America is full of gorgeous cities – but which are the prettiest of them all? Booking.com analysed one hundred most populous hubs in the US to find out which are the most-photographed per square mile, using hashtag data from Instagram. Here are the top 15 they found most photo-worthy, plus how to explore them in all their beauty.
Coming in 15th place is the Pacific Coast city of San Diego, which notched an average of 331 photographs per square mile. The metropolis often ranks among the most beautiful cities in America, and indeed the world, thanks to its golden beaches flanked by swaying palms, glistening skyscrapers and picturesque parks. Stunning streets include Mission Boulevard, a waterside boardwalk favoured by runners, cyclists and roller-bladers, and 5th Avenue, which is illuminated by 19th-century lamp posts at night.
There’s no shortage of things to do in this laid-back south Californian gem. In summer, be sure to explore its gorgeous stretches of seaside and head to Balboa Park for a picnic. During the winter months, there’s a wealth of great museums, including the San Diego Museum of Art, Natural History Museum and USS Midway Museum. You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to hotels, and foodies should make a beeline for the Barrio Logan neighbourhood for mouthwatering Mexican eats.
Picture-perfect Richmond charms visitors with its mix of historic and modern buildings, generously sized green spaces and riverside location. So it’s no wonder the southeastern city comes in 14th place in the rankings, with 362 pictures snapped per square mile. There are plenty of scenic spots, but Rocketts Landing is perhaps the best place to get a panoramic view of the city from across the water.
Once you’ve taken in the sights, head out for a bite to eat. Richmond is known for its food scene, and you’ll find comforting soul food served alongside cutting-edge modern cuisine. There are also lots of attractive beer gardens in which to grab a pint or three and watch the world go by, including The HofGarden and The Veil Brewing Co. Hotels-wise, the best options are Graduate Richmond, for great value and central location; Quirk Hotel, for contemporary and stylish interiors; and The Jefferson for lavish Victorian-era grandeur.
Love this? Follow us on Facebook for more travel inspiration
Just as alluring as its Italian namesake, Naples in Florida bags 13th place with 410 pictures snapped per square mile. The city’s most aesthetically pleasing spots are its pristine white-sand beaches, colourful central plaza and the palm tree-lined 5th Avenue South. There’s natural beauty nearby too, with the Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve within easy reach.
Besides relaxing by the sea and snapping the city centre, you certainly won’t run out of things to do in this lively metropolis. Try visiting the Naples Botanical Garden, checking out a museum or two (Revs Institute is a must for automobile aficionados) or renting a boat and exploring nearby islands. The breezy seaside hub has a host of great restaurants overlooking the beach, including tropical-style fine-dining restaurant BALEEN and M Waterfront Grille, a contemporary American grill serving up seafood and steak.
Thanks to its unique architecture and spectacular riverfront location, Detroit is the 12th most photographed US city with 415 images per square mile. Its memorable skyline is a mixture of Art Deco structures like the 40-floor Guardian Building, industrial gems such as Michigan Central Station and modern masterpieces like the GM Renaissance Center.
No visit to Motor City would be complete without learning about the history of its car industry, so head to the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation to get the lowdown. Music fans should also consider stopping by the Motown Museum, which recounts Detroit’s role in the development of this unique musical style. When it’s time to eat, make sure you try the famous coney dog (a hot dog with bean-free chilli, mustard and onions) – Lafayette Coney Island and American Coney Island are the best-known vendors.
With 451 pictures tagged here per square mile, Norfolk, Virginia takes the 11th spot in the ranking. The city’s biggest draw is its gorgeous waterfront, which is fringed with family-friendly parks, historic ships like the USS Wisconsin battleship and a whole host of great museums. There are loads of pretty neighbourhoods to explore, chiefly Ghent, which charms tourists and locals with its leafy streets and historic buildings.
