Top 10 places to visit in the U.S. this summer

San Francisco has been listed as the best place in America to visit, according to U.S. News & World Report. Top tourist attractions include Chinatown, which is the oldest Chinatown in North America, and the Golden Gate Bridge, which has been the backdrop for numerous films, including Superman (1978), Star Trek (2009), and X-Men: The Last Stand (2006).Travel site Kayak.com offers flights from New York in mid-August for $432, from Miami for $410, and from Chicago for $398. Travel website Expedia.com has flights from New York for $472, from Miami for $380, and from Chicago for $357. (For reference, the prices we checked reflect roundtrip airfare departing Aug. 18, with an Aug. 23 return.)U.S. News & World Report used a user and expert score system to come up with the rankings; it includes readers' votes, travel guides, articles and interviews.

Washington, D.C.

The capital of the United States is second on the top ten list of cities to visit this summer, which is no surprise considering the number of historical sites and landmarks. For those who want to check out fine dining restaurants and visit museums, check out DuPont Circle; if you want to shop, head to Friendship Heights, which has stores such as Lord & Taylor and Bloomingdale's. Flights from New York are available in mid-August for $130 on Kayak, from Miami for $232, and from Chicago for $258. Flights are $150 on Expedia from New York, $232 from Miami, and $258 from Chicago.

San Diego

San Diego, Calif., was listed as the number three U.S. city to visit. The city boasts 33 beaches. After you hit the beach, you can check out a free car show featuring vintage cars in La Mesa Village, which will be taking place every Thursday night during the months of June through August. In addition to the car show, visitors can go shopping, listen to live music, and eat at the many local restaurants. Flights from New York in mid-August cost $412 on Kayak, $470 from Miami, and $372 from Chicago. Flights cost $384 on Expedia from New York, $477 from Miami, and $371 from Chicago.This photo offers a view of the Coronado Bridge Nov. 2, 2001.

New York

It is no surprise that this global city made the top ten list of places to visit in the U.S. This urban business center drew around 50 million tourists last year, with attractions such as Madison Square Garden, the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and Central Park, just to name a few. Even for New York residents, there are endless activities to take part in, from dining at new restaurants to attending a Broadway play. From Los Angeles, flights to New York cost $410 on Kayak, $186 from Chicago, and $269 from Miami. Using Expedia, flights from Los Angeles cost $406, from Chicago flights are $245, and from Miami, $269.

Yellowstone

The first national park in the world, Yellowstone, is a renowned tourist spot and made it to number five on the list of places to visit in the U.S. Established in 1872, this park has three million visitors annually, due in large part to the magnificent Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, which is 20 miles long and one of the most scenic highlights at Yellowstone. On Kayak, flights from New York in mid-August will cost $617, $531 from Miami, and $532 from Chicago. On Expedia, flights from New York cost $513, $714 from Miami, and $515 from Chicago. The nearest airports are Jackson Hole (JAC) and Yellowstone Airport (WYS).In this photo, a view of the "Sunset Lake" hot spring can be seen in Yellowstone National Park, Wyo. on June 1, 2011.

Maui

Often recognized by travel magazines as one of the most exotic vacation destinations, Maui, Hawaii, made it to number six on the list of top ten places to visit by U.S. News & World Report. Whether you end up at Lahaina, a historic whaling village, Haleakala National Park, which is home to Maui's highest peak, or end up laying on one of the beautiful beaches, Maui has a lot to offer for vacation goers. Kayak offers trips to the island of Maui for $846 from New York, $839 from Chicago, and $952 from Miami. Round-trip flights using Expedia will cost around $926 in mid-August from New York, $901 from Chicago, and $952 from Miami. The airport these prices are based on is Kahului (OGG).This photo shows a scenic view during the second round of the Hyundai Tournament of Champions at the Plantation course on Jan. 7, 2011 in Kapalua.

U.S. Virgin Islands

Whether you are seeking relaxation or adventure, the U.S. Virgin Islands offer things to do for everyone - from sunbathing on a beach resort to going on a scenic hiking trail, St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas are unforgettable island paradises. A trip to St. Thomas from New York will cost $334 on Kayak, $263 from Miami, $416 from Los Angeles, and $375 from Chicago. From New York, flights cost $335 on Expedia, $277 from Miami, $419 from Los Angeles, and $374 from Chicago.Seen here is the 13th hole, the beginning of the Devil's Triangle, a 327-yard, par four, at Mahogany Run Golf Course in St. Thomas, the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Chicago

The "Windy City" is the third most populous city in the U.S. With attractions such as Millennium Park, which boasts world-class architecture, and the Navy Pier, which has eight million visitors annually, there are activities that match everyone's interests. On Kayak, round-trip flights cost $186 from New York, $291 from Los Angeles, and $294 from Miami. From New York, tickets on Expedia are $263 in mid-August, $ from Los Angeles, and $294 from Miami.In this photo, the Buckingham Fountain can be seen from the roof of the Hilton Hotel in Grant Park along the shores of Lake Michigan.

Honolulu

51998451(1).jpg — Donald Miralle/Getty Images

Honolulu, the capital of Hawaii, offers historic landmarks such as Pearl Harbor, botanical gardens that have rare tropical plants, entertainment, and gorgeous beaches with live coral and tropical fish. A flight from New York to Honolulu costs $733 in mid-August on both Kayak and Expedia. From Los Angeles, flights on Kayak cost $559 and $558 on Expedia, from Miami, flights cost $954 on Kayak and $926 on Expedia.In this photo, a school of manini fish pass over a coral reef at Hanauma Bay on Jan. 15, 2005 in Honolulu.

Yosemite

Yosemite National Park made it on the top ten list this year. Yosemite was the home of Ahwaneechee Indians for thousands of years, and boasts major attractions including Yosemite Falls, the tallest waterfall in North America, and historical memorial lodges and mining sites. Flights from New York to Yosemite in mid-August cost $398 on Kayak, and ticket prices on Expedia range vastly, from $446 to $859. From Miami, tickets on Kayak cost $554 and $362 from Chicago. On Expedia, tickets from Miami cost $580 and from Chicago, $486. The closest airports to the national park are Mammoth Lakes (MMH) and Merced (MCE).This photo shows Yosemite Falls on October 29, 2003, in Yosemite National Park.Check out the complete list of U.S. News & World Report's top vacation spots.