10 Must-Visit U.S. Hotspots for 2017

Charleston, South Carolina

Having been voted the best city in North America by Travel + Leisure readers, it's safe to say that Charleston isn't a secret anymore. The colorful Southern metropolis rife with charming colonial homes and gas-lit lanterns has been outed as a unique and surprisingly affordable getaway. The city has always offered history, but it’s the modern developments in downtown Charleston that will put it on your must-visit list.

Before you go, browse Charleston's selection of boutique hotels like The Dewberry and The Spectator to find your style. In between carriage rides and learning about the Charleston's rich colonial history, you can enjoy your fix of Southern comfort food at restaurants such as 5Church and Amen Street Fish & Raw Bar. To meet the rising number of visitors to the city, new hotels and restaurants are constantly opening and adding their own personality into the mix. Keep your eye out for new restaurant openings and look out for new hotels popping up from Bennet Hospitality and Salamander Hotels.

If you're looking to recover after a stressful year, put Scottsdale on your calendar for 2017. Surrounded by a stunning desert landscape, this city offers plenty of opportunities to relax, refresh, and take in the arts. There are many lavish resorts to choose from, but the newly-opened Andaz Scottdale is making waves. Located near the Cattle Track Arts Compound, the resort offers with a peek into the artists lifestyle through studio tours and classes taught by local artists. And if you're looking for even more inspiration, February's Canal Convergence is a free event that features large-scale and interactive art pieces and art-making activities that families will love.

If you can, make time to venture out and experience the timeless beauty of the Southwest. Take the adventurous route in a hot air balloon or enjoy the tastes and sights of the local culture through the Taste of Scottsdale Tour offered through the Four Seasons. You'll take a farm tour, learn about the history of Route 66, and partake in a desert picnic under the stars.

Providence, Rhode Island

The country's smallest state has a big secret. Providence is a city bursting with history, art, and culinary treasures. Creativity takes many forms in Providence, but what will stand out the most to you is the food. From James Beard Award-winning hot dogs (or hot wieners) to world-class brunch spots and restaurants that aren't afraid to flex their gastronomy muscles, there are tons of great places to eat in Providence and new restaurants are always opening up.

Art enthusiasts visiting the city will love checking out the RISD Museum and exploring Providence's impressive and well-maintained public art installations. However, if you really want to see the creative spirit of Providence come to life, plan a trip in June to experience PVDFest. This four-day festival celebrates the arts with street-fairs, live-music, performances, and a huge parade that showcases the city's diverse population—from RISD students showing off their latest fashion designs to traditional dancers sharing their culture. Look closely, and you might even spot the mayor of Providence dancing along and shaking his tambourine.

The Great American Solar Eclipse

On August 21st, 2017, a total solar eclipse will pass over the United States—the first in 26 years. It's sure to be one of the biggest sky-watching events of the year; however, the eclipse will only be visible from select parts of fourteen lucky states. If the path of the eclipse isn't falling close to your home, you now have the perfect excuse to turn this magnificent cosmic event into the ultimate summer road trip.

The eclipse is an opportunity to marvel at the mysteries of the universe while discovering a new part of the country. The lucky solar eclipse cities are preparing by planning events, sprucing up viewing locations, and preparing great deals on accommodation for sky-watchers. From Jackson County, South Carolina, to Rexburg, Idaho, there are plenty small cities that would be great hosts for your eclipse road trip. But if you're looking to have all your eclipse needs taken care of, tours like this one in Portland, Oregon, combine eclipse watching with wine tasting.

Alexandria, Virginia

If you want to visit DC, but prefer to stay away from The White House, you can still get a taste of life by the Potomac when you visit Alexandria. Just 10 minutes away from the capital in nearby Virginia, Alexandria is a great city to get your history fix and enjoy restaurants, lovely views, and waterfront activities. Accommodations in Alexandria are typically cheaper than DC, and with the opening of a new Hotel Indigo right on the water, you can stay right in the center of town.

