These American Cities Feel Worlds Away – No Passport Needed
For majestic castles and sparkling coastlines, delicious food and historic sites, more U.S. travelers are venturing abroad than ever before. We’ll admit, a transatlantic trip is always a treat – but there are plenty of U.S. cities that are equally charming and culturally rich, without the added hours of travel time or the need for a passport. You just have to know where to look!
These nearby destinations have all the classic architecture, jaw-dropping nature, and unique cuisines of a far-off vacation – no passport required. From San Diego to New England, here’s where to go for international flair in the U.S.A.
| Table of Contents 1. Paris → Washington, D.C. 2. Portugal → Central California 3. Hong Kong → New York City 4. Spain → San Diego 5. U.K. → New England |
For a Taste of Paris, Visit Washington, D.C.
Did you know the U.S. capital was primarily designed by a Frenchman, Pierre Charles L’Enfant? Inspired by Paris’s boulevards and marvelous architecture, Washington, D.C. was intentionally built with wide, walkable streets and beautiful public parks to evoke an Old World feel across the district.
Beyond their similar looks, both Paris and D.C. are famous for their cultural institutions. Where France’s capital city has The Louvre and the Palace of Versailles, D.C. has centuries of history on view at the National Portrait Gallery, the White House, and the Hillwood Museum, a glorious estate with nearly 20,000 objets d’art from Europe and beyond.
D.C. is also home to some of the best French cuisine in America, served everywhere from Michelin-starred restaurants in Dupont Circle, to tiny pâtisseries in Georgetown.
Where to stay: Capitol Hill Hotel, Hotel Madera, and The Morrow Hotel.
Surf’s Up Like the Portuguese in Central California
Algarve, Portugal is fast becoming a favorite for U.S. travelers thanks to its year-round sunshine and mountainous cliffs, sandy beaches, and laid-back attitude.
Sound familiar? Some travel experts think so, dubbing the southern region “the California of Europe.” It’s true, central California shares much in common with the Algarve, with even more to love. Monterey Bay is one of the best places in the world to see wildlife – like giant humpback whales, leopard sharks, and 180 different seabirds – with nearly 100 miles of scenic coastline for hiking, biking, and sunbathing. The 18-mile path from Fisherman’s Wharf to Lover’s Point is especially great for biking and oceanfront picnics near harbor seals.
Algarve and Monterey share a passion for surfing, too. For novice surfers and seasoned pros, each city has gnarly breaks and an easygoing surf culture that seeps into day-to-day life. Rent a board and learn to surf at Del Monte Beach, or dig your toes into sugar-soft sand at Carmel Beach, an iconic surf spot off Ocean Avenue.
Where to stay: The Sanctuary Beach Resort
For Hong Kong Cuisine, Explore Chinatowns in New York City
New York City is famous for many things – Broadway theater, Italian pizzerias, and bustling nightlife, to name a few – but did you know it’s home to more than 12 different ‘Chinatown’ neighborhoods?
Thanks to a significant Chinese-American population, New York City and its many Chinatowns offer some of the most delicious and authentic Chinese food in America, plus imported goods and delicacies straight from Hong Kong.
Feast on Hong Kong favorites like Sichuan-style wontons and savory pineapple buns in Flushing, Queens, or visit the Nom Wah Tea Parlor for vintage dim sum vibes. The Canal Street food carts are great for grab-and-go bites, too.
Travelers can also shop Chinese tea sets on Mulberry Street, celebrate the Lunar New Year in Brooklyn’s Sunset Park, or walk through Chatham Square for Chinese-American history.
Where to stay: Aliz Hotel Times Square, Hotel 48LEX, NU Hotel Brooklyn, and The Tillary Hotel.
Marvel at Spanish Architecture in San Diego
San Diego’s coastline was literally and figuratively shaped by Spanish conquistadors in the 17th century. Hundreds of years later, the city maintains its Spanish flair through beautiful public plazas, Seville-style architecture, and fiery flamenco shows.
San Diego’s Balboa Park – named after the Spanish city, Balboa – is a must-visit for architecture and world-class museums, but it’s the Alcazar Gardens that really evoke Spanish charm. Modeled after the Alcazar Castle in Seville, Spain, the gardens were designed with Moorish tiles, ornate fountains, and bright floral landscaping, which make for a lovely daytime stroll.
Nearby, the park’s Botanical Building feels just as grandiose as Madrid’s Royal Palace of Aranjuez. And after a multi-million dollar renovation, the tropical gardens are more splendid than ever with minted arcade windows and elegant lattice woodwork that’s fit for a Spanish king.
Where to stay: Carté Hotel
Experience U.K. Culture in the Heart of New England
For a city at the heart of New England, it’s no surprise Boston looks and feels a lot like…well, England. Look to Beacon Hill, for example, where cobblestone streets and brick row houses harken back to Kensington.
Boston’s immigrant history is deeply intertwined with U.K. culture, too, as many Irish and English families settled along today’s North End and Fort Hill neighborhoods in the mid-1800s. Fast forward to 2025, travelers still find authentic Irish pubs and proper Sunday roasts passed down from generations.
More U.K. culture abounds in Boston: Victorian townhomes in Back Bay, a Renaissance-style rotunda at the Massachusetts State House, and Boston Celtics games at the famous TD Garden. Set out to see it all, then kick up your feet for a frothy pint of Guinness.
Where to stay: The Envoy Hotel and The Whitney Hotel.
Find even more 2025 travel inspiration across the Independent Collection, plus exclusive hotel offers with specially-priced rooms, dining credits, romantic amenities, and more to level up your next vacation.