The 9 Best Cities in America to Visit in 2020

In a single lifetime, no traveler could ever be done exploring America. Even if you relegated yourself to just roaming the nation’s cities—setting aside the 50 states’ vast open, unincorporated spaces—there would still always be more to see.

Still, there are a few cities every year that are a bit more worth visiting, either because they’re experiencing some sort of renaissance, they’ve been underrated or overlooked for too long, they’re marking a meaningful anniversary, or they’re so big and familiar that would-be travelers lean too heavily on assumptions when deciding to skip them.

Which is why I set about narrowing down the scope of the best U.S. cities to visit in 2020. The resulting list is lean, timely, geographically diverse, and realistic to do in a single year. So get out there.

 Oakland, California

oakland cathedral at night.

cdrin/Shutterstock

Oakland’s relationship to San Francisco often inspires comparison to Brooklyn’s relationship to Manhattan: It’s the bigger city’s hipper, more relaxed neighbor, where creativity thrives and anything that buzzes tends to get its start. (I’ll refrain from using words like “hipster” and “gentrification” here.)

But Oakland is much more than San Francisco’s happenin’ sidekick. It’s a multi-cultural destination unto itself, with world-class attractions including Jack London Square, Lake Merritt, the Fox Theater, the Oakland Zoo, Children’s Fairyland, Temescal Alley, funky Telegraph Avenue, and the Coliseum (where the As play), adjacent to the Oakland Arena, where the Golden State Warriors saw their historic rise. No wonder almost 4 million people travel here every year.

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Honolulu, Hawaii

waikiki beach swimmers.

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Most travelers don’t need much convincing that Honolulu is worth their time and money. It’s easily among the very best places to visit in the U.S. But if you’ve been holding off, 2020 is the year to go. With a slew of new flights headed there from all over the U.S., including Hawaiian Airlines’ Boston-to-Honolulu route (America’s longest regularly scheduled domestic segment) and Southwest’s reasonably priced jaunts (book these well ahead—they sell out quickly), the balmy shores of Waikiki are easier to get to than ever.

But Honolulu is much more than a gorgeous beach town—though it’s that, too. It’s also a bastion of culture, both native and not. In 2020, the Bishop Museumwill unveil an original exhibit, “Mai Kinohi Mai,” displaying Hawaii’s oldest surfboards, including Duke Kahanamoku’s. The Hawaii Food & Wine Festivalwill be celebrating its 10th anniversary, Oahu’s Ukulele Festival will be celebrating its 50th, and the USS Missouri its 75th.

Meanwhile, Honolulu’s food scene has been booming: 2020 will see chef Jason Yamaguchi’s Japanese-French restaurant Mugen open in the fancy new Espacio hotel. La Vie, serving modern French food, is the impressive new dining room in Waikiki’s Ritz-Carlton Residences. And a new boutique hotel, Halepuna Waikiki, proffers the casual Halekulani Bakery & Restaurant, whose menu focuses on indigenous ingredients.

 Lexington, Kentucky

lexington kentucky.

Christopher Boswell/Shutterstock

Never considered visiting Lexington, Kentucky? Time to reconsider. It’s one of the best U.S. cities to visit—especially if you have equestrian leanings. The “horse capital of the world” (thanks to more than 400 thoroughbred farms) is emerging as a prime Southern destination. The hometown of Ashley and Naomi Judd, as well as George Clooney (his mom was a city councilwoman), is also home to 14 of the state’s biggest bourbon distilleries and more than 120 worthwhile restaurants.

In 2020, Lexington will host the 2020 Breeders’ Cup Championships at Keeneland Race Course for the second time since 2015, a year that saw the event’s largest attendance ever. A few months prior, Equitana, the world’s largest equine fair, will be launching its first U.S. event at the Kentucky Horse Park. And all year long, travelers can enjoy previously unavailable access to champion race horses in the form of newly introduced private tours.

But Lexington isn’t just about horses. Located in the bluegrass region, it has plenty of music and other cultural events as well. After a successful inaugural year in 2019, the Railbird Festival, Lexington’s first large-scale music festival, is returning in August 2020 to the Grounds at Keeneland.

In early 2020, a vacant bus terminal will finish its transformation into a yet-to-be-named mixed-used space featuring a farmer’s market, restaurants, and boutiques. And the lively Distillery District will continue to grow as an entertainment and food hub that overflows with craft beer and live music.

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Los Angeles, California

hollywood walk of fame star los angeles.

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There’s a reason that Los Angeles got picked to host the 2028 Olympics—lots of reasons, in fact. It’s a complex, multilayered city full of art and grit, energy and culture. It’s packed with truly inspiring places, from the Griffith Observatory to the Getty Center. It’s got iconic beaches, including Malibu, Santa Monica, and Venice. It’s resilient, and often recovering and rebuilding from major wildfires. In short, it’s one of the best cities in America to visit.

And yes, there are two California cities on this list—but the Golden State turns 170 on September 9, 2020, and is celebrating the milestone by debuting a flurry of big attractions.

In Southern California, that includes a massive new sports and music venue—the 70,000-seat SoFi Stadium—that will serve as home turf for the Rams and the Chargers. It’ll also host the Super Bowl in 2022, the College Football Championship game in 2023, and the Olympics’ opening and closing ceremonies. Taylor Swift will inaugurate the arena with concerts on July 25 and 26, 2020.

 Orlando, Florida

universal orlando boat.

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Orlando is on most kids’ bucket lists, what with Disney World, Universal, and all. And yes, the activity-filled city is one of the world’s best destinations for theme parks. But there’s more to it than that. Whether you’re coming for Mickey and Harry or whether you’re after science and culture, Orlando is one of the best places to visit in the U.S. in 2020.

Let’s start with what’s happening at the theme parks in 2020. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Galaxy’s Edge will have its “Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance” ride up and running, and in spring, “Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway” will open. Epcot is undergoing a major expansion; its confirmed openings for 2020 include a Mary Poppins attraction, a “Ratatouille”-themed ride, and a new nighttime spectacular called ”HarmonioUS.” A new Disney-themed Cirque du Soleil show is coming to Disney Springs in spring 2020, with tickets already on sale.

Over at Universal, a show called “Bourne Stuntacular” will debut, while Legoland has deemed 2020 the “Year of the Pirate,” with a new hotel and water show to match. Icon Park will debut two thrill rides, including the world’s tallest free-standing drop tower, plus Ole Red, a restaurant by country star Blake Shelton.

About 50 miles east of Orlando, the Kennedy Space Center will be celebrating Apollo 13’s 50th anniversary, and NASA’s Mars 2020 mission will launch out of Cape Canaveral in summer. Also in summer, the Orlando Science Center will debut a new exhibit called “Pompeii: The Immortal City.”

In 2020 food news, Orlando is seeing fun eateries open over the course of the year: Camelo Pizzeria on International Drive will serve up Brazilian thin-crust pizza; Sixty Vines will turn out Napa-inspired seasonal cuisine in Winter Park; Norman’s is moving from the Ritz-Carlton to Restaurant Row; and chef Jérôme Bocuse’s La Crêperie de Paris will delight in Epcot’s France pavilion.

 Rochester, New York

waterfall rochester new york.

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Rochester—New York’s third-biggest city—is in the midst of a revival. The midsized metropolis on Lake Ontario’s south shore has always been the entry point to the Finger Lakes wine region. But now it’s seeing new levels of growth and revitalization, with more than $950 million being invested in the city’s downtown core, in a successful bid to make this one of the best U.S. cities to visit. Its food and drink scene is booming with new restaurants, wineries, breweries, distilleries, and coffee roasters. These include the new REDD Rochester, by Michelin-starred chef and native son Richard Reddington.

