15 Best Cities in the U.S. If You Love To Hike and Enjoy Night Life

Father with arms around his family looking at beautiful summer mountains landscape, on hiking trip .Golden Gate Bridge, over Pacific Ocean, San Francisco, California, USA

Does your ideal vacation involve a nature escape or one continuous party? It doesn’t have to be one or the other. These 15 U.S. cities offer adventure out in nature and nightlife to make the absolute most of your trip.

1. San Francisco, California

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San Francisco is a highly rated city in the U.S., where the hills, the suburbs, the forest, the beach, the city, and the nightlife are all half an hour’s drive from each other. Start your day with a drive to Treasure Island and end it with a party at The Midway.

2. Portland, Oregon

portland oregon

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45 East is the place to go if you’re looking for epic nightlife in Portland. On the nature side, you will be satisfied. The gorge is less than an hour’s drive out, or you can do a seaside hike in the nearby town, Tillamook. Tillamook is famous for its dairy scene.

3. Los Angeles, California

Beautiful sunset of Los Angeles downtown skyline in CA, USA

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It is the perfect city to stay busy all day and night. Visit Venice Beach, Griffith Park, or Runyon Canyon Park during the day. Los Angeles boasts some of the best concert halls and clubs in the country, as well as sports bars, cocktail lounges, and cabarets to keep you going all night.

4. New Orleans, Louisiana

louisiana swamp egret

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Bourbon Street in the French Quarter “is perpetually popping” according to a New Orleans advocate. On top of its nightlife, you can try swamp kayaking nearby. It’s an underrated outdoor activity available to those keen to brave the swamps with alligators.

5. Las Vegas, Nevada

Landscape of Death Valley National Park at Zabriskie Point in the morning. Picturesque of a desert. Erosional landscape in California, USA. Beautiful image of Death Valley National Park.

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What happens in Vega doesn’t only have to happen at night time. When you’re not enjoying the fantastic nightlife everyone knows only too well, drive out to Death Valley (two hours away), the Grand Canyon (two and a half hours away), or watch the sunset from Red Rock Canyon (20 minutes away).

6. Denver, Colorado

denver colorado

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Beautiful hiking trails surround Denver, Colorado, that you can easily access when you feel like fresh air and scenery. Spend your evenings on Blake Street, trying out the different clubs and bars.

7. Austin, Texas

A beautiful woman in a canoe rowing on Colorado river lake, happy, joyful in Austin Texas in America

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Head out to the hill country just outside of Austin to have your breath taken away by the scenery. But downtown Austin has a trendy food scene that you will absolutely love.

8. San Diego, California

San Diego, CA

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Spend your days lying by the seaside, diving in the sea, or hiking around the county. The nightlife in San Diego will keep you just as busy as you will be during the day.

9. Miami, Florida

Miami

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Miami is only an hour away from the glorious Keys where visitors can explore reefs, coral heads, and mangrove islands. At night, head out for drinks and the hautest parties.

10. Buffalo, New York

niagra falls usa

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Buffalo has the perfect combination of nightlife and nature experiences for someone looking to experience both. Elmwood Village has funky galleries and bars, while Niagra Falls and Ellicottville are there for enjoyment when looking for something to do in nature.

11. Saratoga Springs, New York

saratoga springs ny

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With its world-famous race track, one traveler shared that the city has incredible nightlife, especially “during track season.” The city is beside the country’s biggest park, Adirondack Mountain Park.

12. Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina, USA - October 12, 2018: Tourists taken a carriage ride in Charleston, South Carolina, USA

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If you’re after adventure, Charleston is a great option. Explore its beautiful harbor or take a rowboat along the nearby swamp to find alligators. Their nightlife is just as exciting, where people line up along King Street to get into clubs, dive bars, and classy restaurants.

13. Chicago, Illinois

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Chicago “is like visiting ten cities at once,” one traveler said when describing the city. Its clubs and bars stay open until 4-5 a.m., perfect for someone looking for a party while on vacation. For nature lovers, use the 50 miles of beach lakefront for swimming, boating, and surfing.

14. Savannah, Georgia

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Nature reserves surround Savannah, perfect for a day outside. They also have plenty of restaurants and clubs for those evenings when you feel like getting out.

15. Asheville, North Carolina

The Biltmont Estate in Asheville, North Carolina

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Asheville has beautiful waterfalls and hiking trails nearby to keep you busy during the day and plenty of clubs and rooftop bars to fill up your evenings.

15 “Overrated” Cities People Don’t Understand Why Others Love

tourists in england

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Some destinations hold special places in our hearts, either because of a sentimental reason or a great experience we once had. We love these places so much we recommend them to friends and families. But only some see the appeal of your favorite travel spot. Some are hits, others are misses, and here are a few overrated cities you may want to skip. 

15 “Overrated” Cities People Don’t Understand Why Others Love

14 Cities in the U.S. That Are Criminally Underrated According to Americans

Tourist woman visit architecture of Chicago she walking Lincoln Park near lake. Chicago, Illinois, USA.

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Everyone’s idea of a vacation or road trip is a little different. There are certain cities we gravitate towards more often, like San Francisco, NYC, or L.A. Have you considered exploring a new city that’s underrated and, perhaps, under appreciated? Check out these U.S. cities that a popular travel forum voted as “criminally underrated.”

14 Cities in the U.S. That Are Criminally Underrated According to Americans

15 States in the U.S. Perfect for a Colorful Weekend of Leaf Peeping

woman holding autumn leaves

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Who wouldn’t want to capture the trees changing color, the crunch of dry leaves underfoot, and a pumpkin-spiced latte in hand? 

“Leaf peeping” is an informal term to describe the activity of visiting areas to see the fall foliage, and these 15 states in the U.S. are perfect for this kind of activity. 

15 States in the U.S. Perfect for a Colorful Weekend of Leaf Peeping

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Jordy Johnson

Jordy gave up her home base to travel South Africa and experience more of her country. From that decision, she’s landed work as a travel writer for a magazine that showcases southern Africa and has grown her Instagram travel page, WeTheWests. She enjoys showing locals and foreigners all the beautiful and unique places and experiences South Africa and the rest of the world have to offer.

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