Plan a route through these top-notch airports and you’ll be sitting pretty every time you travel.

If you feel like you fly the friendly skies more often than you sleep in your own apartment, then knowing the most convenient cities for a jet-setting frequent flyer is a must.

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When the name of the game is making confident connections, finding a decent airport meal and amusing yourself during a delay, this list of best airport cities will help your trips fly by.

You might want to plant your apartment homebase in one of these cities with high-flying airport service.

Quick connections (the tablet/laptop version)
These days, quick connections mean a lot more than catching your next flight. In our digital world, we’re working all the time. Finding power outlets, Wi-Fi and quick download times is key. The frontrunner in this category is the Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, NC. Charlotte is the domestic hub for US Airways, and, according to Online MBA, a great airport for business travelers because it offers some of the fastest free Wi-Fi Internet connections around (an average of 12 megabits per second, for the technically-inclined).

North Carolina must have some serious service, as well, because the Raleigh-Durham International Airport boasted an average data rate that was nearly that impressive. When you are in the Raleigh-Durham area, this is the place to get hooked up. (And speaking of connections, Charlotte also ranked #2 for best connection flights!)

Musical departures
The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Austin, TX, offers a unique experience that fits right in with the spirit of that city. Flyers are treated to live music from local artists on five stages peppered throughout the terminal. Clearly, Austin is working overtime to earn its claim as the Live Music Capital of the World. (You must have an airline ticket, by the way, to catch the tunes here.)

Best for stress (or lack of it)
SeaTac, the Seattle/Tacoma airport, is considered top-notch, according to SmarterTravel.com, for its smooth on-site experience which won’t leave you feeling terminal. Security clearance is efficient and friendly here – and there’s plenty of Seattle’s Best and Starbucks coffees to keep you awake enough to make your next flight!

Dine & dash
Frequent flyers know that convenient travel doesn’t always allow for delicious meals — unless eating a cold sandwich on your lap is your idea of luxury. Fortunately there are several major airport cities that cater to tenured travelers and provide the best dining this side of the security barricade.

A recent report in Gadling ranked the best airports in which to kill time, and Atlanta’s airport topped the list for best dining. Every concourse has a conveniently-located central food court, as well as eateries peppered between the gates. While Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport includes the standard fast food stops, it also features savory standouts like Cafe Intermezzo, One Flew South and Paschal’s Southern Cuisine. The Atlanta airport also topped the list for amenities, dining and best flight connections.

The Atlanta airport happens to be the central hub for Delta Airlines — just one reason this airport is THE busiest in the world!

En route entertainment
You’ve charged your laptop, enjoyed a tasty meal and still have an hour to kill before your next flight. Not a problem if you are in the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. As you straddle the line between Minneapolis and St. Paul, you won’t struggle to find a delightful diversion. Gadling ranked this airport #2 for amenities. (Atlanta ranked #1, but we suspect it was for all that great food!)

When relaxing at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport, what fun and comforts do they have in store for you? Why not check out Lucky Lindy’s Video Arcade or enjoy a first-class massage chair at the XpressSpa? You can shop at fifty different storefronts around the airport and the Mall. And there are plenty of dining options to tide you over for a long flight.

Fly the greener skies
The Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport scores high for its planet-friendly initiatives. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has invited the airport into the Green Power Leadership Club for its collaboration in getting electricity via renewable wind resources. This type of energy-saving – harnessing power from the wind — seems altogether appropriate for an airport!

Being a frequent flyer doesn’t mean you have to lead of life of frequent frustrations. Just make sure you plan a route through these top-notch airports, and you’ll be sitting pretty every time you travel. (And if you really fly a lot, living near one of these airports might be a good idea, too!)

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Dig in to your city food search with these awesome online culinary guides.

When your stomach is grumbling, you may not feel inclined to debate dining plans. But if you are new to a city or have found an apartment in a different part of town, you might not know just where to indulge your taste buds.

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Why not hop on the Internet and check out the food scene in your town with online guides and apps, like these fabulous foodie finders?

