New York City is undoubtedly at the top of the list of every city lover visiting the United States.  The Big Apple provides countless tourist attractions, wealth of iconic sights and art to explore, but this is not at all everything that Uncle Sam has to offer to its visitors.  The Luxury Travel Guide has explored four of the most intriguing cosmopolitan cities in America that are as exciting and vibrant as New York.
 
Boston, Massachusetts
 
Ever since the 19th Century Boston has been an educational centre and a cultural capital, home of the intellectual elite and artistic community of America.  The vibrant and highly individualistic city offers the ultimate big city experience with its wide array of historical attractions, green parks, museums, galleries, hip restaurants and venues.
 
Located on the American East Coast, Boston is one of the oldest cities in the United States which has played a crucial part in the development of American culture.  Designed for tourists, The Freedom
Trail is a four kilometre-long walking tour which includes 16 of the main historic sites in Boston.
Museums that are not to be missed are the Museum of Fine Arts, which holds the largest collection of Monet paintings outside of Paris, the MIT Museum of invention, ideas and innovation, andthe  Institute of Contemporary Art and The New England Aquarium (which offers whale watching tours.)
 
Another colourful addition to Boston’s cultural stage is the Theatre District; usually the first stop on a show’s running tour it is also where you can catch previews of Broadway shows. . If you tire of all the cultural activities, you can always find tranquillity under Boston Common and Public Garden’s shady trees or take a relaxing walk on Newbury Street between eight blocks of high-end boutiques and trendy restaurants.  Lunch or dinner at the fish-centred Seaport District is mandatory when in Boston – indulge in an extensive selection of fine local seafood and stunning harbour scenery.
 
Savannah, Georgia
 
Sitting alongside the Savannah River, the city that was named after it is one of the most energetic and major cities in the South.  Rapidly developing into a prosperous seaport in the 19th Century and becoming a cultural centre, Savannah is one of the largest historic districts in the United States and is the oldest city is the state of Georgia. ‘The Hostess City of the South’ is famous for its architecture and emblematic oak trees that give the city an idyllic and natural charm. What immediately stands out upon arriving in Savannah is the beauty and history – although it has a modern feel, visitors can still find a world dominated by sweeping tree canopies, charming cobblestone streets and colonial architecture.
 
The Savannah Hop-on-Hop-off trolley would be a fun way to begin a tour of the city and visit its historic sites and museums.  The Savannah History Museum, the Jepson Centre for Contemporary Art and the symbolic Owens-Thomas House –which is considered to be one of the finest examples of the symmetric English Regency-style architecture –are only a few of the attractions that must be visited.  Stroll the four block City Market located in the northwest corner of the Historic District and don’t forget to pay a visit to the Southern comfort food institution and president Barack Obama’s favourite – Mrs Wilkes Restaurant – where meals are delicious and people are friendly.  The city is situated at a short distance from the tourists’ favourite coastal islands and the picturesque Savannah Riverfront.
 
 
New Orleans, Louisiana 
 
Birthplace of the root of American jazz, New Orleans is a beautiful fusion of French, Creole, African-American, Caribbean, Irish, Haitian, German and Vietnamese cultures.  Unlike numerous other big cities, New Orleans’ architecture has a certain feeling of cosiness and intimacy that contribute to the colourful uniqueness of the city that has been highly influenced by Europe.
 
The originally French city (called "Nouvelle-Orléans" in its early days) has always been a home to a rich array of people and cultures.  After being owned by Spain for a short period of time and then becoming French again, the city was purchased by the United States in the 1803. New Orleans’ reputation drastically enhanced when the iconic French Quarter district became a popular spot and creative centre for artists and bohemians in the early 20th Century and jazz, mother genre of many popular genres today, was developed. 
 
Even if you are short on time and can’t visit the New Orleans Museum of Jazz, the soundtrack of your New Orleans experience will still be routed in local history, as a  long list of jazz tunes is played on every street and in every bar, from early in the morning to the small hours of the day.  Make sure to visit Bourbon Street which is famous for its music scene, lively atmosphere, and exciting parties every night of the week. If you want to fully experience the soul and heart of New Orleans however, the ideal time to visit the thrilling city would be during the festivals Mardi Grass and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.  Both are held in the spring time and promise loud jazz, blues, R&B and Cajun music, food indulgence, and vivacious people whose love for life will be infectious.
 
Chicago, Illinois 
 
The third largest city in the United States is everything that you can ask for from a cosmopolitan city and even more.  With its high-flying architecture, world class museums and galleries, 24 beaches, 580 parks, and never-ending night life, the hub of the Midwest is the ultimate metropolitan experience.
 
Just like a phoenix, Chicago was reborn after the Great Chicago Fire in 1871 and grew bigger and better after the world’s first skyscrapers were built in the Loop (one of the four downtown community areas in Chicago).  Today, three out of the five tallest buildings in America are in Chicago – the Sears Tower, the Trump Tower and the AON Centre, even though the John Hancock Centre is a tourists’ favourite due to its absolutely breathtaking view.  The Windy City is famous for its wide array of well-respected museums and cultural institutions such as the Art Institute of Chicago which holds collections of Impressionism paintings, modern and classical art, and tons of historical artefacts, as well as the three museums in the Near South in what is known as the Museum Campus: Adler Planetarium, the Field Museum of Natural History (where you can find the SUE, the Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton) and the Shed Aquarium. 
 
Going to Chicago and not catching a game, be it basketball, baseball, football, ice-hockey or soccer, would be as bad as going to New York and not seeing a show on Broadway.  There is something going on every night and the spirited crowds will easily make you feel like you belong to their community.  With its excellent dining options, countless bars and vibrant atmosphere, Chicago is an excellent alternative to the overcrowded New York.

Share this article: