Almost every city anywhere in North America (or anywhere else in the world, with a few exceptions from time to time) has scenes that could be described as beautiful AS WELL AS scenes that some might call ugly. Since beauty is in the eye of the beholder, much of a city's beauty -- photographically -- depends on who is clicking the shutter.
I was born in Washington DC, so naturally I am just a bit biased. For most of my life I've driven past -- and taken for granted -- all those tourist attractions that seem to drive so many tourists crazy when they see them for the first time. No need to describe all the beautiful buildings and monuments; most of you have seen them all on TV already.
Designed with geographic precision by the Marquis de Lafayette while the US Government was still in Philadelphia, Washington DC is probably the most photographed and filmed city in the world. But the really spectacular scenarios to me are the ones I see flying home, a few miles out of the airport, whether day or night. For fans of the TV show NCIS, one great scene is at the end of each show, showing the US Capitol Building from a distance, looking due South down North Capitol Street. Funny, I always notice it on TV, but I've driven that way so many times, it's a scene I guess I've always taken for granted.
So my #1 vote absolutely must go to Washington DC, the most exciting city in the world.
My #2 vote goes to Seattle WA.
I've driven all over Seattle and seen all parts of the city from the air in all directions, and much of Seattle's various shorelines also from one of the Ferries on Puget Sound. Oh yeah, from inside the Space Needle too, which has a dining room that revolves once an hour to display an ever-changing scenario. If you get up from your table (which is in the rotating section) to go to the bathroom (bathrooms, kitchen, elevators, gift shop are all on a stationary platform in the center), your table will have moved by the time you get back. Menu is varied and tasty, and the view is spectacular.
My #3 vote goes to Alexandria VA, especially its "Old Town" section.
First settled in 1695. Major port for tobacco trade; popular tourist attraction; fascinating architecture along the Potomac River; beautiful from the air, from the deck of one of the popular side-wheeler boats on the Potomac, or on a walking tour of the historic buildings along Old Town's cobblestoned streets. Don't miss Gadsby's Tavern, the neighborhood bar where George Washington recruited his first command in preparation for our initial skirmish with the Brits.
Danville VA gets my #4 vote. It's just a really pretty city.
Straddling the gently meandering Dan River, the City of Danville was once home to Dan River Mills, the largest cotton fabric producer in the world; and had also been home to the "World's Best Tobacco Market", established in 1793. Danville is reputed to have the largest number (and variety) of churches per capita of anyplace in the United States, and also contains numerous (mostly fully restored) historical mansions that once belonged to wealthy industrialists who had made their millions in tobacco and cotton. Once the last Capital of the Confederacy, today Danville is rapidly becoming the technological gateway to the south. However, it still manages to retain its antique charm from ages past.