37 “Best” Cities to Add to Your Travel Bucket List

Time Out recently announced its 37 Best Cities in the world for 2021. Four U.S. cities made the top 15, including #5 New York, #11 Los Angeles, #12 Chicago….and coming in at #1 is San Francisco!

Whether in the U.S. or beyond, most, if not all of the cities share many commonalities including access to a myriad of cultural and entertainment opportunities, ease of transportation, access to parks and other outdoor opportunities, and, of course, a great culinary scene. However, given we’ve all been in the middle of a pandemic for the past year a half, actually enjoying these city-wide amenities was greatly reduced, and in some areas, nearly impossible.

It’s no surprise that these cities (and really any city) have not been immune to the impact of the virus. So what makes these cities stand out above all of the rest in the time where most of the world has been fully or partially closed or in limbo at best?

This year’s Top Cities list highlights those who have gone above and beyond during the pandemic to help their cities adapt to the situation, and in some cases, even grow and thrive in spite of the virus. These are the cities that pull together to help their community – from local stores, to restaurants, to schools and more. For instance….in the last year, Chicago and New York have closed off specific streets to create more outdoor seating and more pedestrian gathering places, helping to boost business and keep culture thriving. I’ve experienced this first hand in Chicago and loved seeing the locals and tourists gathering outdoors for lunch, quick bites and drinks after work – even in colder temperatures! It’s a beautiful reminder that supportive, community-minded people can band together during the darkest of times to create a positive experience for all.

So if you’re planning a weekend getaway this fall or bigger trip next year, consider one of these 15 stand-out cities who take care of their own: