Stretching from the beach and into the Pacific Ocean, the 500-metre-long Santa Monica Pier has been a Los Angeles icon for 115 years. Ride the 26-metre-high Ferris wheel, visit the shark nursery at Heal the Bay Aquarium or develop your acrobatic skills at the trapeze school. 

Just a five-minute drive from the pier, Palihouse Santa Monica looks more like a stately chateau than a hotel – and that’s all part of the charm. This 38-room beach lodge features bespoke wallpaper and custom furnishings by Palisociety hotelier Avi Brosh. Start your day with a hearty breakfast of huevos rancheros with black beans, queso fresco and avocado (many of the kitchen’s ingredients come from the famed Santa Monica farmers’ market).

Home to the Santa Fe Plaza, a shopping and entertainment hub established by Spanish settlers back in the 1600s, as well as the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum and New Mexico Museum of Art, this trendy precinct in Santa Fe, the capital of New Mexico, is a must for arts and culture buffs. 

Stay at the Hilton Santa Fe Historic Plaza, where the 158 guestrooms take their cue from traditional Southwestern decor (think exposed timber ceiling beams, a warm autumnal colour palette and a liberal use of patterns). Though it’s housed in a 350-year-old hacienda, the hotel includes modern touches such as a hot tub and fitness centre – and it’s a five-minute walk from the city’s museums and galleries.

Best known for picturesque picnic spots including Cedar Hill and landmarks such as the Bethesda Fountain, New York’s Central Park also offers yoga at sunrise, stand-up comedy shows and free performances by the likes of the New York Philharmonic. 

Two blocks away, The Whitby Hotel is an opulent, 16-floor stay in Midtown that feels like stepping into wonderland, thanks to an eclectic display of art and design. The 86 rooms and suites feature unique works, individual colour schemes and arrangements of fresh flowers. Stop by The Whitby Bar on a Friday night for Negronis and a live jazz band headed by critically acclaimed saxophonist Sam Taylor.

Experience it all in the USA with Qantas Hotels. Visit qantas.com/hotels

Less than a 10-minute drive from Nashville airport, SoBro (short for “South of Broadway”) is a neighbourhood brimming with great restaurants and drinking spots. Pop into Sinatra Bar & Lounge, which pays homage to the singer with hearty Italian dishes such as ragu pappardelle and braciole, then continue your adventure through music history at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Patty Loveless exhibit.

Holston House Nashville, a 10-minute walk from the Hall of Fame, is a pet-friendly, Art Deco-style hotel that’s big on soulful atmosphere and southern hospitality. Grab brunch and bottomless Mimosas at Tenn restaurant, which specialises in local favourites, including fried chicken, pimento cheese and hot honey. Come evening, relax at the rooftop poolside bar with a Banana Colada, a blend of banana-infused whisky with pineapple and coconut.

An eclectic mix of history and craft come together in the nation’s capital. Stop by the Capitol Building and get up close to space travel artefacts at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. From there, a 10-minute cab ride will get you to NoMa (short for north of Massachusetts Avenue), where you can follow the Metropolitan Beer Trail to sample local brews, including Red Bear Brewing Co’s biscuit-and-coffee-flavoured stout.

For dinner, slip into one of the waterfront restaurants at The Wharf, such as the Italian-inspired Officina by Nicholas Stefanelli (whose other Washington, D.C. diner, Masseria, was awarded a Michelin star). End your day at the nearby citizenM Washington, DC Capitol hotel. Each one of this art-filled retreat’s 296 guest rooms includes an extra-large king-sized bed and a rain shower.

You’ll find a cluster of cultural icons to explore in Chicago’s central New Eastside neighbourhood. Visit The Art Institute of Chicago to see Christina Ramberg’s boundary-blurring artworks as well as pieces from van Gogh and Picasso. One of the world’s largest tyrannosauruses can be found at The Field Museum and, for thrill-seekers, head over to Willis Tower and step onto the glass ledge on the 103rd floor for unmatched city views. 

For a luxury stay with a touch of history, head to The Blackstone, Autograph Collection. Just a 10-minute walk from The Art Institute, this 335-room high-rise with views of Lake Michigan and Grant Park has a ballroom, in-room spa service and Spanish restaurant. Peak into the Barbershop, a former tonsorium – now a colonnaded event space – that counted Richard Nixon and Al Capone as customers. 

Experience it all in the USA with Qantas Hotels. Visit qantas.com/hotels

Officially called “Faubourg Marigny”, this New Orleans neighbourhood sandwiched between the French Quarter and Bywater teems with jazz clubs (such as Maison) and vibrant watering holes, including The Elysian Bar. Get your literary fix at Baldwin & Co., a bookstore that pays homage to author James Baldwin, then head over to Bourbon Street in the heart of the city for the giant street party that is Mardi Gras, which happens in February or March each year (dates depend on when Easter falls).

South from Bourbon Street along Carondelet Street is the palm-fringed Maison de la Luz, an elegant 67-room hotel that fuses old-world romanticism with modern luxury in the artsy Warehouse District. Linger at the signature Bar Marilou, which can be accessed via a guest-only entrance. Housed in City Hall’s historic library and still filled with books, this cocktail bar serves lively spirits and a small plate menu seasoned with French, New Orleans and West Indies-inspired flavours.

