North America offers an enormous variety of travel experiences, from world-famous cities and tropical beaches to Pacific coastlines, entertainment capitals and culturally distinctive urban destinations. If you are exploring the top 10 destinations in North America from our original TopHotelLists video, this updated guide takes a closer look at all ten and what makes each one worth considering.
The countdown includes destinations across the United States, Canada and Mexico, ranging from New York City and Las Vegas to Vancouver, Montreal and Mexico City. Each offers a very different kind of trip, so the best choice depends on whether you prioritize sightseeing, beaches, entertainment, food, culture or simply experiencing one of North America’s great cities.
Watch: Top 10 Destinations In North America
Watch our original TopHotelLists video for a quick journey through all ten destinations, then continue below for a closer look at what makes each place distinctive and what to consider when planning where to stay.
Top 10 Destinations in North America at a Glance
| Rank | Destination | Great For |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | New York City, USA | Landmarks, museums, neighborhoods, food and entertainment |
| #2 | Las Vegas, USA | Entertainment, resorts, shows and spectacular attractions |
| #3 | San Francisco, USA | Iconic sights, waterfront scenery, neighborhoods and culture |
| #4 | Honolulu, USA | Beaches, Hawaiian culture, scenery and outdoor experiences |
| #5 | Los Angeles, USA | Entertainment, beaches, neighborhoods and famous attractions |
| #6 | Miami, USA | Beaches, architecture, culture and tropical city breaks |
| #7 | Vancouver, Canada | Mountains, waterfront scenery, nature and urban exploration |
| #8 | Montreal, Canada | Food, historic neighborhoods, culture and architecture |
| #9 | Toronto, Canada | City attractions, food, culture and diverse neighborhoods |
| #10 | Mexico City, Mexico | Food, museums, history, architecture and culture |
Top 10 Destinations In North America
1. New York City, USA
New York City delivers one of the most recognizable urban travel experiences in the world. Manhattan alone contains landmarks such as Times Square, Central Park, the Empire State Building and major museums, while crossing into Brooklyn, Queens and other boroughs reveals completely different neighborhoods and perspectives on the city.
Food, theater, shopping, architecture and neighborhood exploration can easily fill a longer stay, which makes planning important. Hotel location can have a major impact on both price and convenience, so consider which parts of New York you expect to visit most and how easily you can reach them by subway.
Planning your stay? Explore our Top 10 Hotels in New York, United States and read our guide on how to choose the right hotel in New York.
2. Las Vegas, USA
Las Vegas is built around entertainment on a scale few destinations attempt to match. The Strip brings together enormous resorts, live shows, elaborate attractions, restaurants and themed properties, creating a destination where the hotels themselves can be part of the sightseeing experience.
There is more to planning a Las Vegas stay than simply choosing the most impressive resort. Properties that appear close together on a map can involve surprisingly long walks, while resort fees, parking and other charges can affect the total cost. Consider location and the complete stay price alongside the room rate.
Compare our Top 10 Hotels in Las Vegas, United States and learn how to choose the right hotel in Las Vegas.
3. San Francisco, USA
San Francisco combines famous landmarks with one of North America’s most distinctive urban settings. The Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars, waterfront and steep streets create an immediately recognizable cityscape, while individual neighborhoods provide much of the character visitors remember after a trip.
The city’s compact appearance can be deceptive because hills and neighborhood differences affect how easily you move around. Choosing accommodation near the attractions and transportation you expect to use can make sightseeing more convenient, particularly if this is your first visit.
For accommodation ideas, see our Top 10 Hotels in San Francisco, United States.
4. Honolulu, USA
Honolulu combines a major city with the beaches and landscapes that make Hawaii such a distinctive destination. Waikiki is the best-known visitor area, offering convenient access to the beach, restaurants and hotels, while Diamond Head and other parts of Oahu provide opportunities to experience more of the island’s scenery.
A Honolulu trip can work particularly well for travelers who want beach time without giving up museums, dining, shopping and city conveniences. When comparing hotels, consider whether being directly on the beach matters to you and how much of your trip will be spent exploring beyond Waikiki.
Start your accommodation research with our Top 10 Hotels in Honolulu, United States.
5. Los Angeles, USA
Los Angeles spreads its attractions across a vast metropolitan area rather than concentrating them in one traditional city center. Hollywood, major museums, entertainment attractions, shopping districts and the beaches around the wider Los Angeles area can create very different versions of the same trip.
That geography makes hotel location particularly important. A property that is convenient for Hollywood may be far less convenient for a beach-focused itinerary, and travel times can become a significant part of the day. Decide which areas matter most before comparing accommodation rather than choosing a hotel based only on price or star rating.
Explore our Top 10 Hotels in Los Angeles, United States and our guide on how to choose the right hotel in Los Angeles.
