I love cities. I love wandering through side streets, looking up at giant buildings, finding hidden gems of art and amazing food, the energy, the rush, the constantly changing scenery, riding public transportation with all of the characters of the city, I love it all. Even the tired feet, weird smells, throngs of people and the confusion. Nothing invigorates my senses and creativity like a colorful, vibrant city filled with life and activity. But some cities are more than that, they are cities made for artists. Not because they have an eclectic coffee shop + museum on every corner, but because they are full of artistic inspiration in a more non direct way. They are colorful, creative, weird, quirky. They make you feel alive in a way only vivid colors can. When I'm in these cities I am in awe of the hands of every artisan who carved out each stone that makes up that city, from the cab drivers to the architects to the graffiti artist to the guy who built a mountain out of trash. I love them all and want to celebrate them for all the genius they brought to the world, mostly unknowingly.Yes, being in nature refreshes my soul and resets my mind which factory resets me back to my necessary and natural peaceful state. But when I want inspiration, I go to the city. I want to see the natural way all the humans have melted their lives into one another and this space and created this giant explosion of creativity. Here is a list of my top favorite cities for wandering and soaking in the inspiration that is the city its self. There are a lot more that I could have added, but these give me that perfect experience every time.
New York City
It would be remiss not to start with my first true love of a city. This entire city is a work of art from the melding of buildings, the colorful citizens, the blur of yellow cabs, the delight of central park, the mixture of smells of sewage and delicious pretzels. When wandering this city it is impossible not to be swept up in the buzz of life and will ignite your desire to create something, anything.
Charleston, SC
I learned here that you a city can house your soul and refresh it all while waking it up. The weeping willows overlap the vibrant colorful row houses, while the sea sends you gentle greetings. Charleston is southern architecture and food at its finest. There is no greater place to feel alive and be soothed. This is my favorite city to imagine the lives of those who live in the most beautiful houses I'll ever see. They live very Gatsby lives if you ask me. Imagining other people's lives in one of my favorite and most creative travel activities.
Istanbul, Turkey
This city surprised me more than any other. I expected nothing when we arrived and received more than my share of an explosion of inspiration and awe. Just in one square block is the most overwhelming feeling of beauty and awe I have ever felt. The Masque, the bazaar, the street vendors, shops with doors open, color and flowers everywhere. This city is clearly a mixture of love, life, art, beauty and devotion.
Palm Springs, CA
There is no better place to find quirky art + natural beauty. This town, and its surrounding desert lands, pack a vibrant punch that you cannot replicate elsewhere. The roots of modernism are very deep here, so you get this vintage, eclectic, but new and forward feel of people who know who they are, what they love and just go for it. Everything, every place, every meal is a full on experience in beauty and taste and adventure. This city makes me feel free and classic and relaxed and excited for all the possibilities to come.
Hoi An, Vietnam
This city is living, breathing art. It's as if the greatest artisans of the world created a beloved homage to art with the detailed architecture, then left it to nature to run its course of growing vines and creeping plants all over each place, then the makers came back in and turned every inch of it into an artists delight. Every building is unique, colorful and has that beautiful crackle from being worn down over time, but is aging very classy. Each door is open to the world and is full of handmade goods. The food is eclectic and all specialized. The people are kind. This city is small, but a year here could not show you every glorious detail hidden in each nook and cranny.
Victoria, Canada
In the summer, you ride a ferry through the most beautiful sea, littered with islands, that you'll ever see. Then you arrive on Victoria Island and realize that yes, you are in a fairy tale. The sea meets the city and the harbor is full of beautiful boats traveling to and from exotic lands. The giant, ancient buildings of Parliament and the grandeur of old hotels create a shocking juxtaposition to the yachts docked out front of them. But the blooms, they unite it all in a perfect love affair for the senses. You wander the streets of tall, tiled and deco buildings who are works of are on their own, to be drawn inside by modern art and design and paper stores. Eat a meal on the docks, from food trucks, walk through a local market with live bands playing and watch the sunset and you will believe that fairy tales are real.
Busan, Korea
This city was literally built for art and bonus, right on the sea. The Koreans have taken no shortcuts, left out no color. The whole city is a treat for all the senses, but Gamcheon Cultural Village is a shining example of a community committed to art and beauty. The residents have all painted their houses to give you a small glimpse of how colorful the world truly is. The city is full of daring monuments, feats by men and nature, food you cannot even begin to fathom and art. So much art. And kindness. Truly this is the city that could save our world.
Seoul, Korea
Seoul has taken the term 'a city on a hill' to a who new level. With one of the largest populations in the world, they found a beautiful mountain range and then built all the skyscrapers they could fit into its nooks and crannies. Everywhere you turn here you are either at a building that looks like swiss cheese or on the top of a mountain or lost in a sea of street art or musicians performing or the palace guard changing or eating the street food of your dreams. Every corner is a new adventure. They mix contemporary and traditional in new ways no other city can. There is life in every inch of this city and you will buzz along with it. You couldn't stop your creation senses from tingling if you tried.
Honorable Mentions:
- Every town in Europe
- Dubrovnik, Croatia
- Strasbourg, France
- Siem Reap, Cambodia
- St Petersburg, Russia
Exploring cities is one of my favorite activities when I need a boost of inspiration. When I want to flood my senses with activities, triggers, ideas and emotions. I always carry a notebook with me and write, scribble, paint, doodle, glue in, everything that peaks my interest. Patterns, colors, words, stories, ideas. I created a whole course called Travel Like An Artist where I teach how you I soak in the inspiration, capture it and translate it into art. Enroll in the class today to learn how to turn your own exploration into art. What about you? What is your favorite city to be inspired by?