The Great Cities of North America by Drone

North America is home to some of the world’s most powerful and influential cities. While the city wasn't invented in North America, it was definitely perfected here, and cities such as New York, Chicago, Toronto, and Mexico City have some of the world's most impressive skylines. Check out aerial views of these and other great cities of North America, such as Los Angeles, Miami, Montreal, Boston, Seattle, Guadalajara, Atlanta, and Philadelphia many more in this compilation created by AirVuz.

In this video, award-winning contributor Majestic takes the city dronelapse genre to a new level with a stunning aerial tour of New York City.  The video opens with a shot of the skyscrapers around Times Square on the west side of Midtown.  From there it will take you to the downtown Financial District and the adjacent World Trade Center at golden hour, back to Midtown, around the East River bridges connecting Manhattan to Brooklyn and Queens, and much more.  It's easily one of the best drone videos of the Big Apple we've seen anywhere.  

Prepare to be blown away by this spectacular dronelapse of Mexico City, the largest urban center of the Western Hemisphere.  Award-winning contributor Postandfly used a DJI Mavic Pro 2 to create an unforgettable time-lapsed aerial view of this massive city on the plateau known as the Mexican Valley.  Originally the great Aztec 14th century city called Tenochtitlan, it went on to became the de facto capital of Spain's once-vast overseas empire and today is the financial capital of Latin America.  

Content creator and drone pilot Tdheyen created this amazing aerial portrait of his native Los Angeles.  With footage of the city's skyscrapers and surrounding freeway system, so vital to the lifeblood of this city with historically limited public transportation, the video shows the Southern California metropolis at its very finest.  The video ends with an epic shot of Dodger Stadium in Chavez Ravine, with the skyline behind it.  Enjoy the aerial views of La La Land in this amazing production! 

It is all about the "Art of Endurance" in this amazing drone production. Drone Media Chicago captures the 'Windy City' in all its glory from above.  The video begins with an aerial shot of the skyline from the Navy Pier area and it proceeds to overhead shots of the financial district, aerials of the bridges over the Chicago River and the tracks of the Loop, bird's eye views of Lake Shore Drive, and skyscrapers galore.  This video is nominated in the Cities category for the 2nd annual Drone Video Awards. 

Top contributor Majestic, winner of one of the first Drone Video of the Week awards, is the master of drone timelapse photography - particularly with major cities around the world.  In this video, you'll get a marvelous dronelapse view of Toronto, Canada.  Shot at night, the video brilliantly brings to life this city on Lake Ontario, the center of a metropolis of over 7 million.  Watch it for the amazing perspective of one of the most impressive skylines amongst the North American cities.  

This wonderful 4K San Francisco piece by FrameworkFilms opens with some outstanding shots of the San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge, looking west toward the Financial District. At the 1:35 mark, there's an epic view of Coit Tower on Russian Hill looking at the same scene from the northwest.  Here you'll get very clear views of the city's three tallest buildings as of 2019 - the Salesforce Tower, Bank of America Center, and the Transamerica Pyramid. Other shots include the Golden Gate Bridge, great timelapses of downtown, and more. 

Top AirVuz contributor RG Drones put together this DVOW nominated aerial collage of Miami, Florida, one of the USA's most visually impactful cities.  The video opens with shots of Miami Beach, the island community on the east side of the Biscayne Bay which has become one of the world's most glamorous spots.  Here you'll see the cruise ships which dock on Dodge Island and sail past Miami Beach's South Pointe through the Government Cut Channel.  You'll also be treated to some excellent views of Hard Rock Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins.

Lone Star Drones put together this nice reel of his best drone footage from Houston, Texas.  Watch it for bird's eye views of the following locations of Greater Houston:  (1) the downtown skyline; (2) Minute Maid Park; (3) the Museum of Natural History; (4) Hermann Park; (5) NRG Stadium and the Astrodome; (6) Rice University; (7) the University of Houston; (8) the NASA Johnson Space Center; (9) the Port of Houston; (10) the San Jacinto Monument; (11) the USS Texas battleship; (12) the UofH's TDECU Stadium.      

