Power of One

Syracuse is one of the best places to live in the US – and Forbes named it one of the top places to raise a family. From taking in Orange sports at the JMA Wireless Dome, to the Rosamond Gifford Zoo, MOST (Museum of Science & Technology), minor league baseball at NBT Bank Stadium, unmatched outdoor activity from skiing, hiking the Adirondacks, to the Finger Lakes, and most recently with the historic $100B investment Micron has made in the area – Syracuse is where America is going.

The port of Dublin is Ireland’s main spot for finance, commerce, and culture. Catch buskers and performers on Grafton Street, picnic in St. Stephen’s Green park, and day trip to the Cliffs of Moher, Galway, the Aran Islands, or Giant’s Causeway for stunning scenery. Pub lovers can hear live Irish music at the legendary Temple Bar or Johnnie Fox, the city’s oldest tavern. Tour the grounds of Leinster House – home to parliament and the National Library, Museum, and Botanic Gardens. No trip to Dublin is complete without visiting the Guinness Storehouse and a taste of local coddle stew. A tip for any visitor: Pack an umbrella and rainproof jacket.

Hyderabad, or The City of Pearls, is full of traditional and historical bazaars as a former global center of trade of diamonds, emeralds, and natural pearls. The fourth largest city in India, this IT business hub is a cultural gateway and home to the largest film studio in the world, Ramoji Film City. Enjoy the tasteful flavors of the city’s famous biryani dish, haleem, see 200 animals like the native Indian rhino and elephant, Asiatic lion, and Bengal tiger at the Nehru Zoological Park, and view the intricate architecture of The Charminar, a landmark monument built in 1591.

Even as the third largest U.S. city, Chicago is often called a city in a garden, with more than 600 parks, 70 sanctuaries, numerous beaches, pools, sports fields, playgrounds, bike lanes, and 26 miles of open lakefront. This international hub is known for iconic architecture like the John Hancock Center, Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower), Wrigley Field, and public art, like The Bean. Shop 450+ retailers on the Magnificent Mile or view Impressionist and Post-Impressionist work at the Art Institute of Chicago. Take an improv class at The Second City, paddle a swan boat at Humbolt Park, or have a cocktail at The Green Mill, a top jazz spot that has been open since before Prohibition.

Roughly 30 miles outside of Baltimore, Edgewood is on the banks of the Bush River, offering lots of water-based activities and fun. Hike, fish, canoe, swim, bike, or horseback ride at Gunpowder Falls State Park or tour one of the oldest lighthouses in the Upper Chesapeake Bay along the Havre de Grace Boardwalk. Taste test ribs and wings at the MD State BBQ Bash, an annual festival and competition with 50+ teams across the Mid-Atlantic. Stroll the world-renowned grounds at LaDew Topiary Gardens, voted one of the top five gardens in North America. Catch an IronBirds minor league baseball game at Ripken Stadium or visit Baltimore to see the major league Orioles play at Camden Yards.

Virginia is for lovers, and people love what Richmond offers. This mid-sized city has been recognized as the Burger Capital of the World and earned acclaim as an international destination for craft beer. Visit the spot where American Patriot Patrick Henry said, “Give me liberty or give me death,” or hear the eerie tales of famous writer Edgar Allan Poe at his hometown museum. Enjoy a walk, bike ride, or a riverfront canal cruise along the 1.25-mile historic canal walk. Spend an afternoon touring the 50-acre Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden and Conservatory, stroll the Federal-style mansions of Court End, or take in the comprehensive art collection at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA).

Known for fashion and design, Milan is more than a style capital – it’s an economic center, home to Italy’s Stock Exchange and headquarters of multinational corporations. Shop the dazzling Vittorio Emanuele II arcade, one of the oldest in Europe, get medieval at the 15th-century Sforza Castle, watch the runways during Milan Fashion Week, or view the gargoyles that adorn the majestic Duomo Cathedral. Sample traditional Milanese eats on the open terraces of Via Dente or the Piazza del Duomo, listen to “Bel Canto” at the most prominent opera house in Europe, and catch a football (soccer) match at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza (San Siro), the largest in the country and home to both AC Milan and Inter Milan teams.

Bologna is a prosperous city known for its energetic, warm, and relaxed feel. Home to legendary traditional cuisine like ragù, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, Parma ham, and balsamic vinegar, it also boasts the oldest university in the world, Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna, founded in 1088 and still in operation today. Dine al fresco and shop in The Quadrilatero district or the Mercato Delle Erbe, visit the Seven Churches of Santo Stefano, and walk the endless rows of elegant porticos featured in the city’s architecture. For breathtaking panoramic views, dare to climb the 498 steps of the iconic Asinelli Tower or visit the terrace at Basilica di San Petronio.

Everything is bigger in Texas, including portion sizes! Foodies enjoy some of the best steaks, barbeque joints, and Tex-Mex cuisine around. The fourth-largest metro city in America, Dallas offers a vibrant arts and entertainment scene. Cheer on the Cowboys, Mavericks, Stars or FC Dallas sports teams, take in panoramic views of the city 470 feet high in Reunion Tower, hop on carnival rides during the 24-day long State Fair (one of the largest in the U.S!), or get into fun with tech, culture, and entertainment at the AT&T Discovery District.

The Lone Star State likes to “Keep Austin Weird,” even as the city grows. Hear live music at the Broken Spoke, the stalwart Honky-Tonk Dance Hall, Moody Center, or Zilker Park, home of Austin City Limits Music Festival. Visit the city’s most popular tourist attraction – Congress Avenue Bridge, home to 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats that emerge nightly at dusk. Take in the mind-bending architecture of Central Library, or shop until you drop at The Domain shopping area. This booming tech center city is ripe with software and game development, and a vibrant startup community with home grown venture funds and incubators.

Boulder is a perfect balance of urban and outdoors. This top recreation city with mountain landscapes has walkable public spaces, a music and arts scene, and world-class restaurants. Stroll the brick-paved pedestrian Pearl Street for great food, shops, and entertainment, or use the Boulder bike paths and scooter rentals to travel around town. Chautauqua Park offers 48 miles of hiking trails, a historic auditorium, and a dining hall. Pack a picnic and pick between the gentle Enchanted Mesa trail or the tighter switchbacks of the Royal Arch trail. Sample strictly local eats at the outdoor Boulder Farmers Market every Saturday, then enjoy hot sips at the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse, featuring breathtaking handcrafted Tajikistan architecture.