13 December 2007

U.S. Cities Reflect Cultural Diversity, Artistic Ingenuity

Regional differences add character to U.S. metropolitan centers

This view of the Seattle, Washington, skyline shows the Space Needle (left), built for the
1962 Seattle World's Fair.
Many major cities in the United States have been influential in shaping the nations
cultural life, and an ethnically diverse population has contributed immeasurably to U.S.
achievements in literature, the performing arts, architecture and cuisine. Find out more
about the vigor and variety of Americas artistic heritage.
SEATTLE
Seattle, nicknamed the Emerald City, is the largest city in the Pacific Northwest region of
the United States. In 2005, analysts rated Seattle as the most literate city in America, and
survey data from 2002 indicated that Seattle had the most educated population in the
United States.
The city, a significant regional center for the performing arts, is home to the Seattle
Symphony Orchestra, the Seattle Opera and the Pacific Northwest Ballet. The Experience
Music Project, housed in a building designed by famed architect Frank Gehry, bills itself
as a participatory museum of music. Seattle is the birthplace of grunge music.
Seattle is also famous for its live theatre venues and has many important museums and art
galleries, such as the Henry Art Gallery, the Seattle Art Museum, Olympic Sculpture Park
and the Frye Art Museum. More specialized collections can be seen in other museums in
Seattle, including the Nordic Heritage Museum, the Wing Luke Asian Museum and the
Museum of Flight (which reflects the prominent position of Seattles aerospace industry).
The city also hosts a variety of annual ethnic festivals and is the site of numerous
American Indian powwows.
SAN FRANCISCO

San Francisco, part of the scenic San Francisco Bay area where 7.2 million people live,
has a cosmopolitan, ethnically diverse population. Its neighborhoods reflect that
diversity: Chinatown, established in 1906; the Mission District, which is home to many
immigrants from Mexico and Central America; and Haight-Ashbury, associated with the
1960s hippie movement, which still retains some bohemian character despite extensive
gentrification.
The influx of writers and artists in the 1950s helped spawn the rise of modern
coffeehouse culture, and the social upheavals of the 1960s confirmed San Franciscos
reputation as an epicenter of liberal activism.
San Franciscos War Memorial Opera House is home to the highly regarded San
Francisco Opera and San Francisco Ballet. The San Francisco Symphony plays in nearby
Davies Symphony Hall, and the Herbst Theatre is known for its eclectic music
performances. A second incarnation of the renowned Fillmore Auditorium is still in use;
the original venue was known as the place where rock music greats such as the Grateful
Dead, Janis Joplin and Jefferson Airplane got their start in the 1960s. The American
Conservatory Theater is a leading force in the citys performing arts scene, and the San
Francisco Museum of Modern Art attracts 600,000 visitors a year.
LOS ANGELES
Los Angeles -- the largest city in the state of California and the second-largest city in the
United States -- is a center of culture, technology and international trade. The city is the
worlds leading producer of popular entertainment and has achieved international fame
based on its motion picture, television and recording industries.
Los Angeles numerous museums and galleries include the J. Paul Getty Museum -known for its extensive collection of Greek, Etruscan and Roman antiquities -- and the
Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the largest encyclopedic museum west of Chicago.
The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium allows visitors to explore the natural wonders of aquatic
ecosystems, while the La Brea Tar Pits Museum invites visitors to watch fossil recovery,
cleaning and analysis.
The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, which is part of the Los Angeles Music Center, is home
to the Los Angeles Opera and also hosts the film industrys annual Academy Awards
(Oscars) presentations. The futuristic-looking Walt Disney Concert Hall, designed by
architect Frank Gehry, is home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO
Santa Fe, New Mexico's capital, was settled by Spanish colonists in the 1500s and
formally founded in 1610. The citys Spanish Territorial and Pueblo styles of architecture
are tributes to its Spanish and American Indian roots.