Dallas, Texas, known as “The Big D,” is the center of the Dallas Ft. Worth Metroplex, one of the largest  metro areas in the United States. Thanks in part to recent investments in massive stadium complexes, Dallas-For Worth can lay credible claim to being the sports capital of the USA.  AirVuz produced this mini-documentary of the Dallas sports scene, which features aerial views of the impressive Dallas skyline as well as AT&T Stadium, Global Life Park, American Airlines Arena, and more.  

Contributor ChrisDantonio used a Phantom 4 Pro Obsidian to create this epic drone video of Philadelphia's skyline. Once limited by the height of its City Hall, the city now has one of the country's most impressive skylines. At the :20 mark, you'll see the city's five tallest buildings, from left to right: Comcast Technology Center, Comcast Center, the BNY Mellon Building, One Libert Place, and Two Liberty Place.  All have been built since 1987, when the informal height restriction was lifted.

Check out this amazing aerial tour of Boston, shot on a DJI Mavic 2 Pro drone by AirVuz contributor and pilot Blaze.  The video opens with an epic shot over the Charles River towards the MIT campus in Cambridge, followed by amazing views of the Financial District and Back Bay.  Most of the video is focused on two of the best known spots in the Boston Area, a legendary sports town: Fenway Park in South Boston and Gillette Stadium in suburban Foxborough, home of the Red Sox and New England Patriots, respectively.

Atlanta, Georgia is the largest city in the Southeastern USA.  Home to the world's busiest airport, Atlanta is the primary transportation hub for the region.  Home to some of the country's largest corporations, the city rose to international prominence when it hosted the Olympic Game in 1996.  In this video, contributor Marco Hernandez gives us a remarkable aerial tour of this southern metropolis, which as a much smaller city was famously burned to the ground during the US Civil War and was later the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King.

Reel Aerials created this highly stylized drone video of Detroit, often known as the Motor City.  The city is situated on the Detroit River in eastern Michigan.  Detroit is credited with giving birth to the modern automobile and is still considered the worldwide center of the industry.  From roughly 1920 to 1940, it was the fourth largest city in the country.  While declining auto industry employment has caused a dramatic loss of population (totalling over 60% from peak), it's currently experiencing a renaissance.  

Top contributor Jay Christensen brings us this masterpiece of a drone reel from his home city of Minneapolis. The film uses a variety of drone footage to show the empty downtowns due to the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown, as well as the protests, rioting, and devastation following the death of George Floyd at the hands of four Minneapolis police officers on Memorial Day, which triggered some of the most serious racial unrest in the USA in decades.  Also seen are empty Target Field, US Bank Stadium, Target Center, Excel Center, and Allianz Field. 

Montreal is the largest city in the Canadian province of Quebec and the second largest city in Canada.  It stands in stark contrast to its larger, flashier "neighbor" Toronto, which lies about 540 km (around 320 mi.) to its southwest.  What Montreal lacks in skyscrapers though it makes up for in culture, with a unique blend of French and English heritage.  Contributor Dizfilms created this epic drone video of the great city on the St. Lawrence River, which is also known for being the second largest French-speaking city after Paris.

Cleveland, Ohio is one of the largest cities in the USA's Midwest.  It is situated on the southern shore of Lake Erie, one of the Great Lakes.  Cleveland was once known as the Buckle of the Rustbelt for its leading role in America's key manufacturing sectors.  While it is still a leading industrial center, the city has seen its waterfront transformed in recent years with new stadiums and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  In this video, contributor Droneloop gives us a brief but epic aerial tour of this storied city.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is the largest city within the Appalachian region of the USA.  Built on the site of Fort Pitt, the city sits at the point where the Allegheny River joins the Monangahela to form the Ohio.  Pittsburgh rose to prominence as the center of the US steel industry, once the country's biggest economic engine.  Perspectrum used a DJI Inspire 2 drone to create this impressive aerial video of the city's skyscrapers, which include the headquarters of US Steel - at one point the world's largest corporation.

