The 10 Best US Travel Gems of 2016

Recently recognized as the US's first and only World Heritage City and visited by the Pope, Philly's on a roll right now. Hosting the Democratic National Convention in July and celebrating the 40th anniversary of Rocky this year, the city is experiencing a transformation to its urban core, yet retaining its deep American history and uniquely gritty flavor.

Hitting its 300th anniversary this year — making it two years older than New Orleans — this charming city settled along the Mississippi will be hosting hundreds of events throughout the year, from their annual hot air balloon races to historical celebrations.

This is the world's first national park, established 144 years ago. Yellowstone's biggest draw, the Old Faithful geyser, just got a new boardwalk, and gateway towns like Gardiner, MT, and Cody, WY, accommodated the millions of visitors who arrived for the US National Park Service's centennial this year.

The once industrial Avondale neighborhood has been reinvigorated with a surge of pubs, breweries, and good eats, and the Civil Rights District is notable for the Civil Rights Institute, the 16th St. Baptist Church, and the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.

Last year, President Obama became the first sitting president to visit this remote state and it's time the rest of Americans follow, especially to experience the newly renamed Denali, America's tallest peak, which can be done on foot for the adventurous, or by train or bus.

Boston's most exciting new neighborhood has cutting-edge restaurants, craft breweries, and offbeat attractions like the hugely popular Museum of Bad Art, the Tiny Museum, the Fluff Festival, and HONK!, a festival of socially conscious music-making.

With wide open spaces, mountains, and crystal blue lakes and rivers, this region also has cultural flare, with towns that are distinctly unique from one another, like Fayetteville — an artsy university city with a vibrant literary scene — and Eureka Springs, which has access to some of the best hiking in the Ozarks.

The popular River Walk has expanded from three to 15 miles, and the Pearl Brewery District continues to evolve with top-notch restaurants, a cooking school, and outdoor events throughout the year, helping to make San Antonio the Lone Star State's most compelling, culturally eclectic city right now.

Santa Fe and Taos usually get the spotlight, but go south to truly experience the Wild West by visiting the recently established Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument, and the strange scenery continues at White Sands National Monument, where you'll find alien landscapes far more out-of-this-world than anything in Roswell.

Chicago may cast a big shadow, but the city is enjoying its moment in the sun, with attractions like beer-tasting tours at both household-name brands and new craft breweries, the stunning Quadracci Pavilion, and the Milwaukee Art Museum.

Check out more must-visit places in the US here!