Certain cities are on everyone\u2019s wish lists: New York, Austin, Nashville. And they belong on those lists. <\/p>\n
But it\u2019s a big country, and there are so many more places to see\u2014including, increasingly, cities that we never would have given a second glance. Thanks to grassroots and civic revitalization projects, creative types taking advantage of cheap real estate, and the realization that small can be beautiful, a new list of must-see cities is forming.<\/p>\n
I asked high-end travel designers about their favorite domestic destinations. These are people who deal in the exotic, who send their clients to have once-in-a-lifetime experiences in far-flung locales. But when I asked about what\u2019s in our own backyard, they were full of enthusiasm. <\/p>\n
Use your timeshare this year and discover a new part of the USA too.<\/p>\n
LOUISVILLE:<\/p>\n
\u201cLouisville is all about good times and good vibes, with vibrant music and art, and a burgeoning food and drinks scene, all characterized by notable southern hospitality,\u201d says Tom Marchant, the co-founder and owner of Black Tomato. It\u2019s also home to some excellent places to stay, from the storied Brown Hotel to the buzzy 21c boutique hotel that also serves as a contemporary, multi-venue art museum. \u201cYou can get to the heart of a city by looking at its drinking culture,\u201d he continues. Kentucky is bourbon country, and \u201cthe nearby home of Bulleit Bourbon at Stitzel-Weller Distillery is a must-see.\u201d<\/p>\n
PHILADELPHIA:
\nWith the Eagles\u2019 exciting first Super Bowl win, a new Four Seasons opening this fall and a creative influx in the Fishtown neighborhood, Philadelphia should be on everyone\u2019s radar, according to Melissa Biggs Bradley, the founder of Indagare. Not far from the Four Seasons is one of the city\u2019s most buzzed-about bistros, Royal Boucherie, which is helmed by a Top Chef winner. \u201cAfter exploring the city\u2019s noble arts and history attractions (don\u2019t miss the art treasures at the Barnes Collection), experience its modern life in Fishtown.\u201d Check out Wm. Mulherin\u2019s Sons, a cool hotel and Italian eatery housed in a 100-year old distillery, and Vestige, a design-forward boutique.<\/p>\n
DETROIT:
\n\u201cDetroit\u2019s renaissance is a testament to the city\u2019s resilient, creative locals, who\u2019ve revived the once moribund metropolis and set the stage for a compelling, quirky place to explore,\u201d says Marchant. \u201cThere\u2019s a palpable authenticity to Detroit.\u201d The Heidelberg Project, a remarkable outdoor art space, has taken over vacant lots and abandoned homes, creating beauty in an unexpected place. The historic architecture is also impressive, from the Michigan Central Station to the Inn on Ferry Street (worth a stay). Shinola Detroit has done its part to bring industry to the area and has expanded its offerings beyond watches and into an ambitious, and impressive, new hotel due to open soon. The food scene is blossoming too.<\/p>\n
SAVANNAH:
\n\u201cOne of the best-preserved vestiges of the American South, Savannah proudly displays gracious hospitality, beautiful architecture, rich history and classic charm,\u201d says Biggs Bradley. Creativity is a big part of the city\u2019s fabric, as it\u2019s home to the Savannah College of Art and Design. This year, exciting debuts abound, such as the new Perry Lane Hotel in the heart of the historic district. The low country culinary scene is also heating up with the addition of Sean Brock\u2019s fourth Husk outpost, as well as hot spots like the retro-chic Little Duck Diner for Asian-influenced Southern fare, the vegan caf\u00e9 Fox & Fig, and the Grove, an upcoming restaurant and rooftop with panoramic views of downtown.<\/p>\n
PORTLAND, MAINE:
\nTurns out, the other Portland is cool too. \u201cWhile Maine has a faraway, often otherworldly feel, Portland is easily accessible and quickly becoming a notable place for a vacation,\u201d says Marchant. Summers in coastal Portland are lush, and the early autumn is stately. In season, it\u2019s notably cosmopolitan with interesting bars, restaurants and, of course, lobster. \u201cWhile Portland may be seeing a surge of energy, it still exudes classic New England vibes.\u201d Stay at the peaceful, historic Danforth Inn or take a ferry to The Inn at Diamond Cove. And excellent breweries abound, notably Bissell Brothers and Stroudwater. \u201cFor something quirky, and very Maine, check out the International Cryptozoology Museum, the only one of its kind in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