Rochester was also the hometown of Susan B. Anthony, whose 200th birthday will be celebrated in 2020 at the National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House (visitors can see the room where she died and the parlor in which she was arrested for voting). The year 2020 is also the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote, and which very well may not have been possible without Susan B. Anthony. Those photos that go viral every election with “I Voted” stickers all over her grave? That’s in Rochester.

Hence 2020’s lineup of women’s suffrage events in Rochester, including Votercade, a yearlong series of performances, exhibits, and other events across the city to celebrate the right to vote. Denizens of “Flower City,” as it’s known, are experts at putting on events: Rochester hosts more than 140 annual festivals, including the Lilac Festival, International Jazz Festival, and the Fringe Festival.

 Washington, D.C.

washington dc capitol building at night.

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Election years are always interesting in America, and the 2020 election promises to be one of the most dramatic ever. Whether you’re there on election night—November 3, 2020—or in the months leading up to it, Washington, D.C.is the center of it all.

At George Washington’s behest, Frenchman Pierre Charles L’Enfant designed much of the nation’s capital in a way that made it among the best cities in America to visit. He applied European aesthetics to the American notion of all people being equal, strategically placing D.C.’s center of power so that every citizen could access it. He didn’t live to see his vision of “Federal Town” come to life, but D.C. did end up being mostly a faithful replication of his design—National Mall, plentiful parks, and all.

On that Mall are some of the world’s best museums, many in the form of the Smithsonian institutions: The unmissable National Museum of American History, the National Museum of Natural History (housing some 146 million scientific specimens), the inspiring Air and Space Museum, and many more. The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum isn’t part of the Smithsonian, but it does provide a powerful and eye-opening education about racism and genocide; with 2020 being the 75th anniversary of Auschwitz’s liberation, it’s a poignant time to pay tribute to the millions who were murdered there.

For more worthwhile attractions to add to your itinerary, see 8 Fun Things to Do in Washington, D.C. and 23 Must-See Washington, D.C. Attractions.

In 2020, D.C. will also be doing much to commemorate the 100th anniversary of American women finally winning the right to vote. The capital city’s suffrage centennial events will include extensive museum exhibits and major public events, including the League of Women Voters’ Centennial Celebration

The year 2020 also marks the 50th anniversary of the federal Environmental Protection Agency and Earth Day; climate activists will likely take to the streets on April 22 during EarthRise, to demand a more sustainable future. Other notable 2020 events in D.C. will include the Arsenal of Democracy Flyover(May 7 – 8) and the National Cherry Blossom Festival (March 20 – April 12).

 Branson, Missouri

branson missouri street.

NSC Photography/Shutterstock

Branson, along with its surrounding Ozark Mountains, promises to be well worth traveling to in 2020 and beyond. It’s been a hidden-gem destination for a while now, but with a slew of new openings and tourist attractions, it’s headed into the mainstream as a first-rate family vacation spot in the American heartland, and one of the best places to visit in the U.S.

Among the region’s coming-soon attractions: Mystic River Falls, in Branson’s Silver Dollar City theme park, is a $23 million water ride that will feature the Western Hemisphere’s tallest drop. The new Aquarium at the Boardwalk will include a jellyfish infinity room, a submarine voyage, and an underwater “mermaid palace.” WonderWorks will debut as a science-themed indoor amusement park with more than 100 interactive exhibits, while Big Air Trampoline Park’s 57 attractions will include a ninja warrior course. The Shepherd of the Hills will add canopy zipline tours, and a range of restaurants will debut in 2020, as well as a new concert hall.

Golfers, in particular, might want to consider a trip here: A Tiger Woods-designed golf course, called Payne’s Valley, is set to open in spring 2020, and the Ozarks National championship course, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, just opened in 2019.

Salt Lake City, Utah

temple square salt lake city.

Joe Y Jiang/Shutterstock

In September 2020, Salt Lake City is getting a $3.6 billion new airport—America’s first new hub airport to be built this century. A complete rebuild of the existing SLC, it’ll feature floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Wasatch Mountains, new restaurants and retailers, and a new light-rail station to make it easy for SLC’s 25 million annual passengers to get downtown.

Some of the world’s best ski resorts—Alta, Brighton, Snowbird, and Solitude—are within 90 minutes of the airport. The lively downtown is much closer—only six miles away, with all of its dining, nightlife, and performing arts, plus the Utah Jazz, the state capitol building, Temple Square, and the dinosaur-filled Natural History Museum.

Best Places Report – Orlando Florida

Orlando,Florida is located in the South East region of the United States near Orlando-Kissimmee. It has a population of 227684 people 49.03% male and 50.97% female. The average high temperature in the summer is 92 degrees with an average low temperature of 50.1 degrees in the winter. You should expect 50.8 inches of annual rainfall and 0 inches of annual snowfall. The safety score in Orlando is 10 out of 10 with 10 being the worst and 1 being the best (national average is 4). The pre-Coronavirus unemployment rate in Orlando is 11.1%. The average commute time is 27.1 minutes. The overall cost of living score is 95 as compared to a national average of 100. Voter registration in Orlando is 40.38% Republican and 59 % Democrat.

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 See detailed report below.

DEMOGRAPHICS

• City: Orlando 
• State: Florida
•  Zip Code: 32822
•  Region: South East
•  County: Orange 

POPULATION

• Population: 227684
• Population Density: 2435 
• Population Change: 22.52% 
• Male Population: 49.03% 
• Female Population: 50.97%
• Married Population: 43.91% 
• Single Population: 56.09%

HOUSEHOLD INFORMATION

• Number Of Households: 100174 
• Avg. Household Size: 2.22 people 
• Median Home Age: 23 years old 
• Median Home Cost: 9,980.00
• Home Appreciation: -15.49%

WEATHER & ENVIRONMENT

• Air Quality: 46.3 out of 100
• Water Quality: 60 out of 100 
• Snowfall: 0 inches per year
• Pollution: 20 out of 100, 100 is best score.
• Rainfall: 50.8 inches per year
• Precipitation Days: 113 days per year
• Sunny Days: 233 days per year
• July High: 92 degrees is the average high in July 
• January Low: 50.1 degrees is the average low in January 
• Comfort Index: 27 
• UV Index: 61 out of 100 

CRIME & SAFETY

• Violent Crime: 10 out of 10 (lower = safer)
• Property Crime: 10 out of 10 (lower = safer)

 UNEMPLOYMENT

• Unemployment Rate: 11.1% (national avg. 3.2%) 
• Recent Job Growth: -5.92%
• Future Job Growth: 17.06% 

TAXES

• Sales Tax: 6.5% 
• Income Tax: 0% 
• Property Tax: 12.34%

 INCOME

• Household Income:,476.00 
• Percent Between 15-25k:12.31% 
• Percent Between 25-35k:13.74% 
• Percent Between 35-50k: 19.03% 
• Percent between 50-75k:19.64% 
• Percent Between 75-100k: 9.72% 
• Percent Between 150-250k:2.88% 
• Percent Between 250-500k:1.02% 
• Percent Greater Than 500k: 0.48% 

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 OCCUPATION TYPE

• Business / Finance: 14.94%
• Professional: 18.79% 
• Service: 19.22%
• Sales & Office:30% 
• Farming, Fishery, Forestry:0.24% 
• Construction:7.23% 
• Transportation: 9.58% 

 HOME STATUS

• Homes Owned: 34.21%
• Homes Vacant: 11.68% 
• Homes Rented: 54.12%

PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM

• Annual Spend Per Student: ,291.00
• Student To Teacher Ratio: 169 / 1
• Students Per Librarian: 937 / 1
• Students Per Counselor: 499 / 1

 EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT

• High School Graduation Rate: 82.94%
• Percent With Associate Degree: 8.55%
• Percent Bachelor Degree: 20.4%
• Percent Graduate Degree: 8.49%

 COMMUTE TIME

• Average Commute Time: 27.1 (Minutes)
• Percent Auto Alone: 79.88%
• Percent Carpool: 11.28%
• Percent Mass Transit: 3.95%
• Percent Less Than 15 minutes: 21.21%
• Percent 15-29 minutes: 44.25%
• Percent 30-44 minutes: 23.71%\
• Percent 45-59 minutes: 5.79%
• Percent 60 minutes or more: 5.03%

 COST OF LIVING:

• National Average = 100 
• Overall Score: 95 
• Cost Of Food Score: 95 
• Cost Of Utilities Score: 101 
• Cost Of Misc Score: 107 

RELIGION

• Percent Religious: 38.94%
• Percent Catholic: 14.06%
• Percent Protestant: 0%
• Percent Baptist: 8.42%
• Percent Episcopalian: 0.64%
• Percent Pentecostal: 3.99%
• Percent Lutheran: 0.94%
• Percent Methodist: 2.48%
• Percent Presbyterian: 1.62%
• Percent Other Christian: 4.71%
• Percent Jewish: 1.06%
• Percent Buddhist (Eastern): 0.04%
• Percent who consider themselves Islam: 0.29%

POLITICS

• Democrat:59%
• Republican:40.38%
• Independent: 0.62%

10 Hidden Gems Across America

Nestled in the deep, icy waters of Lake Huron, Mackinac Island boasts a unique frontier for those traveling the less-worn path. No automobiles are allowed on the island and the closest you’ll find to modern transportation is a horse-drawn carriage. The lack of trucks and cars along with the lush green landscape make Mackinac Island a stunning place to truly getaway.

TOPSHOT-US-TOURISM-NATIONALPARK-GLENCANYON

Often overlooked due to the flashy tourist draw of the Grand Canyon, Page offers all the breathtaking views of the nearby attraction, without the unbearable crowds.

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This shallow, saline rift lake within the Coachella Valley has experienced a tourism resurgence as of late, as eclectic artists have chosen it as home base for eccentric art installations, like this one.

Living up to every syllable of its moniker, the Garden of the Gods is a stunning sight to behold. After two surveyors came across the park in 1859, one suggested it would be an excellent place for a beer garden. Dumbfounded by the understatement, his companion rebuked his claim, calling the place—notable for its sandstone rock formations—worthy of a gathering of gods. Hence, the Garden of the Gods Park was born.

An idyllic peninsula resting between Green Bay and Lake Michigan, Door County, Wisconsin cuts jagged cliffs and rocky coastline into the Green Bay harbor. Door County is dotted with lush evergreens and in the summer, makes the perfect swimming hole destination for locals and tourists alike.

The calm before the storm over lighthouse and pier

Situated in the murky waters of Lake Erie, Kelleys Island packs boundless beach town charm into just a little more than four square miles. The pint-sized isle boasts quite a history, from serving as a military rendezvous point, to undergoing three name changes. Today, Kelleys island offers a quaint getaway for Midwesterners.
Scenic View Of Sea Against Clear Sky

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The California coastal city’s seafront, studded with jagged rocks, is reminiscent of the famed Laguna Beach coast far to the south. The Northern California beach town is a sleepy cove with all the charm you could ask for, complete with an inn that’s been a town staple since 1902.

Taking its name from the Paiute word for “place of the willows,” ironically, Kanab was originally established as a defensive point against the Native American population from whose language its name stems. Now known by locals as “little Hollywood” due to its popularity among Western filmmakers, Kanab’s sights have served as the backdrop for films like The Lone Ranger and Gunsmoke.

Located off the south coast of Alaska, Kodiak Island is the second-largest island in the United States and 80th in the world. Mountainous with dense forests, Kodiak is the native home of both the Kodiak bear and the king crab.

An entirely self-governing, self-sustaining island located off the Georgian coast, Jekyll Island is known primarily for its driftwood beaches that give the coast an eerie yet beautiful veneer.

Best Places Report – Orlando Florida

Orlando,Florida is located in the South East region of the United States near Orlando-Kissimmee. It has a population of 227684 people 49.03% male and 50.97% female. The average high temperature in the summer is 92 degrees with an average low temperature of 50.1 degrees in the winter. You should expect 50.8 inches of annual rainfall and 0 inches of annual snowfall. The safety score in Orlando is 10 out of 10 with 10 being the worst and 1 being the best (national average is 4). The pre-Coronavirus unemployment rate in Orlando is 11.1%. The average commute time is 27.1 minutes. The overall cost of living score is 95 as compared to a national average of 100. Voter registration in Orlando is 40.38% Republican and 59 % Democrat.

To get about info Click here: most affordable places to live in the us

 See detailed report below.

DEMOGRAPHICS

• City: Orlando

• State: Florida

• Zip Code: 32822

• Region: South East

• County: Orange

POPULATION

• Population: 227684

• Population Density: 2435

• Population Change: 22.52%

• Male Population: 49.03%

• Female Population: 50.97%

• Married Population: 43.91%

• Single Population: 56.09%

HOUSEHOLD INFORMATION

• Number Of Households: 100174

• Avg. Household Size: 2.22 people

• Median Home Age: 23 years old

• Median Home Cost: 9,980.00

• Home Appreciation: -15.49%

WEATHER & ENVIRONMENT

• Air Quality: 46.3 out of 100

• Water Quality: 60 out of 100

• Snowfall: 0 inches per year

• Pollution: 20 out of 100, 100 is best score.

• Rainfall: 50.8 inches per year

• Precipitation Days: 113 days per year

• Sunny Days: 233 days per year

• July High: 92 degrees is the average high in July

• January Low: 50.1 degrees is the average low in January

• Comfort Index: 27

• UV Index: 61 out of 100

CRIME & SAFETY

• Violent Crime: 10 out of 10 (lower = safer)

• Property Crime: 10 out of 10 (lower = safer)

• UNEMPLOYMENT
• Unemployment Rate: 11.1% (national avg. 3.2%)

• Recent Job Growth: -5.92%

• Future Job Growth: 17.06%

TAXES

• Sales Tax: 6.5%

• Income Tax: 0%

• Property Tax: 12.34%

 INCOME

• Household Income:,476.00

• Percent Between 15-25k:12.31%

• Percent Between 25-35k:13.74%

• Percent Between 35-50k: 19.03%

• Percent between 50-75k:19.64%

• Percent Between 75-100k: 9.72%

• Percent Between 150-250k:2.88%

• Percent Between 250-500k:1.02%

• Percent Greater Than 500k: 0.48%

 Click here about For more info:compare cost of living between cities

 OCCUPATION TYPE

• Business / Finance: 14.94%

• Professional: 18.79%

• Service: 19.22%
• Sales & Office:30%

• Farming, Fishery, Forestry:0.24%

• Construction:7.23%

• Transportation: 9.58%

 HOME STATUS

• Homes Owned: 34.21%

• Homes Vacant: 11.68%

• Homes Rented: 54.12%

PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM

• Annual Spend Per Student: ,291.00
• Student To Teacher Ratio: 169 / 1
• Students Per Librarian: 937 / 1
• Students Per Counselor: 499 / 1

 EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT

• High School Graduation Rate: 82.94%
• Percent With Associate Degree: 8.55%
• Percent Bachelor Degree: 20.4%
• Percent Graduate Degree: 8.49%

