15 of the best US cities for a weekend trip

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The United States has no shortage of places to visit each with its own local flavors and culture.

Insider rounded up 15 of the best cities in the US for a weekend trip, gathering expert opinions from TripAdvisor and seasoned travelers.

From Washington, DC, to smaller cities like Temecula, California, and Cincinnati, Ohio, here's where to consider taking a weekend getaway.

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Washington, DC, was named The New York Times' No. 1 place to travel in 2020, making it a top weekend trip destination.

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The capital of the United States, Washington, DC, was ranked first on The New York Times' list of "52 Places to Go in 2020."

The city can make for a weekend trip full of possibility, as it's home to historic landmarks and memorials, world-famous museums, and some of the nation's best cuisine.

DC's Metro makes it easy to explore the city's various neighborhoods, from Georgetown to Foggy Bottom. The DC Metro was named the nation's best transit system in 2016 by financial services firm SmartAsset, which used Census Bureau data to determine the winner.

A three-day trip to DC offers more than visiting national monuments it also leaves time to explore the outskirts of the city, such as the colonial homes of Old Town in Alexandria, Virginia.

Cincinnati, Ohio, is a vibrant, underrated city in the Midwest that's full of culture.

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Cincinnati is known for its cultural institutions, including the Cincinnati Art Museum and the Cincinnati Zoo.

The Greater Cincinnati area is also unique because it's home to some of the region's most historic religious sites and houses of worship from the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, which opened in 1837, to Plum Street Temple, a Jewish synagogue known for its detailed architecture.

The city also has a vibrant local brewery scene, and its food claim-to-fame is a classic: Skyline Chili, a traditional Midwestern take on chili dogs.

For a seaside trip that's off the beaten path, look into Friday Harbor on Washington state's San Juan Islands.

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TripAdvisor called Friday Harbor, a fishing village on the San Juan Islands, one of the top 20 weekend trips to take in the US.

For fans of water-side activities like dolphin- and whale-watching, lighthouse tours, and quiet days by the beach, Friday Harbor could be worth a look. Travelers can even plan a trip in time for the San Juan Islands' Lavender Festival, which looks like an attraction straight from the lavender fields of Southern France.

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