Living in a city that values recreation, art, and culture is essential. But since we don’t all live in a big metropolis, we wanted to see which cities were worth visiting if we wanted to surround ourselves with culturally diverse wonders.
The US is a superb place for culture vultures because many intriguing cultures exist.
After all, our country is where many of the world’s most outstanding performers and artists originate, which means that there are always fantastic shows and experiences to enjoy no matter where you find yourself.
If you’re the sort of person who likes to catch a live performance, whether it be a theatre production, concert, or sports match, there are many unique places to visit.
But a few stand out and are perfect for people who like to immerse themselves in culture. Let’s explore 5 of them today!
Chicago is one of the highest-ranked cities in our country for culture. It’s got top-notch museums, like the Field Museum of Natural History and the Art Institute of Chicago.
And let’s not forget its theater scene, which includes the legendary Steppenwolf and Goodman theaters. The most famous is the legendary Chicago Theater, which dates back to 1920. Theater enthusiasts also love to take advantage of the Windy City’s annual Theatre Week.
And make sure to also visit historic Wrigley Field, built in 1914, and Millennium Park in the Loop, home to the city’s iconic reflective Bean. Chicago really shines when it comes to its food, as well.
You’ll discover a mind-blowing array of choices with a melting pot of every international flavor you can think of. Even the hardest-to-satisfy foodie will find something they’ll love in this beautiful metropolis.
Michigan Avenue and the Magnificent Mile are lined with over 200 dining locations, such as ethnic eateries for indulging in traditional Midwestern meals, including Chicago’s famous deep-dish pizza.
This one is pretty much the cultural capital of our country and one of the world’s greatest cultural cities. If you love musicals and theatre, Broadway is the place to be. Or you can even check out the smaller off-Broadway venues.
The Big Apple was also the home of punk music throughout the ’70s and a great jazz city with clubs like the Iridium on Broadway, where Les Paul could be found back in the day. This city is also the home of modern art, with hundreds of galleries available for you to view.
In fact, people say that there’s more culture on New York’s Museum Mile than anywhere else on this earth. World-famous galleries here include the Whitney Museum, the Met, and the Guggenheim.
And this place is also one of America’s great literary cities, with The Chelsea Hotel hosting the likes of Arthur Miller, Dylan Thomas, and William Burroughs.
While many places in the US are experiencing a modern cultural evolution, others seem to simply build upon a deeply rooted past.
For instance, a trip to our nation’s capital offers a peek into the modern-day lives of individuals who keep the wheels of government turning, just like those who helped establish the city in 1790.
If you go on a trip to DC nowadays, though, you’ll see some of the country’s oldest and most essential structures, like the Washington Monument, The White House, and the Lincoln Memorial.
But besides these cultural wonders, you’ll find the many museums and exhibitions representing our country’s revolutions, uprisings, and influences that have been part of the American Narrative.
We recommend you start with the Holocaust Memorial Museum, the National Portrait Gallery, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
In this cultural city that’s particularly popular with techies, outdoor enthusiasts, and those who like to stray off the beaten path, some of Seattle’s most beloved public art is a little bizarre.
The giant Fremont Troll is a local staple, and citizens frequently decorate the Waiting for Interurban statues with ties and hats, while some of the trees in this city even wear sweaters.
Then, you have the Hiroshima statue and the Thousand Cranes, where travelers get to add their own origami paper cranes. And, of course, we can’t forget to mention the legendary gum wall. Yes, it really exists!
The Emerald City is even home to a lively downtown waterfront, and it’s home to the Seattle Aquarium and the Seattle Great Wheel. This is where you’ll find a vast selection of live performance venues.
The home of The Golden Gate Bridge was the epicenter of the Beat movement throughout the ’50s and home to people like Allen Ginsberg, Kenneth Rexroth, Jack Kerouac, and Neal Cassidy.
Therefore, the Beat Museum is your perfect place to start, where you can check out first editions and other memorabilia associated with the Beats.
The City Lights Bookstore, founded by the poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti was the publisher of Allen Ginsberg’s seminal volume “Howl.”
Visit the Haight-Asbury District to see where hippie culture had its beginnings in the ’60s, with the Grateful Dead and Janis Joplin being based here. But suppose you’re looking for a more traditional culture.
In that case, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is where you’ll find works by Pollock, Matisse, Duchamp, and Klee. Also, The War Memorial Opera House and Performing Arts Center are home to some of the city’s most amazing performances.
While there are many other fantastic places in our country for culture seekers, these were just a few of OUR favorites. Be sure to let us know which are yours in the comments below!
And if you liked this article, we also recommend: 12 US Museums for the Inquiring Mind
Check out these unique travel experiences for an incredible learning vacation! Looking for some inspiration…
You won't believe the forgotten ruins hiding under our streets! Sometimes, our nation's cities have…
These newly added UNESCO sites are begging to be on your travel bucket list! The…
These are some of America's most beautiful and walkable US cities When you plan a…
Plan your next trip around some of these incredible plant-lover travel destinations! Saying the words…
These East Coast fall foliage train rides are a railway lover's dream! Seeing fall foliage…