 COMMUTE TIME

• Average Commute Time: 27.1 (Minutes)
• Percent Auto Alone: 79.88%
• Percent Carpool: 11.28%
• Percent Mass Transit: 3.95%
• Percent Less Than 15 minutes: 21.21%

• Percent 15-29 minutes: 44.25%

• Percent 30-44 minutes: 23.71%

• Percent 45-59 minutes: 5.79%

• Percent 60 minutes or more: 5.03%

 COST OF LIVING:

• National Average = 100

• Overall Score: 95

• Cost Of Food Score: 95

• Cost Of Utilities Score: 101

• Cost Of Misc Score: 107

RELIGION

• Percent Religious: 38.94%
• Percent Catholic: 14.06%
• Percent Protestant: 0%
• Percent Baptist: 8.42%
• Percent Episcopalian: 0.64%
• Percent Pentecostal: 3.99%
• Percent Lutheran: 0.94%
• Percent Methodist: 2.48%
• Percent Presbyterian: 1.62%
• Percent Other Christian: 4.71%
• Percent Jewish: 1.06%
• Percent Buddhist (Eastern): 0.04%
• Percent who consider themselves Islam: 0.29%

POLITICS

• Democrat:59%
• Republican:40.38%
• Independent: 0.62%

The 9 Best Cities in America to Visit in 2020

In a single lifetime, no traveler could ever be done exploring America. Even if you relegated yourself to just roaming the nation’s cities—setting aside the 50 states’ vast open, unincorporated spaces—there would still always be more to see.

Still, there are a few cities every year that are a bit more worth visiting, either because they’re experiencing some sort of renaissance, they’ve been underrated or overlooked for too long, they’re marking a meaningful anniversary, or they’re so big and familiar that would-be travelers lean too heavily on assumptions when deciding to skip them.

Which is why I set about narrowing down the scope of the best U.S. cities to visit in 2020. The resulting list is lean, timely, geographically diverse, and realistic to do in a single year. So get out there.

 Oakland, California

oakland cathedral at night.

cdrin/Shutterstock

Oakland’s relationship to San Francisco often inspires comparison to Brooklyn’s relationship to Manhattan: It’s the bigger city’s hipper, more relaxed neighbor, where creativity thrives and anything that buzzes tends to get its start. (I’ll refrain from using words like “hipster” and “gentrification” here.)

But Oakland is much more than San Francisco’s happenin’ sidekick. It’s a multi-cultural destination unto itself, with world-class attractions including Jack London Square, Lake Merritt, the Fox Theater, the Oakland Zoo, Children’s Fairyland, Temescal Alley, funky Telegraph Avenue, and the Coliseum (where the As play), adjacent to the Oakland Arena, where the Golden State Warriors saw their historic rise. No wonder almost 4 million people travel here every year.

Where to stay: The Claremont Club & Spa, a Fairmont hotel, was built in 1915 to overlook the San Francisco Bay. It sports a luxurious old-money feel with fine dining, an extensive spa, and elegant rooms. But this country club-style hotel is also surprisingly family-friendly: The cost of your stay (or even just the cost of your spa treatment or restaurant meal) also covers three hours of daily childcare at the fun-filled Kids’ Club.

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Honolulu, Hawaii

waikiki beach swimmers.

Benny Marty/Shutterstock

Most travelers don’t need much convincing that Honolulu is worth their time and money. It’s easily among the very best places to visit in the U.S. But if you’ve been holding off, 2020 is the year to go. With a slew of new flights headed there from all over the U.S., including Hawaiian Airlines’ Boston-to-Honolulu route (America’s longest regularly scheduled domestic segment) and Southwest’s reasonably priced jaunts (book these well ahead—they sell out quickly), the balmy shores of Waikiki are easier to get to than ever.

But Honolulu is much more than a gorgeous beach town—though it’s that, too. It’s also a bastion of culture, both native and not. In 2020, the Bishop Museumwill unveil an original exhibit, “Mai Kinohi Mai,” displaying Hawaii’s oldest surfboards, including Duke Kahanamoku’s. The Hawaii Food & Wine Festivalwill be celebrating its 10th anniversary, Oahu’s Ukulele Festival will be celebrating its 50th, and the USS Missouri its 75th.

Meanwhile, Honolulu’s food scene has been booming: 2020 will see chef Jason Yamaguchi’s Japanese-French restaurant Mugen open in the fancy new Espacio hotel. La Vie, serving modern French food, is the impressive new dining room in Waikiki’s Ritz-Carlton Residences. And a new boutique hotel, Halepuna Waikiki, proffers the casual Halekulani Bakery & Restaurant, whose menu focuses on indigenous ingredients.

 Where to stay: The Ko Olina Resort is a collection of four celebrated hotels about 15 miles west of Honolulu: Disney’s Aulani (don’t miss the Ka’Waa luau), the lovely Four Seasons Resort Oahu at Ko Olina (try the spa-and-stargazing and/or the “Navy Seal for a Day” experience), the Beach Villas, and Marriott’s Ko Olina Beach Club.

 Lexington, Kentucky

lexington kentucky.

Christopher Boswell/Shutterstock

Never considered visiting Lexington, Kentucky? Time to reconsider. It’s one of the best U.S. cities to visit—especially if you have equestrian leanings. The “horse capital of the world” (thanks to more than 400 thoroughbred farms) is emerging as a prime Southern destination. The hometown of Ashley and Naomi Judd, as well as George Clooney (his mom was a city councilwoman), is also home to 14 of the state’s biggest bourbon distilleries and more than 120 worthwhile restaurants.

In 2020, Lexington will host the 2020 Breeders’ Cup Championships at Keeneland Race Course for the second time since 2015, a year that saw the event’s largest attendance ever. A few months prior, Equitana, the world’s largest equine fair, will be launching its first U.S. event at the Kentucky Horse Park. And all year long, travelers can enjoy previously unavailable access to champion race horses in the form of newly introduced private tours.

But Lexington isn’t just about horses. Located in the bluegrass region, it has plenty of music and other cultural events as well. After a successful inaugural year in 2019, the Railbird Festival, Lexington’s first large-scale music festival, is returning in August 2020 to the Grounds at Keeneland.

In early 2020, a vacant bus terminal will finish its transformation into a yet-to-be-named mixed-used space featuring a farmer’s market, restaurants, and boutiques. And the lively Distillery District will continue to grow as an entertainment and food hub that overflows with craft beer and live music.

Where to stay: The chic Origin Hotel debuted in August 2019 as the only hotel in the new Summit at Fritz Farm retail and entertainment center. It’s worth a stay for its modern style, central location, and affordable nightly rates.

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Los Angeles, California

hollywood walk of fame star los angeles.

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There’s a reason that Los Angeles got picked to host the 2028 Olympics—lots of reasons, in fact. It’s a complex, multilayered city full of art and grit, energy and culture. It’s packed with truly inspiring places, from the Griffith Observatory to the Getty Center. It’s got iconic beaches, including Malibu, Santa Monica, and Venice. It’s resilient, and often recovering and rebuilding from major wildfires. In short, it’s one of the best cities in America to visit.

And yes, there are two California cities on this list—but the Golden State turns 170 on September 9, 2020, and is celebrating the milestone by debuting a flurry of big attractions.

In Southern California, that includes a massive new sports and music venue—the 70,000-seat SoFi Stadium—that will serve as home turf for the Rams and the Chargers. It’ll also host the Super Bowl in 2022, the College Football Championship game in 2023, and the Olympics’ opening and closing ceremonies. Taylor Swift will inaugurate the arena with concerts on July 25 and 26, 2020.

