America’s Best Cities on the Rise

Brooklyn, New York

Brooklyn's way more than just a side trip from Manhattan. (The borough is so large that if it were, in fact, an official city, it would be America's fourth largest.) A new rise of hot hotels and attractions are a welcome complement to the borough's classic attractions—the Brooklyn Bridge, Coney Island, and those historical brownstones in Park Slope. This fall, Barclays Center will open as the new home to the Brooklyn Nets. ("Think Madison Square Garden in Brooklyn," suggests About.com.)

If you're heading to Barclays to watch the Harlem Globetrotters or to see Jay-Z in concert, you'll have to find someplace fashionable to stay. Fortunately, Hotel BPM, a trendy property founded by an international DJ, is opening soon. In addition, the storied Bossert Hotel, famously known as the "the Waldorf-Astoria of Brooklyn," will be back in business in 2013.

New London, Connecticut

A historical, revitalized waterfront district makes New London, Connecticut, a rising New England destination. The non-profit New London Main Street (NLMS) organization has been working to improve and breathe new life into the city's waterfront—and for excellent reason. This up-and-coming area is a National Register Historic District where, according to a representative from the local tourism office, "Nathan Hale, Benedict Arnold, and Eugene O'Neill walked [the] streets." In the past few years, new restaurants have flourished (including Sweetie's Bakery and Cafe and The Commoner, both opened by entrepreneurs under the age of 30); an outdoor ice-skating rink has popped up; and historical Parade Plaza, a pre-Revolutionary public space, was redesigned after 10 years of major renovations.

Oakland, California

Which hip California community has been said to have more resident artists per capita than any other U.S. city (after Brooklyn)? It's not San Francisco—it's nearby Oakland, a blossoming city by the Bay. Oakland is an ideal destination for travelers interested in cuisine, culture, and the arts. Several local art deco theaters, including the Paramount Theatre and the Fox, as well as the Oakland Museum of California, have recently undergone renovations. And, according to a representative from the California tourism board, "More and more chefs from San Francisco and Berkeley are opening up their own restaurants in Oakland, making [it] one of the best culinary destinations in the country."

Eunice, Louisiana

Billing itself as Louisiana's "prairie Cajun capital," Eunice is a hot spot of Acadian culture—the kind of place you should visit if you're looking to indulge in a crawfish cook-off or to kick up your heels to homegrown Cajun and zydeco music. When not dancing or dining, visitors can learn about the unique history of the local people at the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center (part of the Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve), which features historical artifacts as well as cooking and craft demos. Moreover, a host of just-opened attractions are adding new allure to the old town, including new restaurants serving spicy Cajun dishes (try Ruby’s Cafe), trendy boutiques, and specialty shops.

Seattle, Washington

Seattle, long a popular destination, is fast becoming a culinary capital: A handful of local chefs were honored in the 2012 James Beard Foundation Awards. The winners include Tom Douglas, who owns 12 restaurants in the Seattle area. In fact, June 1, 2012, was proclaimed Tom Douglas Day in King County after the chef received his Outstanding Restaurateur of the Year Award from James Beard.

Rising-star chef Ethan Stowell is also expanding his empire in Seattle. His newest of five restaurants, Rione XIII, just opened for business at the end of August.

But before you eat, you'll have to get there somehow. Good news: Fresh air-travel routes are making it easier to get to Seattle. These include nonstops from Seattle to Ft. Lauderdale or Philadelphia on Alaska Airlines and also nonstop flights between Seattle and Tokyo on All Nippon.

Salida, Colorado

According to a representative from the Colorado tourism board, "This small town in central Colorado had been a best-kept secret for years." Popular attractions that have been luring those in the know to Salida for years include top-notch rafting on the Arkansas River, as well as the FIBArk rafting festival, the oldest festival of its kind in the country. An up-and-coming artistic community is adding further appeal (and luring a different kind of crowd) to the historical mountain city. Galleries and boutiques selling locally made crafts have popped up on the streets of Salida in recent years. The local art vibe is further cultivated at the new SteamPlant, an event space hosting art galleries, music performances, and public events.

Independence, Missouri

Independence (less than half an hour's drive from Kansas City) recently welcomed the growing Englewood Station Arts District. In 2011, the artisan community, which features everything from a historical art deco movie theater to antique stores and galleries, was opened where the local business district once was. If you go, plan your trip on the third Friday of the month; on this day, shops and restaurants stay open late, and musicians and performers hit the streets for the aptly named Third Friday Englewood Art Walk.

Additionally, the popular National Frontier Trails Museum in Independence is about to undergo a multimillion-dollar expansion; construction is set to start this year.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

With its storied history, diverse neighborhoods, and superb culinary scene, Philadelphia has always been a popular American travel destination. But more visitors than ever are making the trip to the City of Brotherly Love. In 2011, Philly saw a record number of travelers (38 million, to be exact) pour into the city. One of Philadelphia's biggest new draws is The Barnes Foundation, a world-class art gallery that relocated to the museum-packed Benjamin Franklin Parkway last May. Travel + Leisure called it "a game changer for Philadelphia, at a moment of splendid cultural renaissance."

Topeka, Kansas

Arts are on the rise in Topeka, Kansas' capital city. According to a representative from the local tourism board, "In April 2011, three businesses opened their doors and officially reclaimed the three-block strip as the North Topeka Arts District. First Friday Art Walks, popular and well-attended monthly events in Topeka, brought hundreds of people to see the reclaimed buildings, art, and antiques. Fast forward a year and half, the August First Friday Art Walk saw the ribbon cuttings for three new businesses, bringing the total [number of] businesses, studios, antique stores, galleries, event spaces, and restaurants to 19."

Other new and improved attractions in Topeka include the Kansas Children's Discovery Center, a family-friendly interactive museum that opened in 2011, and the Kansas State Capitol building, which is going through a major renovation that's scheduled to be completed next year. Plus, there's a new state park in town, Kaw River. This urban park, where visitors can kayak or canoe on the Kansas River or hike through the oak forest, was officially opened for public use in 2010.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Cedar Rapids is perhaps best known as the birthplace of the famous American Gothic painting, which was created by Grant Wood in his local studio. You can see the world's largest collection of works by Wood in the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art. After you've had your fill of moody, Midwest-inspired artwork (take note of the corncob chandelier), you can check out a host of new attractions that are revitalizing local tourism. A year-round city market will open in October, and a new mural trail is bringing color to city streets. The best part? Cedar Rapids is less than a half-day's drive from Chicago.

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