- Population: 457,658

With its location on the Chesapeake Bay, Virginia Beach is a coastal haven for outdoor activities. Sandbridge offers secluded fishing and kayaking, and nearby Pungo is known for its countryside charm. Virginia Beach also has a moderate climate, with only about 2 inches of snow per year, and average highs in November above 60 degrees.

- Population: 231,502

Fremont is in the Bay Area and boasts that 1,700 tech companies are based in the city, accompanied by 1,224 acres of parkland to hike and bike. Attractions include the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, which looks at the early days of filmmaking, and Mission San José, a Spanish Mission from the 1700s. Visit the Ardenwood Historic Farm to see what it was like to farm at the turn of the 20th century or go birdwatching at Coyote Hills Regional Park.

- Population: 492,204

Atlanta has great cuisine and impressive civil rights history, and it's home to big employers like CNN and Coca-Cola. Atlanta proudly celebrates its music culture, while Atlanta United has some of the most raucous fans in Major League Soccer.

- Population: 683,154

The nation's capital is like no other city in the U.S., the seat of government power that is home to the White House, the Capitol, and the U.S. Supreme Court. There are monuments to visit and museums to tour but also neighborhoods to explore, from the nightlife of Adams Morgan to the African American history of Anacostia to the cobblestones and beautiful homes of Georgetown. You can take a paddle on the Potomac or Anacostia rivers, jog or cycle through Rock Creek Park, or cheer on the runners in the Marine Corps Marathon in October.

- Population: 254,184

Irving is close to Dallas and is the home of corporate giants like ExxonMobil. Many spots in Irving connect to Dallas Area Rapid Transit, and the Toyota Music Factory is a giant entertainment complex in the city. The Irving Arts Center hosts 10 resident arts organizations.

- Population: 380,476

Tampa is one of America's booming sports cities, with the NHL's Lightning and Major League Baseball's Rays. The city is also known for Busch Gardens and other theme parks, plus museums like Dinosaur World. Many retirees enjoy Tampa's beaches, parks, and abundance of pickleball courts.

- Population: 672,814

Boston public schools claim to be the "birthplace of public education" in America, which includes creating the first public school for the deaf in 1869. The city has a robust public transportation system and is the business and entertainment hub of New England. Still, even with all of this fast-paced action, Boston remains very much a college town.

- Population: 321,354

Louisville may host the Kentucky Derby, but Lexington is the Horse Capital of the World. Lexington is known for its thoroughbred breeding and is home to the Kentucky Horse Park. The University of Kentucky's fingerprints are also all over Lexington, with Rupp Arena the site of one of college basketball's most intense fan atmospheres.

- Population: 488,059

Nebraska's largest city is anchored by the business of major companies like TD Ameritrade and Green Plains Inc. The Omaha Zoo and Aquarium is world-renowned for featuring the planet's largest indoor desert. Each summer, Omaha brings in thousands of tourists and baseball fans by hosting the College World Series.

- Population: 289,136

The University of Nebraska is a major force in Lincoln, a city that for decades has been home to a large refugee community. The city hosts many major events, such as the Cornhusker State Games, and it's home to the National Museum of Roller Skating and the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia.

- Population: 864,871

Charlotte is home to the NASCAR Hall of Fame and is one of America's motor-racing capitals. Going for a dip in swimming holes is a popular recreational pastime in Charlotte, and pottery and arts and crafts lovers can find many options to flex their creativity. Cato Middle College High is recognized as one of the state's best high schools.

- Population: 210,081

Huntsville promotes its base of manufacturing, retail, and service businesses and the technology, space, and defense industries that it has attracted with NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, the Army's Redstone Arsenal, and Cummings Research Park. John Hunt first settled what is now Huntsville in 1805. It was originally named Twickenham after Alexander Pope's English home, but the name was changed in 1811. Today it is the largest city in Alabama.

- Population: 944,658

The home of the University of Texas may have the motto, "Keep Austin Weird," but the city's eccentricity is not its only selling point. Locals and tourists wait for hours before dawn to eat at Franklin BBQ, though President Barack Obama was able to skip the line. The city has dozens of other great eats, too. Austin draws a diverse collection of creative types to live and work there and is home to the annual South By Southwest festival.