Where to stay: Hotel Indigo is a modern boutique option in the heart of downtown, with a scene-y restaurant (Metropole) and easy access to DTLA highlights including the Staples Center, the Grammy Museum, the Broad, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

 Orlando, Florida

universal orlando boat.

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Orlando is on most kids’ bucket lists, what with Disney World, Universal, and all. And yes, the activity-filled city is one of the world’s best destinations for theme parks. But there’s more to it than that. Whether you’re coming for Mickey and Harry or whether you’re after science and culture, Orlando is one of the best places to visit in the U.S. in 2020.

Let’s start with what’s happening at the theme parks in 2020. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Galaxy’s Edge will have its “Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance” ride up and running, and in spring, “Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway” will open. Epcot is undergoing a major expansion; its confirmed openings for 2020 include a Mary Poppins attraction, a “Ratatouille”-themed ride, and a new nighttime spectacular called ”HarmonioUS.” A new Disney-themed Cirque du Soleil show is coming to Disney Springs in spring 2020, with tickets already on sale.

Over at Universal, a show called “Bourne Stuntacular” will debut, while Legoland has deemed 2020 the “Year of the Pirate,” with a new hotel and water show to match. Icon Park will debut two thrill rides, including the world’s tallest free-standing drop tower, plus Ole Red, a restaurant by country star Blake Shelton.

About 50 miles east of Orlando, the Kennedy Space Center will be celebrating Apollo 13’s 50th anniversary, and NASA’s Mars 2020 mission will launch out of Cape Canaveral in summer. Also in summer, the Orlando Science Center will debut a new exhibit called “Pompeii: The Immortal City.”

In 2020 food news, Orlando is seeing fun eateries open over the course of the year: Camelo Pizzeria on International Drive will serve up Brazilian thin-crust pizza; Sixty Vines will turn out Napa-inspired seasonal cuisine in Winter Park; Norman’s is moving from the Ritz-Carlton to Restaurant Row; and chef Jérôme Bocuse’s La Crêperie de Paris will delight in Epcot’s France pavilion.

Where to stay: Orlando has the second-highest number of hotel rooms of any U.S. city, so there are plenty of options, with new properties popping up all the time. Two of 2020’s biggest openings include the JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa, set to open in March with 516 rooms, a spa, a pool and splash pad, specialty restaurants, and a rooftop terrace where guests can enjoy the theme parks’ nightly fireworks. Looking for a budget-friendly option? The 2,050-room, coastal-themed Dockside Inn and Suites will open in 2020 as the second wave of Universal’s Endless Summer Resort, with nightly rates starting at $76.

 Rochester, New York

waterfall rochester new york.

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Rochester—New York’s third-biggest city—is in the midst of a revival. The midsized metropolis on Lake Ontario’s south shore has always been the entry point to the Finger Lakes wine region. But now it’s seeing new levels of growth and revitalization, with more than $950 million being invested in the city’s downtown core, in a successful bid to make this one of the best U.S. cities to visit. Its food and drink scene is booming with new restaurants, wineries, breweries, distilleries, and coffee roasters. These include the new REDD Rochester, by Michelin-starred chef and native son Richard Reddington.

Rochester was also the hometown of Susan B. Anthony, whose 200th birthday will be celebrated in 2020 at the National Susan B. Anthony Museum & House (visitors can see the room where she died and the parlor in which she was arrested for voting). The year 2020 is also the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote, and which very well may not have been possible without Susan B. Anthony. Those photos that go viral every election with “I Voted” stickers all over her grave? That’s in Rochester.

Hence 2020’s lineup of women’s suffrage events in Rochester, including Votercade, a yearlong series of performances, exhibits, and other events across the city to celebrate the right to vote. Denizens of “Flower City,” as it’s known, are experts at putting on events: Rochester hosts more than 140 annual festivals, including the Lilac Festival, International Jazz Festival, and the Fringe Festival.

Where to stay: The Inn on Broadway is a historic boutique property with 25 guest rooms, and no two that are the same. A stay includes a hearty breakfast.

 Washington, D.C.

washington dc capitol building at night.

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Election years are always interesting in America, and the 2020 election promises to be one of the most dramatic ever. Whether you’re there on election night—November 3, 2020—or in the months leading up to it, Washington, D.C.is the center of it all.

At George Washington’s behest, Frenchman Pierre Charles L’Enfant designed much of the nation’s capital in a way that made it among the best cities in America to visit. He applied European aesthetics to the American notion of all people being equal, strategically placing D.C.’s center of power so that every citizen could access it. He didn’t live to see his vision of “Federal Town” come to life, but D.C. did end up being mostly a faithful replication of his design—National Mall, plentiful parks, and all.

On that Mall are some of the world’s best museums, many in the form of the Smithsonian institutions: The unmissable National Museum of American History, the National Museum of Natural History (housing some 146 million scientific specimens), the inspiring Air and Space Museum, and many more. The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum isn’t part of the Smithsonian, but it does provide a powerful and eye-opening education about racism and genocide; with 2020 being the 75th anniversary of Auschwitz’s liberation, it’s a poignant time to pay tribute to the millions who were murdered there.

For more worthwhile attractions to add to your itinerary, see 8 Fun Things to Do in Washington, D.C. and 23 Must-See Washington, D.C. Attractions.

In 2020, D.C. will also be doing much to commemorate the 100th anniversary of American women finally winning the right to vote. The capital city’s suffrage centennial events will include extensive museum exhibits and major public events, including the League of Women Voters’ Centennial Celebration

The year 2020 also marks the 50th anniversary of the federal Environmental Protection Agency and Earth Day; climate activists will likely take to the streets on April 22 during EarthRise, to demand a more sustainable future. Other notable 2020 events in D.C. will include the Arsenal of Democracy Flyover(May 7 – 8) and the National Cherry Blossom Festival (March 20 – April 12).

 Where to stay: The Watergate Hotel is famous as the place where Nixon’s 1972 political scandal unfolded—but this curvaceous property on the Potomac River still exudes executive elegance and leader-worthy luxuries, thanks to a recent makeover.

 Branson, Missouri

branson missouri street.

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Branson, along with its surrounding Ozark Mountains, promises to be well worth traveling to in 2020 and beyond. It’s been a hidden-gem destination for a while now, but with a slew of new openings and tourist attractions, it’s headed into the mainstream as a first-rate family vacation spot in the American heartland, and one of the best places to visit in the U.S.

Among the region’s coming-soon attractions: Mystic River Falls, in Branson’s Silver Dollar City theme park, is a $23 million water ride that will feature the Western Hemisphere’s tallest drop. The new Aquarium at the Boardwalk will include a jellyfish infinity room, a submarine voyage, and an underwater “mermaid palace.” WonderWorks will debut as a science-themed indoor amusement park with more than 100 interactive exhibits, while Big Air Trampoline Park’s 57 attractions will include a ninja warrior course. The Shepherd of the Hills will add canopy zipline tours, and a range of restaurants will debut in 2020, as well as a new concert hall.

Golfers, in particular, might want to consider a trip here: A Tiger Woods-designed golf course, called Payne’s Valley, is set to open in spring 2020, and the Ozarks National championship course, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, just opened in 2019.

Where to Stay: Big Cedar Lodge is a 4,600-acre wilderness and golf resort on Missouri’s Table Rock Lake, eight miles south of Branson. It offers homey lodgings and restaurants, two marinas, a spa, four golf courses, a 50,000-square-foot activity center, a wide range of outdoor adventures, and a new lakefront “glampsite.”

 Salt Lake City, Utah

temple square salt lake city.