While strolling through the city, keep an eye out for vibrant murals in the Neon District, feed your caffeine habit at an independent coffee shop (Cure Coffeehouse and Equinox Coffee Co. are both great options) and explore pop-up stalls and boutiques at Selden Market. Top places to stay include the swanky Courtyard Marriott Downtown and the charming, historic Glass Light Hotel.
While it’s best known as the home of Walt Disney World, Orlando is a major attraction in itself. With 654 photos snapped per square mile the city snags 10th place on our list, and top beauty spots include the 50-acre Leu Gardens, the Butler Chain of Lakes canals and Lake Eola Park. These urban oases – plus 233 days of sunshine a year – mean Orlando is made for strolling around and enjoying the great outdoors.
It goes without saying that a theme park visit is a must here: Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort and LEGOLAND are all within touching distance. In the city, get your arts and culture fix at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, where you’ll find everything from Broadway shows to ballet, or enjoy some nature at the stunning Wekiwa Springs State Park. When picking hotels consider the stylish and chic Grand Bohemian or the tranquil Alfond Inn.
Perched on the southern shore of Lake Erie, Cleveland has one of the most alluring skylines you can find, and it looks especially beautiful illuminated with rosy sunset light. The must-see buildings are the 52-storey Terminal Tower, the Victorian-era Old Arcade and the 100-year-old Heinen's Grocery Store. Away from the downtown crowds there are natural wonders aplenty both in and around the city, ranging from the 60-foot-tall (18m) Brandywine Falls to the North Chagrin Reservation, where you can wander among 300- and 400-year-old trees.
Cleveland is packed with fun things to do, including a world-famous zoo, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a wide-ranging art museum (pictured). The city’s multicultural makeup means you can find a wealth of cuisines here, whether you’re after Chinese, Vietnamese, Italian, Mexican or Polish. There are also loads of great places to stay – if you’re happy to push the boat out, book into the Hyatt Regency, located within the Victorian shopping arcade.
One of three Californian cities on this list, Sacramento comes in the eighth place with 1,019 pictures tagged per square mile. The city is situated at the confluence of two rivers – the Sacramento and the American – and boasts a gorgeous historic waterfront district offering a range of shops, restaurants and bars. There are also stunning parks galore, including River Walk Park, which offers jaw-dropping vistas of the city skyline, and the tranquil WPA Rock Garden.
Immerse yourself in Sacramento’s history with a visit to Old Sacramento State Park (pictured), an eight-block area filled with Gold Rush buildings including the state’s railroad museum, and the 1849 Eagle Theater. There’s plenty to please culture vultures too, such as the Crocker Art Museum, which showcases an impressive collection of Californian painting and sculpture in an Italianate mansion. When it’s time to eat, be sure to try the Frank’s-style New York steak at Frank Fat’s – a Sacramento institution.
The highest-scoring Californian city on the list is San Francisco, which finishes seventh with 1,039 photos tagged per square mile. The metropolis is bursting at the seams with photo-worthy spots, from the historic cable cars to the famous Golden Gate Bridge and the zig-zagging Lombard Street, a symmetrical downhill avenue featuring eight hairpin turns.
A visit here wouldn’t be complete without wandering the historic Chinatown and Japantown neighbourhoods, getting spooked at the former prison on Alcatraz Island and strolling through the enormous Golden Gate Park. San Francisco is a melting pot of different cultures so there’s plenty in the way of international cuisine, ranging from Irish coffee (first drunk in America at the Buena Vista here in 1952) to dim sum.
With its clamouring Pike Place Market, one-of-a-kind architecture and stunning natural surroundings, it's no surprise to see Seattle coming in sixth with 1,052 pictures taken per square mile. To see the city in all its glory head up to Kerry Park – it’s a calf-pumping uphill walk from Downtown but you’ll be rewarded with epic panoramic views.
Elsewhere in the city, Gas Works Park, a former gasification plant-turned-innovative green space on the shores of Lake Union, is a great place to watch the world go by. It’s also worth swinging by the quirky Museum of Pop Culture, which is housed inside a striking modern building designed by Frank Gehry, and strolling through the historic Pioneer Square neighbourhood (pictured). There are lots of gorgeous hotels to choose from: Palihotel, Graduate and Ace Hotel are among the best.
