Americans spend over $3,400 annually on entertainment, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but exactly how we get our fix of fun differs from person to person – and city to city. For example, Las Vegas is the most fun city overall, according to a new report by the personal-finance website WalletHub, which analyzed 65 key indicators across three dimensions: entertainment and recreation, nightlife and parties, and costs. Orlando, Florida at number two, was followed by Miami, Florida; Atlanta, Georgia; and San Francisco, California in the top five spots.
“Las Vegas, the most fun city overall, naturally has the most casinos of any city. For those who aren’t gamblers, Vegas has an especially high number of music festivals and music venues, as the city is renowned for its performers,” said Cassandra Happe, WalletHub Analyst. “Sin City is an especially attractive place for partiers, given that it’s one of the only cities that allows public drinking in most or all places, and it has a very late last call.”
Sixth through tenth on the list were New Orleans, Louisiana; Austin, Texas; Chicago, Illinois; Honolulu, Hawaii and New York, NY. Ranked number 11 through 20 were Cincinnati, Ohio; Denver, Colorado; Portland, Oregon; St. Louis, Missouri; Washington, DC; San Diego, California; Tampa, Florida; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Houston, Texas and Los Angeles, California.
For the full report, visit: https://wallethub.com/edu/most-fun-cities-in-the-us/23455
Key Stats
Miami has the most restaurants (per square root of population), 7.5234, which is 17.9 times more than in Pearl City, Hawaii, the city with the fewest at 0.4199.
Boston has the highest share of the population with walkable park access, 99.74 percent, which is 3.1 times higher than in Indianapolis, the city with the lowest at 32.50 percent.
New York has the most playgrounds (per square root of population), 13 times more than in Hialeah, Florida, the city with the fewest.
San Francisco has the most dance clubs (per square root of population), which is 80.6 times more than in Henderson, Nevada, the city with the fewest.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has the lowest average beer price (per six-pack), $8.06, which is 1.6 times lower than in Miami and Hialeah, Florida, the cities with the highest at $12.88.
Fargo, North Dakota, has the lowest movie cost, $6.24, which is 2.8 times lower than in Oxnard, California, the city with the highest at $17.40.
Each of the most fun cities has its own charms. Second-place Orlando unsurprisingly leads the nation when it comes to theme parks, hosting iconic locations like Disney World and Universal Studios. Miami – one of the most famous spring break cities – boasts attractive beaches and parkland, with over 88 percent of the city’s residents living within half a mile of a park. Atlanta, renowned for its music culture, ranks as the best city for dance parties.
“Finding a city that matches your own unique brand of fun is important,” noted Happe. “All cities have a variety of activities, but some shine more than others when it comes to things like parks and beaches, live music and comedy, partying, sports culture or fine dining. Picking a city to spend a weekend in is easy, but moving to a city where you’ll have fun on a regular basis requires more research.”
There are a few steps you can take when trying to determine whether a city you’re considering moving to will offer you an adequate amount of fun.
Spend as much time as possible before committing to a move. Spending a few days in a city can give you a brief glimpse of what its culture and entertainment are like, but that’s only a small sample size, and the glamor may wear off with a longer stay. The more time you spend in a city, the better idea you will have about whether you’d like to stay long-term. Try visiting without attending a specific event – that will challenge you to seek out ways to have fun on the fly.
Talk to locals. No one knows how to have fun in a city better than the people who live there. Talk to people about your interests and ask them what opportunities the city has for pursuing them.
Look for a city that has a good mix of activities. If you want to have a well-balanced social life, look for cities that have an abundance of indoor and outdoor activities, with good daytime options and a robust nightlife. That way, you can vary the ways you have fun so you won’t get bored.
Embrace the culture. Look for cities with a diverse cultural and entertainment scene. Consider the availability of theaters, live music venues, art galleries, museums, and other cultural attractions. A city with a rich cultural environment often provides a wide range of entertainment options. You’ll also be able to meet people from different walks of life who may introduce you to activities you never knew you’d be interested in.