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In September 2020, Salt Lake City is getting a $3.6 billion new airport—America’s first new hub airport to be built this century. A complete rebuild of the existing SLC, it’ll feature floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Wasatch Mountains, new restaurants and retailers, and a new light-rail station to make it easy for SLC’s 25 million annual passengers to get downtown.

Some of the world’s best ski resorts—Alta, Brighton, Snowbird, and Solitude—are within 90 minutes of the airport. The lively downtown is much closer—only six miles away, with all of its dining, nightlife, and performing arts, plus the Utah Jazz, the state capitol building, Temple Square, and the dinosaur-filled Natural History Museum.

The 10 Best Food Festivals In The USA

People can learn so much about a culture or destination through the deliciousness food it creates. Seek out a food festival where the best of the best often gather to showcase their incredible eats. From the West Coast to the East Coast and places in between, we’ve put together a list of our 10 favorite food festivals in the USA.

The Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival
The Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival takes place on the beautiful and sunny Miami Beach, Florida. With two programs at the Florida International University, the event is a five-day affair that brings out famous personalities from the culinary and wine-making world and hosts over 80 events, including dinners, presentations and classes.

Charleston Food + Wine Festival
Charleston Food + Wine Festival celebrates Charleston, South Carolina’s bounty and delectable culinary culture. This food festival raises money for scholarships for those studying culinary and hospitality professions. This five-day festival is complete with a Culinary Village that features chefs, winemakers, and authors. You’ll also find demonstrations, tastings, book signings, music and much more.

New Orleans Wine & Food Experience
The New Orleans Wine & Food Experience welcomes over 10,000 gastronomes. This epicurean celebration also supports culinary education, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to support various different establishments. During the four-day event, guests can visit participating restaurants who serve special menus; sample an impressive array of wines from all around the world, attend seminars and enjoy the Royal Street Stroll.

Taste of Chicago
Taste of Chicago hosts an array of businesses offering the eclectic and delicious flavors of the Windy City. There a fantastic musical lineup; previous years have seen the likes of The Roots, Kongos, Elle King, The Decemberists, and Billy Idol, to name a few.

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival delights foodies and Mickey Mouse lovers alike. A family-friendly event, this 62-day gastronomic celebration is brimming with tasty events featuring flavors from all over the world – think British, African, Greek, and Moroccan. Visitors can enjoy concerts and mixology sessions.

Los Angeles Food & Wine Festival
In previous years Los Angeles Food & Wine Festival has seen 100 celebrity chefs, along with with over 250 wines from around the globe and plenty of live entertainment, including cooking demonstrations and spirit tastings. The event helps support the Berkeley Foundation – a charity that distributes funds to various L.A.-based organizations helping the youth of today.

Hawaii Food & Wine Festival
The Hawaii Food & Wine Festival lasts for two weeks, with events taking place on multiple islands: no matter where you’re at, you’re sure to find a tasty treat near you. The festival offers plenty of opportunities for wine tastings, culinary demonstrations and unique excursions allowing you to sample the flavorful bounty of Hawaii.

NYC Wine & Food Festival
NYC Wine & Food Festival has over 100 events and supports excellent causes, donating 100 percent of the net proceeds to the Food Bank For New York City and the No Kid Hungry® campaign. From exquisite dinners prepared by world-renowned chefs to hands-on demonstrations, this once one-day event has grown into a four-day celebration.

LA Food Fest
LA Food Fest is one of the most affordable foodie celebrations. Featuring food purveyors from food trucks to pop-ups, the LA Food Fest focuses on smaller, independent businesses. Attractions include a wine garden, ‘Food Porn’ cinema, a live culinary stage, plus live music and DJ sets.

Bounty of Yamhill County
Bounty of Yamhill County is nestled in the beautiful Willamette Valley in Oregon– a short drive away from Portland. It is a land of wineries, talented chefs and family-owned sustainable farms. At the festival you can participate in brunches, lunch, dinners, and picnics, and enjoy recreational activities such as hikes and yoga.

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The 38 Essential Chicago Restaurants

Superdawg’s founders, Maurie and Flaurie Berman, stand guard over this venerable Chicago drive-in as customers can spot those giant hot dog statues bearing their likenesses from miles away at the intersection of Devon, Nagle, and Milwaukee. Superdawg is a throwback dining experience where customers park their cars and talk to staff through crackling drive-in speakers and carhops bring out trays of food. Superdawg isn’t a traditional Chicago-style dog, but it is a tradition. It uses a proprietary thick all-beef sausage that comes with mustard, pickled green tomato, and chopped Spanish onions. This is all cradled in a box of crinkle fries.

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4710 N Ravenswood Ave
Chicago, IL 60640

What is quite possibly the first Michelin-starred brewpub lies on the North Side of Chicago. Gourmet dishes emerge from the kitchen during tasting menus, while brunch services and the bar menu provide a taste to diners on a tight budget. Creative beer selections are brewed on-site, which, combined with a beautiful Victorian-inspired space, make Band of Bohemia a one-of-a-kind operation in the entire country. The menu has plenty of veggie options, including a carrot that’s magical.

A spacious dining room with well-lit orange walls and red upholstered chairs. Tables and the floor are made of dark wood.

Band of Bohemia may be the first Michelin-starred brewpub.
Marc Much/Eater Chicago

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3800 N Pulaski Rd
Chicago, IL 60641

With two smokers to prep meaty St. Louis-style ribs, tender brisket, apple-and-oak-smoked pulled pork and more, this ‘cue joint in the Northwest Side neighborhood of Irving Park stands up to any within a thousand miles. Outside of Carolina or Texas, it’s hard to find better barbecue than the casual counter-service Smoque.

A brown wooden fence separates a low, dark-looking building from the sidewalk. Red awning hangs off the building.

This Irving Park barbecue spot serves some of the most sought-after meats in the city.
Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

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3361 N Elston Ave
Chicago, IL 60618

It may not serve your momma’s fried chicken — with bones, skin, et al — but Honey Butter Fried Chicken makes swaths of Chicagoans feel like kids again when they dip their birds in that addictive honey butter. Since expanding from supper club to Avondale brick-and-mortar in fall 2013, lines form during peak lunch and dinner hours but move quickly at the cozy counter-service space. Don’t forget the house-made iced teas, alcoholic drinks, and specials sometimes created by noteworthy guest chefs.

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A small tray contains two pieces of fried chicken, a bowl of mac and cheese, and a bowl of salad.
Lines at Honey Butter can be long but usually move quickly.
Honey Butter Fried Chicken [Official Photo]

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3025 W Diversey Ave
Chicago, IL 60647

This tiny cafe along Diversey, an emerging street for restaurants in Logan Square, packs big flavors. Cellar Door Provisions serves pastries, a popular quiche, and lamb meatballs in the mornings and the afternoons. Ownership wanted to bring something different to Chicago’s culinary scene by baking delicious breads and developing strong relationships with local farmers and vendors to bring top-notch ingredients to their kitchen. They serve dinner on Wednesdays through Saturdays only and reservations are recommended.

Several light-skinned hands cut into plates of food on a light wooden table.
Cellar Door Provisions has acclaimed baked goods and more.
Cellar Door Provisions [Official Photo]

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2800 W Logan Blvd
Chicago, IL 60647

Few chefs share the talent and drive that Diana Dávila exhibits while showcasing a dazzling display of small Mexican dishes in Logan Square. Dávila isn’t shy about risks; she isn’t pandering to the typical American diner. The bustling full-service spot offers albondigas and dishes like peanut butter and tongue push boundaries, yet there’s also a delectable steak burrito on the menu for those in the mood.

