I’ve always been one to find home in new places. It’s always been a love of mine to travel and to see new cities and find places that I can go where no one knows me and see the world. Recently, I’ve been to Nicaragua, and before that I had never left the country. But there are cities in our country that are pretty great, too. Their histories, architecture, and landscape are pieces of stories that everyone that has been there has been a part of. I’m sure you’ve been to a few of these cities as well as I, but I figured that I’d share why I love these cities in the hopes that maybe you’ll see them in a new light, and maybe find a new place to travel to this summer.

1. Indianapolis

I’ve been to Indianapolis a few times and each time I’ve been somewhere different. I’ve been to the zoo, some of the museums, and I’ve walked around this city a ton. Each time, I fell in love a little bit more with it. I’m not sure what it is exactly that makes me love it, but the last time I went, I got to see some of the fountains, the architecture, and just I fell in love with it. This trip was also one of the first times that I went anywhere without my parents for longer than a day, and being there with my youth group as a seventh grader just made this trip so much more special.

2. Detroit

Detroit was one of those places where it took some time to used to, but by “some time” I mean about a day. By day two, I couldn’t believe how great the city was. From the statues placed around, the train all around the city, and the skyline that lit up in the night, it was pretty great. This trip also was for Fine Arts, so we had a schedule to hold onto, but it didn’t hurt that we happened to have our convention services in the Joe Louis Arena where the Red Wings play (yes, I know my sports), and I also had a great view of Windsor, Ontario, Canada.

3. Louisville

Louisville was also a trip for Fine Arts and was my last trip with my youth group. This city was probably one of the nicest, and also probably the most that I’ve seen of any city for Fine Arts. The atmosphere of the city is one of the laid back South, but also has some bustle of the Northern cities. The architecture and the view of the Ohio River are breathtaking. The essence of the city thrives all over but I especially liked the Fourth Street Live complex in Downtown. It’s also a plus that this university city is alive and in support of their Cardinals.

4. New York City

For me, going to New York City was always a dream. You see it so much in television shows and movies that you feel like you know it. But, it was a totally different experience than what I could have ever imagined and so much more. Seeing Times Square, Broadway, Rockefeller Center, and walking through Manhattan were some of the best times that I could have ever had. I went with friends for a birthday and fell in love with the busy sidewalks, the talent of the street artists, and the posters of all the plays that I have always dreamed of seeing. As introverted as I am, I felt at home seeing all these sights that I recognized. Since then, I’ve seen bits and pieces as I’ve passed by for some softball games, and each time, the city skyline continues to take my breath away.

5. Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C.: the capitol of the United States. If you ever get a chance to go, take it. D.C. is spotted with amazing architecture based in the new and the old. Walking through the Capital building, seeing the rotunda, seeing all the monuments to the presidents, and the honoring of soldiers that were in the wars absolutely blew me away. The museums were full of history and life, the streets spoke to me of so many stories that I’ve read, but couldn’t have even imagined until I was there. Seeing the White House for the first time ever was such an honor. Being in D.C. was a day that I’ll never forget. I’ve also returned to play softball on the outskirts of the city, and each time I’ve gotten a glimpse of the Statue of Freedom on the Capitol building and remember the day that I got to fall in love with the city.

6. Boston

Growing up, I was in love with history, so being able to see a city with such a historical tie, was basically a dream. I was in Massachusetts for a mission’s trip and this city grabbed such a huge piece of my heart. The people, the history, the views, the architecture, and seeing the way that the city seemed to breathe through all those things made my love for this city so great. When I look back through the few pictures that I took, I can tell you where we were, how I felt, all the sights and smells of the city that I’ll never be able to forget.

7. Nashville

This city holds such a place in my heart because this state is my second home. Everyone in my family lives in Tennessee, so every six months or so, I get to see this city in all its glory. The music and talent that come out of this place is the pride of the city. The musical essence that it holds is astounding. The amount of times that I’ve seen the skyline will never cease to amaze me and each time I pass through, I fall in love with just a little bit more.

8. Philadelphia

Well, I guess I’ve saved the best for last. They say home is where the heart is and I guess that’s quite true. I can’t tell you how many times growing up in a Philadelphia suburb that I’ve seen the city and each time, my love just grows stronger. From Historical Philadelphia and the Liberty Bell to the Art Museum and the Franklin Institute to City Hall and Love Park to University City, Northeast Philly, Penn’s Landing, Port Richmond, the Boulevard and the surrounding area, this city and the beauty of this city never ceases to amaze me. I have so many stories, from walking around with friends, to school field trips, to spending a Friday night with my youth group on the Museum steps. Every single trip, has made my love so strong for this city that it’ll be hard to leave home someday. The thing I love most, and my favorite place, is the view from the steps of the Art Museum. Visiting the steps at night with my youth group, it never ceased to amaze me how quiet but loud the city was all at the same time. It was there that I could think of all the things that I loved, and the city was always close to the top of that list.