While there is certainly a unique beauty to other countries, the U.S. has its fair share of wonders all throughout the country. From the east to the west coast each state has an important feature that is certainly worth seeing at some point in life. Although I have yet to travel to all the states within the country, there were definitely a lot of cities I'd love to go back to if given the chance.

Even though my heart may take me to live in at least one, maybe more, of my top five favorite places outside the U.S. , I couldn't help but add some recognition to the intrinsic beauty of Top 5 Favorite Places Within the U.S. As mentioned in my other article, I am no travel connoisseur but that certainly would be a goal of mine one day.

All the places listed below are from my own experiences and viewpoints. Therefore, don't restrict yourself to visiting these places, visit as many as you can in this life that was given to you. There are certainly a ton more places I'd love to visit in the U.S., hopefully soon!

5. Washington, D.C.

Seeing as how I have attended college in this city, I've fallen in love with this place. A wide variety of foods to try, multiple places to shop, and endless museums to explore. It might be the most basic place to put on this list, but a person has to at least see D.C. at some point in their life. Did I mention that half of the sites you might want to go to are either a walk, bike, or metro ride distance away?

I mean, despite the craziness in the news nowadays, the nation's capital has so much more to offer than succumbing to the politically invested city.

4. Minneapolis, Minnesota

Although I only spent about a day in the main city area I was greeted by the sites of art museums, bookstores, and a mall known to be the biggest in the US. Minneapolis had a very calm and family-like feel when I stepped into this city for the first time. Even months after I still can't get over the fact that I saw an amusement park inside Mall of America and about five of the same shops on different floors.

3. Chicago, Illinois

The windy city. The big bean. Navy Pier. Chicago is another place with so many activities and things to see. Although I didn't get much of a chance to try different foods in the city, I definitely had the chance to try Garrett Popcorn, my mouth is watering just thinking about it.

From the times I was able to go into the city, I remember being surrounded by so many types of people being involved in the city's activities. Despite being in Chicago when Lollapalooza was happening a week later, walking around gave me a chance to enjoy all that the city has to offer.

2. Arizona

There might be a little bias to this gorgeous and endless desert area seeing as how I was born in this state. However, I've only had the chance to be back about four times since then but I still wonder why my family couldn't have returned. My reasoning for putting this state as a favorite is because I always manage to feel like I'm in another world when I'm here, therefore I couldn't put one city.

Whether I'm traveling between mountains and on long roads where in the distance you see dust tornados, rocky mountains and cacti all about, you may as well have gone back in time to a western movie. Despite the intense heat of the sun, this state has a color palette/aesthetic that deserves recognition.

Not to mention, the wonderful and jaw-dropping Grand Canyon.

1. New Orleans, Louisiana

The love of my life as a city. A place I'd go back to or even live in if I could ever have the chance. Although the jazzy city of New Orleans was a little under the weather with rain and wind, I fell in love with this city that had been on my bucket list.

Food? Don't even get me started on the beignets, go to Cafe du Monde, please. Entertainment? Street performers all about and the French Quarter within walking distance, depending on where you stay that is. Last but not least to mention the lovely and eerily beautiful above-ground gravesites. (strange, right?) Should I go on?