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Domestic travel numbers are ticking up toward levels not seen since before the pandemic, according to the U.S. Travel Association. That means vacation planners should book now to get transportation, hotels and advance tickets for popular attractions. Birthplace of the national anthem? Check. Native American culture? Check. Liberty Bell? Yes. Early settlers? Yes. Former Spanish colony? Yes. Country music? Check. These six cities offer a bit for everyone, including the country’s early history, nostalgia, natural wonders and a welcoming vibe.
The last sail-only warship, USS Constellation, is anchored at the Inner Harbor in Baltimore.
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Baltimore
Don’t be surprised to hear locals greet you with a familiar “Hon” (said hun), one of many delights visitors find in Maryland’s largest city. About 40 miles northeast of Washington, D.C., Baltimore, too, is rich in national history (the birthplace of ”The Star-Spangled Banner”); has deep African American origins (a stop on the Underground Railroad), a love of America’s favorite pastime (Babe Ruth was born here in 1895); and pride of place in our entertainment culture (think Hairspray, Diner, The Wire). The last sail-only warship, the USS Constellation built in 1854 for the U.S. Navy, remains in Baltimore’s harbor (adults $19.95; seniors 60+, military, students 15-20 $17.95; youth 6-14 $7.95), but now the Inner Harbor is a magnet for families. There’s also the National Aquarium (adults $49.95; seniors 70+ and youths 5-20 $39.95), the kid-friendly Maryland Science Center (adults $26.95; seniors 62+ $25.95; child 3-12 $20.95); and shopping and eateries aplenty. There’s much beyond the expected in Bawlmer or Baldamore, as the locals drawl it, including more than a dozen different neighborhoods. Oh, and about that “Hon”: Go with it. It’s part of the charm.
Beyond Baltimore: Take a Maryland road trip
Catch a spectacular view of Seattle from the Great Wheel.
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Seattle
A vibrant urban oasis plunked down amid breathtaking natural beauty, Seattle is more than worth a bird’s-eye view from the top of its iconic Space Needle or The Seattle Great Wheel. Yet, oh, the places you can go on the ground! Pike Place Market is a kaleidoscope of fresh flowers, specialty foods and the original Starbucks, which opened in 1971. Cruise ships and ferries come and go on the Salish Sea (take a ride to Bainbridge Island just for fun). Discover vibrant neighborhoods with unique personalities, each offering dining, shopping and local farm markets. You will find art and specialty museums (try the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPop) [adults $25; seniors 65+ and students $22.50; military $20; youth 5-12 $17.50] next to the Space Needle; or the National Nordic Museum [adults $20; seniors 65+ $16; college students $15; youth 5-18 $10] in the Ballard neighborhood). It may be a tech hub, but Seattle’s cultural history is what makes it interesting. The city sits on land that belonged to Indigenous Suquamish and Duwamish tribes, but embraces African American, Nordic, Asian American and Latino heritage as well.
City guide: AARP Destination Guide to Seattle
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