Known as a multicultural city and arts center, Santa Fe is home to numerous artists, many
of whom have captured the citys beautiful landscape on canvas. One famous New
Mexico artist, Georgia OKeefe, lived for a time in Santa Fe, and the citys Georgia
OKeefe Museum exhibits her work and that of artists with similar themes. Canyon Road
has the citys highest concentration of art galleries, showcasing contemporary
Southwestern, American Indian and experimental art.
Writers traditionally have flocked to Santa Fe, including Cormac McCarthy and Walker
Percy. Music and opera are well represented in the city. The Santa Fe Opera is one of the
nations most esteemed regional opera companies, and its season overlaps with the
performance schedule of the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival. Santa Fe also has many
world-class museums, such as the New Mexico Museum of Art, the Institute of American
Indian Arts Museum, the History Museum and the Site Santa Fe (devoted to
contemporary art).
DENVER
The sprawling metropolis at the foot of the rugged Colorado Rockies is an important
cultural center that draws artists and performers from around the nation and the world.
The areas diverse population supports culture through the Scientific and Cultural
Facilities District (SCFD), a special tax district within the state of Colorado that provides
funding for art, music, theater, dance, zoology, botany, natural history, or cultural history
organizations in the Denver metropolitan area. The SCFD, created by voters in 1988,
gives millions of dollars in tax funds each year to local organizations.
Today, Denvers main art and cultural hub is the Golden Triangle Museum District that
includes the Denver Art Museum, the Denver Public Library, the Colorado History
Museum, the Colorado Ballet and scores of other theaters, galleries and artists studios.
The Denver Art Museum, with a gravity-defying new wing designed by architect Daniel
Libeskind, exhibits its magnificent collections of pre-Columbian, American Indian,
American Western and Buddhist art. The Denver Performing Arts Complex, or simply
the Plex, is said to be the second-largest performing arts center in the world, after New
Yorks Lincoln Center.
Each June and August, Denver hosts the Aspen Music Festival and School, one of the
largest classical music events in the United States.
AUSTIN, TEXAS
Austin, Texas, calls itself the live music capital of the world because it is home to many
musicians and music venues. The eclectic and progressive lifestyles of its residents have
prompted them to adopt the slogan Keep Austin Weird. As the slogan suggests, Austins
residents take pride in their eccentricity and diversity.

The city has an impressive live music scene and boasts more music venues per capita
than any other U.S. city. Austin City Limits, the longest-running concert music program
on American television, is videotaped on the University of Texas at Austin campus. The
Austin City Limits Music Festival is held annually at Zilker Park in Austin, and the citys
Urban Music Festival is held every year in April, as is the Austin Reggae Festival. Austin
also hosts the annual Austin Film Festival and stages an annual film/music/multimedia
festival called South by Southwest.
Ballet Austin is the fourth-largest ballet company in the United States. The Austin Lyric
Opera is widely admired, and the city also has a strong theater culture.
NEW ORLEANS
New Orleans -- nicknamed the Big Easy -- is a major U.S. port city and the largest city
in Louisiana. One of the oldest cities in the United States, New Orleans is known for its
multicultural heritage, its music and its cuisine.
New Orleans has a number of distinctive neighborhoods. The French Quarter features
Creole townhouses with lush courtyards and intricate iron scrollwork, and other areas
boast 19th-century mansions in the Greek Revival, Colonial and Victorian styles, among
other types of residential architecture. The citys elegant and ornate Catholic cemeteries
are another draw for visitors.
Major attractions include New Orleans famous Bourbon Street, in the French Quarter,
known for its vibrant nightlife; St. Charles Avenue (home of Tulane and Loyola
universities); Jackson Square; St. Louis Cathedral; the French Market; and jazz
performances at Preservation Hall. The citys art museums include the Contemporary
Arts Center, the New Orleans Museum of Art in City Park and the Ogden Museum of
Southern Art. New Orleans also has a number of significant public gardens, such as the
Longue Vue House and Gardens and the New Orleans Botanical Garden. (See related
article.)
ST. LOUIS
St. Louis first came to prominence by hosting the 1904 Worlds Fair and the 1904
Olympic Games. The Missouri city is known for its French and German heritage and its
Victorian past.
The city has numerous museums: most notably the St. Louis Art Museum, whose
collection ranges from ancient artifacts to modern art, including paintings by Rembrandt,
Van Gogh, Pissarro and Picasso; the City Museum, which offers innovative exhibits,
mock caves and a huge outdoor playground; and the Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts,
housed in a building designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Tadao Ando. Other
architectural attractions are the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, a Catholic cathedral
designed in the Byzantine and Romanesque styles, and the Gateway Arch, the citys bestknown landmark.

