deserve your attention.
10 Obscure Islands You’ve Probably Never Even Heard Of But Should Visit
12 Worst Zoos in the U.S. For Cruel Conditions
For many years, zoos have raised concerns about the ethical treatment of animals. Should humans be able to peer at wild animals in makeshift native environments behind glass enclosures? Why are polar bears in Pittsburgh?
Some zoos try to maintain rehabilitation programs for animals who would not survive in the wild in an attempt to one day release them back to their native habitats, but is that the right thing to do? We’ve compiled a list of the 12 worst zoos in the U.S. that steer clear of rehabilitation and rescue programs and, sadly, operate under cruel conditions.
12 Worst Zoos in the U.S. For Cruel Conditions
What Is The Hottest Place In The Mediterranean?
The Mediterranean is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world. It has beautiful beaches, historical sites, and divine food. The weather around the Mediterranean is warm and pleasant almost all year round, making it worth the trip no matter what season it is. Find out the hottest spots to visit if you like the heat.
What Is The Hottest Place In The Mediterranean?
