50 US Cities Worth Exploring in 2021

The United States of America is a vast, vast country. From deserts to rolling green hills to rocky gray mountains, this country has an environment to suit everyone. It's the same way with cities, too. From modern marvels to charming, European-style gems, the United States is filled with diverse cities ready to be discovered by you.

Scroll through this slideshow to see the noteworthy American cities we can't wait to explore in 2021.

Mobile, Alabama might not be the first destination on this slideshow that you think of, but it has a wealth of cultural significance. Fresh seafood and French influence make this a great place to eat food. Visit the city's many museums and historic parks to learn about art and history. Walk through the city's nine historic districts and bask in the verdant azaleas and French architecture. Come during Carnival and experience the country's oldest Carnvial celebration.

Take a trip to the city of Fairbanks, Alaska to view the Northern Lights in all their splendor. Fairbanks is a beautiful city to get active: go on a kayaking tour, fish along the Chena River and more. For a more cultural approach, visit the University of Alaska's Museum of the North, a stunning modern creation that holds exhibits on the state's culture, history, art, as well as its flora and fauna.

Arizona's outdoor wilderness town, Prescott, has a wealth of Western charm. Visit the world's oldest rodeo, drink whiskey in one of Whiskey Row's many saloons, hike in the beautiful forests and meander along the downtown area to see lovely Victorian-era buildings.

Nicknamed the "Athens of the Ozarks," Fayetteville is a cultural hub in Arkansas, with a great university and a cultural vibe. Visit Dickson Street Bookstore, which houses over 100,000 books, most of which are hard to find. Great outdoor activities and restaurants are also located around this historic city.

Victorian houses perched on steep hillsides and the famous Golden Gate Bridge are two main photo-worthy reasons to visit San Francisco. Hop onto a cable car for a tour around the city and don't forget to visit Alcatraz Island and the picturesque Lombard Street.

Denver is known for being an outdoorsy city, and it's no wonder why. The metropolitan area has many open-air activities, let alone parks and hiking areas. Visit the ultra-modern Denver Botanic Gardens, the Denver Art Museum and see a concert or performance at the stunning Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre.

So many of Connecticut's cities are historical gems, but Hartford is especially unique, especially for book and art lovers. Here, you can tour Mark Twain and Harriet Beecher Stowe's houses, visit the oldest free public museum, the Wadsworth Atheneum, which houses artwork by mostly American artists, but also some Monet and Renoir. Historic Victorian and Gothic Revival buildings, like the state capitol building, are incredible photo-worthy landmarks. For a bit of a breather, visit the sublime Elizabeth Park Rose Garden, with over 800 varieties of roses.

Wilmington, Delaware is known for its entertainment. Whether it's craft breweries or museums you're craving, Wilmington has plenty of both. Its Riverwalk along the Christina and Delaware rivers is beautiful all year long, and many fun activities for children and adults can be found there, like ice skating in the winter.

Our nation's capital is an incredible place to visit: beautiful parks, lovely historic buildings and ample museums and restaurants make this a bright spot in any traveler's book. Visit the cultural landmarks, like the Lincoln Memorial, the White House and the Library of Congress.

Tallahassee is the capital city of Florida and is ranked as one of the top ten best cities to live in in the South. While you're there, visit the state capitol building and museum and check out a different side of Florida with the Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park and the Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park, where you can experience one of the most biologically diverse regions in the U.S. The city also offers more than 700 trails to walk, bike, hike or ride a horse to your heart's content.

Savannah, Georgia is a beautiful historic city, complete with mysterious Spanish moss and cobblestone streets. Homes here date from the early Victorian era and feature charm and a romantic appeal. Great cuisine, historic landmarks and museums are plentiful here, too.

Honolulu is the best of both worlds: a city right on the beach in Hawaii and located near landmarks such as the Pearl Harbor National Memorial and Diamond Head Crater. Outdoor activities in this paradise abound, with snorkeling and scuba diving, as well as surfing, being some of the popular options.

The state's capital of Boise is a great jumping-off point for many day trips to the state's incredible national parks and outdoor recreation areas. Shoshone Falls Park and the Craters of the Moon National Park & Preserve are a few of the most popular parks. The city itself has landmarks associated with the Oregon Trail and the pioneer days.

The city of Chicago is known for its incredible arts and culture. Visit the many museums, like the world-renowned Chicago Art Museum and visit the many famous restaurants, bars and nightclubs the city has to offer.

The capital of Indiana has quite a lot to do: visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, the gigantic Monument Circle and wander the parks, the canal and the surrounding city to experience the best of Indianapolis.