The Inner Harbor of Baltimore, Maryland was once one of the busiest shipping ports in the United States.  As shipping technology progressed, the port's shallow waters could not accommodate the larger ships, and the port was relocated to deeper waters further east.  Eventually the Inner Harbor area was redeveloped into an entertainment/mixed use district.  Airuz contributor and pilot Eyes in the Sky used DJI Phantom 4 drone to create this aerial view of the Inner Harbour area, with downtown Baltimore in the background.  

Nashville is a city on the Cumberland River in the state of Tennessee, in the southeastern United States.  Nashville is the largest city in the Volunteer State, and for years has been one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the country.  In this impressive video, contributor BBloss flies a drone over Nashville and creates a beautiful aerial portrait of this city, whose Grand Ole Opry venue is known as the worldwide center of the multibillion dollar country music industry.    

Contributor armando_martinez created this beautiful drone video of Denver, Colorado on a typically bright and sunny morning.  Nicknamed the Mile High City because of its altitude, Denver now has a metropolitan population of around 3 million, making it (by a considerable margin) the largest city in the entire Rocky Mountain region.  It is situated near the base of the range in northeastern Colorado, where the Great Plains transition to the alpine environment of America's largest mountain range.  

It would be hard to overstate the importance of the Williamette River to the city of Portland, Oregon.  The second-largest city of the Pacific Northwest derives its nickname from the many bridges which span the waterway, a major tributary to the Columbia River. In this video by  Drone One Media, you'll get bird's eye view of some of the spans of Bridge City, including the Fremont Bridge (the world's second-longest tiered-arch bridge), the Steel Bridge (a lift bridge), the Broadway Bridge, and more.   

Tampa is the largest city on the west coast of Florida.  It sits on Tampa Bay, which opens up into the Gulf of Mexico.  The metropolitan area, the second largest in Florida after Miami, is often called Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater in reference to the two smaller cities which lie on the other side of the bay.  The area is home to over three million Floridians.  Top contributor Tampa Randy flew a drone over the lovely Southeastern city at dusk to create this amazing aerial video.  

Check out this outstanding drone video of Monterrey, Mexico, compliments of  contributor thedroneexperience.  The capital of the northeastern city of Nueva Leon, Monterrey is the core of the second-largest metropolitan area in the country after Greater Mexico City.  A major industrial center and one of Mexico's wealthiest cities, Monterrey lies at the foothills of the Sierra Madre Oriental.  The video features footage of sites such as the Monterrey Cathedral and the under-construction Torres Obispado, soon to be Mexico's tallest skyscraper.

Prepare to be blown away by this sunrise aerial view of Vancouver, Canada, compliments of AirVuz contributor and pilot bunlee.  The largest city in the western province of British Columbia, Vancouver is the center of Canada's third-largest metropolitan area after Toronto and Montreal.  Frequently ranked amongst the world's half-dozen most desirable places to live, it's the most densely populated city in North America.  The video features footage of the city's downtown, the Burrard Inlet, the Fraser River, and more.

Check out this fantastic drone video of Austin, Texas, compliments of brand-new contributor HerronSkyView.  The capital of the Lone Star State, Austin is situated on the banks of the Colorado River, roughly equidistant between San Antonio and Houston.  Once a somewhat sleepy town, in recent decades Austin has become one of America's fastest growing cities, as well as one of its leading tech centers.   The video features some excellent footage of the city itself as well as some of the many outdoor events which take place here.  

Check out this amazing "tilt shift" drone video of the great Mexican city of Guadalajara.  Capital of the state of Jalisco in Central Mexico, Guadalajara is Mexico's second largest city after Mexico City and one of its greatest cultural centers.  It's the center of a metropolitan area of over 5 million, also the country's second largest.  The city was founded by the Spanish conquistadore Cristóbal de Oñate in 1532 but moved several times before coming to its current location about a decade later.  