St. Louis is home to the world-renowned St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, founded in
1880. The city also hosts annually the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis and the St. Louis
International Film Festival, one of the top regional film festivals in the United States. The
city has a long association with great ragtime, jazz and blues music. Its theater district
includes the Fox Theatre, one of the largest live professional theaters in the country.
CHICAGO
Chicago -- nicknamed the Windy City -- is the largest city in the state of Illinois and
the third-largest in the United States. It is the business, financial and cultural capital of
the Midwest and, since the 1893 Chicago Worlds Fair, has been among the most
influential cities in the world.
Reflecting its immigrant roots, Chicago has restaurant districts known as Greektown,
Chinatown, Little Italy and Little Seoul. The city also is known for its spectacular
architecture: its skyline is among the worlds tallest, with skyscrapers that include the
Sears Tower (the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere).
Chicagos cultural heritage includes its distinctive style of live music, known as Chicago
blues. The city has an influential hip-hop scene, and its theater community gave rise to
modern improvisational comedy. Classical music is represented by the Chicago
Symphony Orchestra and the Lyric Opera of Chicago, both with world-class reputations.
The Joffrey Ballet, the Chicago Festival Ballet and several modern and jazz dance
troupes all call Chicago home. The Art Institute of Chicago has a collection that
encompasses more than 5,000 years of world culture, and the River North area of
Chicago features the citys largest concentration of contemporary art galleries.
GRACELAND (IN MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE)
Graceland is the 5.6-hectare estate and white-columned mansion that once belonged to
singer Elvis Presley (a seminal figure in popular music). The estate is located at 3734
Elvis Presley Boulevard in Memphis, Tennessee.
Since Graceland opened to the public as a museum in 1982, it has been a magnet for
visitors. Parts of the mansion are off-limits, but visitors are allowed to tour certain rooms,
including the so-called Jungle Room (named for its jungle-themed dcor). Many of the
singers personal belongings, awards and stage costumes are on display, as are his
collection of cars and his two airplanes. A tour of Graceland usually concludes with a
visit to Presleys burial site, which is on the estate.
Graceland is now the second most-visited private residence in the United States (behind
the White House). It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1991, and
was declared a National Historic Landmark in 2006. (See related article.)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

Nashville, the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee, is a major hub for the country music
industry.
The Grand Ole Opry, a weekly country music radio program featuring live concerts, was
established in Nashville in 1925. The Opry, combined with Nashvilles thriving
publishing industry, helped the city position itself as Music City USA. Strongly
identified with country music, Nashville is a major music recording and production
center and is home to the Country Music Hall of Fame. In recognition of the citys small
but growing film industry, the Nashville Film Festival is one of the largest film festivals
in the southern United States.
Among Nashvilles popular tourist destinations is The Parthenon, a full-scale replica of
the original Parthenon in Athens, Greece. The citys other attractions include the
Tennessee Performing Arts Center (home of the Tennessee Repertory Theatre, the
Nashville Childrens Theatre, the Nashville Opera and the Nashville Ballet) and the
Schermerhorn Symphony Center, which houses the Nashville Symphony Orchestra. The
city also has several arts centers and galleries, such as the Frist Center for the Visual Arts,
the Tennessee State Museum and Vanderbilt Universitys Fine Art Gallery and Sarratt
Gallery.
WASHINGTON
The capital city of the United States, named for the first U.S. president, is a popular
tourist destination because of its monuments, historic sites and cultural attractions.
Washington is home to the world-renowned Smithsonian Institution complex of museums
and the National Gallery of Art, which houses the only Leonardo da Vinci painting in the
Western Hemisphere. Other museums under the Smithsonian umbrella are the National
Air and Space Museum, the Freer Gallery of Art, the National Museum of African Art,
the Museum of American History, the Hirshhorn Museum, the National Museum of
Natural History and the National Museum of the American Indian. Unlike most museums
and galleries in other cities, the Smithsonian museums and the National Gallery are open
to the public free of charge.
The city is a showcase for live music and theater. Three venues are particularly
outstanding: the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which is home to the
Washington National Opera, the National Symphony Orchestra and the Washington
Ballet; the Folger Theater, an intimate setting for Shakespearean and contemporary plays;
and Arena Stage, a theater company that excels at fostering new works and producing
intriguing revivals of classic repertory.
NEW YORK
New York City, the largest U.S. city, is a world center of commerce and finance and a
global influence in media, entertainment and fashion.