Iowa City is the only city in the United States to have receives UNESCO's Literary City designation. The city's vivid arts and cultural scene are definitely one of the major draws to this area, with plenty of cafes and bookstores offering events such as poetry slams and creative writing events.

Wichita is home to the state's most-visited attraction, the Sedgwick County Zoo. Museums, restaurants and nightlife abound in this city. Visit the city's iconic Keeper of the Plains statue along the waterfront for a beautiful picture of the skyline.

Known for its entertainment scene, Louisville is truly a marvel. The historic city is famous for its Kentucky bourbon, nightlife and as the location for the annual Kentucky Derby.

Far more than just a party destination, New Orleans is a cultural marvel, with many historic and cultural attractions. Great food and great music also give this city an artsy vibe.

This small town is the perfect place to capture the atmosphere of small-town life in New England. Whale watching and trolley tours, art galleries and Acadia National Park only scratch the surface of what this idyllic town has to offer.

Known as "the sailing capital of the U.S.," this city has an incredible amount of water activities to experience. Also located in this coastal city are many historic landmarks and museums.

Known mostly for its incredible American history and museums, Boston is also an incredibly multi-cultural city. Visit Jamaica Plane, China Town, or North End, home to Italian immigrants for a taste of the city's diversity.

Ann Arbor, Michigan is a university town with a creative center. As a cultural and tech hub, Ann Arbor hosts a variety of local events featuring world-renowned celebrities like Yo-Yo Ma. Take a walk downtown and discover the sculptures scattered throughout the area. The city is nicknamed "Tree Town," for a reason: there are plenty of outdoor activities and hiking trails nearby. Both the Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum are free to the public!

St. Paul is one of the cities that makes up the Twin Cities, the other being Minneapolis. St. Paul's Cathedral, the Minnesota State Capitol Building and the Landmark Center are all beautiful photo-ops, but the real secret place to discover are the Wabasha Street Caves, which are an underground network of caves where Prohibition-era bootleggers hid their speakeasies.

Mississippi's capital, Jackson, is a great place to start your journey in Mississippi. Visit the Museum of Mississippi History and the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum to learn about the state's past, and then wander around the Fondren District to discover the artsy side of the city. The city is nicknamed 'the city of soul,' so make sure to catch some live music while you're there.

St. Louis, Missouri has something for everyone. Don't miss out on the biggest landmarks, like the stunning and vast Missouri Botanical Garden and the Gateway Arch. Tour the Museum of Westward Expansion and explore the Forest Park to discover more about what makes St. Louis so special.

Montana's second-largest city is Missoula, home to the University of Montana. It's located along the Clark Fork River, offering ample water activities, like whitewater rafting. Stroll along the waterfront on the Kim Williams Trail. Discover the historic Victorian rail lines, the Caras Park Carousel, the Missoula Art Museum and the Roxy Theater.

Omaha is the most populated city in Nebraska. Visit Old Market, the historic district, with its brick streets and horse-drawn carriages for a glimpse into the past. Visit the Joslyn Art Museum to see some incredible art, featuring artists such as Renoir. For a great view of the skyline, visit the Gene Leahy Mall, which is actually an open-air park.

While Las Vegas is certainly the most visited city in Nevada, Lake Tahoe offers a different, more relaxing side to the state. Straddling the border of California, the largest alpine lake in the country sits surrounded by beautiful mountainous forest. The cities of South Lake Tahoe and Stateline are good jumping-off points for visiting the lake.

This historic mill town has become the largest city in the state and is the perfect place to take day trips to the White Mountains National Forest and Lake Winnipesaukee. The museums are also excellent here: see pieces by Picasso and Monet at the Currier Museum of Art.

While most notably home to Princeton University, this small, charming city is also home to the Washington Oak, a tree that was alive in 1787 during the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. It's also home to several Fortune 500 companies, Albert Einstein's residence and some of the best hoagies you can find.

Taos is a place unlike any other. It's really a collection of nearby pueblo towns that have long attracted artists such as Georgia O'Keefe, D.H. Lawrence and Dorothea Lange. It's home to world-class skiing at Taos Ski Valley, home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Taos Pueblo, home to a much-photographed church, St. Francisco de Asisi and is near the Rocky Mountains and the Rio Grande Gorge. Taos is sure to be a magical trip.

New York City has something for everyone. With some of the best museums in the country, as well as landmarks like Lady Liberty, the Empire State Building and Broadway performances, New York is definitely a cultural capital. Great food, nightlife and music all combine to make the Big Apple one of the most visited places in the country.

