What city boasts cutting edge cuisine, iconic art and architecture, and the latest shopping and cultural experiences that will delight even the most worldly traveler? Chances are, it’s a city near you. Diverse, lively and forward-thinking, many of America’s urban centers offer attractions and hotspots to rival any international capital—minus the need for a passport or exchange rate.
NEW YORK
Sure, the city’s ever-changing landscape means you’ll find more chain stores—and less grit—than you once would have, but the Big Apple’s romantic appeal never fades. Lit-up skyscrapers will always take your breath away; a Central Park stroll will always inspire the holding of hands; and the deck of a Liberty Island ferry, with lower Manhattan as a backdrop, will always be the perfect place to snap a photo. Along with all the classic sights, there are lots of new goings-on too.
"New York: Concrete jungle where dreams are made, there's nothing you can't do!" (Photo Credit: Magda Biernat).
BY DAY: If you’re a NYC newbie, don’t miss the greatest hits. Take in sweeping Manhattan views from Top of the Rock, Rockefeller Center’s three-level indoor-outdoor observatory. Stroll through Central Park and put your partnership skills to the test with a paddleboat ride on the lake by the Loeb Boathouse. Ferries to the Statue of Liberty and the immigration museum on Ellis Island depart from Battery Park. The Staten Island Ferry is free and offers fantastic Statue of Liberty views; it runs 24 hours a day and can also be picked up nearby. And for repeat visitors (and even locals), experiences like walking across the Brooklyn Bridge, checking out a show at the Metropolitan Museum of Art or strolling the just-expanded, riverside High Line elevated park never pale.
WHERE TO EAT: As befits a city full of foodies, NYC offers both high-end cuisine from celebrity chefs and plenty of quality, affordable options, including a dazzling array of ethnic eats. Try an authentic Hong Kong-style dim sum banquet at Golden Unicorn or Jing Fong, both in Chinatown. Or check out more refined versions of global street food—from gourmet meats to white pizza “stacks”—at FoodParc at Kimpton’s Eventi hotel. The regional flavors of India can be savored at one of the casual eateries that line Lexington Avenue in the East Twenties, or at Junoon, known for its elegant dishes. After sampling top Italian food products at the buzzing Eataly marketplace, splurge on a meal at Chef Michael White’s Ai Fiori at The Setai Fifth Avenue hotel, featuring haute-Riviera cuisine.
AT NIGHT: Hotel bars are all the rage in the city that never sleeps. The street-level Bar on 5th, also at the Setai, is attracting regulars with its live jazz, light bites menu and signature cocktails. Gourmet, hand-crafted cocktails are the specialty at Jimmy, the rooftop bar at Soho’s The James Hotel, which also serves up panoramic city views. A few blocks east, the new Mondrian Soho’s Mister H bar is inspired by 1930s-era watering holes and the neon-lit style of nearby Chinatown.
Drink in the hip scene at Jimmy, a hotel bar at James Hotel in New York. (Photo Courtesy of The James Hotels).
WHERE TO STAY: Old-world New York glamour gets a modern spin at The Chatwal, a Times Square-area boutique hotel that mixes Art Deco design, retro touches (like in-room backgammon sets) and butler service, with 42-inch HD TVs, free WiFi and custommade bedding (room rates start at $695 a night; thechatwalny.com).
The Chatwal's whirpool area is a welcome refuge from the frenetic pace of New York. (Photos Courtesy of The Chatwal New York).
At the Gansevoort Park Avenue, you’ll find sleek rooms (some with balconies) and a happening late-night scene at the rooftop bar and swimming pool (room rates start at $495 a night; gansevoortpark. com). On the quiet Upper East Side, just off Fifth Avenue, The Surrey offers bright, elegant rooms, couple’s spa suites and lovely romantic extras like picnics in the park and in-room mixology lessons (room rates start at $429 a night; thesurrey.com).