New Yorks Metropolitan Museum of Art is among the worlds largest and finest art
museums, with collections spanning 5,000 years of world culture. The city has more than
2,000 arts and cultural organizations, and more than 500 independent art galleries. Its
architecture is dominated by skyscrapers, including the Chrysler Building and the Empire
State Building, both masterpieces of Art Deco design.
The citys 39 largest theaters are known collectively as Broadway. Its Lincoln Center
for the Performing Arts hosts the world-famous Metropolitan Opera, the New York City
Opera, the New York Philharmonic, the New York City Ballet, the Juilliard School and
other distinguished entities. Many major American cultural movements, such as the
Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and 1930s, began in New York. The city was the
epicenter of jazz in the 1940s, abstract expressionism in the 1950s and hip-hop music in
the 1970s. New York also has a diverse food culture, shaped by its large immigrant
population. Many of the best haute cuisine restaurants in the United States can be
found in New York. (See related article.)
Read more: http://www.america.gov/st/artsenglish/2007/December/20071213194500GLnesnoM0.4935419.html#ixzz0gaB9XlgQ

10 Must Visit Cities In The United States

100
rate or flag this page

By Wanderlust

See all 10 photos

The Statue of Liberty and White House, Disney World and Hollywood, Broadway and
Wall Street these images come to mind when thinking of the United States. The third
largest country in the world has many amazing cities and plenty of natural attractions to
put on must-see list. And this list could stretch on forever. There are a huge number of
unique fabulous cities in America that absolutely worth a trip, but just don't get their fair
share of the limelight. Have you ever been to Bar Harbor Maine or Savannah Georgia or
Portland Oregon? If the answer is No, then you should! But if I have to choose top ten
must-visit cities in America, I have to stay with the usual suspects. After all, you havent
been to America if you havent seen cultural icons like the Statue of Liberty and Golden
Gate Bridge, or natural features like Grand Canyon and Lake Tahoe. So, here you are 10
Must Visit Cities in the United States.

New York Skyline, Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges

New York
I think everybody would agree that New York is one of the most fascinating cities not
only in the USA but in the entire world. Therefore it HAS to be on must-see in America
list. What makes it so fascinating? First, of course, its architecture Manhattan skyline is
absolutely incredible. Second, its multicultural personality New York is a true melting
pot of ethnicities and cultures. And finally, nowhere else in a world you would find that
many best restaurant, best hotels, museums and theaters concentrated in such a small land
area of 23 square miles - thats how small Manhattan is. And whatever your passion in
culture, entertainment or food is, youll find it here. Dont forget that besides Manhattan,
there are four other boroughs in New York with plenty of things to do and to see.
Well, if New York has everything, then maybe the must-visit cities in America list should
has only one city New York? Not quite right. There are much more in this incredible
country than just New York.