Yelp
Yelp is a great go-to site when you are looking for reviews of even the tiniest of eateries. This foodie-friendly review site is driven by communities of locals who write the entries, chiming in with their 2 cents. You can search by cuisine, neighborhood or ranking, and get insider info about whether the restaurant has unique features like large group seating or TVs in the lounge. Yelp is also tied in with our next good-eats guide, OpenTable, so you can make reservations on the spot.

OpenTable
OpenTable makes it really easy to make a reservation at a restaurant. In fact, this digital dining tool started out primarily as a reservations service. As the user base grew, however — and more restaurants began depending on the site to handle online reservations — restaurant reviews were also added. Now you can search for an open table on Friday night, for instance, and feast your eyes on the latest comments about the cuisine.

The other cool feature about this site is that you can earn dining rewards points for booking your reservations online. After racking up enough points, you’ll earn gift certificates to use at participating OpenTable restaurants.

Urbanspoon
Like many of these online tools for finding food reviews, Urbanspoon helps you focus on locally-ranked neighborhood restaurants organized by cuisine or neighborhood. They also provide specific lists in categories like the “Talk of the Town” and “Kid Friendly” to help you navigate the food scene in your city. One of the neatest tricks that Urbanspoon serves up is an app which allows you to search nearby neighborhoods so you can consider restaurants most convenient to you.

No idea what you’re in the mood for? Take a gamble with their fun slot machine widget!

Zagat
If you are really into ratings, then Zagat is a great destination for you to make dining decisions. These guides were around well before the Internet, spotlighting the finest dining in major cities. Zagat surveys its members about their favorite restaurant picks, then uses those results to create their well-respected ratings. Zagat also has a food-tastic blog written by in-the-know gourmands from around the country.

GrubHub
Sometimes going out to dinner can be a drag. Not to worry: now, you can explore the local food scene without leaving your house.

GrubHub is the newest player in food pickup and delivery. Just tell them where you live and what you want to eat. GrubHub will do the work to find you a nearby restaurant that delivers or has easy pick-up options. You can order online or by phone, then track your order with their mobile app or text updates. Finding food has never been so easy!

Dig in to your next food search with these awesome online food guides. And for the most up-to-date local foodie information, stay on the lookout for dining guides featured in your city’s digital publications.

Photo credit: Shutterstock / Brooke Becker

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These five are just a few of the favorite American cities where culture is never in short supply.

Ranking U.S. cities can be mind-boggling, when you consider categories ranging from the hippest spots in the U.S. to the best cities for families, for instance.

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If it’s culture you’re after in this country, then you might consider the long list of great locations for living an artistic life.

To save some time, we have scoured our sources and come up with a short list of cities where culture is not hard to find. You might want to check these out for yourself.

New York City, NY
New York is a no-brainer for the list of best cities in America to experience culture. This town practically invented it! And it always tops the charts, ranking #1 on Travel & Leisure’s 2012 list of most cultured cities. NYC offers everything from street performers (like the Naked Cowboy) to Broadway box office hits to the High Line’s outdoor art shows. Taking it all in at once would be overwhelming, so check out Time Out New York or The New Yorker for top cultural picks.

Washington, D.C.
NYC may boast Broadway, but Washington, D.C., lays claim to the seriously amazing Smithsonian. It’s the world’s largest museum and research complex, with 19 museums and the National Zoo. Many of these are located in the nation’s capital, including the Air and Space Museum, American History Museum and National Portrait Gallery. And you probably won’t be surprised to find that Washington, D.C., was also named the #3 literary city by LiveScience. (Maybe because it’s home to an institution called the Library of Congress.)

San Francisco, CA
San Francisco has always been a West Coast trendsetter when it comes to culture. The Atlantic Cities recently published their own list of artistic cities, and San Francisco took the #2 spot with an LQ of 3.825.

What the heck is an LQ? It’s a unique tallying system the magazine developed that determines a city’s location quotient measured by the number of artists in the city relative to its population.

Naturally, San Fran scored high: its score indicates that the city is home to almost four times more artists than the national average. This is likely because of its plethora of artistic-minded neighborhoods like Haight Ashbury, a hip haven since the 1960s. San Francisco is also home to the impressive SFMOMA (San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.)