LOS ANGELES
Oh, the City of Angels, where theme parks and reality shows, beaches and canyons, trendy shopping and velvet-rope nightlife all live happily under one sunny blue sky. No matter the time of year, this left coast city attracts visitors with its temperate weather, wide array of activities and hotels—and the chance of a celeb sighting.
Welcome to the City of Angels - a sign at Los Angeles International Airport. (Photos Credit: Jay Berkowitz).
BY DAY: Get your bearings in the sprawling metropolis with one of L.A.’s famous bus tours, which extend far beyond the celebrity home-stalking variety. No matter your interest, there’s probably a tour here for you—itineraries spotlight famous movie sites, art and architecture, and local foodie favorites. Outdoorsy couples will enjoy bike tours through Topanga State Park, or one of Extranomical’s Beach Lovers tours, which make stops at sandy spots like Venice Beach, Will Rodgers State Beach and the Santa Monica Pier. Cultural attractions include the October opening of “Pacific Standard Time: Art in LA 1945-1980,” a multi-platform exhibit taking place at more than 50 cultural institutions, and Cirque du Soleil’s new Iris, a fantastical journey though the history of world cinema, presented at the Kodak Theatre, home of the Oscars.
The impeccably restored Union Station in downtown Los Angeles. (Photo Credit: John Paul "Boombr" Lacoangelo).
WHERE TO EAT: Several of L.A.’s restaurants help cultivate romance with meals that are designed to be shared. At the classic Morton’s, the signature steak-and-seafoodfor- two prix-fixe menu includes salads, single-cut filets, choice of seafood and a decadent dessert. At Chef Wolfgang Puck’s WP24, Peking duck-for-two is served against a backdrop of city views, while Comme Ca, on Melrose Avenue, offers a special that features a whole roasted chicken for two, including trimmings and take-home recipes.
AT NIGHT: Fans of live music will want to see a show at one of L.A.’s iconic Sunset Strip venues— The Roxy, Viper Room and Whisky A Go-Go—where acts range from up-and-comers to established bands. For cocktails, choose a swank hotel bar, like the Whisky Blue at the W Los Angeles Westwood and the Bar Marmont at the classic Chateau Marmont. Or mellow out at the J Restaurant and Lounge, with its long bar, cigar area and patio with fire pit.
The hotspot Whiskey Blue at the W Los Angeles Westwood. (Photo Courtesy of The Gerber Group).
WHERE TO STAY: Set near Rodeo Drive and Robertson Boulevard, the Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills tempts guests with a luxe spa (complete with a couple’s spa suite), spacious rooms (all with balconies) and a new fourth-floor pool ringed by city views and private cabanas (room rates start at $435 a night; fourseasons.com). Nearby, the vintage-inspired Montage Beverly Hills promises romance with its shimmering rooftop pool, elegant rooms with mosaic-tiled baths and plush bedding. Don’t miss the two-story spa, where the treatments incorporate healing waters (room rates start at $525 a night; montagebeverlyhills.com).
CHICAGO
Home to deep-dish pizza and world-class museums, urban beaches and vibrant neighborhoods,Chicago has been a traveler’s favorite since long before Ferris Bueller led a parade through its streets or Oprah made it her home. In recent years, the city has also become something of a foodie hub, as celebrity chefs have rolled into town, as well as a draw for architecture and music fans.
BY DAY: Chicago’s tour options are endless—and very specific. Visitors can explore by boat, bike, bus, Segway, foot or trolley, and focus on topics like food, history, music or sports. Along with the classic Chicago River Architecture Tour, a 75-minute sail past some of the city’s most iconic buildings, we love the Chicago Greeter program, which pairs visitors up with locals for free walking tours. Other highlights include window shopping along the Magnificent Mile, taking in an exhibit at The Art Institute of Chicago or the Museum of Modern Art, and soaking up the vibe in Grant Park or the Lincoln Park Conservatory.