New York Hotels Guide

Online reservations at low prices for luxury to budget hotels in New York and
entertainment guide to the city neighborhoods, restaurants, shops and attractions
New York City Skyline With Apple Martini
Best views of the city from best New York bars
Best Places To Visit In Brooklyn New York
Brooklyn attractions, museums, parks and more

Boston Common

Boston
While New York is defined by its skyline, Boston is distinguished by its vibrant
neighborhoods. From the fashionable Back Bay to oldest Beacon Hill to colorful
Chinatown to historic North End all neighborhoods of Boston has its own personality
and distinct appeal. A stroll around this old city is like reading an American history
textbook. Follow the red line marking the Freedom Trail and come across Boston
Common, the Old North Church, Paul Revere's house and Bunker Hill. Each stop
represents a chapter in American history. Being cultural and commercial hub of New
England, Boston absorbed all best from the region, including best food such as Maine
lobster and New England clam chowder. Try them when in Boston, they are best you can
find in all country.

Boston Hotels Guide

Online reservations at low prices for budget to luxury hotels in Boston with
detailed information on all hotels
Boston Seafood Restaurants
10 Best Boston Seafood restaurant reviews

The Washington Monument and Cherry Trees in bloom

Washington DC
The city is particularly glorious in spring, when its many gardens and park are in bloom.
While visiting the White House, take the White House Garden tour and view the
Jacqueline Kennedy Garden and Rose Garden they are absolutely splendid. Sightseeing
in Washington DC wouldnt cost much most of Washington DC museums and
memorials are free. Take a ride to the top of the Washington Monument to see spectacular
views of the city and surroundings. Stroll cobblestone streets of Georgetown, the citys
most beautiful neighborhood with great restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and shops. Relax at
Dumbarton Oaks gardens, one of the loveliest spots in the city. And if you have time,
explore surroundings - Maryland has plenty of things to offer to a curious traveler. Of
course, to try Maryland Blue Crab is a must, when you are there!

Washington DC Hotels Guide

Online reservations at low prices for budget to luxury hotels in Washington DC
with detailed information on all hotels
Washington, D.C. Tourism Information
Washington DC Memorials, Monuments, Museums, and Points of Interest

South Beach Miami

Miami
Americas Riviera with 10 miles of wide white sandy beaches, delightful art deco
architecture, trendy hotels, chic restaurants and hot party scene this is Miami. Plus, a
huge Latin American cultural inheritance in some Miami neighborhoods you could
easily forget that you are in the United States. If you dont have a chance to go to Cuba, a
short trip to Little Havana in Miami could give you a little glimpse of the Caribbean
jewel: aroma of Cuban coffee and cigars, pulsating Cuban music, art and craft, very
authentic restaurants and colorful storefronts. But, if you are really adventurous, rent a
car and go to Key West for a couple of days. Not only because Key West is absolute
paradise, but also because the road from Miami to Key West is really stunning.

Miami Hotels Guide

Online reservations at low prices for hotels in Miami and guide to Miami clubs,
restaurants, shops and attractions
Best Cities For Singles Travel - Miami
Miami nighht clubs, and lounges are perfect spots to meet singles of any age and
sexual preferences
Key West Hotels Guide
Online reservations at low prices for hotels in Key West and entertainment guide
to the cities

Grand Canyon National Park

Las Vegas
A gambleville with luxury resorts and five star hotels, outstanding dining and acclaimed
shows, exclusive spas and world-class golf courses you have to party in Vegas at least
once in a lifetime. Las Vegas proximity to unique treasures of nature such as Red Rock
and Grand Canyon, Colorado River and Death Valley makes Sin City attractive travel
destination not only for party goers but for nature lovers as well. Take a road trip to Death
Valley National Park, just a couple of hours away from Vegas, and enjoy the hottest place
in the country. Or drive a little bit further to Grand Canyon, the most famous natural
feature not only in the area but in the USA. Or visit Lake Mead, a large man-made lake,
one of the largest in the world. And you will see that there are more of Vegas than just
parties.

