With a total of 50 American states and 13 provinces and territories in Canada to choose from, there are 63 excellent capital cities in North America to visit. These are some of the most popular.
(photo credit:janiscki)
1. Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
Honolulu has the distinction of being the biggest city in America’s 50th and final state. It’s also one of the most scenic cities in the nation. There are close to half a million people living in Honolulu and they’re lucky enough to have access to numerous cultural traditions and attractions as well as a varied and thriving entertainment district. The city is filled with natural beauty and you can enjoy everything here from beach life to the fine arts.
2. Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Victoria is located on the west coast of Canada in the beautiful province of British Columbia. This Pacific-coast capital offers a great deal of diversity, especially when it comes to the arts. You’ll find an excellent opera, ballet, and philharmonic choir here as well as one of the biggest Chinatowns in North America.
3. St John’s, Newfoundland, Canada
This wonderful and relatively small city is located on the east coast of Canada in the province of Newfoundland. It’s one of the oldest in North America and is well known for its colourful houses and friendly residents. It’s a true maritime city with a rich history. There are pubs galore here, especially on the famous George Street, and traditional music is high on the list of entertainment forms.
4. Denver, Colorado, USA
The capital of Denver has some of the most beautiful vistas in America and is a well known destination for snowboarding and skiing in the winter and hiking in the summers. The population is close to 600,000 and residents are treated to an excellent arts museum along with the USA’s second biggest performing arts centre.
5. Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
This fortified city is the capital of the province of Quebec. It’s an historical and picturesque capital that’s well known for its French influences. Old Quebec features narrow, cobblestone roads, stone buildings, plenty of restaurants, and loads of old world atmosphere. The city hosts an annual Winter Carnival and many of the visitors stay at the historic Chateau Frontenac hotel.
6. Washington D.C., USA
This historic city is actually the capital of the nation, not one of its 50 states. Its historical and cultural importance is reflected in the millions of visitors that it attracts each year. There are numerous national monuments and other sites to visit, such as the National Archives and the Smithsonian Institute.
7. Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Toronto is the largest city in Canada and the capital of the province of Ontario. It lies on the shores of Lake Ontario and is filled with a wide variety of attractions entertainment centers, sports teams, fine arts venues, museums, art galleries, theaters, and zoos etc. The skyline is magnificent and the lakeshore area also has plenty to offer.
8. Austin, Texas, USA
Austin sits in the central area of the huge state of Texas. It’s one of the country’s largest cities and is still influenced somewhat by the Wild West. However, it’s also quite cultural and is the home to numerousevents and festivals each year. Two of the most popular are the Austin Film Festival and the South by Southwest music festival.
9. Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
The scenic port city of Halifax lies on Canada’s east coast on the Atlantic Ocean. It has an excellent nightlife, plenty of restaurants and bars and a splendid boardwalk on the waterfront. It’s the cultural center of Nova Scotia and offers visitors several theaters, galleries, and museums. It’s a charming city with a small-town atmosphere.
10. Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Boston is another of America’s most historical and pleasing cities. It’s well known for its sports franchises, restaurants, universities, and natural beauty. There’s plenty to do here no matter where your interests lie.
