Great Cities Across America – Legends of America (original) (raw)

Embarking on a journey across the United States unveils a treasure trove of destinations, each with its own distinct allure. While we haven’t concentrated on larger towns in the past, opting to explore the small, less traveled areas, here are what we find as some of the most fascinating cities in America, exploring their history, culture, and unique attractions. From coast to coast, these destinations beckon with promises of adventure, discovery, and the opportunity to experience the rich diversity that defines the American experience.

Abilene, Kansas – Queen of the Kansas Cowtowns

Albuquerque, New Mexico – 300-Year-Old Duke City

Amarillo, Texas – Texas Panhandle Cowtown

The United States Courthouse in Augusta, Georgia by Carol Highsmith.

The United States Courthouse in Augusta, Georgia, by Carol Highsmith.

Augusta, Georgia – The Garden City

Baltimore, Maryland – The Monument City

Bisbee, Arizona – Queen of the Copper Camps

Boston, Massachusetts – The Revolution Begins

Branson, Missouri – From Hillbillies to State of the Art

San Bernardino, California – The Inland Empire

Charleston, South Carolina – The Holy City

Chicago, Illinois – The Route 66 Journey Begins

Chillicothe, Ohio – First Ohio Capital

Cripple Creek, Colorado – World’s Greatest Gold Camp

Del Rio, Texas Depot by Kathy Alexander.

Del Rio, Texas Depot by Kathy Alexander.

Del Rio, Texas – Rio Grande City

Dodge City, Kansas – A Wicked Little Town

Durango, Colorado – Railroad Town of the Southwest

Elk City, Oklahoma – A Step Back In Time

Eureka Springs, Arkansas – Little Switzerland of the Ozarks

Flagstaff, Arizona – City of Seven Wonders

Gallup, New Mexico – Indian Center of the Southwest

Harpers Ferry, West Virginia – John Brown’s Raid

Hollywood, California – Home of the Stars

Buckstaff Bathhouse, Hot Springs, Arkansas by Kathy Alexander.

Buckstaff Bathhouse, Hot Springs, Arkansas, by Kathy Alexander.

Hot Springs, Arkansas – Home of Healing Waters

Independence, Missouri – Queen City of the Trails

Jamestown, Virginia – First Successful English Settlement

Joliet, Illinois – Route 66 in the Chicago Suburbs

Lawrence, Kansas – From Ashes to Immortality

Leavenworth, Kansas – First City

Kansas City, Missouri – Jumping on the Trails

Kingman, Arizona – Gateway to Hoover Dam

Las Vegas, Nevada – Sin City, USA

Las Vegas, New Mexico – More Wicked Than Dodge City

Harrison Avenue, Leadville, Colorado, Kathy Alexander.

Harrison Avenue, Leadville, Colorado, Kathy Alexander.

Leadville, Colorado – Cloud City, USA

Los Angeles, California – City of Angels

New Orleans, Louisiana – The Big Easy

New York City, New York – The Big Apple

Newport, Rhode Island – National Historic District

Oklahoma City – An Overnight Success

Ouray, Colorado – Switzerland of America

Pasadena, California – A Village Inside a City

Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin – Fur Trading Mecca

Sacramento, California – Walking on History

Salem Maritime National Historic Site.

Salem Maritime National Historic Site.

Salem, Massachusetts – Witch Hunt City

Salt Lake City, Utah – City of the Saints

San Antonio, Texas – A Mecca For History Buffs

San Francisco, California – Golden Gate City

Santa Monica, California – End of the Mother Road

Santa Fe, New Mexico – The City Different

Skagway, Alaska – Jumping Off to the Klondike

Springfield, Illinois – Home of Honest Abe

Springfield, Missouri – Queen City of the Ozarks

St. Augustine, Florida – Oldest U.S. City

St Louis, Missouri – Gateway to the West

Taos Pueblo and river, New Mexico by Kathy Alexander.

Taos Pueblo and River, New Mexico by Kathy Alexander.

Taos, New Mexico – Art, Architecture & History

Trinidad, Colorado – Coal Queen of Colorado

Tulsa, Oklahoma – Oil Capital of the World

Seattle, Washington – At the Center of the Klondike Gold Rush

Washington, D.C. – The Capitol City

Washington-on-the-Brazos, Texas – Declaring Independence

Wichita, Kansas – Largest City

Williamsburg, Virginia – Colonial Capitol

©Kathy Alexander/Legends of America, updated May 2024.

Bucket List Attraction in each State.

Bucket List for each State. Click for 8.5 x 11 print version. Click HERE for mini-poster print.

Also See:

Bucket List Attraction in Each State

Destinations in America

National Parks

U.S. States