Established in 1634, Boston Common is the oldest public park in the USA and is dotted with historical touchstones. During the warmer months, it hosts many of Boston’s fitness and art events and in winter, the park’s Frog Pond turns into an ice skating rink. 

Across the road is the conveniently located The Godfrey Hotel Boston. Make yourself comfortable in one of 242 sleek guestrooms and sample Peruvian-Japanese cuisine – the lobster with yuzu, cucumber, avocado, mango and aji amarillo (Peruvian chillies) is a crowd favourite – at onsite restaurant Ruka, then sweat it out in the 24-hour fitness centre or borrow one of the hotel’s complimentary bikes to explore the city.

This buzzing Miami neighbourhood overflows with glamorous nightclubs – Mango’s Tropical Cafe is just one – but there’s just as much fun to be found during the day. Apart from the glittering beaches, there’s the famed Art Deco district, full of vibrant buildings from the 1930s, and the Flamingo Park aquatic centre for kids. You can also see (and board) luxury vessels at the annual SuperYacht Miami show, held in February. 

Steps away from the shopping and Art Deco precinct is Esme, a hotel with 140 rooms featuring curved entryways, apricot-hued walls, rattan wardrobes and forest-green velvet furnishings. Dream up whatever cocktail you’d like at El Salon, the inhouse bar, and the expert staff will make it for you. Or order the Missionary’s Downfall, a traditional rum, peach, lime, pineapple, honey and mint concoction, by the pool at the rooftop terrace, garden and bar.

Experience it all in the USA with Qantas Hotels. Visit qantas.com/hotels

With over 55 kilometres of waterfront, San Diego Bay has a rich maritime history and, thanks to its proximity to the United States/Mexico border, it also serves up topnotch modern Mexican cuisine (visit Coasterra for Baja-inspired dishes and a Frida Rita margarita).

Stay at Wyndham San Diego Bayside, where most of the 600 rooms have water views and all have private balconies. Go for a dip in the pool or hire a bike from the hotel and explore San Diego at your own pace. The Wyndham is just a five-minute drive from Balboa Park, a sprawling 500-hectare area encompassing San Diego Zoo and 18 museums, including the Comic-Con Museum.

Entertainment is king in Seattle, a city famous for its music scene. Book ahead to catch a show at The Paramount Theatre, where you can see comedians such as Andrew Schulz and bands including Blondie. Feeling peckish? You’ll find gourmet and artisanal eats at Pike Place Market – pick up a pie from Piroshky Piroshky for a hearty on-the-go snack. 

A 10-minute stroll from the market, wedged between historic Belltown and the Denny Triangle in Seattle’s CBD, the Scandinavian-inspired Hotel Ändra Seattle MGallery boasts 123 rooms kitted out with rattan bedheads, warm timber tones and blue accents. On-site restaurant Lola serves up Greek-inspired cuisine with an American twist, such as the lamb burger with harissa ketchup. After a day of exploring, linger by the fireplace in the lobby – it’s the ultimate spot to unwind.

Downtown neighbourhood Union Station, just outside Denver’s city centre, is more than a transportation hub. The area is packed with great dining spots, including the swish La Caverne Supper Club, a French-leaning fine diner and bar that serves up classic cocktails and regular jazz performances. For tasty tapas, head further down to the award-winning Ultreia. 

Enjoy a post-dinner nightcap at the Hyatt Centric Downtown Denver Lobby Bar where Mexican larger is on the menu. With 264 spacious rooms, each with a Drybar hairdryer and coffee machine, this laid-back accommodation is just a 10-minute drive from Union Station.

Experience it all in the USA with Qantas Hotels. Visit qantas.com/hotels

Take a tour at the wharf to learn the storied history of San Francisco – or the “Paris of the West” as it was known in the 1850s. Afterwards, savour a bowl of clam chowder from one of the vendors along the pier while taking in vistas of the Golden Gate Bridge and watching sea lions frolic below. 

Walk back to the chic Kimpton Alton Hotel, a favourite spot for both locals and visitors alike. Featuring 248 rooms, it also boasts an in-room facial and massage service, plus an award-winning Filipino-Californian restaurant, Abacá, which dishes up pig ear carpaccio and Manila-style clams.

You'll feel like you’ve stepped into a Slim Aarons photo at the retro Ace Hotel and Swim Club, set on the illustrious Palm Canyon Drive in California’s Palm Springs. Check in to one of 176 guestrooms, each embodying coastal chic meets Mid-century Modern-style with all the mod-cons. Enjoy a Pina Colada by the pool or treat yourself to a dip in the hot tub.

The area is home to numerous architectural marvels, including the Palm Springs Art Museum and Palm Springs Tennis Club, as well as glam chill-out spots like GiGi’s Restaurant + Bar, which offers old-world cocktails and DJ nights.

In Philadelphia, step back in time and visit the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the country’s Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776. Then check out the Museum of the American Revolution, a five-minute walk away. When your appetite hits, eat like the locals do and order a classic philly cheesesteak at Pat’s King of Steaks or Geno’s Steaks.

Stay close to all the action at Loews Philadelphia, located in the centre of town and only a few minutes’ drive from Independence Hall. This high-rise hotel offers fabulous views over the city, a wellness spa and salon. For lunch, the charred steak salad with blue cheese at the hotel’s restaurant, Bank & Bourbon, is a crowd-pleaser.

Experience it all in the USA with Qantas Hotels. Visit qantas.com/hotels

6 Cities in the USA You Need to Visit At Least Once