50 US Cities Perfect for Your Bucket List

In the 2007 Jim Carrey film "Yes Man," the star and his love interest decide on a spur-of-the-moment trip, arriving at the airport intent on purchasing tickets to wherever the next flight is departing. They get tickets to Lincoln, Nebraska. Mundane, right?

Well, the couple makes the absolute best of it with a great day-trip that includes a University of Nebraska football game and a visit to the Telephone Pioneer Museum.

That's our way of saying that even under-the-radar cities have their own character. So when putting together our 50 U.S. cities to put on your travel bucket list, don't be surprised to see a sleepy, smaller town mixed in with the obvious metropolis or the well-known, must-see tourist attraction.

So great, they named it twice. You could spend a month here and still not see everything. You could spend nearly a quarter century here and still not eat everything. (That's no joke-assuming there was no turnover or closings, if you ate three meals a day at a restaurant, every day, it would take almost 23 years to go through every dining establishment in the city). And we haven't even mentioned Broadway, strolling through Central Park, the Village, a Billy Joel concert at Madison Square Garden, Rockefeller Center and the other popular tourist attractions.

One of the most charming small cities in the U.S., the quintessential southern experience. Just off its shores are where the Civil War began, making this a town steeped in history. Tremendous food scene, as well.

Sure, we could have said Honolulu with Diamond Head, Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, Dole Pineapple and more. And, uh, actually we did, later on in this slideshow. But Maui features a once-in-a-lifetime experience if you drive the famous Road To Hana. The scenery is absolutely stunning along its 600 curves and more than 60 bridges. Not to mention the cool places to stop and take it all in.

Why either/or? Because of another bucket list item-the Northern Lights. Obviously, Fairbanks and Anchorage aren't the only places in the world to see them, but they are the best in the U.S.

What's in Buffalo, of all places? Well, it's here, at Anchor Bar, where the original Buffalo Wing was invented and first served-and still served. You can catch a Bills football game or Sabres hockey game and enjoy what is arguably the most passionate fan base in the country. Niagara Falls is a stone's throw away, and Toronto is a 90-minute drive.

Look, we all know there's a ton of things to do in San Francisco, from Fisherman's Wharf to the cable cars to Chinatown and more. But, make sure you see the surrounding areas. A bike ride across the Golden Gate Bridge to the fishing village of Sausalito is definitely a highlight, as is a car ride to wine country.

A glorious combination of the gorgeous old south, Spanish Moss, a vibrant food scene and a definite sense of the macabre. One of the great cities to soak in family tours during the day, and any one of a number of ghost tours at night.

By far the entertainment capital of the world. Between the residencies by some of the most famous stars (Lady Gaga is currently headlining in Sin City), the nightclubs, the Broadway shows, the original shows and productions and the food and pool scene during the day, you could have the time of your life in Vegas and never wager a dime.

Geno's or Pat's? Pat's or Geno's? You can determine for yourself which famous joint has the best cheesesteak. In between, you're in one of the great historical cities in the U.S.-in fact, the first city in the country to be deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Liberty Bell and Independence Hall are musts.

Whether you're eight or 80, the history is simply overwhelming. That includes everything from monuments and artifacts that are hundreds of years old, to current and living history taking place on Capitol Hill and the Supreme Court.

Gorgeous. Simply gorgeous. From its beautiful coastline to its great inland neighborhoods (visit Balboa Park and Old Town) to the world-famous San Diego Zoo, this city offers so much. And we haven't even talked about the great food scene, the outdoor activities or the ability to take a quick trip over the border to Tijuana, Mexico.

Music, music, music. One of the great American cities for live music, even off of world-famous Beale Street. Of course, the precedent was set-you can visit Graceland, home of Elvis Presley, the King of Rock 'N Roll. Memphis is also the home of the incredible Museum of Civil Rights.

Where to even begin with New Orleans, right? So much to see, so much to do. But your visit should begin and end with the French Quarter-part history, part debauchery, all bucket list. Bourbon Street is an experience unto itself and everybody should do Mardi Gras at least once.

Few cities surpass Boston when it comes to history. Walk the Freedom Trail-it's only 2.5 miles but it takes you past 16 different historical landmarks, including the Old North Church, Bunker Hill and Paul Revere's House. You might not get a better lesson in the American Revolution than this.

Miami itself is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. But there's just something about renting a car, escaping the city and making the drive from Key Largo to Key West-42 bridges, 43 islands and 113 miles or pure bliss.

