Ten of the Happiest Cities in the United States
In March 2020, WalletHub published its list of 182 cities dubbed the “Happiest Cities in the U.S.” While I haven’t visited all 182 of these cities yet, I want to share with you ten of the cities I have found most enjoyable to visit.
Austin, Texas
The capital city of Texas, Austin is mainly known for its live music scene featuring country, blues, and rock music, as well as its good food. Austin is also an excellent base for hiking, biking, and swimming, with many beautiful parks and lakes to visit. I had the opportunity to visit Austin several times during my time as an Educational Consultant. The company that I worked for was headquartered in Austin and we had several meetings there. It was always great to explore the city during my downtime. Austin is a unique city and I always enjoyed every visit.
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Located on Florida’s south-eastern coast, Fort Lauderdale is well known for its beaches and boating, and it’s no surprise everyone is so happy in this sunny and relaxing city. After a day at the beach, you can head to The Strip for upscale restaurants, shopping boutiques, and luxury hotels. This beautiful city is sure to show you a fun time!
Miami, Florida
If you head a little further south of Ft. Lauderdale, you’ll run into in Miami, a city famous for South Beach and its celebrity residents. When you are not sunbathing or swimming at the beach, you can admire the city’s Art Deco architecture or head to one of the pool parties or nightclubs the city is so famous for. Miami is also home to some fabulous restaurants and shopping!
Read Next: 30 Must-Have Beach Essentials
Los Angeles, California
Nestled over on the West Coast, Los Angeles is home to the nation’s film and television industry. Home to the famous Hollywood Sign, Universal Studios, Warner Brothers, and Paramount Pictures, enjoy taking a behind-the-scenes look at your favorite movies. Other fun highlights include the TCL Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Boulevard Walk of Fame. Los Angeles makes for a fun travel destination for the whole family! It is one of my favorite cities to visit!
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is a diverse city with something to keep everyone entertained. The Atlanta History Center documents the city’s past, and fun for all ages can be found at the Georgia Aquarium or the World of Coca-Cola. A great place for families and singles, the good employment opportunities here make for a happy population.
Huntsville, Alabama
Also known as Rocket City, Huntsville is proudly home to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. Happiness can be found here in peaceful nature and parks, such as the Huntsville Botanical Garden, Monte Sano State Park, and Monte Sano Mountain. Huntsville is also home to Bridge Street Town Centre, one of my favorite places to shop, dine, and people watch when I’m in Huntsville.
Read Next: What to Do in Huntsville, Alabama
Nashville, Tennessee
Best known for its country music scene and home to the legendary Grand Ole Opry House and Ryman Auditorium, Nashville is a buzzing city with exciting shows happening constantly. Nashville has the perfect mix of city life and quieter rural areas, and if you are looking to escape for a few days, head out to the Great Smoky Mountains to enjoy time in nature.
New Orleans, Louisiana
Known as the Big Easy, this melting pot of cultures is undoubtedly one of the US’s happiest places. Best-known for its nightlife, live music, Mardi Gras and delicious food, there is something going on here to keep you entertained any time of day or night. New Orleans is a great destination for a getaway for couples or friends!
Gulfport, Mississippi
Sitting on the Gulf of Mexico, Gulfport is famous for over six miles of man-made white beaches. This city has a strong residential community and business center, and with beaches, tidal pools, and historic sites to explore, there is something to keep everyone in the family happy here.
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga is the perfect combination of city and surrounding nature and is a beautiful spot just a couple of hours drive away from Nashville. Rock City Gardens and Lookout Mountain allow you to enjoy scenic views, and Ruby Falls is an underground waterfall well worth a visit. Tennessee River runs through the downtown area, and this is the perfect place for families to walk or bike on the Riverwalk.
These are just a few of the US’s happiest places that I’ve had the opportunity to visit. Where would you like to visit next and what do you think is the happiest city in the US? Let me know in the comments below!
