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  4. America's Favorite Cities 2008

America's Favorite Cities 2008

By Travel + Leisure Editors June 10, 2010
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Philadelphia

America’s Favorite Cities 2008
Credit: © iStock

Philly’s historic sites and monuments (No. 3) and museums and galleries (No. 4) earned high marks. But, voters warn, don’t hold your breath for stylish (No. 24) or attractive (No. 25) people.

+ See how Philadelphia ranks in all categories
+ See T+L’s Select Guide to Philadelphia hotels

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Charleston

America’s Favorite Cities 2008
Credit: Paul Damien/Getty Images/National Geographic Creative

Charlestonians are America’s friendliest people. The city got second-place rankings for its noteworthy neighborhoods, vintage stores, flea markets, and peace and quiet. Not surprisingly, many travelers found the club scene (No. 24) disappointing.

+ See how Charleston ranks in all categories
+ See T+L’s Select Guide to Charleston hotels

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Miami

America’s Favorite Cities 2008
Credit: © iStock

Miamians win the title for America’s most attractive people, and second place for their stylishness. Visitors also noted the city’s good weather (No. 3), but it’s not the spot to see historic sites and monuments (No. 23).

+ See how Miami ranks in all categories
+ See T+L’s Miami guide

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New York

America’s Favorite Cities 2008
Credit: © iStock

The Big Apple received the most No. 1 ratings this year, getting top marks for its shopping; classical music and theater; stylish and diverse residents; people watching; and skylines and views. Where was its weak point?The city ranked last for peace and quiet.

+ See how New York ranks in all categories
+ See T+L’s New York City guide

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Washington, D.C.

America’s Favorite Cities 2008
Credit: © iStock

Museums and galleries, and historic sites and monuments in the nation’s capital ranked first; the city was also voted the No. 1 cultural getaway. Just don’t plan on going there for a romantic retreat (No. 23) or an active/adventure vacation (No. 24).

+ See how Washington, D.C. ranks in all categories
+ See T+L’s Washington D.C. guide

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Orlando

America’s Favorite Cities 2008
Credit: © Dennis MacDonald / Alamy

People still consider Orlando the top spot for a family vacation. Voters were less impressed with its culture, food and dining, and shopping, which all came in last.

+ See how Orlando ranks in all categories
+ See T+L’s Orlando guide

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Atlanta

America’s Favorite Cities 2008
Credit: © Digital Vision / Alamy

Atlanta’s best-rated quality was its affordability (No. 11). Despite a recent influx of culinary talent into the city, its destination restaurants came in last.

+ See how Atlanta ranks in all categories
+ See T+L’s Atlanta guide

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Dallas/Fort Worth

America’s Favorite Cities 2008
Credit: © iStock

Travelers gave Dallas good marks for being affordable (No. 8), but the city ranked low for public transportation and pedestrian friendliness, access to the outdoors, and environmental awareness.

+ See how Dallas/Fort Worth ranks in all categories
+ See T+L’s Select Guide to Dallas/Fort Worth hotels

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Nashville

America’s Favorite Cities 2008
Credit: © Dennis MacDonald / Alamy

Travelers consider Nashville an affordable city (No. 2) with friendly people (No. 4). The city’s luxury stores were ranked at the bottom of the pack.

+ See how Nashville ranks in all categories
+ See T+L’s Select Guide to Nashville hotels

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New Orleans

America’s Favorite Cities 2008
Credit: © FAN travelstock / Alamy

The Big Easy collected No. 1 slots for live music and bands, vintage shopping, destination restaurants, and ethnic food and cheap eats. Athletic and active people though (No. 25), are harder to find.

+ See how New Orleans ranks in all categories
+ See T+L’s Select Guide to New Orleans hotels

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Boston

America’s Favorite Cities 2008
Credit: E. Rowe/Getty Images/Axiom RM

Travelers gave Beantown high ratings for its cultural offerings, including classical music (No. 2), museums and galleries (No. 5), and historic sites and monuments (No. 2). It also ranked fourth for notable neighborhoods.

+ See how Boston ranks in all categories
+ See T+L’s Boston guide

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Austin

America’s Favorite Cities 2008
Credit: © cameraPT / Alamy

Austin got high marks for people: they came in second place for friendliness and athleticism, and third place for intelligence and attractiveness. The city also has great bands and live music (No. 2) and a buzzing singles/bar scene (No. 4).

+ See how Austin ranks in all categories
+ See T+L’s Select Guide to Austin hotels

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Seattle

America’s Favorite Cities 2008
Credit: Terry Donnelly/Getty Images

The city is best in the country for cafés and coffee bars, farmers’ markets, and intelligent people. Environmental awareness (No. 2) and public parks and access to the outdoors (No. 4) also scored well. Just be sure to pack an umbrella for that rainy weather (No. 23).

+ See how Seattle ranks in all categories
+ See T+L’s Seattle guide

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Los Angeles

America’s Favorite Cities 2008
Credit: © iStock

L.A.’s luxury shopping came in third place, and its stylish residents ranked fourth. (Angelenos were also rated the least friendly and intelligent). The city’s traffic, unsurprisingly, was voted the nation’s worst.

+ See how Los Angeles ranks in all categories
+ See T+L’s Los Angeles guide

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San Diego

America’s Favorite Cities 2008
Credit: © iStock

Ideal weather (No. 2), attractive people (No. 2), and access to the outdoors (No. 3) make for a perfect family vacation (No. 2) and relaxing retreat (No. 4).

+ See how San Diego ranks in all categories
+ See T+L’s San Diego guide

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Las Vegas

America’s Favorite Cities 2008
Credit: Courtesy of LAX Nightclub

Sin City dominated the nightlife category, finishing first for cocktail hour, the singles/bar scene, and late night/clubs; people also voted it the top wild weekend destination. The city came in last for public parks and access to the outdoors.

+ See how Las Vegas ranks in all categories
+ See T+L’s Las Vegas guide

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Denver

America’s Favorite Cities 2008
Credit: Jim Havey / Alamy

People visit Denver for an active/adventure vacation (No. 2). They don’t head to the Rockies though, for destination restaurants (No. 24).

+ See how Denver ranks in all categories
+ See T+L’s Select Guide to Denver hotels

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Minneapolis/St. Paul

America’s Favorite Cities 2008
Credit: © Visions of America, LLC / Alamy

Voters think the Twin Cities are clean (No. 2), safe (No. 2), and full of intelligent (No. 2) and friendly (No. 3) residents. Theater (No. 3) also got high marks, but the weather ranked second to last.

+ See how Minneapolis/St. Paul ranks in all categories
+ See T+L’s Minneapolis/St. Paul guide

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Chicago

America’s Favorite Cities 2008
Credit: Courtesy of choosechicago.com

Visitors rated Chicago’s skyline and views second in the country. Its cultural offerings—including theater (No. 2), classical music (No. 3), and museums and galleries (No. 3)—also placed well. But the cold weather (No. 25) was a turnoff.

+ See how Chicago ranks in all categories
+ See T+L’s Chicago guide

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San Antonio

America’s Favorite Cities 2008
Credit: © iStock

The top-rated city for affordability and No. 2 for ethnic food and cheap eats is also great spot for a family vacation (No. 5).

+ See how San Antonio ranks in all categories
+ See T+L’s Select Guide to San Antonio hotels

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Phoenix/Scottsdale

America’s Favorite Cities 2008
Credit: © iStock

The city scored well as a relaxing retreat (No. 5), but ranked low for theater (No. 24) and live music (No. 25).

+ See how Phoenix/Scottsdale ranks in all categories
+ See T+L’s Phoenix guide

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Santa Fe

America’s Favorite Cities 2008
Credit: © ImageState / Alamy

The top finisher for peace and quiet has great art galleries (No. 2) and local boutiques (No. 4). The southwestern city finished last, however, in all nightlife categories.

+ See how Santa Fe ranks in all categories
+ See T+L’s Santa Fe guide

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San Francisco

America’s Favorite Cities 2008
Credit: © Fraser Hall/Robert Harding World Imagery/Corbis

San Francisco’s high marks were for its notable neighborhoods (No. 1), local boutiques (No. 2), specialty stores and farmer’s markets (No. 3), cafés and coffee shops (No. 3), and destination restaurants (No. 3). Affordability (No. 23) was its lowest ranking.

+ See how San Francisco ranks in all categories
+ See T+L’s San Francisco guide

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Portland

America’s Favorite Cities 2008
Credit: © Craig Tuttle/Corbis

A model city for urban planning, Portland ranked No. 1 for public transportation and pedestrian friendliness, safety, cleanliness, public parks, and environmental awareness. It didn’t score in the bottom five for any overall category.

+ See how Portland ranks in all categories
+ See T+L’s Portland guide

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Honolulu

America’s Favorite Cities 2008
Credit: © Mark A. Johnson/Corbis

Hawaii’s capital was voted the No. 1 spot for a romantic escape, a relaxing retreat, and an active/adventure vacation. The city’s weather also nabbed first place.

+ See how Honolulu ranks in all categories
+ See T+L’s Select Guide to Honolulu hotels

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    1 of 25 Philadelphia
    2 of 25 Charleston
    3 of 25 Miami
    4 of 25 New York
    5 of 25 Washington, D.C.
    6 of 25 Orlando
    7 of 25 Atlanta
    8 of 25 Dallas/Fort Worth
    9 of 25 Nashville
    10 of 25 New Orleans
    11 of 25 Boston
    12 of 25 Austin
    13 of 25 Seattle
    14 of 25 Los Angeles
    15 of 25 San Diego
    16 of 25 Las Vegas
    17 of 25 Denver
    18 of 25 Minneapolis/St. Paul
    19 of 25 Chicago
    20 of 25 San Antonio
    21 of 25 Phoenix/Scottsdale
    22 of 25 Santa Fe
    23 of 25 San Francisco
    24 of 25 Portland
    25 of 25 Honolulu

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