Lonely Planet Names Philadelphia as Top U.S. City to Visit

You and I both know that Philadelphia is a great place to live and visit, but it’s always nice to see the city get the national recognition that it deserves. Now, Lonely Planet, the publisher of the best-selling travel guides, has named the City of Brotherly Love as the number one U.S. city to visit. It’s an unexpected honor, coming hot on the heels of Queens, New York’s victory last year.

Philadelphia: the best city to visit in the United States.

There were a number of reasons given for why Philadelphia earned accolades as a great place to visit. The city has gained national attention both with the Pope’s visit in September and with the upcoming Democratic National Convention this summer. It is a city laden with American history, from the Liberty Bell to the Betsy Ross House to Independence Hall. And, of course, you can’t exclude the food. From water ice to pretzels to the infamous cheesesteaks, worthy of debate (Jim’s, Pat’s, or Geno’s?), you could spend your time in Philly doing nothing but eating and go home a happy camper. Then there’s the fact that, this past year, Philadelphia was named the first World Heritage City in the United States.

The selection of Philadelphia for the best place to visit in the U.S. was decided by Lonely Planet’s staff of traveling writers, who obviously have a lot to say when it comes to where to travel! “There are so many amazing places to visit in the U.S. every year, but what distinguishes this list is the timeliness,” said Rebecca Warren, Lonely Planet’s Eastern U.S destinations editor, referring to Philadelphia’s status as a very “hot” destination at the moment.

The rest of Lonely Planet’s list, in order: Natchez (Mississippi), Yellowstone National Park (Montana, Wyoming, Idaho), Birmingham (Alabama), Alaska, Somerville (Massachusetts), Northwest Arkansas, San Antonio (Texas), Southern New Mexico, and Milwaukee (Wisconsin).