You can even rent a bike and attempt the journey to Mt. Vernon, the home of George Washington. As the halfway point on the Mount Vernon Trail, which begins in Washington DC, Alexandria is the perfect blend of urban DC and the peaceful Virginian countryside.

Austin, Texas

Travelers have been "keeping Austin weird" for many years as it continues to appeal to cool-seekers looking for live music and lovers of excellent Southern barbecue. If you haven't experienced Austin yet, 2017 is a great year to go with plenty of can't-miss festivals on the schedule. Music fests like Austin City Limits and South by Southwest always draw huge crowds to Austin, but this year will feature other exciting events like the Motorcycle Grand Prix and the annual Austin Rodeo Show. There are also new attractions like the NLand Surf Park, North America's first inland surfing park; and new brewery tours from Thirsty Planet and St Elmo Brewing offer plenty of reasons to make a return visit to this great city.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Home to Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and Benjamin Franklin Museum, you probably didn't think Philadelphia could get any more patriotic, but it’s about to: On April 19th, The Museum of the American Revolution will open. The museum will guide visitors on a tour through the revolution using immersive scenes and theaters to take visitors on a journey through the revolution from Boston to Yorktown. You'll even be able to get an up-close look at an authentic tent used during the war by George Washington.

In addition to the excitement of the new museum, Philadelphia is changing it up in many new ways. Check out the re-opening of the Longwood Gardens, a world-class display of flora and fauna; and LOVE Park which was closed throughout most of 2016 for renovations. There is also a lot for music lovers to look forward to, including live music events throughout the year and the O17 Opera Festival in September. Named by Vivid Seats as the number one city in the U.S. for live music, Philadelphia offers the most varied genres for the best price.

Los Angeles, California

In the sprawling and ever-growing city of Los Angeles, there is always something new for visitors to discover. And 2017 will be a year packed with fresh reasons to explore old and new neighborhoods. With a new Waldorf Astoria Hotel opening in June, Beverley Hills is a classic neighborhood with a new twist. Treat yourself to a spa day, some shopping therapy, or a high-end meal at a restaurant locally owned by one of the neighborhood's celebrity chefs.

If you're looking for something more down-to-earth, head to Downtown LA to explore the Art District that has been revitalizing the area. Walk the ROW, a thirty-acre district that combines shopping, creative offices, art galleries, and restaurants; and check out the Alameda Produce Market, or Smorgasburg, a weekly market where you can taste the latest in trendy food.

Minneapolis, Minnesota

In the Midwest, Minneapolis is ready to wow the rest of the country in 2017. With a new stadium with state-of-the art facilities that will host the X Games this year and the Superbowl in 2018, plus a renovated Main Street, Minneapolis is changing quickly. It won't be long before everyone catches on. Hotspots like the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and events like the St. Paul Winter Carnival make Minneapolis a great destination to visit at any time of the year. Travelers will love exploring this undiscovered city's new attractions, as well as some of its old favorites. Celebrate the Mall of America's 25th Anniversary or embrace the cold with winter sporting events like the U.S. Pond Hockey Championships or the Loppet Ski Festival.

Brooklyn, New York

With all the buzz about Brooklyn, more and more of New York's tourists are finding their way across the bridge and into the city's coolest borough. With so many neighborhoods, each with a distinct personality, there’s something for every kind of traveler. Whether you plan to explore the hipster scene in Williamsburg, the street art murals in Bushwick, or the iconic brownstones of Cobble Hill, there's plenty of exciting sights and trendy restaurants and cafes to experience in Brooklyn.

Take a tour of Brooklyn Brewery, stroll through Prospect Park, or just enjoy unbeatable views of Manhattan from the DUMBO Promenade. With restaurants, bars, and cafes constantly opening up, it's tough to say which will stand out in 2017, but you can always go for the classics by grabbing a slice at Roberta's Pizza or a cheesecake from Junior's. The best way to stay on top of your Brooklyn game? Keep up on local social media to find out what everyone is talking about.