Which is the best city to live in usa

Now in its 35th year, our annual Readers' Choice Awards continues to capture the travel experiences our readers love best, from hotels and airlines to cruises and islands. Plus: Odes to the properties that keep you coming back, meditations on beloved cities, and more. 

The numbers prove what we already knew: Enthusiasm for travel has never been higher, as demonstrated by the nearly quarter of a million of you who filled out this year’s survey. The best cities in the United States (large and small) are a testament to the staying power of perennial favorites, through thick and thin—with some newcomers to consider. Here are the best cities in the U.S., as voted by Traveler readers.

View the Readers' Choice Award winners for the best cities in the world here.

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  Good things come in small packages, and nowhere is that more evident than in these 10 dynamic, reader-favorite cities. Whether you're on the lookout for a cutting-edge arts scene, inventive new restaurants, or eye-catching architecture, you're bound to find what you're after.

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  10. Wilmington, N.C.

  In recent decades, Port City has become a favorite spot for Hollywood filmmakers, serving as the backdrop for projects like Dawson’s Creek, One Tree Hill, We’re the Millers, and Iron Man 3. It’s not hard to see the appeal: With architecture dating back to the 1730s in its National Register Historic District, scene-setting live oaks, and a pedestrian-friendly Riverwalk, Wilmington feels a bit like a lower-key Savannah. Southern charm abounds in spots like the Airlie Gardens, which bursts to life in the spring with more than 75,000 azaleas, while the World War II–era Battleship North Carolina—accessible via water taxi—is a favorite among military history buffs, who can stroll through its living quarters, mess halls, gun turrets, and the rest of its nine levels.

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  9. Palm Beach, Fla.

  There’s a see-and-be-seen, Gilded Age glamor to this Atlantic barrier island, which has been attracting the rich and famous since the late-19th century. Built in 1896 by railroad and oil tycoon Henry Morrison Flagler, the Breakers remains one of America’s grandest hotels, but nipping at its heels are polished newcomers like White Elephant Palm Beach. Squeezed onto this 16-mile stretch of sand are Worth Avenue, a seaside answer to Rodeo Drive; the Flagler Museum, which occupies his 1902 estate; and restaurants like the legendary Ta-boo, which has been kicking since 1941. And while you’ll still find business leaders and politicians among those who frequent these shores, Palm Beach has also been attracting a decidedly cooler crowd, including regulars like designer Jonathan Adler.

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  8. Santa Rosa Beach, Fla.

  While it’s much more under-the-radar than many of its fellow list mates, that’s part of Santa Rosa Beach’s prodigious charm: It occupies a prime slice of sandy real estate on the Florida Pandhandle’s Emerald Coast, yet remains a hidden gem among many non–Sunshine Staters. The city is home to an impressive three state parks and a state forest, with the 163-acre Eden Gardens State Park making for an especially worthwhile visit; here, you’ll find the 1897 Wesley homestead, all white columns and wrap-around porches, surrounded by moss-draped live oaks. Unsurprisingly, Santa Rosa Beach is also a great place to indulge in some of the freshest Gulf seafood around, from the grouper ceviche at Local Catch Bar & Grill to Chardonnay-poached shrimp at Stinky’s Fish Camp.

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  7. Key West, Florida

  It’s time to open your mind to Key West. Considered by many to be a rallying point for hippies and Jimmy Buffett diehards, the island city defies stereotypes with its historic architecture, first-rate seafood restaurants, and epic sunsets. Order the cheese-smothered hogfish sandwich at Hogfish Bar, followed by the key lime pie at Blue Heaven, and burn it all off later at Fort Zachary Taylor State Park, where the artificial reefs draw snorkelers and the stretches of beach keep you outdoors all day. And, of course, don’t forget to slot out some time to take a tour of the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum—and maybe spot a six-toed cat while you’re there. Pro tip: Rent a bike as soon as you reach town. It’s easily the best way to explore the three-mile-long island.

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  6. Greenville, South Carolina

  Want to get in on a secret? Plan a trip to Greenville now and you might see it just on the cusp of stardom. The food lover’s town has a farm-to-table scene that continues to rise in the ranks (try Jianna for Italian and freshly shucked oysters, and Vault & Vator, the city's first speakeasy, for a strong, well-crafted cocktail), and its craft beer scene is seeing a similar explosion. Paired with its dynamic urban spaces are abundant natural resources, including 32-acre Falls Park, which runs through the middle of town, and the Swamp Rabbit bike trail—now at a whopping 22 miles and counting.