Martha's Vineyard is actually a collection of towns and beaches on one island, including Edgartown, South Beach and Oaks Bluff. It is a wonderful step back in time, though it is still very much considered a haven for the rich and famous. Nonetheless, definitely a bucket list place to visit.

The quintessential place to be in the nation's 50th state, with one of the most famous beaches in the world-Waikiki. Hike Diamond Head volcano, take a drive around the island and tour the old Dole Pineapple production facility and, of course, spend reflective time at Pearl Harbor.

We kept this separate from Orlando proper because, well, WDW is a city and a destination unto itself. Sorry, we know some people don't like going back to the same vacation destination, but as far as we're concerned, Walt Disney World will never get old.

The home to arguably the three greatest amusement parks in the country-Walt Disney World, Universal and SeaWorld-Orlando is much, much more. Biking, hiking, paddleboats and a vibrant restaurant and entertainment scene downtown at Church Street Station are just a few of the things to do outside the theme parks.

Memphis has its music scene, with a heavy emphasis on blues. Nashville has its music scene, with its reputation as the world's home to country music. No visit would be complete without a visit to the stage at the Grand Ole Opry and a trip to the Country Music Hall of Fame. But make sure to eat some BBQ and take a trip on the Brew Bus for a tour of craft breweries.

You want quirky? You want off-the-beaten-path? You want different? Well, here it is. When you turn an old gas station into an art gallery or Prada store, that's funky and quirky. And that's Marfa.

The U.S. Mint, the Buffalo Bill Museum, a tremendous zoo, the Coors Brewery, the rodeo and some of the greatest musical acts ever, appearing at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre-and we haven't even mentioned the fact that the city is a launching pad for some of the greatest skiing in the country.

Cleveland has transformed over the last few decades into one of the great American cities, known for its terrific downtown 'The Flats.' But what anchored this was the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. If you love music, this is your mecca.

Of course there's The Alamo, a definite bucket list item for anybody with a sense of history. But also, of course, there's River Walk, one of the great pedestrian-only areas that any downtown has, with numerous restaurants and bars. For a true taste of San Antonio, check out the Cowboys Dancehall.

In addition to being a great prototypical college town (University of Texas), Austin-in our humble estimation-is a top five city for music. The bevy of local talent and the diversity of genres sets this town apart. And don't forget the incredible annual event known as the SXSW Festival.

We tried to include some offbeat places in our list (see Marfa, Texas), and this is definitely one of them. But cool, nonetheless. Wallace is a town of less than 1,000 year-round residents and yet it maintains its status as the silver mining capital of the U.S. Just picture yourself stepping back into the 1800s and taking a walk over to the saloon, and now you have an idea of what Wallace is like.

Ah, the left coast. Say what you want, but Los Angeles is one of those few cities that you could spend a month in and still not see it all. L.A. is different in that it's not as much a walking city as New York or Chicago, but the neighborhoods-Rodeo Drive, anyone?-and the towns and beaches like Santa Monica are amazing. Hollywood beckons.

The cool factor in laid-back Albuquerque simply cannot be discounted. Try to visit in October when the city hosts the annual International Balloon Fiesta, and then you can knock off another bucket list item.

So many great things to do in Louisville, especially if you're a sports fan. This is the home of Muhammad Ali, nee Cassius Clay, as well as the birthplace of the Louisville Slugger baseball bat factory. But it's where you can put on your best seersucker suit, sip a mint julep and take in the Kentucky Derby at the famed Churchill Downs racetrack every first Saturday in May.

The sweeping views alone, from Puget Sound to Mount Ranier, should be enough to entice you to visit Seattle. But the city has always had an undercurrent of cool, starting with its coffee houses-the very first Starbucks is still here-to the grunge rock scene to Pike Place Market. Head to the top of the Space Needle for a spectacular view of Seattle.

Like New York, this should be at or near the top of your bucket list. Simply put, this is one of the great American cities. Deep-dish pizza, the Field Museum, the architectural river tour, Wrigley Field and standing on a glass-bottom ledge 100 stories off the ground at the Willis (formerly Sears) Tower-oh, and top it all off by shopping the Miracle Mile.

A most unique American city known in lore for the 1692 witch trials. In fact, Salem is nicknamed "The Witch City" and features the Salem Witch Museum. The city pays homage to TV's favorite witch, actress Elizabeth Montgomery from "Bewitched," with a statue. Grab a bite and a signature cocktail at Witch's Brew before heading over to the House of Seven Gables, where author Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote "The House of Seven Gables" and "The Scarlett Letter."

