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Why do we travel? That’s a big question.
There are a whole host of different motivations, but one of the simplest and most important reasons is simply having fun.
Of course, pleasure is something that is difficult to define and everyone has a different concept of it, and that is why Wallet hub has questioned 180 different American cities at no less than 65 different statistics to find out which ones are generally the most fun to spend time in.
The statistics include everything from the number of attractions to the average price of food and drinks.
It even looked at the number of cinemas, beer gardens, music venues or coffee shops per capita, really making sure to capture as many different things as possible that could be considered fun.
Ultimately, these 8 cities emerged as the best to visit in all of America:
1. Las Vegas, Nevada
It probably shouldn’t be a surprise that Vegas came out on top in the rankings of how fun places are, right?
‘Sin City’ is known as an adults’ playground thanks to its famous casinos and infamous nightlife.
It was the city that scored highest in this survey when it came to rankings for entertainment and recreation, and for nightlife and parties. The city also scored well in terms of the number of restaurants and festivals per capita.
Despite its reputation for adult entertainment, there are still some family-friendly attractions in Vegas, such as Hershey’s Chocolate World, the Shark Reef Aquarium, and many theme park attractions at various hotels.
2. Orlando, Florida
And while Las Vegas is probably America’s best adult city for fun, Orlando might be America’s best family city for fun.
Of course, there is much more to Orlando than just the theme parks, but they do make it a very inviting place to go with kids.
Just like Vegas, Orlando is not always what it seems. It actually has quite a vibrant nightlife with some fantastic bars and clubs, so there’s plenty to keep adults entertained too.
It was also ranked as the cheapest city in the top 8 of this list.
3. Miami, Florida
Combining fantastic nightlife with epic beaches and a beautiful art scene, it’s probably no surprise that Miami also makes this list.
The city has had a record year for tourism and is a wonderful launching pad for visiting other places in Florida (via train) or even the Caribbean (via cruise).
Any place where you go straight from the beach to the bar seems fun to us.
4. Atlanta, Georgia
Expected to be one of the most popular destinations in America by 2024, Atlanta is a city of great music, shopping, entertainment and green spaces.
Great entertainment can be found at theaters like the Alliance and the Atlanta Magic Theater, while there’s also an excellent zoo, the chance to ride cable cars at nearby Stone Mountain Park and even the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame , making it truly a city with something for everyone.
5. San Francisco, California
San Francisco came out of the top 8 of this study as the most expensive city, but it is certainly still a nice place to be, even though it may hit your wallet a little harder.
Entertainment can be found in the form of the zoo, the Museum of 3D Illusions, Golden Gate Park, a tour of Alcatraz, or even taking a stroll on one of the many trails surrounding the city.
Winter is a fantastic time to visit America’s tallest living Christmas tree, the decorated seaside inns of Monterey County, or even go ice skating on one of the many seasonal rinks.
6. New Orleans, Louisiana
One of the cities that could rival Las Vegas as the best nightlife location in America, New Orleans is a place for lovers of live music, entertainment and parties.
The city is a place with a lot of energy and has a great program of festivals, fairs and events that keep the city buzzing all year round.
7. Austin, Texas
Austin was recently announced as one of the world’s fastest growing tourist destinations, so it goes without saying that it’s a fun place to be.
Perhaps a little slower on the nightlife side than some of the others on this list, Austin has a small-town feel and proximity to beautiful nature, making it an ideal place to blow away the cobwebs.
8. Chicago, Illinois
Chicago experienced a resurgence in popularity in 2023 and has something for everyone.
From the famous shows to the diverse range of museums, Chicago will keep you entertained whether you travel alone, with a partner or with the family.
Despite being a big city, many of the iconic sights, such as the Bean or Navy Pier, are within walking distance or easily reached via the affordable public transport network (I still can’t get over the fact that it only costs $5 to get there from from the airport to the city via the city via the blue line train!).
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
