In this article, we will look at the 26 most glamorous cities in the US. But before that, let’s take a look at travel trends across the globe and within the US and how the most glamorous cities are registering an uptick in tourism activity.
Overview of the Tourism and Travel Sector
The pent-up demand for tourism and travel after the uplifting of the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic can be seen exhibited in the tourism trends across the globe. Data from Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) shows that global leisure travel increased by around 31% in March 2023 as compared to its pre-pandemic levels in 2019. This translates to a 25% year-over-year growth between 2022 and 2023. Leisure and business travel have been on the path to recovery since 2022, increasing at the same rate. The sectors experienced a 33% increase in March 2023 as compared to its pre-pandemic levels in March 2019, and a year-over-year-to-date growth rate of 42% between 2022 and 2023. Trends across the tourism and travel sector show that travelers are keen to travel and experience the world, with total spending on experiences increasing by 65% in March 2023 as compared to its pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Similarly, the spending on things during traveling also increased by 12% between the same time period.
A report released by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) titled World Tourism Barometer January 2024 shows that international tourism has recovered nearly 88% of its pre-pandemic demand. The sector is anticipated to catch up to its pre-pandemic demand in 2024. Estimates show that around 1.3 billion international tourists were recorded across the globe in 2023. This number shows a growth of 34% over 2022. The UNWTO Tourism Confidence Index survey further highlights the positive trajectory for international travel, with 67% tourism professionals expressing belief in “better or much better prospects” in 2024 as compared to 2023. The tourism direct gross domestic product (TDGDP) as of 2023 stands at $3.3 trillion, which translates to 3% of the global GDP according to preliminary tourism estimates. These levels are the same as pre-pandemic levels in 2019, primarily fueled by recovering international and domestic levels. You can also look at 30 Most Visited Cities in the US by Foreigners for further insights.
Travel and Tourism in the USA
The tourism and travel sector in the USA reflects global trends. According to estimates by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, which is an official website of the US government, the travel and tourism industry as a whole grew by 53.6% in 2021, and 21.0% in 2022. When computed by real gross domestic product (GDP), the broader economy grew by 5.8% in 2021 and 1.9% in 2022. According to our report on the 30 Most Visited Cities by American Tourists, New York’s New York City, California’s San Jose, Georgia’s Atlanta, and California’s Los Angeles were the most popular tourist destinations across the country. These trends are primarily driven by the glitz and glamor of these cities, taking the lead in fashion, fine food, luxury, and tourist attractions.
Some of the most prominent luxury companies boosting tourism include Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H) and Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR). On June 1, Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H) announced the debut of the Park Hyatt brand into Hunan, central China. The Park Hyatt Changsha will take up the uppermost floors of the International Finance Square (IFS), which is a 1,000-foot-tall skyscraper and the tallest building in the Hunan province. Guests at the Park Hyatt Changsha will thus have unhindered access to the largest commercial complex in the city, buzzing with high-end fashion.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) is another prominent name in the luxury hospitality industry. On June 3, the hotel company announced plans to take three luxury properties in the United States under the umbrella of the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. These three iconic properties include Turtle Bay Resort, The Resort at Pelican Hill, and a luxury Midtown hotel located in New York City. The Turtle Bay Resort is located on the North Shore of O’ahu, Hawai’i, and is expected to become a part of The Ritz-Carlton brand portfolio this summer. The Resort at Pelican Hill is a 504-acre luxury resort located in Newport Beach, California, and is set to join the luxury portfolio by Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR) on July 1.
Lastly, New York City’s luxury hotel stands at the heart of Midtown Manhattan, with the biggest tourist attractions including Times Square, Fifth Avenue, The Museum of Modern Art, Central Park, and The Museum of Modern Art nearby. It is set to join the Marriott Bonvoy on June 5. Here is what Leeny Oberg, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, Development, Marriott International, had to say about the development:
“In the last few weeks, we finalized deals for conversions of three incredible properties, adding over 1,000 rooms to our system and continuing to underscore our commitment to luxury. We are sought out by owners because of the depth and breadth of our brand portfolio and the power of our platform to drive results. Today, the company has an industry-leading global luxury distribution of over 510 open hotels with another 234 luxury hotels in the signed pipeline. We look forward to strengthening our leadership in this important customer segment as we continue to work with owners to maximize the potential of their projects.”
Now that we have taken an overview of the travel and tourism sector, let’s look at the 26 most glamorous cities in the US. You can also look at 30 Most Fun Cities in the US in 2024 and 30 Most Interesting Cities in America.
26 Most Glamorous Cities in the US
Our Methodology
In order to compile a list of the 26 most glamorous cities in the US, we used a consensus approach and a visitor survey through Reddit. Firstly, we consulted ten online travel expert resources to compile a list of the 26 most glamorous cities in the US. Next, we looked at ten Reddit threads that asked commenters to mention the most glamorous US cities they had visited in the United States. We only chose threads that had more than 50 comments and studied more than 500 comments to shortlist the most glamorous cities in the United States that had the most recommendations by Reddit users. We then counted the number of upvotes on each comment and chose the top 26 cities with the most number of upvotes. The 26 most glamorous cities in the US are arranged in ascending order of their number of upvotes on Reddit.
Note: This list is not exhaustive and does not reflect our opinion. The ranking is solely based on the opinions of mass consumers on Reddit.