6. Miami, USA
Miami combines tropical weather and beaches with distinctive neighborhoods, architecture and cultural influences. Miami Beach and the Art Deco architecture of South Beach provide the classic visitor experience, while other areas offer different food, arts and urban environments.
Where you stay should reflect the trip you actually want. A beachfront hotel can make sense when the ocean is the priority, while travelers focused on restaurants, culture or exploring the wider city may prefer another location. Transportation, parking and resort-related charges are also worth considering when comparing properties.
Compare our Top 10 Hotels in Miami, United States and read how to choose the right hotel in Miami.
7. Vancouver, Canada
Vancouver stands out for the way urban life meets mountains, water and outdoor scenery. Stanley Park, the waterfront and views toward the surrounding mountains give the city a strong connection to nature, while downtown neighborhoods provide restaurants, shopping and cultural attractions.
The city can work especially well for travelers who want to combine sightseeing with outdoor experiences. A central hotel can make much of downtown easy to explore, but the right location still depends on whether your plans focus on the waterfront, city attractions or excursions beyond Vancouver.
See our Top 10 Hotels in Vancouver, Canada and our guide on how to choose the right hotel in Vancouver.
8. Montreal, Canada
Montreal offers a distinctive combination of North American city life and strong French-speaking cultural influences. Old Montreal provides historic architecture and atmospheric streets, while other neighborhoods are known for restaurants, markets, arts and a more residential side of the city.
Food is an important part of a Montreal visit, but the city’s appeal also comes from its neighborhoods, museums and architecture. Accommodation near the areas you plan to explore can reduce unnecessary travel, while good access to the Metro makes it easier to experience several parts of the city during one stay.
For places to stay, explore our Top 10 Hotels in Montreal, Canada.
9. Toronto, Canada
Toronto is Canada’s largest city and offers a broad mix of major attractions, food, entertainment and diverse neighborhoods. The CN Tower and waterfront are among the recognizable sights, but exploring different districts can reveal much more about the character of the city.
Toronto can suit travelers who enjoy big-city trips with plenty of variety rather than one defining attraction. When choosing accommodation, consider the neighborhoods you plan to visit and access to public transportation, particularly if you want to explore beyond the central downtown area.
Start with our Top 10 Hotels in Toronto, Canada.
10. Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico City is one of North America’s great destinations for travelers interested in food, museums, architecture and history. Its enormous metropolitan scale contains everything from the historic center and major museums to leafy neighborhoods, markets and an extensive restaurant scene.
The city rewards travelers who choose their accommodation carefully because different neighborhoods can produce very different experiences. Consider which museums, historic sites, restaurants and areas you want to explore, along with transportation and travel times, before deciding where to stay.
How to Choose From the Top 10 Destinations in North America
Choosing between the top 10 destinations in North America depends heavily on the experience you want. New York City is particularly strong for travelers seeking landmarks, museums, food and nonstop urban variety, while Las Vegas offers a trip built much more around resorts, entertainment and attractions.
For a combination of city and natural scenery, Vancouver and Honolulu stand out in very different ways. Miami adds beaches to a culturally distinctive urban trip, while Los Angeles combines entertainment attractions with neighborhoods and coastal areas. San Francisco offers iconic scenery and compact neighborhood exploration, while Toronto and Montreal provide two quite different Canadian city experiences.
Mexico City brings another dimension to the list through its history, food, museums and architecture. Rather than treating the ranking as a universal measure of quality, use these ten destinations as different starting points and choose according to your interests, available time, season and travel budget.
Where to Stay in the Top 10 Destinations in North America
Choosing accommodation across the top 10 destinations in North America requires more than comparing hotel ratings. Geography is particularly important in sprawling destinations such as Los Angeles, while neighborhood choice can substantially change the experience in New York City, Miami, Mexico City, Montreal and other major cities.
Consider transportation, walking distances, parking when relevant, room type, included amenities and the complete price of the stay. Cancellation conditions are also worth checking before booking. For a useful general checklist, read our Top 7 Tips For Choosing The Right Hotel.
Ready to Explore the Top 10 Destinations in North America?
After choosing from the top 10 destinations in North America, start comparing accommodation based on the location, room options and features that matter most for your trip. Check current availability, prices and booking conditions for your travel dates before making your final decision.
You Might Also Like
North America is only one region to consider when planning your next trip. Continue exploring our other regional destination guides for ideas across Asia, Europe, Central America, South America, Africa and Oceania.
- Top 10 Destinations In Asia
- Top 10 Destinations In Europe
- Top 10 Destinations In Africa
- Top 10 Destinations In Oceania
- Top 10 Destinations In Central America
- Top 10 Destinations In South America
Whichever destination you choose, take the time to compare where you stay as carefully as where you go. The right location and hotel can make exploring your destination easier, more comfortable and better suited to the kind of trip you want.
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