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Upgraded Points’ latest study uncovers the top U.S. destinations for time travel enthusiasts, ranking the 50 largest cities by their historical charm and futuristic appeal.

“Whether you’re a history buff or a tech enthusiast, certain cities across the U.S. offer impressive experiences that can transport you to a different era,” said Keri Stooksbury, editor-in-chief at Upgraded Points. “From charming historical homes to sustainable infrastructure and booming tech scenes, these cities have it all.”

Study Methodology

This study evaluated the 50 most populous cities based on criteria appealing to history enthusiasts and those interested in futuristic living. For historical travel, cities were assessed on seven factors, including the number of registered historic houses, buildings, and districts, as well as museum ratings and availability of historical tours. For future-focused travel, cities were evaluated on ten factors, such as sustainable infrastructure, tech talent pool, AI job opportunities, crypto payment options, renewable energy use, and quality of life indices.

Cities were scored from 0 to 5 for each factor, with 5 representing the most favorable conditions. The total scores, derived from weighted individual factor scores, ranged from 0 to 50, indicating the best cities for exploring either past or future time travel.

Travel to the Past: Top 5 U.S. Cities for Historical Experiences

Monuments and Museums: Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. leads with the highest number of historic sites (16.6) and museums per 100,000 residents (28.3). The nation’s capital is a historical haven, featuring iconic landmarks like the National Mall and major museums from the Smithsonian Institution. It also ranks fifth in registered historic houses and buildings, with 621 total and 86.4 per 100,000 residents.

Colonial Charm: Boston
Boston offers a blend of colonial charm and revolutionary landmarks, with the second-highest-rated museums in the U.S. (4.41 average star rating) and the fourth-most historical tours per 100,000 residents (28.4). Visitors can stroll along the Freedom Trail and delve into America’s early history.

Cajun-Seasoned History: New Orleans
New Orleans stands out with the highest number of historical tours per 100,000 residents (99.4) and the best-rated museums in the country (4.44 average star rating). Explore the French Quarter, enjoy local cuisine, and immerse yourself in the jazz heritage of the Big Easy.

Civil War Stories: Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, rooted in tobacco farming and pivotal Civil War sites, ranks fourth. The city features the second-most historical districts (34) and museums per 100,000 residents (27), making it a key destination for enthusiasts of early American history.

Queen City’s Past: Cincinnati
Cincinnati offers a rich historical experience with its well-preserved neighborhoods and landmarks, ranking sixth in registered historic houses and buildings per 100,000 residents (77.5). It also boasts the fifth-highest-rated museums in the U.S. (4.38 average star rating).

Travel to the Future: Top U.S. Cities for Futuristic Experiences

Tech Capital: San Francisco
San Francisco leads in futuristic experiences with a robust tech scene, nearly 10% of its workforce in technology, and 90.94% of its energy usage derived from renewable sources. It also ranks fourth for AI job opportunities.

Green Giant: Seattle
Seattle excels in renewable energy consumption (91.84%) and ranks fifth in LEED-certified building square footage per 100,000 residents. The city is a leader in sustainable urban living.

Silicon Valley Hub: San Jose, California
San Jose, the heart of Silicon Valley, boasts the highest number of electric vehicle charging ports per 1,000 road miles (402), the largest percentage of IT employees (16%), and the most AI-related job opportunities in the nation.