COLUMBUS, INDIANA:
\n\u201cThe unlikely city of Columbus has become a hot spot for architecture buffs,\u201d says Biggs Bradley. The town\u2019s design mastership is credited to an engine industry mogul who sponsored several notable projects in the 1950s with the aim of revitalizing the city. Today Columbus is home to some 80 modernist buildings designed by some of the 20th century\u2019s best-known architects, including I.M. Pei and Richard Meier. This year is first Exhibit Columbus show, which will celebrate modern architecture with a citywide festival and outdoor installations. \u201cThis expo is sure to put the small but mighty Midwestern city on the map. Visit now, before the crowds descend.\u201d<\/p>\n
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA:
\nAccording to Marchant, Virginia\u2019s historic capital is \u201cbuzzing with young energy and signature southern charm. Its culinary offerings are cutting-edge and reason enough to visit, with new restaurants popping up all the time.\u201d Shagbark in the Libbie Mill Midtownneighborhood is exceptional, as is Saison in Jackson Ward. For craft beers, the Veil Brewing Company in Scotts Addition is a must. \u201cRichmond is effortlessly stylish, and for one of the most expertly curated men\u2019s, women\u2019s and home stores in the country, Need Supplycontinues to set the bar very high.\u201d <\/p>\n
LANCASTER, PENNSLYVANIA:
\nThis newly hip Victorian city\u2014just three hours from New York City\u2014is still one of the U.S.\u2019s best kept secrets, says Marchant. \u201cThe center of Amish country is bucolic but boasts a bustling food scene and is quickly becoming a cultural hotbed. The architecture is the real star, so explore the alleys and cobblestone streets by foot, checking out the many repurposed old warehouses that house thriving businesses, such as the Thistle Finch Distillery for cocktails and The Fridge for well-curated beers.\u201d The culinary star is Luca, quickly gaining national acclaim for its Italian dishes that pay homage to local farming communities. \u201cThe arts are central to Lancaster\u2019s growth, notably the stunning Fulton Theatre and neighboring Prince Street, Lancaster\u2019s gallery row, which pulses with art on summer first Friday.<\/p>\n
BALTIMORE:
\nDespite its history as one of the country\u2019s most important ports, Baltimore has been overlooked, notes Biggs Bradley. \u201cBut now, with the new Sagamore Pendry Baltimore hotel, a burgeoning arts scene and the planned Under Armour campus, Baltimore\u2019s moniker of Charm City is becoming a reality.\u201d Owned by the billionaire CEO of Under Armour and Maryland native Kevin Plank, the hotel has an acclaimed restaurant from Michelin-starred chef Andrew Carmellini. \u201cBaltimore\u2019s art scene is also on the rise: Local artist Amy Sherald recently unveiled Michelle Obama\u2019s portrait for the National Portrait Gallery and now sits on the board of the Baltimore Museum of Art. This year, the museum is showcasing such pioneering exhibitions as Moon Dust, an illumination installation work by Spencer Finch, who is known for his works at New York\u2019s High Line Park and the National September 11 Memorial and Museum.\u201d<\/p>\n
SAN ANTONIO:
\nSan Antonio\u2019s proximity to Mexico plays an integral role in its sophisticated food, exceptional art and cultural traditions. That makes it a solid alternative to Austin, says Marchant. \u201cThe city, celebrating its 300th anniversary this year, has impressive Latin American art in Blue Star Contemporary, founded during a grassroots artist meeting. Also worth checking out is Ruiz-Healy Art in Olmos Park, a gallery curated by Patricia Ruiz-Healy that explores Latin America, borderlands and Texas discourse.\u201d The best Tex Mex is at El Milagrito\u2014order barbacoa breakfast tacos or fideo soup. In April, Fiesta is San Antonio\u2019s answer to Mardi Gras, and \u201cthe city goes wild with cultural events.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Certain cities are on everyone\u2019s wish lists: New York, Austin, Nashville. And they belong on those lists. But it\u2019s a big country, and there are so many more places to see\u2014including, increasingly, cities that we never would have given a second glance. Thanks to grassroots and civic revitalization projects, creative […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":101014,"featured_media":1578,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"yoast_head":"\n