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Top 10 underrated U.S. cities
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6. Minneapolis
When you think "Midwest architectural mecca" the first city that springs to mind is probably Chicago. But a burst of new buildings from the world's top architects — Herzog & de Meuron's Walker Art Center expansion, Jean Nouvel's new Guthrie Theater, Michael Graves' addition to the Institute of Arts — reinforces the fact that Minneapolis's cultural cachet doesn't entirely depend upon Prince (the city's most notorious native son). The city's revitalization has spread to banks of the Mississippi, where the booming Mill District has shops, restaurants, and boutique hotels catering to style-savvy travelers, many of whom come for the tax-free shopping.
7. Pittsburgh
Forget Pittsburgh's reputation for smokestacks and steel, because today the city is sparkling with pristine parks, architectural assets, and three rivers flowing into downtown's "Golden Triangle." Several museums — the Carnegie Museum of Art among them — are worth hitting, but don't miss the Andy Warhol Museum featuring over 12,000 of his works. A treasure trove of used books is found on the city's South Side, while nightlife is suddenly sizzling in neighborhoods like Oakland and the Strip District, thanks to thousands of college students from Carnegie Mellon (among others) and young professionals dancing and mingling in the bars and clubs.
8. Portland
It's a fantastic jumping-off point for a Pacific Northwest vacation — with proximity to the Oregon coast, Mount Hood, and Willamette Valley wine country — but there's much to see in the city limits too, as the "City of Roses" boasts beauty and culture aplenty. A stop at the Portland Art Museum is a must for art enthusiasts, as is the monthly "First Thursdays" tour when galleries stay open late. Portland boasts more breweries per capita than any other city in the U.S. — 30 in all — so beer lovers will also find plenty of places to sip suds. The promise of tax-free shopping, plus the bustling Saturday outdoor food and arts market (from late March to December), means plenty of retail therapy here too.
9. Providence
The "Renaissance City," of Providence, Rhode Island's capital, has indeed been reborn in the last decade, as residents have reclaimed derelict buildings and two of the city's three rivers, created waterside walkways, and welcomed brand-name shopping. Today, visitors can take a gondola ride through downtown or, on select days between May and September, enjoy the light of 100 bonfires along Providence's three rivers as part the WaterFires events — an evening fire sculpture set to music. When you add in a burgeoning dining scene, rich New England history, a monthly gallery night, and a renowned performing-arts scene, Providence seems tailor-made for a quick and fulfilling getaway.
10. Sacramento
Governor Schwarzenegger's much-ballyhooed magnetism aside, California's capital has never had the same allure as say, San Fran or L.A. But with an increasingly sophisticated food scene — think farm-fresh Bolognese cuisine at Biba or maple-glazed pork chops at the clubby Esquire Grill (one of Ahnold's favorite restaurants) — this agricultural hub appeals to even the snobbiest city-slicker. Between bites, take in the Gold Rush-era charms of Old Sacramento, bike along the banks of the Sacramento and American Rivers, and stroll amid downtown's stately Victorian homes and tall evergreens. You may even catch a glimpse of the "Governator" himself at the impressive capitol building. Wash it all down with a visit to the Sierra Foothill wineries in the Shenandoah Valley — a mere 45-minute drive to the east.
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