These are America's best hotels
We can see why visitors take so many pictures in St Louis, which is crowned with the ever-recognisable Gateway Arch and overlooks the Mississippi River. But the waterfront isn’t the only beautiful area. Brilliant green spaces, including Forest Park and the Missouri Botanical Garden, can be found in the heart of the city, while sweeping prairies, bright-blue springs and the famous Ozark Mountains are all within easy reach.
St Louis has lots of attractions to entertain all the family, including a large zoo and aquarium, the Six Flags theme park and a diverse array of museums. There are brilliant restaurants to be found in every neighbourhood, but be sure to get your teeth into an ultra-thin, St Louis-style pizza, try toasted ravioli in Italian-American neighbourhood the Hill and eat frozen custard – an ice cream-like sweet staple for which the city is famous.
From Times Square to the Rockefeller Center, the Upper East Side to the Village, New York is jam-packed with famous spots that have been photographed within an inch of their lives. The Big Apple finishes fourth place in the rankings with an average of 1,098 images snapped here per square mile, although it had the highest overall number of pictures taken: a grand total of 329,813.
There’s so much to do in New York it feels almost impossible to narrow it down. To experience the most scenic parts of the city, be sure to stroll through Central Park, head up a towering skyscraper for incredible views, check out the Statue of Liberty from a ferry and wander the diverse neighbourhoods. Sleeping options range from quirky Airbnbs to historic hotels – the Four Seasons Downtown and Ritz-Carlton both offer amazing views and luxurious experiences.
Chicago is one of those cities that comes to life at sunset, when golden hues dance around its glistening glass buildings and twinkling lights appear across the horizon. But the beauty of the Windy City manifests in a variety of ways, from rooftop gardens to vibrant murals and historic towers. It comes in third place overall, with 1,529 pictures snapped per square mile.
With so many attractive buildings you might want to take a tour to learn more about them, and this First Lady architecture cruise, which has been voted the top tour in the city on TripAdvisor, is a great way to start. Turning our attention to food, don’t miss Chicago’s famous deep-dish pizza and make sure to enjoy at least one jibarito sandwich. Lastly, there’s a great selection of hotels, from exclusive options like Soho House to more affordable stays like Kimpton Gray Hotel.
Few cities can claim as much historic charm as Boston, which scores second place with 2,213 images tagged per square mile. A major university city, Boston enjoys a picturesque location on Massachusetts Bay and the Charles River, and is home to oodles of stunning streets and striking buildings. Be sure to check out Boston Harbor and its surrounding islands, which can be visited via ferry.
The city’s outdoor spaces – Boston Common, the Greenway and the Esplanade to name a few – are world class, and walking or biking through them is a great way to get a lay of the land. We’d also recommend checking out the Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile (4km) path that connects 16 key historic sites, including the Massachusetts State House and the 200-year-old Park Street Church. There are several delicious specialities you should sample while you’re here, from local seafood to dumplings in Chinatown and Boston baked beans.
Florida's crown jewel, Miami romped home with 2,661 images taken per square mile to be named the most photographed city in America. It's not exactly an upset, as the sunny climate, lines of windswept palms and instantly recognisable Art Deco architecture make the city about as photogenic as it gets. It’s also surrounded by breathtaking beaches rimmed with crystal-clear waters, making it a top holiday spot.
Besides taking photographs, there’s lots to do in Miami. Take a load off at swanky cocktail bars like Broken Shaker, sample incredible art installations at Superblue Miami or peruse immersive exhibitions (as well as an aquarium and planetarium) at Frost Science. There are hotels to suit all tastes and budgets too, although if you’re after something especially Instagrammable, 1 Hotel South Beach and The Villa Casa Casuarina (pictured, formerly owned by fashion designer Gianni Versace) are great options.
Now see these amazing images showing how America's cities have changed over time