A red clay pot holds chopped meat in a sauce with a bright red vegetable on top.
Mi Tocaya’s regional Mexican fare
Mi Tocaya [Official Photo]

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2537 N Kedzie Ave
Chicago, IL 60647

Before Logan Square had a multitude of acclaimed creative restaurants and farm-to-table was a buzz-phrase, there was Lula Café. More than a decade on, it’s easy to see why people flock for its creative dinner menu, line-inducing Sunday brunch and Monday night farm dinners. Dishes change seasonally and sometimes daily, with stars that include standout local produce and meats prepared in unexpected ways. What diners can expect is a wait at brunch and dinner, but weekday breakfasts are quiet and cozy.

A storefront inside a brick building from the street. White curtains are visible through a large window and a sign overhead reads “Lula Cafe.”
Lula Cafe set the stage for Longan Square’s restaurant revolution.
Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

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2429 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60614

Chicago hadn’t seen this level of Middle Eastern food before acclaimed chef Zach Engel moved from New Orleans to open this smash hit in Lincoln Park. Engel, who won a James Beard Award for Rising Star Chef during his time in the Big Easy, elevates hummus, pita, and more to unforeseen heights at this Israeli excelsior, where reservations have been difficult to secure since its opening in April 2019. Diners sit at the long kitchen counter to watch Engel and team top pools of silky hummus with trumpet mushrooms, fried chicken skin and collard greens, and pull perfect pillows of wood-fired pitas from the coal-burning oven. The salatim — an array of Israeli accoutrements served with pita — coal-fired entrees, and Middle Eastern spins on classic cocktails are also stars here.

Slices of tender beef brisket sit atop a silky pool of hummus and herbs on a white plate.
Galit’s brisket hummus

Sandy Noto/Galit [Official Photo]

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2507 W Armitage Ave
Chicago, IL 60647

Chicago’s sushi reputation is not as esteemed as cities along the coastlines, but a number of new restaurants are changing that perception. At the top of the list is Otto Phan’s omakase experience — the Japanese concept of chef’s choice — in a nondescript space in Logan Square. Phan’s intimate eight-seat counter provides an up-close look at his bold personality and distinctive style, which is highlighted by larger-than-normal rice grains seasoned with aged red vinegar and premium quality ingredients imported from overseas. The luxurious offerings include fried tilefish crowned with creme fraiche and Osetra caviar, and fatty toro seared on charcoal. The $220 price tag for 18-plus bites — plus extra for beverages — makes it a special destination. A $100 deposit is required to secure a reservation.

A piece of nigiri with a slice of raw, red fish on a bed of white rice.
Kyōten serves exquisite sushi on its omakase menu.

Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

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1747 N Damen Ave
Chicago, IL 60647

While the savory food and the drinks are very good, the sweets and the hot chocolates are predictably not to be missed from an owner with a James Beard award for best pastry chef (Mindy Segal). Crowds flock to this Chicago icon for brunch and peak-hour dinner services, so lunch service is a great bet for minimal waits at the Bucktown superstar.
A wooden table holds eight cups of various sizes holding hot chocolate drinks.
Mindy’s namesake hot chocolates and more
Mindy’s Hot Chocolate [Official Photo]

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1723 N Halsted St
Chicago, IL 60614

Grant Achatz and Nick Kokonas’s three-Michelin-starred avant garde fine dining institution is quite simply one of the world’s best restaurants. Food obsessives make pilgrimages from around the globe to the 10-year-old Lincoln Park restaurant to experience Achatz’s emotional, interactive, and expensive tasting menus, which play out in a recently renovated backdrop that now features three distinct dining options. It clocked in at No. 37 on the most recent World’s 50 Best List in 2019 and was among Eater National’s best restaurants in America. Dishes change often on the tasting menus, but the edible balloon and tabletop dessert are among those that put it on the world stage.
A long staircase runs along the left side of the room going up. Three tables sit in a spare, white room with white chairs and grey carpet.
Alinea was named the 37th best restaurant in the world in 2019.
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7500 W North Ave
Elmwood Park, IL 60707

The best example of Chicago’s iconic Italian beef sandwiches exists outside of the city at the two suburban locations of Johnnie’s Beef. The space is a throwback as the original fast-food spot opened in 1961 in Elmwood Park and a second has since opened in Arlington Heights. The menu is simple: beefs, charcoal-grilled Italian sausages, and hot dogs. Pepper-and-egg sandwiches are also available daily; they’re mostly aimed at Catholic customers during Lent Fridays needing a “meat-free” option. Johnnie’s also serves stellar lemon Italian ice. The thin-cut beef is moist and perfectly seasoned with hints of oregano. The hot peppers deliver plenty of heat but don’t overwhelm the meat. Don’t sleep on the beef-sausage sandwich. While the city has plenty of beef options, Johnnie’s is worth the drive to the ‘burbs.

A long Johnnie’s Beef stand seen from the outside beside a tree and park bench.
Outside Johnnie’s Beef
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1028 N Rush St
Chicago, IL 60611

Chicago’s steakhouse tradition can be best experienced at Gibsons, the swanky Gold Coast institution that Eater readers voted the best steakhouse in America’s meatiest city. Celebrity sightings are frequent in the dining room and in the photos on the walls, while white-jacketed servers provide exquisite meat displays at a quintessential Chicago restaurant experience.
A brick building with a green roof attachment and a neon sign that reads “Gibsons.”
Eater readers voted Gibsons the best steakhouse in Chicago.
Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

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141 W Erie St
Chicago, IL 60654

Chicago’s food scene got a jolt of fresh air when former Avec and Nico Osteria chef de cuisine Erling Wu-Bower opened this breezy California-inspired restaurant in River North in conjunction with his One Off Hospitality mentors Paul Kahan and Donnie Madia. Bower and team churn out a casual menu of light fare utilizing precise execution and exquisite ingredients, spanning a myriad of light cuisines from warm weather locales such as Middle Eastern-inspired large-format duck, pitas that utilize ahi tuna and beef tartare, dumplings and pizzas. Reservations are recommended, although tables are easier to find during lunch and brunch services at the 2018 Eater Chicago Restaurant of the Year.

A white space with tall ceilings and windows, light wood floors, and sleek monochromatic tables and chairs.

Inside Pacific Standard Time
Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

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445 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60654

Rick Bayless’s Mexican haven in River North, including Xoco on the corner, is a Chicago institution spawning spinoffs around the globe of south of the border fare from street food to high end. At Frontera Grill, his original restaurant, folks flock from around the globe to wait in line (there’s only limited reservations) for casual, festive, groundbreaking regional Mexican fare. At Topolobampo, connected through a side doorway, Bayless’ team serves gorgeous, mind-blowing Michelin-starred tasting menus.

The exterior of a restaurant from the street with large windows. An awning overhead reads “Frontera Grill.”

Diners from around the world line up for Frontera Grill.
Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

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837 W Fulton Market
Chicago, IL 60607

The template for one of the country’s top chefs and restaurant groups (Paul Kahan’s One Off Hospitality), their temple to pork, fish, charcuterie and beer is stronger than ever, as evidenced by spinoffs across the street and at O’Hare International Airport, and a spot on Eater National’s best restaurants in America list. Don’t mistake the boisterous atmosphere with long beer hall-esque communal tables for pedestrian food or no waits, as it remains one of Chicago’s toughest tables, even for the standout brunch.

