10 Best City Getaways in the US

Las Vegas is a city with a lively pulse that’s packed with interesting things to see and do. The glitzy shopping centres and flashing casinos found along The Strip compete for attention, each with a full range of attractions within.

You can choose to enjoy world-class live entertainment, take the kids on family-friendly fairground rides and eat at esteemed restaurants. But Las Vegas isn't all about indulgent pursuits. There’s an interesting art scene here with many excellent galleries and museums and also some interesting hikes through desert landscapes just a short drive from the city. Furthermore, Las Vegas makes a good base from which to visit the majestic Grand Canyon. Read more..

Orlando has many of the world’s most magical and entertaining theme parks, which makes it enduringly popular for a city break that all the family can enjoy. Meet your favourite characters at Disney, immerse yourself in film magic at Universal or get the adrenaline pumping on the extreme rollercoasters at Magic Kingdom.

The city itself has interesting shopping centres and restaurants to discover too. Orlando has great weather all year round, so there's never a bad time to visit. A photo of the little ones with Mickey and Minnie will live long on the fireplace. Read more…

Hawaii’s state capital of Honolulu is also the largest city in the island state. It combines relaxed beach culture, fascinating history and all the shopping and dining you would expect from a big city.

Honolulu has historical attractions like Pearl Harbour and Aloha Tower to discover, along with picture-perfect beaches. Head to one of Honolulu’s beachfront cafés to sample pokē – a lightly spiced raw-fish salad – washed down with a freshly made tropical-fruit smoothie, before watching a blissful sunset from a vantage point on palm-fringed Waikiki Beach. Read more…

Miami combines modern city convenience with a diverse culture and stunning beaches. Miami South Beach is the best place to stay for a few days in the sand. You can enjoy a few hours sunbathing, burn some calories with a quick workout in Muscle Beach’s Lummus Park, or take a stroll around Ocean Drive’s Art Deco Historic District. Photographers will love capturing the stunning world-famous architecture decorated in pastel pinks and blues.

Take the trip across the causeway to City centre Miami to explore the many interesting museums and family attractions lining Biscayne Bay. If you’re looking for a more secluded spot in Miami, head to Oleta River State Park north of Biscayne Bay and enjoy hiking through this 1,000-acre nature reserve that’s covered in mangroves and criss-crossed by hiking trails. Read more…

City breaks don’t get much bigger than New York. From arts and culture to business and finance, the biggest city in the US has led the free world in a multitude of ways. It’s arguably the world’s capital of culture and makes a fantastic city break for active types.

New York City is jam-packed with legendary landmarks. The names roll off the tongue and feel memorable thanks to songs and films that have placed them in popular culture – the Empire State Building in Manhattan, the iconic Statue of Liberty, and the green expanse of Central Park, just to name a few. Other fun things to do in New York include watching live theatre on Broadway, eating fusion food in Brooklyn, and admiring cutting-edge modern art exhibitions at MoMA. Read more…

San Diego combines the charms of a laid-back beach break with sun-soaked city adventures. The San Diego Zoo, a world-renowned sanctuary for over 600 different creatures and 700,000 exotic plants, is a real highlight and is not to be missed. Adventurers can opt for hiking through the 1,200-acre Balboa Park and Torrey Pines State Reserve, while cliffs overlooking the ocean in Torrey Pines are known for hang gliding.

From tacos and margaritas to sushi and sake, mealtimes in San Diego are always special thanks to the Asian and Mexican enclaves that are peppered with dining spots. Along the coast, San Diego has plenty to keep you occupied. There are terrific waves for surfing, especially between August and November, or you can stay on dry land and join a game of volleyball on Mission Beach. Read more…

Los Angeles evokes images of glamour, fame and fortune. Spend your days immersing yourself in film magic at Warner Bros. Studios to learn how they bring stories to life on the big screen or shop for fine and fancy things on Rodeo Drive.

Due to the size of the city, it does pay to do some research regarding where you will base yourself. For families, a hotel in Anaheim is a good option as it's close to Disneyland, while beach bums will prefer the chilled vibes of Santa Monica. But don’t let the tales of gridlock put you off a city break in Los Angeles. While the city centre area is bustling, the surrounding hills and mountains feature scenic roads and hiking trails with vantage points overlooking the cityscape. In particular, the view from Mulholland Scenic Overlook is breathtaking. Read more…

Chicago makes for an excellent city break. It has some of the best shopping in the US, interesting art galleries, and a mix of cultures that reflects the face of modern America.

The areas of Chicago are a wonderful medley of scenes, with the fashionable landmarks of Riverwalk giving way to Latino flavours in the city’s Lower West Side, liberal lifestyles found in Boystown, and the burgeoning foodie hot spot of West Loop. It’s this blend of sub-cultures that makes Chicago such a fascinating city to explore. Read more…

New Orleans is a distinctive city with a fun-loving soul. It’s somewhat chaotic, but you’re sure to be greeted with smiles as you explore the city sights. The Creole culture of the city is found in the cuisine as well as the tales of voodoo.

The heart of New Orleans is in the French Quarter, where brightly painted colonial architecture is brought to life with atmospheric jazz bars and restaurants serving up Cajun classics. You can’t leave without tasting some authentic creole Jambalaya, washed down with bourbon cocktails at a tucked-away speakeasy. As the spiritual home of jazz music, the musically minded amongst you will certainly enjoy New Orleans. Read more…

Nashville’s laid-back charms and incredible music scene make it a great city break destination for couples or larger groups. Take a walk around the Arts District that surrounds the Tennessee State Capitol building, stopping to enjoy the historical charms of the city. Then head across town, over the Cumberland River, to party into the night at buzzing, beer-soaked honky-tonk bars and legendary performance venues in Music Valley.

The city’s starry musical heritage is everywhere in Nashville, from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum to the renowned Studio B where Elvis recorded over 200 hits. Read more…