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The Best Cities for Culture in the United States

  • 1/10

    10. Taos, New Mexico

    Getty Images/iStockphoto

  • 9. Honolulu, Hawaii
    2/10

    9. Honolulu, Hawaii

    9. Honolulu, Hawaii

    Getty Images/Perspectives

  • 3/10

    8. Boston, Massachusetts

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  • 7. Washington, District of Columbia
    4/10

    7. Washington, District of Columbia

    7. Washington, District of Columbia

    Getty Images/EyeEm

  • 5/10

    6. San Francisco, California

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  • 6/10

    5. Savannah, Georgia

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  • 4. Santa Fe, New Mexico
    7/10

    4. Santa Fe, New Mexico

    4. Santa Fe, New Mexico

    Getty Images/Robert Harding World Imagery

  • 8/10

    3. New York, New York

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  • 9/10

    2. New Orleans, Louisiana

    Getty Images/Lonely Planet Images

  • <p>Also known as the Holy City, Charleston has quite the reputation to live up to. But the top city in the country for culture (<a rel="nofollow noopener" href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/worlds-best/cities#charleston" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:and in the world;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">and in the world</a>, just in general) hasnt failed to impressive travelers with its arts scene, cooking schools, and historic homesteads, its old Southern charm and artsy culture. Visitors seeking to learn about Charlestons past should check out St. Michaels Episcopal (George Washington frequented this society church), catch a show at the beautifully restored Dock Street Theatre, and take a walking tour of the pastel colored, Georgian-style homes known as Rainbow Row.</p>
    10/10

    No. 1 Charleston, South Carolina

    Also known as the Holy City, Charleston has quite the reputation to live up to. But the top city in the country for culture (and in the world, just in general) hasnt failed to impressive travelers with its arts scene, cooking schools, and historic homesteads, its old Southern charm and artsy culture. Visitors seeking to learn about Charlestons past should check out St. Michaels Episcopal (George Washington frequented this society church), catch a show at the beautifully restored Dock Street Theatre, and take a walking tour of the pastel colored, Georgian-style homes known as Rainbow Row.

    Getty Images

9. Honolulu, Hawaii
7. Washington, District of Columbia
4. Santa Fe, New Mexico
<p>Also known as the Holy City, Charleston has quite the reputation to live up to. But the top city in the country for culture (<a rel="nofollow noopener" href="http://www.travelandleisure.com/worlds-best/cities#charleston" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:and in the world;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">and in the world</a>, just in general) hasnt failed to impressive travelers with its arts scene, cooking schools, and historic homesteads, its old Southern charm and artsy culture. Visitors seeking to learn about Charlestons past should check out St. Michaels Episcopal (George Washington frequented this society church), catch a show at the beautifully restored Dock Street Theatre, and take a walking tour of the pastel colored, Georgian-style homes known as Rainbow Row.</p>
Travel + Leisure Staff

Whenever we traveleven within our own countrywe discover cultures that are entirely unique and, in their specialness, pretty remarkable.

Take Taos, for instancethe No. 10 city in the United States for culture. Part ski town, part magical artists colony, this New Mexican city is known for its $25 pass to five museums and walkable streets lined with galleries. In the summertime, travelers can seek out one of the many art festivals or the Solar Music Festival. Everything about the citys culture, including the Native American Pueblo, seems tethered to the desert and the surrounding Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

And in San Francisco, its the diversity of cultures (theres a Chinatown and a Japantown) and its underrated attractions (check out a City Arts & Lectures event, or the nature installations at The Presidiothe citys very own national park) that helped it climb to the No. 4 spot.

Every year for our Worlds Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe to share their opinions on the top cities, islands,cruise lines, spas, airlines, and more. Readers rated cities for a number of qualities, including food. And the votes rolled in for delicious cities across the country.

If we had to say what common thread was shared by all the cities on the list, which range from favorite mountain towns to major East Coast cities, its probably that each one (in addition to an endless host of museums and historic sights) has a very distinct sense of place. You wont confuse New Orleans, or Washington, D.C., with anywhere else on the planet.