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  5. Savannah, Georgia

  Mossy, moody Savannah has no shortage of 'grammable views. Start with a walk along its cobblestoned historic district past horse-drawn carriages, ornate architecture, and supposedly haunted buildings, or find shade under live oak trees drooping with Spanish moss. Book in advance to nab a room at the Gastonian, a historic bed and breakfast just two blocks from 30-acre Forsyth Park. And for a fantastic dining experience, go to The Grey, an elegantly reborn former Greyhound Bus depot, where James Beard Award–winning chef Mashama Bailey serves elevated takes on Southern classics, like foie gras and grits and tempura-fried catfish.

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  4. Alexandria, Virginia

  Washingtonians are all in on the secret, but it’s no surprise the rest of the world is catching up: Alexandria, Virginia, the charming, historic city just across the Potomac River from our nation's capital, draws travelers and would-be residents alike. Most folks start to imagine moving there immediately after setting foot in Old Town, once they’ve strolled the red-brick sidewalks, clocking street after street of perfectly preserved rowhouses from the 18th and 19th centuries. When you visit, scope out King Street, packed with boutiques, restaurants, and specialty shops; then land at the waterfront, where you can watch the boats bobbing on the water before touring the Torpedo Factory Art Center, a collective of galleries and artists’ studios. End the day at Gadsby’s Tavern, where some of our founding fathers used to drink—don’t mind the actors in colonial garb.

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  3. Santa Fe

  Santa Fe acts as both New Mexico’s political and creative capital: Wander its wide streets, flanked by adobe houses, and you’ll begin to see why artists like Georgia O'Keeffe were so inspired by this eclectic, historic town. (Traveler readers also can't stay away—Santa Fe has long been a regular on this list.) The city’s many art institutions, 250-plus galleries (notably SITE Santa Fe, in the Railyard, an emerging contemporary arts hub), and Spanish colonial churches keep culture fiends busy. If the fantastical is more your thing, Meow Wolf’s House of Eternal Return is an explorable art experience with more than 70 rooms of immersive art. To recharge after an active day of museum-hopping, we recommend ordering 505 Manhattans at Radish & Rye, whose 75 bourbons and whiskeys are an antidote to tequila overload.

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  2. Aspen

  After a year that found many of us escaping to the great outdoors, it’s no surprise that Aspen tops this year’s list. It’s home to some of the best ski slopes in the U.S.—and some of the best resorts, too. The Little Nell is a popular choice for ski-in-ski-out; you can also stay at The St. Regis Aspen Resort, only a three-minute walk from the base of Aspen Mountain. If you’re more about the “après” than the “ski,” head to Meat and Cheese for the best charcuterie in town, or make a reservation at Matsuhisa Aspen, where chef Nobu Matsuhisa fuses Japanese cuisine and Peruvian ingredients. And if you've discounted the city as a summer destination, don’t: there's plenty to do here when it warms up, like hiking the Grottos Trail just east of town, or checking out the revolving contemporary art collection at the Aspen Art Museum.

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  1. Charleston, South Carolina

  Charleston may be a small town, but this city punches well above its weight. When you consider everything it has to offer—history, culture, food, charm—it’s no wonder the so-called Holy City has repeatedly topped our list of the best small cities in the U.S. While its robust F&B scene, which includes a steady annual circuit of nationally recognized food and culture festivals, continues to be a draw, visitors are rarely prepared for the city's good looks. Stately homes, cobblestone streets, waterfront views, and an abundance of flowering window boxes only add to its welcoming vibe. Find a seat among its many outdoor terraces for a drink and some fresh oysters (we recommend hitting the Ordinary), and try to resist the urge to up and move here.

• Sure, you’ll find some familiar names on this list of the best big cities in the U.S., but go beyond what you might expect and you’ll find some surprising gems.

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  10. Seattle

  Perhaps no major city in the U.S. has a more close-knit relationship with the water than Seattle: Here, the spoils of Puget Sound find their way onto the crushed ice at Pike Place Market and the seafood towers at high-end restaurants; seaplanes are a legitimate, non-touristy way of getting around; and ferries are a part of daily life. If you prefer your vessels a little more intimate, you can rent a hot tub boat or take out one of the free peapod rowboats from the Center for Wooden Boats for a spin around Lake Union. On dry land, culture abounds, from Chihuly Garden and Glass to the National Nordic Museum, which moved into a gorgeous new facility in Ballard in 2018. And thanks to the presence of tech giants like Amazon, which has attracted an avalanche of new development, the Emerald City seems to be shining even brighter than usual these days.

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  9. Washington, D.C.

  Washington, D.C. may have finally shed its buttoned-up reputation. Yes, we're still riding the high from the 2016 opening of the National Museum of African-American History and Culture, designed by world-renowned British-Ghanian architect David Adjaye. But then came the smartly revitalized Wharf, with its can't-miss waterfront views, and the arrival of hotel Eaton, which prioritizes activism instead of pillow mints—not to mention the city’s stylish Airbnbs. Suddenly, we can't seem to get enough of the place. Something's brewing in D.C., and it's not just the craft beer.

