NONFICTION/FAVORITE PLACES
My Ten Favorite Places In The World — North American Edition
My travels are only limited to North America, more specifically to the United States and Canada
I lived in California for just over 34 years until 2016. I’ve only been outside the United States once when I went to Canada when I was a young boy. I’ve always been fascinated with traveling so it’s such a shame that my travels have been limited to only the United States and Canada. Our family never had a ton of money so we never really went on road trips or adventures. Honestly, my first 34 years were mostly spent in my home state of California, and more limited yet, my hometown of Sacramento.
10. Sacramento, California — This list wouldn’t be complete without including the hometown I think back on fondly. I haven’t lived there in over six years but it holds so many memories for me. My family still lives in the city and it’s definitely an ideal destination in the United States regardless of where you’re from. There’s a lot to do in the capital city of California and it is also close to many other major cities and activities within just a few hours' drive.
9. Monterey, California — Staying within the great state of California, there is a smaller, more tucked-away gem of a town on the coast called Monterey. They have a world-famous aquarium there and the views from almost anywhere in the city are gorgeous. This city just screams playground for the rich and is such a beautiful and expensive city to live in. It’s only a couple of hours south of the Bay Area region in Northern California and feels like the ultimate getaway. The weather is downright beautiful almost all year long.
8. Reno, Nevada — The biggest little city in the world is their claim to fame. Their main tourist draw is the numerous casinos throughout the city. I used to be such an addictive gambler. I would go to this city often when I was a young adult since it was just a couple of hours by bus from Sacramento through the Sierra Nevada mountains. When I overcame and completely quit my addiction, I still found some charm in this town that is also a college town since it is home to the University of Nevada-Reno. And it’s a great place to go for all-you-can-eat buffets since there are so many casinos. The scale of the grandeur of the buffets and gambling isn't as big as in Las Vegas but it’s definitely still a major draw.
7. Niagara Falls, Canada — The view of the Falls really is better from the Canadian side. I’ve also visited Buffalo numerous times to see the natural landmark from the American side but nothing beats the view from the Canadian side. You can even see the Buffalo skyline from the Canadian side so that’s a big plus. Of course, you would need a passport as an American to enjoy this. I no longer have one but I still think back fondly to the time as a kid being next to the mist and feeling that not-so-gentle breeze spraying me with all of the water. The views, again, are just once-in-a-lifetime breathtaking.
6. Buffalo, New York — Speaking of Buffalo, this city is low-key one of the best even in the great state of New York for food. They’re famous for their chicken wings and their distinctive pizza. I found out that they have so much more though. They have their own style of tacos and other Mexican-style foods and they are also home to a diverse number of cuisines from around the world. Who says you have to go to New York City when you’re in New York State to get world-class cuisine? The food alone is a huge draw to the city. Also, Go Bills!!
5. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — Another charming city in the Rust Belt. Pittsburgh is home to some beautiful views and amazing history. I took a trip there with my partner about four years ago and made a point to visit as much as I could while we were there. We walked close to where the Three Rivers converged and took in the beautiful riverside area of town. It’s also relatively inexpensive to travel to Pittsburgh so that was definitely a draw for me. I’m a frugal traveler out of necessity and I’m just happy that I didn’t have to break my wallet to enjoy all the city has to offer. When you go there, you have to ride the classic Incline up Mount Washington. It made me feel like I was riding the famous San Francisco cable cars again.
4. Las Vegas, Nevada — I hate to admit how much I actually enjoy this sprawling desert metropolis. Whether it’s the draw of a long-running Celine Dion residency or the glitz and glamor of The Strip, Las Vegas has a ton of activities for anyone and everyone. I had one of my American Idol auditions in this world-famous city. There is so much more to do in Vegas than gamble and party and I appreciated some of the more low-key elements of staying in Las Vegas. I also personally always stay away from The Strip on the more low-key Fremont Street area of hotels.
3. San Francisco, California — This city had been in front of my nose, rather 85 miles away from me for most of my life. It is truly a world-class city as advertised. I can’t tell you how many times as a younger man that I’ve walked the hills through all of the neighborhoods to travel the length of the city. I’ve been everywhere from North Beach to Chinatown to the Embarcadero to the Castro. Public transportation, complimented by walking, makes it super easy to navigate the city without a vehicle. I never liked taking my car to San Francisco when coming to visit and the fact that it was always a short, inexpensive Greyhound or Amtrak away was definitely a draw.
2. Chicago, Illinois — This was very close for my top 3. I was debating switching the order here because I truly LOVE all three of the top cities on this list. Chicago was my second home after I moved out of Sacramento in 2016. I lived here for nearly two years and it really became ingrained in my heart and my mind. I still long for this city again. Chicago is absolutely one of the best cities I could even think of. There are beaches and forests and skyscrapers that are just amazing. The food is the best in the whole country. I love deep-dish pizza, Italian beef, and Chicago-style hot dogs, among many other delicious dishes. And public transportation throughout much of the city runs 24 hours a day. I could literally go anywhere any time of day and there would also still be stuff that is open all hours of the day as well. What’s not to love?
1 Toronto, Ontario, Canada — I know I was only 10 years old when I visited here back in 1993 but I feel like I’d enjoy this city even more as an adult. I enjoyed riding the metro subway throughout the city as I got a day pass and took the line throughout the city just to see all of the different places. We also visited many museums and attractions while we were there. We went to the waterfront and even to the Toronto Islands to explore Lake Ontario. The CN Tower observatory deck was nerve-wracking but an exciting rotating view of the city with the views coming from over 1,151 feet (351 meters) above the ground. I’ve always said that I would live here if I could afford it, I could ever get my passport again and then obtain Canadian citizenship. It’s definitely at least near the top of my list to visit at least once more again in my life. My heart was there in 1993 and has been there since. And again it is truly a world-class city.
There are so many cities that I wanted to include on this list based on my interest in going there and what I’ve researched about these places but I left any city off of my list that I hadn’t been to. My list would be much more global if I had the means and opportunity to actually travel the entire globe. With my fascination with different languages, cultures, and geography, I feel like I would get the full experience of traveling when I get the chance. Maybe one day, I’ll get to update my list with some cities in Europe, Africa, and Asia. Until then, I’ve still gone to plenty of places that I’ve absolutely enjoyed in my lifetime.