Santa Fe, NM
Several of our sources gave Santa Fe top scores – #1 most artistic city says The Atlantic Cities, and third most cultured courtesy of Travel & Leisure. This desert treasure has always been a special place for artists like the famous Georgia O’Keefe. A trip to Santa Fe wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the museum that honors her.

Artists are drawn to this town’s colorful vistas, and there are many museums to check out their work, including the New Mexico Museum of Art and the Museum of Spanish Colonial Art. The Santa Fe Arts Commission is also a great resource to find out more about local art happenings.

Charleston, SC
Southern charm is what makes Charleston, SC, one of the best cities in America to experience culture. In fact, Conde Nast readers ranked it as their #1 favorite U.S. city to visit. As one of the first colonies, much of Charleston’s culture revolves around history and Southern tradition. This port city features fascinating carriage tours, one-of-a-kind crafts like sweetgrass baskets, and lazy First Friday art walks. An afternoon of classic Lowcountry culture ends well with a delicious supper at Virginia’s on King.

It’s not easy to nail down the best U.S. cities for culture, and these five are just a few of the favorites, of course. Our advice is to visit galleries, theaters and museums all over the country, creating your own list of the top cultural cities with your own first-hand experience!

Photo credit: vvoe / Shutterstock.com

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Get your walk on in these cities ranked the most pedestrian-friendly by WalkScore.com.

WalkScore.com has ranked the walkability of the 50 largest U.S. cities. The organization bases its findings on population and ease of access to amenities such as grocery stores, shopping centers, movie theaters, and many other destinations on foot.

Take an online walk-about of the 10 cities deemed the most walkable in the United States.

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10. Oakland, CA
Oakland, CA, takes its walking very seriously. In response to a high number of pedestrian fatalities in the late 1990s, the city created the Oakland Pedestrian Safety Project. This program educates motorists and pedestrians alike on methods to make walking safer. With these efforts, Oakland is a safer place for a stroll than ever.

9. Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis, MN, boasts nearly 1,800 miles of sidewalks, making it easy for residents to get around on foot. The city has been named a Gold Walk Friendly Community by the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC) for its commitment to pedestrian safety and sustained walkability.

8. Miami, FL
With its warm weather and walkable neighborhoods like Overtown, Little Havana, and Brickell, Miami, FL, is a pedestrian’s dream.

7. Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., is another PBIC Gold Walk Friendly Community. The District of Columbia has wide sidewalks that lead to monuments, eateries, bars, gardens and other areas of interest. These hotspots allow places for pedestrians to stop and really enjoy the city.

6. Seattle, WA
The Seattle, WA, Department of Transportation wants to make it as easy as possible for visitors and residents to get around the Emerald City, so they have instituted a series of online city walking maps detailing walking time, steepness of streets and points of interest along the way.

5. Philadelphia, PA
One thing that sets Philadelphia, PA, apart as a walkable city is its distinct signage. There are colorful signs on each street corner listing a number of local destinations so that you always know what is nearby, making it easier to orient yourself. Also, discmaps are located at regular intervals in the city to give a 10-minute radius snapshot of the area right around you.

4. Chicago, IL
It is very easy to get around the Windy City on foot. The streets of Chicago, IL, are laid out in an easy-to-navigate grid system that makes finding your way a breeze. Want to explore a neighborhood on foot? Take advantage of the Chicago Greeter program, offering free guided tours.

3. Boston, MA
Home to the Freedom Trail, Boston, MA, has long been an interesting place to take a walk. Now the city is doing even more to encourage Bostonians to hoof it with WalkBoston, a program that offers awards to businesses and individuals that come up with ideas to make walking in Boston safer and more attractive to the everyday pedestrian.

2. San Francisco, CA
You would think a city known for hills, twists and turns would not be the best for a pedestrian, but San Francisco, CA, ranks high on WalkScore’s list of cities. The City by the Bay has a loyal and vocal pedestrian base as evidenced by Walk San Francisco, a pedestrian advocacy group dedicated to making the city a better place for those who choose to travel it by foot.

1. New York, NY
Walking is one of the most common forms of getting around in the Big Apple. New York, NY, tops the WalkScore list with a whopping score: 85 out of 100! The most walkable neighborhoods in the most walkable U.S. city include Little Italy, Soho and the Flat Iron District.