Wilmington is home to one of the best aquariums in the country, the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher. Not only that, but it's also home to some of the state's most popular beaches. Wilmington's Riverwalk along the Cape Fear River is a serene experience, while the Poplar Grove Plantation and the Bellamy Mansion will give you a glimpse into the city's past.

Medora is most known as the town you travel to to enter the South Unit of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, but this calming town is also home to great activities, too, like horseback riding and hiking. If you visit in the summer, you'll find the Medora Musical, a Western that celebrates Roosevelt himself. For a bit of history, check out Chateau de Mores, where a French marquis once lived.

The state capital, Columbus is a melting pot of culture, nestled in an area where the South meets the North. Walk through the charming streets of the German Village to get a taste of the history of the place, while the Columbus Museum of Art will give you a glimpse into the modern culture of the city.

Oklahoma City might not seem like a tourist destination at first, but there are plenty of things that make this state capital shine. The 7-story Myriad Botanical Gardens are stunning and definitely a must-see for those who love plants and/or photography. Stroll along the river and experience the beautiful parks and riverwalks for some fresh air. Little Saigon is perfect for trying out some new Asian cuisine, while The Paseo, a former artists' colony, is perfect for discovering art and architecture.

The first settlement on the West Coast created by the United States is the Victorian seaport of Astoria. The charming fishing town boasts the Columbia River Maritime Museum, which is shaped like a wave. The town is great for fishing and being outdoors. For a view of the entire town, climb up the Astor Column.

The "City of Brotherly Love" boasts an ample amount of historic landmarks to visit, most of which are located in the Independence National Historic Park, like the original copy of the U.S. Constitution. Also a noteworthy place to visit is the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Old Harbor is a quaint seaside town located on Block Island, accessible from the mainland by a ferry ride. One of the most popular boating destinations, this town is filled with seafood restaurants and quaint inns. The island's resort community of New Shoreham is also accessible for a day trip or two, and is known as one of the prettiest towns in New England.

Charleston is easily one of the most popular destinations in the South. It's a charming port city with a French Quarter, historic Fort Sumner, horse-drawn carriages and some of the most charming architecture this side of the Atlantic.

Sioux Falls is a city in South Dakota located near a beautiful tumbling cascade. In Falls Park, you can experience some fresh air activities near a beautiful, picturesque waterfall. Watch a performance at the Washington Pavilion, experience local sculptures in the downtown area, visit the Center for Western Studies and the Siouxland Heritage Museums for a look at the history of Sioux Falls.

Nashville is an arts and music cultural hub you won't want to miss. If you're a fan of country music especially, you'll love the live music that spills out of bars and cafes, like the Bluebird Cafe, where many famous artists were found.

Houston is one of the most vibrant and largest cities in the United States, and reasonably is one of the most diverse. Home to NASA, beautiful parks and unique neighborhoods that will fit anyone's preferences, Houston has it all. Visit the Mahatma Gandhi District, Chinatown or the Theater District to visit some incredible foodie and nightlife attractions.

Park City, Utah is an adrenaline junkie's dream. Major ski resorts offer incredible outdoor activities like skiing and snowboarding. Reservoirs, hot springs and forests are also major outdoor attractions, as are the biking and hiking trails. Take a rest from the activity at the Sundance Film Festival, the largest independent film festival in the country.

Burlington is a charming city, home to Ben & Jerry's ice cream. It's also on Lake Champlain, so it's a great place to visit in the summer to swim, ski and enjoy the lake life. The Church Street Marketplace hosts a variety of festivals throughout the year, so make sure to visit during one of these events to experience the community feel.

Seattle is a beautiful city. Located near St. Helena, an active volcano, and nestled into the Pacific Coast, Seattle is a cultural hub, great for foodies, art lovers, bookworms and adrenaline junkies alike. It's also the capital of coffee in the U.S., so if you're a fan of caffeine, chances are you'll love this historic yet modern city.

Harpers Ferry is located at the intersection of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers. The forested surroundings and beautiful rivers add a charming, magical feel to the city, which is steeped in history. Check out the many Civil War-era historical sites when you visit. It's also a great access point to the Appalachian Trail.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the perfect vacation destination for those who like to party. Home to the world's largest music festival, Summerfest, along with several smaller yet no less amazing cultural festivals held during the summer, you'll find a plethora of local independent breweries, incredible restaurants and small-city charm, mingled with great nightlife and a stunning lakefront home to the iconic Milwaukee Art Museum.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming is where many resorts have been built, offering close(ish) proximity to some of the most popular national parks and attractions Wyoming has to offer. Make sure to check out the local food, which ranges from dishes with wild salmon to buffalo burgers.