Quite often we find ourselves so focused on places to travel abroad that it’s easy to forget about interesting travel destinations in our own backyard. Or at the very least, we find it difficult to see our own country as a foreign tourist would see it. That’s why I was intrigued by this recent article that tried to define the best backpacking cities in the United States. If you were coming here from another country and wanted to explore some American cities as a backpacker would, what cities would be the best destinations?
This particular writer selected five top options: Boston, Washington, Seattle, San Francisco, and Austin. Here is an excerpt:
Boston - Dubbed the ‘Athens of America’, Boston has rich history, grand architecture and some of the best universities in the world to its name. But this mid-sized city can still let its hair down, with a packed cultural calender, and a cool student scene spawning countless clubs, hip bars, arts and music scenes and bizarrely, Irish pubs! Beautiful in bloom in the Spring, and covered in russet leaves in the Fall, Boston is a gateway to the rest of New England’s glorious scenery, historic towns and bargain shopping.
Seattle - Seattle may be known as America’s wettest city, but the city embodies laid-back cool; this creative powerhouse is the home of Microsoft, Starbucks and grunge music. One of the most scenic cities in the US, Seattle is surrounded by an attractive waterfront, countless parks, forested beaches and open green spaces. Go shopping in Pike Place Market, ride to the top of the Space Needle, and then walk through Discovery Park when you’ve had enough of the city bustle.
Austin - We couldn’t do a round up of American cities without including somewhere from the southern states, and Austin is the surprisingly eccentric capital of Texas, the ‘Lone Star State’. All the hallmarks of the south are here – cowboys, country music and home-cooking, but Austin has its own quirky take on Texas – the home of the South by Southwest festival, the live music scene here is legendary, with countless bars and venues blasting out anything from jazz-funk to alt country. Austin’s edgy cool has drawn more and more businessmen to move in, but the city should keep its character a little while longer - check out the locals wearing bumper stickers saying ‘Keep Austin Weird’!
What do you think? What would you add to or subtract from this list?