Well, there you have it: the countdown of the top walkable cities in the country. Check the list to see whether your city is ranked. If yours is not quite the pedestrian’s dream you want it to be, you might want to get involved in a local walking movement to make your city a better place to get around on foot.

Photo credit: Shutterstock / Artens

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Being an empty nester gives you a great opportunity to see the country and the world.

You’ve finally got the kids out of the apartment and living independently. But what do you do now that you don’t have to plan vacations around school schedules or research kid-friendly destinations?

Taking vacations without the kids can be an adjustment. Follow our tips below to plan a great trip and have a good time even though your little birds have left the nest.

Go when you want
No kids? No need to plan a vacation around their school’s schedule. Enjoy the peace and quiet—and cheaper hotel rates—of going during off-peak times of the year. Before you go, check out Travelope, a real-time website aggregator that provides customers with the best deals on hotel, airfare, cruises and rental cars.

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Choose grown-up destinations
Theme parks like Disney World bring out the kid in all of us, but sometimes it’s fun to do things a bit more relaxed and laid back. Avoid the kid-crowded beaches and hit up some historic city you’ve always wanted to visit, or take in a museum. Rent a cabin in the mountains and get back to nature. You could also try one of these wonderful tourist cities:

• New Orleans, La. A historic city with French roots and a distinct culture, New Orleans is a great destination for empty nesters. If you’re a music lover, there are a number of venues where you can take in a great jazz show. Don’t miss strolling through the quaint French Quarter.

• Portland, Ore. Pacific Northwestern charm and a vibrant, artistic feel mark this beautiful city. Nature lovers will enjoy exploring this green town and its mountainous environs, as nearby Mount Hood is only 50 miles east. Experience the local farm-to-table food scene at the Portland Farmers Market, which has locations all over the city.

• Charleston, S.C. This popular coastal city boasts live entertainment venues, a gorgeous seaside atmosphere, plenty of shopping and a burgeoning food scene that emphasizes local flavors. Can’t miss stops include Rainbow Row, known for its colorful historic houses, and the Battery, which stretches along the lower shores of the city.

• Raleigh, N.C. Museum-goers will love this beautiful city located in the Research Triangle metropolitan region. Stroll through the permanent collection at the North Carolina Museum of Art, or check out the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, now ranked as the top tourist attraction in the state.

Travel
Being an empty nester gives you a great opportunity to see the country and the world. Instead of the usual spring break hot spots, check out Mexico or Europe, or travel to a region you’ve always wanted to see but never had the chance. Websites like Groupon, Vacationist and Jetsetter often offer great deals on exotic travel packages, so keep your options open and be spontaneous, and you might just have the trip of a lifetime.

Photo credit: iStockphoto/amriphoto

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Being flexible with your travel dates can help save money on spring break.

But if you think that being on a budget will put a damper on your travel plans, not to worry. Get out of your apartment and away from the books for spring break by following these easy tips to let loose on the cheap.

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Visit a big city
There are plenty of cities with tons to offer that aren’t popular spring break hangouts. For the budget-conscious, that means great rates on hotel rooms and less crowds. Check out sites like Priceline for cheap hotel rates, and find out about city passes that let you pay one low price for several attractions.

Check resorts for special offers
If you start early and look for bargains on resort special offer pages, you can get a great spring break deal at popular destinations like Orlando and Disney World.

Track your airfare online
Once you have your flight booked, that’s no reason to not be on the lookout for a cheaper rate. You might be in for a better deal if the price drops. Use an online tracking system like Yapta to keep track of your flight for you. If the rate drops, Yapta helps you get a refund for the difference, meaning you may be able to lock in the better deal before you fly.

Become a voluntourist
Voluntourism is a new trend increasing in popularity, where people — usually civic-minded college students — combine their vacation with helping others in need. One popular voluntourist destination is New Orleans, where you can soak up the ambiance of this popular destination while helping those still affected by storm damage. Doing an Internet search on the word voluntourism will pull up tons of opportunities from all over the world, and in many locations grateful locals are happy to offer discounts on accommodations.