Contributor Bruce_Johnson4th created this impressive aerial video of Charlotte, the largest city in the Southeastern USA state of North Carolina.  Charlotte's impressive skyline is testament to its status as a major city for the banking industry in the US, on a par with New York City.  It's skyline is dominated by the 60 story Bank of America Corporate Center, headquarters for the country's second largest bank, which stands 265 meters (about 870 ft.) tall.  It's one of the tallest skyscrapers in the Southeast.  

Here's a brilliant 4k aerial view of New Orleans, Louisiana, compliments of contributor and drone pilot Bumble Bee Productions.  It opens with a shot overlooking the World War II Museum, the USA's most well-known museum devoted to the great conflict.  From there it's over to the Crescent City Connection, the most prominent bridge over the Lower Mississippi.  From there you'll head over to the downtown area before ending up in the French Quarter, the historic and aesthetic heart of the Big Easy.

For a first upbload to AirVuz, rand new contributor ItsEsaias brings us this excellent drone video of San Antonio, Texas.  San Antonio is the second-largest city of the Lone Star State and the center of its third-largest metropolitan area, after Dallas-Fort Worth and Greater Houston.  A major convention center, it's the oldest city in Texas and in many respects its cultural capital.  The video features footage of the 229 meter (750 ft.) Tower of the Americas, the Marriott Riverside (the city's tallest building), and more.  

Salt Lake City is the second-largest city in the USA's Rocky Mountain region, after Denver.  In this excellent drone video, you can take an aerial tour of the city, which is the home to the headquarters of the Church of Latter Day Saints aka the Mormon Church.  The "stars" of the video are the city's two best-known landmarks.  The first is the Utah state capitol building, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.  The second is the Salt Lake Temple, the most important within the Mormon Church.  It was consecrated in 1893.      

Check out this amazing first person view (FPV) video of Kansas City, Missouri, compliments of top AirVuz contributor and FPV pilot Flylifeco.  Lying on the banks of the Missouri River, on the Kansas border, KC is one of the most important cities in the USA's Midwest region.  The focus of the video is a set of dives of the city's tallest skyscraper: the 42 story One Kansas City Place.  Standing just under 200 meters above Main Street (624 ft.), it's the tallest habitable building in Missouri.  

Top contributor and drone pilot Seven Roads Media brings us this fantastic DVOW nominated video from San Diego, California.  The video opens with a shot of the pier of Pacific Beach, just north of Mission Bay, before cutting to the Cove area of La Jolla.  At the :18 mark, there's a nice timelapse of the city's harbor, followed by some nice shots of San Diego's legendary surfing scene.  Other shots include the Mission Beach Rollercoaster (aka the Giant Dipper), the Pacific Surfliner passenger train on the Pacific Coastal Highway, and more.  

Top contributor perfectperspectives brings us this excellent drone video tour of Cincinnati, Ohio.  The video opens with some great shots of the city's downtown and Ohio River waterfront.  At the :59 mark, you'll see the iconic Union Terminal.  Starting at the 1:40 mark, you'll see some of Cincy's great cultural venues including Krohn Observatory, the Music Hall, Art Museum, and ICON Music Center. At the 2:26 mark, you'll see the University of Cincinnati campus, followed by TQL Stadium, Great American Ballpark, and Paul Brown Stadium.  

Check out this drone video of Ohio's capital city Columbus, compliments of contributor perfectperspective.  Situated near the center of the Buckeye State, it's Ohio's third largest city after Cleveland and Cincinnati.  Its downtown area is home to numerous banks and administrative functions of the state of Ohio, the country's seventh most populous state.  In addition, Columbus is home to the main campus of Ohio State University, one of the country's largest and best-known institutions of higher learning.  

Check out this magnificent drone video of Charleston, South Carolina, compliments of every day drone guy.  The video opens with a great shot of the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, a cable-stayed span over the Cooper River.  Then it's on to the USS Yorktown, the retired US Navy aircraft carrier which is moored at the Patriot's Point Naval & Maritime Museum at the mouth of the Cooper.  Much of the rest of the video features shots from around the city itself, which lies between the Cooper and Ashley Rivers.  