- Population: 262,249

Gilbert was once considered the "Hay Shipping Capital of the World," but today it is one of the country's fastest-growing cities. Established as a railroad depot in 1902, what once was a farming community is now an economically diverse suburb southeast of Phoenix. Its downtown includes shops, restaurants, and a theater. The University of Arizona has a location in downtown Gilbert and offers a Bachelor of Science in nursing. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints built a temple in Gilbert, which opened in 2014.

- Population: 238,685

Scottsdale benefits from being near the Phoenix metropolis, while also having its own perks. With average highs in the mid-60s in January, Scottsdale is a prime location for retirees, with lots of golf, tennis, and swimming available. However, the city also appeals to younger residents with events like the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show and the Barrett-Jackson Auto Show.

- Population: 425,091

Tourism organizations in Minneapolis are promoting the heritage of the city's Black community, highlighting businesses and artists that are central to the area's culture. The University of Minnesota's influence can be seen throughout the city, while the nearby Mall of America and U.S. Bank Stadium are other popular institutions. Minneapolis has a fluid public transportation system and receives a boost from the headquarters of major businesses like Target.

- Population: 272,439

The fourth-largest city in Arizona, Chandler is one of the country's fastest-growing areas for innovation and technology. It is southeast of Phoenix, which has been dubbed the next Silicon Valley. The city also offers resorts, restaurants, and golf courses. The city's founder, Dr. Alexander J. Chandler, created one of the most advanced irrigation systems in the country in the late 1800s, bringing in water from the Salt River and tapping into groundwater.

- Population: 303,207

Pittsburgh has always had a neighborly feel—"Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" was filmed there—and the area has been a friendly home to humans for nearly 20,000 years. You can see evidence of this about an hour's drive southwest of Pittsburgh at Meadowcroft Rockshelter. Back in the city, the National Aviary has an astounding collection of all types of birds. PNC Park, home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, is one of the best places in the country to view a ballgame. Yinzers love the lively arts scene, anchored by the Mattress Factory museum, Brillobox restaurant and entertainment space, and Gooski's dive bar.

- Population: 462,219

With a major airport, Raleigh connects the middle of North Carolina to the rest of the country. North Carolina State University and the Research Triangle are major economic engines, and year-round festivals keep locals entertained with a variety of activities.

- Population: 265,447

The University of Wisconsin is based in Madison, and Camp Randall Stadium is one of college sports' loudest venues. Frank Lloyd Wright created several notable buildings throughout the city, and a few large lakes provide numerous recreational opportunities. Madison has won awards for its parks, water quality, and amenities for veterans.

- Population: 865,933

Trolley cars and fishing remain staples of San Francisco's lifestyle, but the city continues to evolve. San Francisco's proximity to ingenious tech companies makes it a prime location for innovators—Reddit and Airbnb are among several industry players headquartered in the Bay Area. The Golden State Warriors have revolutionized basketball with their freewheeling style of play; their home is at the waterfront Chase Center.

- Population: 726,054

Along with having the Space Needle and Pike Place Fish Market, Seattle is consistently rated one of America's greenest cities. Of course, the city has a great coffee scene—it's the home of Starbucks—plus high-ranking school districts. The WNBA's Seattle Storm is one of the winningest franchises in professional sports.

- Population: 297,868

With a top research university in town, Irvine is a cutting-edge city. There are 16,500 acres of parks and over 100 global corporations based in Irvine, plus rare perks like whale watching. The city has been one of the safest large cities in the nation for nearly two decades. And you can see for miles from its Great Park Balloon, which lifts spectators 400 feet into the air.

- Population: 282,181

One of several cities on this list in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Plano sets itself apart with a bustling arts district, nature preserves, and even a Crayola museum. J.C. Penney and Rent-A-Center both have major headquarters in Plano, which is known for mild winters and pleasant summer nights.

- Population: 235,764

Arlington National Cemetery and the Pentagon are two internationally known Arlington landmarks, part of the greater Washington D.C. region. Annual jazz and blues festivals draw huge crowds, and Arlington has been rated a top city for LGBTQ+ rights. The Washington Metro system serves Arlington, and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is a major employer in the city.