Visit a national park
National parks in the U.S. and Canada fill up in summer, making campsites hard to come by and costly, but during spring break they are less crowded and not as expensive. Take a canoe trip through the longest mangrove forest on Florida’s East coast at Biscayne National Park, or compete in a scavenger hunt at Great Smoky Mountains National Park. And, best of all, if you visit during National Park Week, which runs from April 22 – 26, 2013, you can experience the beauty of a national park without paying an entrance fee.

Take a trip to Europe
Like national parks, Europe doesn’t hit its peak tourist season until summer, which makes spring break a great time to go for a visit. It might mean starting your spring break a little early or ending it a little late, but the lower cost and sheer cultural value more than makes up for it.

Be flexible about when you go
If you aren’t in college, have young kids and hate noise and crowds, define your own spring break. Arriving three or four days before spring break typically starts, or one or two days after it ends, can mean big savings on rooms and attractions, not to mention less noise and crowding at your favorite tourist spots. Spring break dates usually vary anyway depending on the college, so check with lodgings at your destination to find out when that area’s local schools let the kids out to party.

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If you’re an art lover, check out the creative energy near Greenville’s Far West End neighborhood.

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Far West End
Formerly known as the Pendleton Street Arts District, this part of town was rebranded in early 2012 to bring awareness to the area as an arts district as well as bring merchants and investors in. Today, this area is an eclectic mix of bohemian gallery spaces, coffee shops and boutiques spotlighting local, artisan goods, and residents of apartments for rent in Greenville that find themselves in the Far West End are never far from the creative energy.

First Fridays Art Walk
Nestled in the Far West End you’ll find the Village of West Greenville, which is home to more than 40 local artists. Join local art lovers on the First Fridays Art Walk, a local gallery crawl where you’ll see work from local painters, potters, fabric artists, photographers, sculptors and so much more, just minutes from Greenville apartments for rent. In between galleries, pop into The Happy Biscuit Southern Café (54 Louis Ave., Greenville, SC 29611) and grab a bite to eat.

Festivals
Greenville is a hotbed of artistic festivals that occur every year. The Indie Craft Parade, held every September, features handmade art from artists all across the Southeast. For a taste of something more professional, residents of Greenville apartments should check out the West Greenville Arts Festival, which features up to 40 local artists as well as a number of juried visiting regional artists. And the spring brings Artisphere, a dynamic three day art street festival, which features local and regional artists, as well as food, crafts and games.

Greenville Open Studios
Greenville Open Studios is an annual weekend event which opens the studios of local artists to the public and showcases their work. Usually occurring in the fall, Greenville Open Studios began as a way to increase awareness about the art scene in Greenville and has evolved into one of the most-loved events in the city, giving the public a rare glimpse into the artistic process. If you’re living in apartments for rent in Greenville, this is definitely a must-see event.

Photo credit: iStockphoto/DenisTangneyJr

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If you’re only staying in Seattle for a short period of time, be sure to check these places out, including Pike Place Market.

If you’re temporarily relocating to Seattle with your company, enjoying a sabbatical or looking for a place in between leases, Apartment Guide is there with resources and an easy-to-use apartment finder tool to help you find the perfect short term rental. Luckily for you, Seattle is home to gorgeous neighborhoods that have unique personalities and styles, so finding a place that feels like home should be a breeze in this beautiful Pacific Northwest city.

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Refine your search on ApartmentGuide.com and select short term apartments in Seattle where you’ll find dozens of options. Whether you’re searching for an apartment that allows pets, one that offers a gym or a furnished apartment, you can narrow your search further by using the advanced search feature.

More about Seattle:
Settle Into One of These Seattle Neighborhoods
Student Living in Seattle

Make the most of your time while renting a short term apartment in Seattle. Nestled in the breathtaking Pacific Northwest, Seattle has lots to offer its residents – even those staying for a short period of time. To make the most of your time in Seattle, here are a few things to add to your Seattle bucket list.

Landmarks
Be sure to snap at least one picture of yourself in front of these famous Seattle landmarks.

