1.) New York City. NYC is a given, it’s the iconic image of the United States, even though I don’t think it’s culturally or aesthetically similar to much of the rest of the country. Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, all the museums, and the omnipresent stench of urine are internationally known symbols of NYC that any visit to the United States is a failure if you miss… (I lived in Manhattan for a year and don’t miss it one bit, but you gotta admit, NYC is THE City you see if you only have one choice.)
2.) Chicago, much like New York, there’s so much history and pop culture icons that are found in Chicago, and the Chicago foodie scene will leave your tastebuds glorified and your waistline expanded. I think is the Art Institute is the best Art Museum in the Americas hands down. Deep dish pizza, the bean, navy pier, Sears Tower (don’t you dare call it willis) overlook, Michigan Avenue, Wicker Park/Ukrainian Village, Grant Park, etc. are all great tourist attractions. I lived in Chicago for 5 years, it’s really an iconic and unique place.
3.) San Francisco, if you HAVE to choose just one city on the West Coast to see, San Francisco is probably more important and a must see than Los Angeles (or San Diego, Seattle, or Portland). It’s got much more history, is much more of a pleasant city to get around and navigate, and the collection of sites and vistas are much more iconic and important as a collective whole than Los Angeles. The Golden Gate bridge, Coit Tower, Alcatraz, Russian Hill, Fishermans Wharf, the Castro, the Presidio, etc. all present some of the most important and renowned tourist stops on the best coast. There’s just so much iconic and famous landmarks packed into a rather expensive but tiny and condensed (geographically) city, you are remiss if you miss San Francisco!
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