Where else to start but ‘The Big Apple’ – surely top of everyone’s bucket list with no shortage of things to see and do! Head to the Top of the Rock or the 86^th floor Observatory at the Empire State Building for iconic views of Manhattan and jump on a ferry to explore Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Discover the High Line on a food tour, wander across the Brooklyn Bridge, or jump on a bike for a ride around Central Park.

On top of all this the fabulous museums, art galleries and Broadway shows are bound to keep you entertained!

Home of the impressive Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco is a not-to-be-missed destination.

Hop aboard one of the famous cable cars from affluent Nob Hill down to bustling Fisherman’s Wharf and set out across the bay to the infamous former prison island of Alcatraz. If you’re feeling energetic grab a bike and cycle through Presidio Park and across the Golden Gate Bridge and on to Sausalito where you can take the ferry back to the city.

If you have some time to spare, head out of town to the nearby vineyards in Napa or Sonoma for a taste of the best Californian wine, or over to Yosemite National Park to marvel at the stunning views and scenic waterfalls.

Unsure sure how to get around? Well San Fran is the place to try your first driverless car experience!

It might seem like a sprawling metropolis, but LA is hip, trendy and packed with plenty to keep you busy. The metro works well, the Hop-on Hop-off bus is a great way to get around, and of course Uber is never far away.

Ready to hit the sandy Pacific shores? Then head to Venice Beach and Santa Monica, or pop down to Orange County (or The OC for those who like some noughties nostalgia).

Want to mix with the rich and famous? Beverly Hills or West Hollywood are the places to go for all the glitz and glamour where you might just rub shoulders with a star.

Theme Parks more your thing? Disneyland Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood, are the big boys with some great rides (the Universal Studio Tour is a must for any film nut), but don’t miss Knott’s Berry Farm as well – California’s original theme park!

Lastly Downtown LA (‘DTLA’ to the locals) is the place to go for all your music and sport needs with the Grammy Museum and arena formerly known as the Staples Center, home to the LA Lakers.

New York might be the Big Apple, but life down here in ‘The Big Easy’ is a little slower-paced.

Famous for it’s Mardi Gras celebrations, New Orleans boasts captivating culture, arts, history, and nightly live music in the bustling bars of Bourbon Street. At the heart of the city lies the legendary French Quarter, home to cobbled courtyards, countless café’s with their beignets and baristas, and charming local restaurants offering traditional southern comfort food.

Of course no visit would be complete without a ride on the traditional Streetcars which have been running across the city since 1835. At just $1.25 USD a ride you can’t go wrong, but a ‘Jazzy Pass’ will often prove more cost effective.

Often overlooked, the ‘Windy City’ on the shores of Lake Michigan is for many a hidden gem. Home to the iconic deep dish pizza (is it a pizza or a pie?), the city is sports-mad, museum-packed and not short of a good shopping street or two. A great day can be had exploring natural history in the Field Museum followed by an evening at a ballgame in Wrigley Field.

If you’re after a party, then the parades and festivals of St Patrick’s day should not be missed. They even die the river green and friendly locals may even tell you where to find a leprechaun as they are leaving one of the many Irish bars around the city.

But you can’t really say you’ve been to Chicago until you’ve been to The Bean. Have you been?

Got a little more time on your hands? Here’s five more fab American cities which didn’t quite make this list…

Miami – Ocean Drive, South Beach and Florida sunshine! With the Everglades and the Keys just a day trip away Miami is great as a city break or a few days stopover on your way to South and Central America.

Las Vegas - The City of Sin it might be, but with great restaurants, fabulous shows, exhilarating activities and the Grand Canyon within reach, Vegas is so much more than casinos and beer (it has those too…)

Nashville - Head to the Honky Tonks of ‘Music City’ for your country music fix. Serve up a plate of chicken wings and hot sauce we are there!

Boston – Follow the Freedom Trail around this attractive and walkable city, tracing the historic route of the early days in the American Revolution.

Austin – Known as the ‘Live Music Capital of the World’ this liberal city is bursting with local entertainment venues and fantastic foodie trucks - so get your cowboy boots on and do the two-step!

For more inspiration, take a look at our USA Holidays pages.