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26 Most Glamorous Cities in the US
26. Indianapolis, Indiana
Number of Reddit Upvotes: 456
Commonly referred to as Indy, Indianapolis ranks in the 26th spot on our list of the 26 most glamorous cities in the US. With 456 Reddit upvotes, the city’s bustling downtown district, vibrant neighborhoods, and high-end entertainment destinations make it popular among tourists.
25. Charlotte, North Carolina
Number of Reddit Upvotes: 512
Charlotte is one of the most prominent commercial hubs in the state of North Carolina, and ranks 25th on our list. Uptown, its modern city center, is famous for the Discovery Place, Levine Museum of the New South, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, and other attractions. Charlotte has 512 Reddit upvotes.
24. Pasadena, California
Number of Reddit Upvotes: 498
Located in California, Pasadena ranks 24th on our list of the 26 most glamorous cities in the US. Standing in the northeast of downtown Los Angeles, the city’s Old Pasadena center is famous for its fine dining, Victorian building, and high-end shopping spots.
23. Honolulu, Hawaii
Number of Reddit Upvotes: 507
The state of Hawaii is one of the most prominent tourist destinations in the US. Its city of Honolulu ranks 24th on our list, known for its nightlife, high-end shopping, luxury hotels, and fine dining. The city’s Waikiki neighborhood is the most glamorous.
22. Denver, Colorado
Number of Reddit Upvotes: 523
Denver is the capital of Colorado. The modern metropolis is famous for its luxury ski resorts located in the neighboring Rocky Mountains. It ranks 22nd on our list.
21. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Number of Reddit Upvotes: 537
Commonly referred to as Philly, Philadelphia ranks in the 21st spot on our list of the 26 most glamorous cities in the US. The city’s Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, and other American revolutionary sites mingled with contemporary architecture lend it a unique appeal.
20. Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Number of Reddit Upvotes: 543
Fort Lauderdale is located on the southeastern coast of the US state of Florida. The city’s upscale bars, luxury hotels, outdoor restaurants, and spectacular boutiques make it one of the most glamorous cities in the country.
19. Dallas, Texas
Number of Reddit Upvotes: 573
Dallas is located in northern Texas. The modern metropolis is the cultural and commercial hub of the state, and ranks on the 19th spot on our list.
18. Boston, Massachusetts
Number of Reddit Upvotes: 578
Home to some of the most widely known academic institutions in the country, Boston ranks 18th on our list. It is the capital of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is considered the economic and cultural epicenter of the region.
17. Tampa, Florida
Number of Reddit Upvotes: 589
Located on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Tampa is located on the Tampa Bay. The city is most famous for its high-end dining and bustling nightlife destinations.
16. New Orleans, Louisiana
Number of Reddit Upvotes: 601
With 601 upvotes on Reddit, New Orleans ranks 16th on our list of the 26 most glamorous cities in the US. It is located on the Mississippi River, and is considered the melting pot of American, French, and African cultures.
15. San Diego, California
Number of Reddit Upvotes: 608
San Diego is located in southern California on the Pacific Ocean coast. The coastal city’s mesmerizing beaches are its most popular attraction, so are its luxurious resorts and hotels.
14. Austin, Texas
Number of Reddit Upvotes: 610
Austin is the capital of the US state of Texas, and ranks 14th on our list. The city’s numerous parks, lakes, and luxury constructions are famous among people interested in boating, swimming, biking, and hiking.
13. Portland, Oregon
Number of Reddit Upvotes: 623
Portland is the largest city in Oregon and is located near the snow-covered Mount Hood. The city has 623 Reddit upvotes, ranking it on the 13th spot on our list.
12. Scottsdale, Arizona
Number of Reddit Upvotes: 634
The desert city of Scottsdale is located in Arizona, and ranks 12th on our list. The city is known for its spa resorts and golf courses, including the renowned TPC Scottsdale.
11. Atlanta, Georgia
Number of Reddit Upvotes: 643
With 643 Reddit upvotes, Atlanta ranks 11th on our list of the 26 most glamorous cities in the US. It is the capital of the US state of Georgia, and lined with luxury hotels, fine dining restaurants, and contemporary architecture.
10. Orlando, Florida
Number of Reddit Upvotes: 657
Orlando is located in central Florida and ranks tenth on our list. The city is widely renowned for the Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando.
9. Houston, Texas
Number of Reddit Upvotes: 698
Houston ranks among the most populous cities in the US state of Texas, and is closely linked to NASA’s Houston Space Center. The Theatre District, Houston Grand Opera, and the Historic District are some of the most popular tourist destinations in the city.
8. Seattle, Washington
Number of Reddit Upvotes: 673
Seattle is located in the Pacific Northwest of the country, with the Space Needle being its most popular landmark. The city is home to a bustling tech industry, and houses the headquarters of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) and Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN).
7. Washington, D.C.
Number of Reddit Upvotes: 709
Washington is the capital city and federal district of the United States of America. The city houses the three iconic government buildings of the country, including the Capitol, Supreme Court, and the White House.
6. Las Vegas, Nevada
Number of Reddit Upvotes: 720
Las Vegas ranks sixth on our list of the 26 most glamorous cities in the US with 720 Reddit upvotes. The Las Vegas Strip is known for its bustling nightlife, luxurious hotels, mesmerizing casinos, and fine dining.
5. Miami, Florida
Number of Reddit Upvotes: 723
Officially known as the City of Miami, Miami is a coastal city in Florida. The city’s iconic nightlife, beautiful beaches, luxury hotels, and popular art galleries make it one of the most glamorous cities in the country.