WHERE TO EAT: First, get the signature foods out of the way: For cheesy, gut-filling deep-dish pizza, favorites include Gino’s East, Lou Malnati’s and the original Pizzeria Uno. For Chicago-style hot dogs—first introduced here by pushcart vendors during the Great Depression—locals like Superdawg on Milwaukee Avenue, Vienna Beef Company (which has a restaurant and gift shop) and Hot Doug’s, where the specials may include duck sausage wieners. Chicago also has more AAA five-diamond restaurants than any other U.S. city, so be sure to save room for a splurge at the French-inspired Tru, or at Everest, on the 40th floor of the Chicago Stock Exchange.
AT NIGHT: In the center of town, the swank Crimson Lounge sets the mood with velvet couches, flickering candles and an extensive martini menu. Pops for Champagne has been a longtime fave for its list of over 125 types of bubbly and the no-cover live jazz, offered Sunday through Tuesday. If the weather’s good, sip a cocktail on the 16th-floor Terrace at the Trump Chicago, which boasts views of the Wrigley Clock Tower and Lake Michigan.
WHERE TO STAY: A classic choice, The Peninsula Chicago, continues to deliver with its relaxed, elegant service, spacious rooms (many with panoramic city views) and acclaimed restaurants and bars. After a day spent exploring, the ESPA Spa, with its pampering treatments and cushy relaxation lounge, can’t be beat (rooms start at $675 a night; peninsula.com). Just off Michigan Avenue, and near many major attractions, The James Chicago puts a contemporary twist on luxury with its modern, art-focused design, cozy, streamlined rooms, and perks like complimentary downtown car service (room rates start at $159 a night; jameshotel.com).
MIAMI
Art Deco style, Latin flavor and all those wide, golden beaches make this southern city a perennial hotspot. In recent years, Miami has evolved past its Spring Break-meets-retirees origins to become a center of music and fashion (it hosts the annual Winter Music Conference and two yearly Fashion Weeks), an important design force (its downtown Design District houses many top showrooms) and a diverse community with activities for all types of travelers.
BY DAY: After lazing on the sands of South Beach, learn about the area’s historic Art Deco architecture with an iPod walking tour, available at the Miami Design Preservation League Visitors Center. Or explore the area via Deco Bike, which rents rides for anywhere from an hour to a month. To get a feel for the city’s strong Cuban roots, stroll along Calle Ocho in the vibrant Little Havana neighborhood and note commemorative murals, knick-knack shops, bakeries and domino-playing seniors before stopping at the 40-plus-year-old, open-air Los Pinarenos Fruteria for a sweet cafecito and homemade tamale. In Miami Beach, the National Historic Landmark Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, with its massive Main House and extensive fountain-lined gardens, takes you back to a time when wealthy industrialists built elaborate European-inspired vacation mansions along Biscayne Bay. Along with regular guided tours, the Museum offers special Moonlight Garden visits throughout the year. Set along the Atlantic Ocean on the northern tip of Miami Beach, Bal Harbour is a charming enclave known for its lovely beaches, trendy restaurants and world-class shopping. It’s also become a fun spot for events, ranging from fashion shows, happy hours and food festivals to live music and beachside movies.
WHERE TO EAT: At Tantra, a romantic Miami Beach restaurant inspired by the ancient Indian philosophy, enjoy the silk-covered walls, ultrasuede banquettes and a menu of “aphrodisiac” cuisine. Also in Miami Beach, Smith & Wollensky serves fine steaks and sunset drinks against a backdrop of views of the downtown skyline and passing cruise ships. At the beachside The Redfish Grill, seafood risotto and conch fritters are served under illuminated palm trees, or splurge at the gourmet candlelit Gibraltar restaurant at the Grove Isle Hotel & Spa, set on a private island just off Coconut Grove.
AT NIGHT: Watch the sun set over shimmering waters on an evening champagne catamaran cruise past Miami Beach’s Millionaire Row and South Beach’s Deco District. For a taste of Miami’s legendary nightlife, head to glam Skybar Miami Beach, site of the red lacquer- floored Redroom, the open-air Redroom Garden and Rumbar, serving over 75 kinds of rum. Other hotel hotspots include the sophisticated Rose Bar at the Delano and the Rat Pack-retro Oasis at the Raleigh Hotel. You can’t leave Miami without a taste of its spicy side: Stop by Gloria and Emilio Estevan’s Larios on the Beach for flavored Mojitos, Cuban eats and—come late-night—a packed dance floor.
