The travel identity of the United States, however, is not limited to recognizable metropolises-symbols such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington.
Modern travelers who, beyond the obvious, seek the authentic will find on the American map cities with strong personality, cultural depth and a daily life so genuine that it becomes part of an exciting experience. From states like California and Louisiana, from Utah to New Mexico, charming cities like the ones below will reward anyone who seeks the American dream by following the “road less traveled”.
Santa Barbara, California
Where sun, sea and towering palm trees against the backdrop of the Santa Ynez Mountains make “California dreaming” a reality, this is a coastal paradise like no other. The colonial legacy of 16th-century Spanish explorers is reflected in Mediterranean-style buildings with their distinctive red-tiled roofs, giving the city nicknamed the “American Riviera” a more European feel. Intimate and welcoming, Santa Barbara may look like a small seaside town, but it offers a variety of enjoyable experiences.
Beyond the palm-lined avenues and whitewashed adobe buildings with colorful bougainvillea, lie the pristine Pacific beaches, unique hiking trails and the region’s renowned vineyards. After soaking in its history at the Old Mission Santa Barbara multi-purpose hall and visiting the Franciscan friars’ church, mausoleum, museum and ocean-view gardens, climb the nearly 100-year-old Santa Barbara County Courthouse’s Clock Tower for panoramic views of the city. Don’t miss one of the free, hour-long tours of the building’s Mural Room, which showcases the city’s rich past and roots in the Chumash, Spanish and Mexican cultures. Santa Barbara loves bikes, as you’ll see on the idyllic Cabrillo Bike Path, as well as good wine. You will try it at one of the city’s 25 tasting rooms or, even better, at one of the over 200 wineries in the Santa Ynez Valley vineyards.
Moab, Utah
Tucked between Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, this small town in eastern Utah is the gateway to one of America’s most dramatic landscapes, a natural landscape both captivating and eerie, a monument of geological grandeur that looks like a picture from another planet. The spectacular red rock formations, the sandstone arches that look like giant sculptures, the imposing deep canyons and the millions of stars that are clearly visible in the evening sky, are awe-inspiring and mesmerizing as they resemble metaphysical images that are hard to believe. This is what makes the Moab experience unique, the sense of natural grandeur and the endless opportunities for exciting activities.
Outdoor enthusiasts have already discovered it and, starting from the small desert town, they set off on hikes to picturesque spots with views where the Colorado River slowly carves the land, for climbing on purple rocks, for rafting, horseback riding, mountain biking, canyoning – or simply to enjoy the refreshing nature in two of the most impressive national parks in the United States. In Arches National Park, a true treasure trove of geological wonders just 8 km from Moab, you will admire over 2,000 sandstone arches – the largest concentration on Earth -, while in Canyonlands, the largest National Park in the state with impressive contrasts, natural observatories offer views up to 100 km away.
For something more conventional, Hole N’ the Rock – a huge cave carved from sandstone with an authentic 1950s kitsch decoration – is considered a must-visit just outside Moab, as is Utahraptor State Park if you are traveling with children: here you will see one of the largest deposits of dinosaur bones in North America, representing more than ten species of prehistoric reptiles.
New Orleans, Louisiana
With its vibrant community spirit and deep-rooted multicultural culture, New Orleans embodies all that makes life enjoyable: uplifting music, mouth-watering cuisine, and an endless desire to have fun. Mardi Gras and its famous parades may be just around the corner, but the birthplace of jazz and the blues has a long history of musical connection. Generations of musicians have been nurtured on its streets, and the rhythms that emanate from its romantic alleys are reason enough to visit the state of Louisiana. Nicknamed the “Crescent City” for the large bend in the Mississippi River that runs through it and the “Big Easy” for its authentic laid-back vibe, the city owes its unique energy and atmosphere to its diverse heritage. Native Americans, French colonists, Spanish rulers, Creoles and Africans have all left their mark on this captivating mosaic port, where the nights are as exciting as the days.