The city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin sits on the western shores of Lake Michigan in America's Midwest, roughly 150 km (90 mi) north of the larger city of Chicago.  The largest city in the Badger State, Milwaukee has a proud industrial heritage, and continues to be a key manufacturing center in the United States.  Similar to what has occurred in other Great Lakes cities, Milwaukee's downtown and waterfront has been transformed in recent years, as you will see from this awesome drone video from contributor ShareMedia.

Taken an aerial tour of the great Midwestern USA city of Indianapolis, Indiana in this outstanding drone reel by new contributor DomsDigitals.  The video, which includes some outstanding FPV footage, begins with a shot of the famous christmas display in Monument Circle, in the heart of downtown Indy.  Next stop is Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the Indianapolis Colts football team, followed by the JW Marriott Hotel.  Other featured locations include the city's famous Motor Speedway, University of Indiana's Carroll Stadium, and more.  

Check out this outstanding drone tour of Providence, Rhode Island, compliments of contributor AlTheGreat.  One of America's oldest cities as well as one of its first to industrialize, Providence is situated at the head of Narragansett Bay, about 80 km (around 50 mi.) southwest of Boston.  The video features footage of the following locations: the Industrial National Bank Building (aka the "Superman Building"), Textron Tower, the Graduate Providence Hotel, the Turk's Head Building, and the Rhode Island Statehouse.

Contributor and drone pilot Riel Creative created this epic drone video of Tulsa, a city in the United States' Great Plains region.  It's located in eastern Oklahoma, on the edge of the true plains area.  The city was favorably situated relative to some of the USA's most productive oil fields in the early 20th century and was the unofficial "Oil Capital of the World" for decades until being usurped by Houston later in the century.  The video has some great aerial shots amongst the city's skyscrapers. 

Hartford is the capital of and largest city in Connecticut, in the heart of New England.  While it as nearly as old as Boston and New York, the city has been overshadowed by these larger cities to its north and south.  The city is known in part for the large number of insurance companies that started and continue to operate in the city, which is situated on the Connecticut River in the north-central part of the state.  Contributor Matthew Chirico used a drone to create a beautiful aerial tour of downtown Hartford at night.  

Take an aerial tour of Omaha, Nebraska in this excellent drone video by FoxFlight 2020.  Situated on the Missouri River, Omaha became the eastern terminus of the Union Pacific railroad, which built the eastern half of the first transcontinental railroad.  The video appropriately enough opens with a monument of UP locomotives, then will take you around the city's skyline, topped by the 45 story First National Bank Tower.  Other locations include the Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge at the :45 mark, TD Ameritrade Park (2:45), and more.

On this episode of Droning America host Angie Avestruz and the team head to St. Louis, Missouri to meet up with journalist Kim Hudson of FOX 2 News. They take an aerial tour of this great Midwestern city at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers.   Angie and Kim use drones to provide some bird's eye views of the city's most notable sights, including its famous zoo, the Gateway Arch, the Anheuser-Busch Brewery, and Busch Stadium, home of fabled St. Louis Cardinals baseball team.  

In this episode of Droning America, host Angie Avestruz heads to sunny Phoenix, Arizona.  She meets up there with award-winning drone pilot Jay Worsley, who hails from the great city in the American Southwest.  Together they explore the greater Phoenix area and the surrounding desert, capturing the highlights with Jay's DJI Phantom 4 drone.  Highlights include shots of Camelback Mountain just outside the city center, some of the area's famous golf courses, and some great shots of downtown Phoenix.

Top contributor My Travels brings us this outstanding aerial tour of the North Carolina metropolitan area known as the Triangle.  The video opens with shots of the easternmost city of the Triangle: Raleigh, the state capital and #2 Tar Heel city after Charlotte.  At :53, you'll head to Durham, at the northern tip of the triangle; highlights here includes some nice shots of Duke University starting at 1:29.  At 2:00, you'll reach the western tip of the Triangle: Chapel Hill, the home of the University of North Carolina flagship campus.