WHERE TO STAY: The 56-room Tempo Miami, a RockResort is set among the shopping, restaurants and nightlife of the downtown design district. Along with modern rooms offering water-view balconies, and a 14th-floor Sky Pool Deck, there’s a spacious spa. Get the Adagio couple’s service, which includes massage for two, and a soak in a rose-petal-infused bath—and a split of champagne (room rates start at $249 a night; tempomiami.com). In honor of its 10th anniversary last year, the Mandarin Oriental, Miami—set on Brickell Key—underwent a top-totoe renovation that resulted in sunny, chic rooms, a totally re-done spa with six VIP duo suites and the Oasis Beach Club, with a private white sand beach, luxe cabanas (with flatscreen TVs), an infinity pool and an outdoor sushi and tapas bar (room rates start at $249 a night; mandarinoriental.com).
Inside the gorgeous Mandarin Oriental. (Photo Credit: George Apostolidis).
AUSTIN
While Dallas and Houston may have the world-class museums and glitzy shopping, Austin’s got them beat by a mile when it comes to charm. Over the last couple of years, Texas’s capital has become the 15th-largest city in the U.S., thanks to an influx of new residents drawn by its relaxed pace, lively music and dining scenes, and its scenic setting at the gateway to the lush Hill Country. Just ask celebs like Sandra Bullock and Lance Armstrong, who have lived here for years.
Austin's beautiful Barton Creek Resort. (Photo Courtesy of Barton Creek Resport & Spa)
BY DAY: Austin’s story comes alive during a free guided walking tour through downtown, where historic 19thcentury buildings, like the Milett Opera House and Old Bakery, live alongside modern skyscrapers. Or stroll on your own past notable sites like the Texas State Capitol building, and down South Congress Avenue, lined with shops, restaurants and live music spots. Enjoy the temperate weather with a hike or bike ride around Lady Bird Lake; kayaks and paddle boats can be rented there. Don’t miss the top must-do for locals and visitors: converging on the Congress Avenue Bridge at dusk to gawk as more than a million bats fly out from the world’s largest urban bat colony—yikes!
WHERE TO EAT: The birthplace of Whole Foods, Austin is a true foodie paradise. You’ll find everything from stellar Tex-Mex, creative fine dining and down-home comfort food to gourmet bites served out of trucks. On the upscale side, nationally lauded Chef David Bull’s new dual-concept eatery, Congress, a prix-fixe fine restaurant, as well as the more casual Second bistro; its Bar Congress serves creative cocktails. At Sandra Bullock’s charming Bess Bistro, the eclectic menu includes Wagyu burgers and Croque Monsieurs, served alongside bacon, shrimp and grits, all made with local ingredients. Authentic BBQ and Hill Country wines are the big draws at the popular Salt Lick, while post-night out, nothing beats green chili eggs Benedict at Austin Java.
AT NIGHT: Officially recognized as the world’s Live Music Capital (because it has the most live music venues per capita), Austin features well-known festivals like Austin City Limits and South by Southwest, as well as nightly shows on Sixth Street and in the Warehouse District and South Lamar. For straight up partying, avoid the packed bars on Sixth Street and head to the up-and-coming East Side, home to The Liberty, with a beer garden and backyard food trailer, and The Scoot Inn, Austin’s oldest beer bar and the site of movie nights and skee-ball tournaments.
WHERE TO STAY: Located downtown the new W Austin has 251 stylish, colorful rooms, a poolside Wet Bar and the Trace Restaurant. Bonus: The new home of the Austin City Limits is next door (room rates start at $289 a night; starwoodhotels.com). Just outside of town, the Barton Creek Resort & Spa entices guests with a championship golf course, re-done spa, well-appointed rooms and panoramic views of Texas Hill Country (room rates start at $165 a night; bartoncreek.com).