The travel company Lonely Planet turns 50 this year, and in honor of that, they’ve released their list of 50 destinations. Check out their Best in Travel 2024 list to get the jump on unexpected, gorgeous places to visit on the globe. But for our purposes, we’ll look at where the USA appears on their lists, because when the state department tells you to stay home, you get reinvigorated about domestic travel!
Best value destination in the U.S.
Well, we’re pleased as Aunt Betty’s punch to see that the Midwest lands as No. 1 in the world as the destination with the best value! Holy cow. We’ve done better than other, far-flung international destinations, which feels pretty great. We’re tucking our thumbs in our overalls and beaming. The American Midwest gets some well-deserved credit for creativity, diversity and cuisine. Lonely Planet says, “Over the last decade, chefs, artists and designers have been lured to cities like Chicago, Milwaukee and Detroit, offering more space and lower costs.” Michelin-starred restaurants are on the rise! The restaurant Owami by the Sioux Chef in Minneapolis was mentioned as Indigenous-owned and serving modern Native American fare like bison stew and blue cornbread. Adaptive reuse reigns, with warehouses being used as art studios, and designers are creating eco-design hotels for sustainability and comfort.
Best cities in the U.S.
Once again, we’re ringing our own (Liberty) bell, because look which American city is one of the five best in the world! It’s Philadelphia coming in at No. 5, and we’re spreading extra cream cheese on Ben Franklin’s bagel today in honor of that win. The city received accolades for its museums, many opening or celebrating anniversaries in 2024. Lonely Planet also called out its international food culture, with the historic Italian Market, the Southeast Asian Market, which recently gained permanent status after being an ad-hoc marketplace of Cambodian, Lao, Thai and Vietnamese cuisine, and Israeli restaurant Zahav.
And hold the phone: it looks like we have another winner in the top 10: Kansas City at No. 10, with its jazz, sports, barbecue and craft breweries. We can’t help but notice we’re the only nation with two cities on the list…. Kansas City got picked for its transportation offerings: a new state-of-the-art airport terminal and an extended streetcar line (free to ride) through the urban center. There’s also the country’s first stadium dedicated to a women’s sports team under construction, a great culinary scene, and a planned entertainment district to be sited on a disused railroad bridge over the river.
Best regions in the U.S.
It’s helpful to think in terms of larger geographic swaths than just a city, and these regions offer a lot for the traveler (we’re surprised Northern California’s wine-growing region of Napa and Sonoma isn’t on here). And coming in at No. 8 is the Big Sky Country of our nation’s absolutely gorgeous state of Montana: a full five stars for that star-filled sky!
Lonely Planet credited it for “majestic scenery” and its focus on conservation and culture, including a rich history of Native culture, food and drink. Skiing and hot springs are mentioned as well as mining history, ice cream maker Big Dipper, and Blackfeet guides that to lead you through Glacier National Park.