Doesn't exactly come to mind, does it? Perhaps what this town is closest to will be on your bucket list-The Grand Canyon. Tusayan is just seven miles from the south rim of the Canyon, where 90 percent of visitors start their journey.

One of America's great seaport cities. Baltimore is the home of Fort McHenry, which withstood a bombardment by British ships in 1814 and inspired Francis Scott Key to write the National Anthem. The Inner Harbor, with its historic ships, is a must-see, as is the National Aquarium.

Tampa might run a distant third to Orlando and Miami when it comes to popularity among tourists, but this is an incredible city. The Florida Aquarium has more than 20,000 different species of fish and plants, ZooTampa is one of the best in the country and Busch Gardens is a terrific amusement park. Head to the Ybor City neighborhood for trendy restaurants and bars with a Latino influence.

Every city has its great museums, and Dallas is no exception. For better or worse, Dallas' most popular is the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. This is the floor and the building where Lee Harvey Oswald allegedly assassinated President John F. Kennedy in 1963.

From a well-regarded zoo to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art to the downtown Crown Center, there are a plethora of things to do in Kansas City. We prefer to eat our way through the town. KC has, arguably, the best barbecue in the country, from Arthur Bryant's to Joe's to Q39.

You might not believe it, but Houston is a very cosmopolitan city wrapped in down-home values. Its high-end Museum District is one of the best collections in the country. But also be sure to check out Space Center Houston, which includes a tram visit to nearby Johnson Space Center. Try to sign up for the Level 9 Tour-only 12 tickets per day are sold to this exclusive behind-the-scenes look.

Just an absolutely gorgeous city, the oldest in America. Start out exploring the historic attractions and restaurants and shops of St. George Street. That includes Colonial Quarter, offering tourists a look at what life was 400 years ago. And don't forget the white sand beaches.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, it's cold. We get it. But, for starters, if you're into winter and winter activities, Minneapolis is for you. In the summer, there's hiking and biking and waterfalls in Minnehaha Park. The city is a haven for art galleries. And, of course, shop 'til you drop at the Mall of America.

The Gateway to the West. Literally. The Gateway Arch is the most visited attraction in the city. But there's so much more to St. Louis, home of Budweiser, the beautiful Missouri Botanical Garden and, arguably, the most passionate fan base in the country with the hometown St. Louis Cardinals.

Des Moines is the home to the Iowa State Fair every summer, and the Iowa State Fair is home to food on a stick. No, seriously. Anything you can think of can be eaten as a mobile meal. Apple pie on a stick? Yep. Chocolate cheesecake? No sweat. Grilled peanut butter and jelly on a stick? You bet.

You're looking for bucket list destinations? Well, this should be one. At least once in your life, you should attend the Indy 500, arguably the world's most famous race. And it's a spectacle, to be sure, with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway being able to seat 235,000 fans, and infield capacity for 150,000 more fans.

Now, don't get us wrong. There are plenty of things to do in Aspen, including an opera house and some terrific shopping, along with plenty of fabulous restaurants. But you don't come to Aspen to shop. You come to ski, and ski plenty.

There are a plethora of activities and events in Napa for tourists but, like Aspen, you're going to Napa for one reason and one reason only-the wineries. Some names are recognizable, some aren't, but all are worth exploring.

Spend some time outdoors in one of America's great areas-Glacier National Park. Get out on Lake McDonald. Hike the Trail of the Cedars, one of two wheelchair- and stroller-accessible trails in the park. Drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road and cross the Continental Divide.

For 76 years, Cody has hosted a rodeo every single night during the summer. And if a vision of the town just popped into your head involving some old western scene, well, you'd be right. This is straight out of the cowboy playbook.

Oregon's largest city has so much to do. If you're a bibliophile, Powell's City of Books is three stories high and a city block long. Slow down long enough to meditate at the Japanese Garden, take in the beauty of the Rose Garden or visit the country's only Chinese Garden. Mount Hood is right behind you if you want to ski.

Well, Puerto Rico is an American territory, so let's go! San Juan, for lack of a better term, is just a sexy city. From the beaches and nightlife to the fabulous food and casinos, this-like New York-is a city that never sleeps. Oh, and the historical sites are outstanding.

One of the most exciting and vibrant cities in the country. Should we start counting the ways? The Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, Piedmont Park, Center for Civil and Human Rights, Centennial Olympic Park, College Football Hall of Fame, Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site and so much more.