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  8. New Orleans

  It's easy to experience New Orleans through its most popular attractions: Mardi Gras and Bourbon Street, Cafe du Monde (which is great, don't get us wrong), and Preservation Hall jazz (also fantastic). But there's so much more to this soulful city. Its Creole, Cajun, and French roots inform everything from the music on Frenchman Street to the food and cocktails in the French Quarter over to the Bywater. It's also worth exploring the revitalized Warehouse District, home to the city's Ace Hotel, where you could easily stumble on half a dozen excellent galleries all within a few blocks' radius, or spend a whole day in contemplation at the National WWII Museum.

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  7. San Francisco

  While San Francisco is on the small side for a major city, at just 49 square miles, it packs a punch. Yes, there’s Alcatraz and the famed Golden Gate Bridge, but you could also spend a whole day wandering through the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art or discovering street art in the character-filled Mission District. Treat yourself to some pampering at one of the city’s fantastic spas, or head north and take in the majesty of the redwoods in Muir Woods. Add in some of the best restaurants and bars in the world and a hotel scene that truly has something for everyone, and you’ll likely find that one visit to the city by the bay just isn’t enough. 

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  6. Boston

  For one of the oldest cities in the U.S., Boston sure has aged with style. To get a quick refresher on our nation’s history, walk the Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile route along a string of historic sites that takes you through the country’s founding. Other activities worth adding to your itinerary include slurping up oysters at Neptune, visiting the eclectic salon-style art display at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and catching a ball game at Fenway Park. Just be sure to learn the words to “Sweet Caroline” before you go.

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  5. New York City

  New York City buzzes as though it's perpetually caffeinated (and most of its residents probably are)—packed with people moving, creating, and making the most of every block. After a requisite visit to a few world-class museums (you can never take enough trips to the Met or the Guggenheim), make like a local by tucking into soup dumplings in Chinatown, pizza in Greenwich Village, and steak-frites in Soho, and walking it all off on the High Line; or picnic in Bryant Park. Of course, there are four boroughs beyond Manhattan, and they deserve love, too; stroll over the Brooklyn Bridge for a drink at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, or venture out to Long Island City for a day at MoMa PS1. In this town for all seasons, there's no wrong itinerary.

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  4. Nashville

  A southern city with a small-town feel, you might find that a weekend isn’t enough to get all you can out of Nashville. Music City is known for its legendary honky tonks on Lower Broadway, but be sure to take time away from the buzz of the strip to explore the city’s shops and restaurants. You’ve likely heard of Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack, but you’ll also want to check out Arnold’s Country Kitchen, a classic “meat and three” cafeteria with a James Beard Award. Stop into Hatch Show Print, which has been creating show posters for Nashville’s biggest venues for more than 140 years, to check out their vintage letterpress machinery and take home a piece of Nashville history.

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  3. San Diego

  Several years ago, travelers headed to San Diego might have wondered what they would do in the city, besides hitting the beaches. No longer. With a recent string of hot hotel openings (like the Guild and the Carté) and a legit food scene that offers up some of the best Mexican dishes and seafood platters you'll ever taste, San Diego has officially stepped out from the shadow of its big sister to the north, earning world-class destination status that goes well beyond the waves. Come for the sunshine, sure; but stay for everything else.

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  2. Honolulu

  The gateway for many to the Aloha State, Honolulu is Hawaii’s largest city and capital. Stay at one of the city’s classic hotels, including Halekulani or the Lotus Honolulu at Diamond Head, and be sure to make a dinner reservation at Miro Kaimuki, named one of the best new restaurants in the world. Off the beach, the wide, paved Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail offers an accessible hiking option, as well as excellent potential for whale watching in the winter and early spring. Spend an afternoon at the Bishop Museum, a wonderful resource to gain insight into Hawaiian culture and history, with interactive exhibits that will keep the whole family interested. Its Hawaiian Hall provided design inspiration for Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa on Oahu’s leeward coast—an excellent spot for families looking to stay outside the bustle of Honolulu.

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  1. Chicago, Illinois

  It's no wonder Chicago is topping this list yet again. A world-class destination known for its impressive architecture, first-rate museums, brilliant chefs, and massive brewing scene, it’ll take several repeat visits to get through your list of must-dos. Most people start downtown—from the Magnificent Mile to the ritzy Gold Coast to funky Old Town—but there are 77 neighborhoods to explore, where you'll find cutting-edge restaurants, chilled-out corner bars, and, no matter where you go, some of the most pleasant people you'll find anywhere.

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