Starting in the French Quarter, the historic heart of the city with the iconic Jackson Square and St. Louis, you will admire the colonial architecture in the buildings with their ornate wrought-iron balconies and interior courtyards, you will wander through the French Market in search of local products, you will visit original thematic museums, such as the Conti Historical Wax Museum and the Historic Voodoo Museum, you will taste the delicacies of Creole cuisine, but you will definitely stay until the evening to experience the entertainment on the famous Bourbon Street. The incomparable collage of images and experiences is complemented by the gardens of Saint Charles Avenue with its impressive historic mansions, the colorful Creole houses in the Tremé district -one of the oldest African-American neighborhoods in the USA-, Magazine Street with its endless row of independent shops and the characteristic streetcars, omnipresent as well as the sounds of saxophones that never fall silent.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Nestled 7,000 feet (2,100 meters) into the Bottom of Form Sangre de Cristo Mountains, dressed in dusty pinks, more earthy than postcard-perfect, the oldest state capital in the United States remains one of America’s best-kept secrets. Its traditional adobe houses are a prime example of adobe architecture, its desert views are epic, and its art scene is as diverse as the 80-plus galleries on Canyon Road, the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, and the Meow Wolf collective’s uniquely imaginative interactive experience. In the historic district of El Barrio de Analco, the oldest church in continental America, the San Miguel temple, which is over four centuries old, captures the Spanish, Mexican and American heritage of the captivating Santa Fe, while the Loretto Chapel, with the so-called “Miracle Staircase”, a spiral wooden structure that seems to have no central support, has its own unique history.
Another first in antiquity is held by the Palace of the Governors – the oldest public building in the USA -, the entrance to which is through the New Mexico History Museum where you will immerse yourself in the history of the state, starting with the arrival of the Spaniards in the 16th century. Art continues at the Museum of World Folk Art with the largest collection of traditional artifacts in the world, as well as at the city’s Opera House. After all that culture, follow the Margarita Trail to enjoy more than 50 of the world’s best margaritas. Or better yet, put Bon Jovi’s “Santa Fe” on your car soundtrack and take the Santa Fe Loop, honoring the 100th anniversary of the legendary Route 66, which originally ran through the city.
Asheville, North Carolina
Tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is the undisputed “capital” of North Carolina’s mountains, one of the most beautiful small towns in the American South, bohemian, bustling, yet with a precious inwardness. The spectacular Blue Ridge Parkway hugs the city, making it a direct gateway to landscapes where nature plays the role of interlocutor rather than just the backdrop, to forests hidden in the mist, and to outdoor adventures of all kinds. Hiking the trails that lead to the waterfalls of Pisgah Forest is suitable for everyone, while experienced climbers will find themselves challenged to conquer Mount Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi.
Back in the city, the sense of peace and tranquility continues in the gardens of the magnificent Biltmore Estate, which impresses with both its architecture and its history: fascinated by the enchanting nature of Asheville, George Washington Vanderbilt II, scion of a family of steamship and railroad magnates, decided to build a mansion that imitated the spectacular castles of the Loire Valley. As a result, his mountain cottage, completed in 1895, bears elements of three French castles, making it the largest privately owned residence in the United States at the time. The architecture of the Asheville Art Museum is also impressive, and after a costly renovation, the glass west wing and the ceiling with sculptures enhance the experience of contact with American art of the 20th and 21st centuries.
The city’s artistic tendencies and encouragement of creativity are also reflected in the art galleries of the River Arts District – such as the Mark Bettis Gallery and the Odyssey Gallery of Ceramic Arts with its remarkable collection of ceramics. Even Asheville’s culinary scene invites visitors to slow down and experience “slow travel”: the historic Art-Deco buildings of the city center host elegant restaurants, luxurious chocolatiers offer delightful breaks, while the local microbreweries – the most per capita of any city in the United States, as you will see by following the Asheville Ale Trail that crosses the city center – explain why Asheville is rightly called the “Beer City”.