Las Vegas Hotels Guide

Online reservations at low prices for hotels in Las Vegas and entertainment guide
to the city attractions, restaurants and nightclubs
10 Reasons To Travel To Vegas
Things to do in Las Vegas

Walt Disney World Top 7 Must Sees

Orlando
Orlando being home to the largest amusement park in the world has to be on a list of
must-visit in America. Walt Disney World is the most visited recreational resort in the
world, and dont be mistaken it is not only for children, adults have plenty of fun in
Disney World as well. Besides famous Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando
Resort, and SeaWorld, Orlando offers plenty of different entertainment, great dining and
even museums the most comprehensive collection of Tiffany art is in Charles Hosmer
Morse Museum in Orlando.

Orlando Hotels Guide

Online reservations at low prices for luxury to budget hotels in Orlando and
Disney World and entertainment guide to the city nightlife, restaurants and shops
Discount Disney World Tickets
Disney tckets, discount Disney World tickets and Orlando Theme Park Attraction
tickets

La Jolla, San Diego

San Diego
Blue skies and 70 miles of great beaches, Mediterranean climate and Mexican specialties,
aquatic parks, aquariums and zoos the jewel of South California have it all. For beach
lovers a visit to La Jolla is a must. The most magnificent beach on the West Coast offers
fantastic surfing, excellent snorkeling and diving, amazing sunsets and beautiful sands.
San Diego Old Town, the historical heart of the city, is the "birthplace" of California - San
Diego is the site of the first permanent Spanish settlement in California. The Spanish and
Mexican heritage of the city is celebrated throughout Old Town, including best Mexican
food and Margaritas.

San Diego Hotels Guide

Online reservations at low prices for budget to luxury hotels in San Diego with
detailed information on all hotels

La Jolla California
Visitor information including hotels,vacation rentals, weather, maps, attractions,
activities, weather

Los Angeles

Los Angeles
Hollywood and Beverly Hills, Malibu and Sunset Boulevard these places have to be on
must-visit in America list, and all of them are in Los Angeles. Who wouldnt like to take
a ride down Sunset Boulevard in a convertible or watch sunset on Malibu beach with a
glass of California Pinot? If youve never done it, you should! Besides famous attractions
and intensive nightlife, Los Angeles has great surroundings to explore. Just take a road
trip to Santa Barbara and youll witness a breathtaking beauty of South California.

The Official Visitors Site for Los Angeles

Guide to Los Angeles hotels, Los Angeles attractions, restaurants, event venues,
Los Angeles transportation and maps
Los Angeles Clubs and Bars Guide
Comprehensive lists of dining and entertainment experiences in Los Angeles and
surrounding areas

Seattle Skyline and the Space Needle

Seattle
If you think that Seattle is only about rain, you are absolutely wrong. The Emerald City is
a real green gem, with a wealth of evergreen trees throughout, and breathtaking views of
the Cascade mountains to the east and the Olympic mountains to the west. Mt. Rainier
looks down on Seattle from its majestic heights. Driving through Seattle on a clear day
has been compared to floating on a cloud in an emerald sky. Go to the top of the Space
Needle and enjoy a panoramic view of the city, have a lunch at a sidewalk caf in Pike
Street Market and embrace best of what Seattle can offer splendid views and great
freshest seafood.

Seattle Hotels Guide

Online reservations at low prices for budget to luxury hotels in Seattle with
detailed information on all hotels
Oregon and Washington Exploring Pacific Northwest By Car
Best places in Oregon and Washington to explore by car

The Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco

San Francisco
The city's famous steep hills and trolley cars, astonishing bay views, the iconic Golden
Gate Bridge, lively Fisherman's Wharf and Chinatown, numerous beautiful gardens and
delicious food make San Francisco very unique and, from my point of view, the most
beautiful city in America. When in San Francisco, take a trip to Napa Valley for a glass of
wine or two while enjoying breathtaking scenery of a wine country. Or go to Lake Tahoe,
to see the jewel of the Sierras, one of the most beautiful lakes in the country.

San Francisco Hotels Guide

Online reservations at low prices for budget to luxury hotels in San Francisco
with detailed information on all hotels
Lake Tahoe Hotel Reservations
Online reservations at low prices for Lake Tahoe hotels

What city in America in YOUR must-visit list? Please, share with us your plans and your
travel experiences in the United States.