Wow, we didn’t go to Europe AT ALL this year! Where on Earth did we go? We had one major trip outside of the states to Asia, and then mainly spent a lot of time here in the United States, jetting around to some big and some small cities. My top two cities of the year might surprise you! They definitely surprised me!

5. Singapore

We were only in Singapore for an overnight layover, but no city has captured my attention so dang quickly in less than 24 hours. We ate at the incomparable Cloud Street restaurant, and explored a bit of Chinatown. Singapore grabs you the moment you arrive and begs you to return when you leave. I will definitely be coming back here to explore this vibrant, exciting, food-centric city again! Check out my overview for our quick layover here!

4. Chicago, Illinois, USA

Is it a cop-out to choose the city where you live for your top five list? I sure hope not. Chicago has long been voted one of the top large cities in the world to visit, and we really took advantage of exploring our home town to the max this year. We started the year with a membership to the Shedd Aquarium, and hung out at the Art Institute a whole bunch of times. We ate at some of our favorite restaurants, and tried some new ones, my absolute favorite being Porto, which you can read all about here! My folks moved back to Chicago from sunny California this fall, and now live right off of Michigan Avenue, so they’re excited to explore more too. I love Chicago. I love living here, and if you’re not from here and have never visited, don’t hesitate!

3. Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

We stayed just outside of Ubud at the Four Seasons Sayan for a few nights, and I wish we could’ve spent more time here. My second time to Ubud was just as special as the first, and we absolutely loved eating in this incredibly food-centric city, as well as exploring the dizzying array of shops. We loved eating at Nusantara and Hujan Locale for some traditional Indonesian food. Ubud is a great jumping-off point to see many other sites in Bali, and if you’re lucky, you can check out some of the more under-developed areas near here with a knowledgable guide, like we did on the “Can You Keep A Secret” tour through the Four Seasons. If you come to Bali, don’t miss at least a few nights in Ubud.

2. Kansas City, Missouri, USA

Kansas City was the sleeper hit of the year for sure. We were here for a mere 48 hours, but it was jam-packed with incredible culture, history, and delicious food. We came here for a Caravaggio, but we experienced so much more! From our adorable micro-boutique hotel, The Truitt, to our favorite dinner experience at Fox & Pearl, to eating world-famous BBQ at Joe’s, Kansas City truly has it all. We loved the hilly streets with parks everywhere, and the fact that you can get around anywhere in the city in under 15 minutes. They call Missouri a flyover state, but I would have to disagree. Kansas City is a real gem, and I wouldn’t hesitate to take a short trip here any time of year! Check out my recommended itinerary here!

1. Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

We come to Las Vegas very often – for a quick and relatively inexpensive getaway. I have visited this city at least 20 times in my adult life, and even one time before I turned 21, so typically Las Vegas is a bit ho-hum for me. It’s just a place we go to wam up a bit, or get away from work for a few days. The food is never super exciting (not compared to Chicago), and the hotels are.. FINE. This year, though, we came to Las Vegas twice, and they have really upped the ante (pun intended) in the last few years. Their restaurant offerings have improved significantly, with countless celebrity chefs making their second homes here. With the kids, we ate at Wakuda, which was one of my favorite restaurant experiences for the year. We also stayed at the Venetian resort, which is so huge, and so beyond impressive, that you need to stay here multiple times just to experience it all. We absolutely loved getting off the strip to check out the picturesque Valley of Fire State Park – you must rent a car and come out here for some absolutely stunning scenery! Check it all out here!

When I came for the second time, just with my husband, we came for concerts, and the new Sphere at the Venetian Resort has revolutionized audio-visuals forever. You feel like you’ve fast-forwarded 200 years into the future when you arrive at this massive venue, and watching U2 playing here was an awe-inspiring experience. Definitely check out my recommendations regarding going to the Sphere here! Some say Las Vegas is getting too expensive, or is starting to nickel-and-dime its guests, but I think they are really starting to elevate the experience beyond $5 steaks and free buffets to make it a world-class destination. Las Vegas is not super cheap anymore, but with the proposed partnership between MGM Resorts and Marriott, you’ll still be able to get some good deals on nice hotel rooms. Or splurge, and stay at a suite at the Venetian Resort or the Wynn. Las Vegas is changing, but I’m definitely here for it!