A clean, simple space with tall windows, hanging round lamps, and tall, angular wooden furniture.
The Publican remains one of Chicago’s toughest tables.
Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

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661 W Walnut St
Chicago, IL 60661

2016 saw a slew of great restaurant openings but Noah Sandoval’s West Loop stunner perhaps shined the brightest. He, along with his wife Cara, are leading the way for a new generation of fine dining that’s coupling refined, upscale dishes on its tasting menu, from its caviar starter staple to a Japanese A5 wagyu, all in a laid-back experience. Critics and diners alike have been impressed, with the Michelin Guide awarding the restaurant two stars in its first year.
A dining room with exposed brick walls and wooden floors and ceilings. A number of tables dot the room topped with white tablecloths.

Oriole’s West Loop dining room
Nick Murway/Eater Chicago

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820 W Lake St
Chicago, IL 60607

Boka Restaurant Group isn’t short on heavy hitters but its majestic modern Japanese restaurant is arguably the crown jewel of the company. Spread across three floors, Momotaro blends traditional Japanese ingredients and flavors with contemporary technique for a breathtaking experience. The menu is divided between sushi and robata bites and includes luxuries such as A5 wagyu steak and pristine fatty tuna. For a more casual meal and drinks, the lower-level izakaya offers similarly remarkable options like chicken karaage, uni spaghetti, and ramen.

An overhead photo of the restaurant’s three-floor design with muted colors and light wood.
Momotaro’s majestic design is a three-floor ode to mid-twentieth century Japanese business culture.

Marc Much/Eater Chicago

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736 W Randolph St
Chicago, IL 60661

Chicagoans have few choices for upscale Indian food downtown. Rooh’s 2019 arrival is noteworthy not only because it fills that void, but it also gives the West Loop one of the most unique restaurants in the city. Patrons will be more than impressed with familiar classics such as butter chicken, but jackfruit kofta, gunpowder scallops, and achari monkfish give diners a sliver of modern Indian cooking. All this inside a comfortable space worthy of Randolph Restaurant Row. Look for fun, spiced cocktails to round out the experience. Reservations are recommended for the spinoff of the San Francisco restaurant that opened in 2017.

A colorful plate of modern, creative Indian food.
Rooh serves dazzling Indian plates.
Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

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1020 W Madison St
Chicago, IL 60607

The first restaurant from former Top Chef and Spiaggia chef Sarah Grueneberg has quickly cemented itself as one of Chicago’s top Italian destinations and its tough-to-get reservations are a prime example. The pastas are the stars at the West Loop hotspot, such as cannelloni saltimbocca with merguez lamb sausage, manchego cheese, peas, harissa, and balsamico, many of which are made on a small demonstration stage of sorts behind the bar. Also try non-pasta dishes such as the skate wing schnitzel and ‘nduja arancini, as well as a standout wine list.
A simple, sleek bar with backed stools and a rack for pasta.
Monteverde’s bar is where cooks make the pasta.
Marc Much/Eater Chicago

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29. Manny’s Cafeteria & Delicatessen

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1141 S Jefferson St
Chicago, IL 60607

The torchbearer for a dying breed of Jewish delis and diners in Chicago, Manny’s has endured for more than a half-century in the South Loop thanks to massive and delicious pastrami sandwiches, an array of hot homestyle dishes on steam tables, and family service cultivated over generations in a cafeteria-style setting plastered with decades-old newspaper clippings and letters from Chicago luminaries. The space also now houses a new deli expansion for bagels, sweets, coffee, and food to go.

Two men in white aprons and paper hats hand dishes to customers from behind a deli counter.
The scene at Manny’s
Marc Much/Eater Chicago

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1800 S Carpenter St
Chicago, IL 60608

HaiSous is a remarkable comeback story for the husband-and-wife team of Thai and Danielle Dang in Pilsen. Thai Dang showcases his heritage Vietnamese flavors through a number of techniques, including claypot cooking, on a menu that’s as ambitious as it’s unpretentious with dishes like grilled wild boar with lemongrass. The neighboring cafe is great for a banh mi or an iced coffee sourced with beans from Dang’s family in Vietnam. The duo worked at acclaimed West Loop restaurant Embeya, but at HaiSous they’re free to express themselves more honestly to create a dining experience worthy of a celebration, or just a wonderful weeknight meal, or even a coffee and a sandwich.

A small metal pan holds a colorful monkfish dish topped with green dill, pickled shallots, and fresno.

Turmeric-laced monkfish with dill, pickled shallots and fresno served with rice noodles topped with scallion confit and roasted peanuts at HaiSous.
Mistey Nguyen

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1239 W 18th St
Chicago, IL 60608

Star chef Stephen Gillanders, after searching for years to open a new restaurant, discovered room in Pilsen to open S.K.Y. It’s fine dining with good value and without pretension — the menu features flavors from Japan (crispy swordfish katsu), Korea (crackling beef short rib), and the Mediterranean in both affordable tasting menus and a la carte options. The weekend dim sum-style brunch’s lobster dumplings may be the city’s best. Reservations are recommended.
Four delicate dumplings sit inside a white bowl.

S.K.Y.’s Maine lobster dumplings
Barry Brecheisen/Eater Chicago

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1725 W 18th St
Chicago, IL 60608

Chicago’s Mexican community and food enthusiasts worldwide flock to this longtime family-owned counter-service institution in Pilsen that celebrates all parts of the pig with its legendary south-of-the-border care. Order carnitas by the pound at the front counter and settle into a table — if one is available — to craft individual tacos with an array of porky goodness and house-made salsas, tortillas, and beans; or have tacos, soup, and cactus salad made. Prepare for lines and waits during peak weekend hours.

A platter of meat, a bowl of salsa, a paper container of chicharron, and a red Jarritos soda sit on a green tablecloth.

A carnitas platter with the fixings at Carnitas Uruapan.
Carnitas Uruapan [Official Photo]

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4852 S Pulaski Rd
Chicago, IL 60632

Head to the Southwest Side for goat tacos that are consistently lauded as some of the best in the entire country. In addition, diner make the pilgrimage for other standout dishes such as consomme at this small father-and-son standout. It’s counter-service or take-out-only, and get there early, as it often closes by early evening at the latest.
A server ladles juices over a plate of goat meat.
A large birrieria plate at Birrieria Zaragoza.
Birrieria Zaragoza [Official Photo]

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1462 E 53rd St
Chicago, IL 60615

Chicago has long had a history of top-notch African American-owned restaurants that focus on regional Southern cooking, but the city may not have had a restaurant like Virtue before. Chef-owner Erick Williams combines the skill and precision honed through years of fine-dining experience with soulful, family Southern recipes in dishes including cauliflower with cashew dukkah and root cellar vegetables, and heavenly beef short ribs with creamed spinach and crushed potatoes. The restaurant has quickly become a dining beacon in Hyde Park and one of America’s Best New Restaurants, so reservations are recommended for dinner but there’s also a large bar room and a lively brunch.
A colorful cauliflower dish sits inside a grey bowl on a light wood table.
Virtue’s cauliflower with cashew dukkah, root cellar vegetables, and rice
Nick Fochtman/Eater

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8433 S Pulaski Rd
Chicago, IL 60652

When it comes to pizza, Chicago’s reputation around the country often centers on deep dish. But thin-crust tavern-style pizza — another pizza style that’s unique to Chicago — is actually much more prevalent and popular with locals, and few if any do it better than South Side institution Vito & Nick’s Pizzeria. Thin, crunchy dough is baked with char on top and cut into small squares with very little crust on the outside. In business for nearly a century and making pizzas for more than 60 years, Vito & Nick’s is an always-bustling, family-friendly pizza destination that’s a must-visit for any food enthusiast, so be prepared for a wait for a table or just take a pie to go.

A square-cut thin crust pizza.
Vito & Nick’s iconic tavern-style pizza
Vito & Nick’s [Official Photo]

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