• Space Needle – Originally designed for the World’s Fair in 1961, this monument now serves as a prominent symbol for Seattle. Go 600 feet up and step out onto the observation deck for breathtaking 360-degree views of the city. 400 Broad St., Seattle, WA 98102
• Original Starbucks – It seems like there’s one on every corner, but there’s something special about the original Starbucks. The store retains its original façade from 1971. 1912 Pike Place, Seattle, WA 98101

• Pike Place Market – This unique market offers up hundreds of vendors, street performers, farmers and craftspeople. Explore the market, watch the fish fly and try some of the best food around. First Avenue and Pike Street, Seattle, WA 98101

The Great Outdoors
Surrounded by natural beauty, Seattle has lots of recreational activities to offer its residents. Here are a few suggestions.

• Fishing – Seattle has lots of places to go fish. Choose a guided tour with experienced anglers, or throw a line off a pier.
• Ballard Locks – This popular spot, linking Puget Sound to the Ship Canal, which connects eastward to Lake Union and Lake Washington, allows locals and tourists to watch the parade of sailboats, motorboats, yachts and tugs to pass through, as the locks’ water levels are adjusted to allow their safe passage. The fish ladder, located here, is a great spot to watch salmon pass between fresh and salt water. There are glass panels below the water line, which allow visitors to watch the fish as they swim through the ladder. 3015 NW 54th St., Seattle, WA 98107
• Bainbridge Island – One thing you must experience is taking a trip across the open waters of Puget Sound. Take a 35-minute ride on one of the Bainbridge Island ferries, which takes you from Seattle to Bainbridge Island. You’ll have a great view of the city skyline from the deck, as well as inside of the ferry. 270 Olympic Drive SE, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110

Dine Well
Eat fresh, locally grown food at one of these favorite Seattle spots.

• Breakfast – Head over to the Capitol Hill neighborhood and check out Volunteer Park Café. This cute neighborhood spot makes you feel like a local, and the food keeps you satisfied and coming back for more. Order a cup of coffee to go with your blueberry scone, or try the caramelized banana brioche French toast. 1501 17th Ave. E., Seattle, WA 98112
• Lunch – Right in the heart of Pike Place Market sits Market Grill. Order a bowl of freshly-made chowder or a fresh halibut sandwich. 1509 Pike Place, Suite 3, Seattle, WA 98101
• Mid-Day Snack – Roaming Pike Place Market works up an appetite. Follow your nose to Le Panier where you’ll find fresh baked goodies, including breads, croissants, pastries and macarons. 190 Pike Place, Seattle, WA 98101
• Dinner – Check out The Walrus and the Carpenter, a Ballard neighborhood favorite. Get in early, grab a cocktail and get ready for a delicious meal. Oyster lovers, this is the place to go. You won’t be disappointed with the oyster sampler. 4743 Ballard Ave. NW, Seattle, WA 98107
• Dessert – Treat yourself to chocolate before dinner at Theo Chocolate in Fremont. Make reservations for the one-hour tour, where you’ll learn about the cacao fruit, as well as the process of making chocolate. The best part? You get lots of chocolate samples along the way. 3400 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98103

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Check out a few of the hippest neighborhoods in the United States, according to Forbes Magazine.

Forbes has ranked the hippest neighborhoods in the United States. By looking at key factors like which neighborhoods are home to people with artistic jobs, a large concentration of farmers’ markets and food trucks, and high walkability scores, the magazine’s research turned up some of the most interesting spots to hang out in the country.

The top three they found, in order, are:
• Silver Lake in Los Angeles, Calif.
• The Mission District in San Francisco, Calif.
• Williamsburg, Brooklyn, N.Y.

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But what about the other hip hangouts from the twenty places featured?

Here are five of our faves.

#5 Pearl District, Portland, Ore.
Portland, Ore., has always enjoyed a hipster vibe, but over the years, the Pearl District has transitioned from abandoned warehouses to a quadrant packed with coffeehouses, restaurants, hotels, art galleries and studios. It’s walking distance to the Portland Farmer’s Market and is home to some of the most colorful places to spend time with friends. Hip hangouts include bustling brewpubs like BridgePort Brewpub, Deschutes Brewery & Public House and Rogue Ales Distillery & Public House.

#10 Warehouse District, New Orleans, La.
The Warehouse District is the newest place to see and be seen in New Orleans, La. This industrial area near the river is where famous chef Emeril Lagasse opened his first restaurant. The ‘hood continues to get hipper with unique Southern eateries like Cochon and spots like Spun Cafe at the Contemporary Arts Center. Plus, if you get tired of Zydeco music, you can head to the Howlin’ Wolf and rock out to some hardcore hipster bands.

