After traveling to all 50 US states, there are 6 major cities I have no plans to return to

As a full-time travel writer and creator, I’m always eager to explore new places. I’ve visited all 50 states and have spent my fair share of time in nearly every major city in the United States.

Even though I generally gravitate toward more remote, outdoor-recreation-focused locales, there are a handful of cities I always enjoy visiting.

However, some places haven’t left me wanting to book a return trip. Here are the six major US cities that I have no plans to return to.

Oregon is one of my favorite states, but I don’t plan on returning to Portland.

Oregon is one of my all-time favorite states to travel to. Its landscapes feature incredible waterfalls, dramatic coastlines, and bright green foliage at nearly every turn.

However, my love for the state’s natural beauty is the main reason I have no desire to revisit Portland, which is the largest city in Oregon.

Although I had an OK time during my previous visits to the city, nothing really stood out to me. If I wanted to visit a major city in the Pacific Northwest, I’d instead visit Seattle, which has always felt more vibrant to me.

Some people love Las Vegas, but it just wasn’t for me.

Although many people seem to love Las Vegas, it simply isn’t a place I would choose to visit again.

The crowds and commercialization aren’t my style, and there’s so much natural beauty within two hours of the city. I’d rather spend my time exploring places like Red Rock Canyon, Valley Of Fire State Park, and Death Valley National Park.

If I’m visiting Florida, there are other cities I’d choose over Miami.

Throughout my travels, I’ve honestly enjoyed spending time in Florida more than most other states. That said, Miami hasn’t been high on my list of places to return to.

The crowding and somewhat superficial feeling I’ve gotten while visiting has been a turn-off, and like many other cities on this list, there are just too many other options nearby I’d rather visit.

Instead, I love traveling to the Florida Keys, Jacksonville, the Everglades, and smaller towns on the Gulf Coast.

None of my experiences in Boston have been particularly memorable.

I’ve traveled to Boston a handful of times. Maybe I’ve just had bad luck, but I haven’t had a memorable experience during any of my visits.

Although I’m sure there’s a lot of the city I haven’t seen, I haven’t been impressed in a way that makes me want to spend more time there.

Instead, I love using Boston as a jumping-off point for other East Coast travel.

I found Los Angeles to be too congested and overwhelming.

There’s nothing that I really dislike about Los Angeles — I just think there are so many better options nearby.

Boasting a vibrant cultural scene, world-class dining, and iconic landmarks, I think it’s a great place to visit once or twice. Still, the city’s congestion and overwhelming size can often overshadow its charms, which is why I have no plans to return to Los Angeles itself.

Instead, when I’m in the area, I love visiting Malibu, Topanga Canyon, Santa Barbara, or even San Diego. These less-crowded cities have excellent access to nature and less traffic than LA, which is important to me.

When I’m in the Phoenix area, I often find myself traveling outside the city.

Phoenix, a desert oasis that has experienced explosive growth in recent years, presents a unique blend of urban amenities and natural beauty.

The city offers a thriving arts scene, professional sports teams, and a burgeoning culinary landscape. However, as someone who travels to the Phoenix area several times a year, I tend to leave the city proper fairly quickly, heading over to nearby Scottsdale or Mesa — or further north to Sedona or Flagstaff.

Although Phoenix has a lot to offer as a growing metropolis, I find that I’d rather spend my time outside the city, where I can access nature and more serene wellness resorts.

This story was originally published on August 24, 2024, and most recently updated on June 27, 2025.

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