#12 North Loop, Minneapolis, Minn.
Again, this former warehouse district (see a pattern here?) can now be called the coolest neighborhood in Minneapolis, Minn. Plus, it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The North Loop warehouses have been converted to apartments, restaurants and boutiques, but this hip hangout also boasts some great outdoor space. The James I. Rice Parkway runs along the river with great bike trails that wind through the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway.

#14 Northern Liberties, Philadelphia, Pa.
Philadelphia has its fair share of hip neighborhoods, but Northern Liberties was the only one that made the list of the hippest in the United States. Impressive! NoLibs got one of the highest walkability scores, and it’s central to some serious nightlife. The Piazza at Schmidts always has something going on, be it music, shopping, or sports. Plus, the neighborhood hosts festivals and events nearly every week. Once you’ve had your fill of outdoor entertainment, roll on over to North Bowl and grab a lane with your pals.

#15 Hampden, Baltimore, Md.
If you live in Baltimore and are trying to find the “scene” in your city, head to the Hampden neighborhood. This kitschy, cool spot was made famous by inspiring the settings of several John Waters films. It’s the kind of place where everyone calls you “hon” — so much so, they even started their own Honfest. Imagine beehive hairdos, cat’s eye glasses and Baltimore’s Best Hon Pageant. Super hip.

There you have it, a sampling of just a few of the hippest neighborhoods in the United States.

For the full list of twenty hip hangouts, check out the Forbes magazine article online.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock / CREATISTA

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For great views of the James River, consider moving into a Richmond apartment in the Church Hill neighborhood.

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This photogenic city can be admired from several prominent spots throughout town. So whether you’re looking to gaze upon a downtown skyline, take in a tranquil park view or be charmed by historic homes, consider searching for your next apartment near one of these Richmond sites.

More about Richmond:
Find Furnished Apartments in Richmond
Which Richmond Neighborhood Suits You Best?

Riverfront Living
The Canal Walk is a concrete pathway that winds over a mile through downtown Richmond along the banks of the Haxall Canal, the Kanawha Canal and the James River. Here, historic tobacco warehouses re-purposed into lofts contrast with modern construction and colorful urban art murals. Glimpse industrial scenes or check out the beautiful park near the James River with great views of the city. At night, the downtown skyline provides a glittering backdrop that is reflected in the water, while lighting along the path enhances the atmosphere for an evening stroll.

Historic Architecture
In Richmond’s East End sits the historic Church Hill neighborhood. Included in its boundaries are sections of the oldest intact residential blocks in the city – some dating back to 1737. The hilly location provides an excellent vantage point to take in restored antebellum homes ranging from modest cottages to magnificent mansions once home to the neighborhood’s original residents, wealthy factory managers. Intricate iron grillwork surrounds porticoes fronting wide streets and decorates long verandas that lead to lush gardens. Gas street lamps and brick sidewalks along certain streets add to the area’s historic ambiance.

Nearby Libby Hill Park showcases some of the best views from Richmond apartments, capturing the curve of the James River to the south and the city skyline to the west. This is the perfect place to watch a sunset or to have a picnic on a sunny day!

Peaceful Streetscapes
Just west of downtown, The Fan is home to 85 blocks of charming houses that represent some of the finest turn-of-the-century domestic architecture standing today. Its name comes from the way the streets spread out at angles from Monroe Park at Belvidere Street to the Boulevard. This area offers magnificent vistas courtesy of the neighborhood’s historic town houses and opulent Victorian and Edwardian mansions. Sprinkled among these homes are large statues, tree-lined parks and streets, beautifully manicured courtyards and cobblestone alleys. If you can’t find enough breathtaking views from your apartment here, visit nearby Maymont Park, a 100-acre Victorian estate with a museum, formal gardens, native wildlife exhibits, nature center and carriage collection.

The next time you’re on the lookout for a new apartment for rent with spectacular city views, set Richmond, Va. in your sights!

Photo credit: iStockphoto/bookwyrmm

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