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  4. America's Most Romantic Cities 2010

America's Most Romantic Cities 2010

By Travel & Leisure January 26, 2010
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When pressed to name a romantic city, Paris—with its swoon-worthy architecture, enchanting cobbled streets, and cozy candlelit bistros—comes to mind. But where does one go in the U.S. for a romantic escape? Travel + Leisure’s America’s Favorite Cities Survey posed that question to the public, and the responses are as fascinating as a tour through Match.com.

Now spanning 30 U.S. cities, the annual survey delivers a wealth of opinions on travel, touching on such hotly debated topics as which cities have the best singles scene, boutique hotels, ethnic food, and smartest residents. And as any attached traveler on the eve of Valentine’s Day will attest, also knowing which U.S. cities are tailor-made for a romantic getaway is a very good thing.

Related: 50 Best Romantic Getaways

Not surprisingly, gorgeous, groovy, food-forward San Francisco ranked high in this year’s survey. New York, too, continues to be a favorite of die-hard romantics seeking sophistication in a larger-than-life playground.

“New York City is a place of infinite possibility, which, in my opinion, makes it one of the most romantic cities on the planet,” says Terri Powell, a 43-year-old executive assistant who’s looking for love in the Big Apple. “From the Brooklyn Bridge to the Manhattan skyline to Central Park, who could ask for a better setting in which to find love?”

Another top contender? Las Vegas. Though renowned for its debauchery and what-happens-in-Vegas-stays-in-Vegas shenanigans, Sin City is also ideal for rekindling passion.

“While Vegas might not be the greatest place to find love, it is a great town to put the romance back into a relationship—from formal and dramatic to down and dirty,” says Joan Fernald, a 39-year-old Las Vegas resident.

Interestingly, Los Angeles—a city that consistently ranks high on the list as having attractive residents—falls short this year in the romance department. (Perhaps locals are too in love with themselves to take notice of anyone—or anything—else?) A 25-year-old Los Angeles resident, Jonathan R. Williams, agrees: “In L.A., everyone is constantly looking for the ‘11’ on the 1–10 scale, because there are so many good-looking people. We get distracted constantly by all of the ‘shiny’ things walking around.”

And while “Hotlanta” may have earned its nickname for its sizzling nightlife, the Georgia city still comes in at the bottom third for romance. It looks like Cleveland, too, needs to take a lesson or two in wooing locals and visitors alike with its romantic assets: a Lake Erie location, an up-and-coming culinary scene, and midwestern charm. This year, unfortunately, the survey wallflower was overlooked for many, more brazenly romantic towns.

Whether you’re on the hunt for Mr./Ms. Right or looking to celebrate singlehood far away from cooing couples, Travel + Leisure has the escape for you. Read on for the 2009 America’s Favorite Cities Survey results.
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#1 Honolulu

Honolulu
Credit: © KEVIN LAMARQUE/Reuters/Corbis

Honolulu’s only other #1 ranking was in the “relaxing retreat” category, but that clearly helped secure its win as America’s most romantic city.

See all the America’s Favorite Cities survey results!

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#2 Charleston

Charleston, South Carolina
Credit: Courtesy of Patriots Point

Who wouldn’t fall in love among this South Carolina city’s rich history and southern charms? The friendly people only add to its romantic allure.

See all the America’s Favorite Cities survey results!

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#3 San Francisco

San Francisco, California
Credit: iStockphoto

Locals and visitors alike swoon over California’s beautiful City by the Bay; its high scores in boutique hotels as well as luxury hotels means there’s no shortage of romantic hideaways.

See all the America’s Favorite Cities survey results!

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#4 New Orleans

New Orleans, Louisiana
Credit: Teshira Nobie

Lovebirds flock to the Big Easy for great live music, decadent cafés, and a laissez-faire vibe.

See all the America’s Favorite Cities survey results!

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#5 Santa Fe

Santa Fe
Credit: ImageState / Alamy

Desert sunsets, cultural treasures, romantic adobe hideaways, and the #1 ranking for peace and quiet all make for a dreamy Southwest destination.

See all the America’s Favorite Cities survey results!

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#6 San Diego

San Diego
Credit: iStock

Grab your loved one and soak up some easy California living in this coastal city that just happens to have America’s best weather.

See all the America’s Favorite Cities survey results!

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#7 San Antonio

San Antonio
Credit: iStock

Friendly people and great B&Bs let you express your Texas-size affections in this historic river-walk town.

See all the America’s Favorite Cities survey results!

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#8 Las Vegas

Las Vegas, Nevada
Credit: Courtesy of LAX Nightclub

Romance in this anything-goes town? Hey, wild weekends aren’t just for singles.

See all the America’s Favorite Cities survey results!

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#9 Miami

Miami, Florida
Credit: iStock

With America’s most attractive people, Florida’s sizzling hot, Latin-loving city on the ocean helps set the mood for romance.

See all the America’s Favorite Cities survey results!

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#10 New York

New York City
Credit: Kelly Bazely

A soaring cityscape, iconic sights, and world-class entertainment make the Big Apple a great town for sparking big-time romance.

See all the America’s Favorite Cities survey results!

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#11 Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
Credit: Courtesy of choosechicago.com

Though not as popular as its coastal siblings, the Windy City still has views that can take a couple’s breath away.

See all the America’s Favorite Cities survey results!

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#12 Seattle

Seattle, Washington
Credit: iStock

Caffeinated, geek-filled Seatown couldn’t crack the top 10 in this category, but bad weather hasn’t washed out its romantic side.

See all the America’s Favorite Cities survey results!

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#13 Portland

Portland, Oregon
Credit: iStock

Oregon’s hip hot spot—and one of the country’s fittest cities—gets the heart pumping in other ways too.

See all the America’s Favorite Cities survey results!

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#14 Providence

Providence
Credit: iStock

Big surprises come in small Rhode Island–wrapped packages; survey takers have a little crush on the Divine City.

See all the America’s Favorite Cities survey results!

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#15 Phoenix/Scottsdale

Phoenix/Scottsdale
Credit: iStock

Amazing all-in-one resorts in the Valley of the Sun apparently were enough to light only a mild romantic fire.

See all the America’s Favorite Cities survey results!

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#16 Denver

Denver
Credit: Getty Images

In the Mile-High City, a Rocky Mountain high comes more from an active getaway than a breathless visit.

See all the America’s Favorite Cities survey results!

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#17 Boston

Boston
Credit: iStock

College students, baked beans, impassioned Sox fans? Check. But the romance of Boston’s rich history wasn’t enough to inspire actual romance.

See all the America’s Favorite Cities survey results!

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#18 Nashville

Nashville, Tennessee
Credit: Dennis MacDonald / Alamy

Despite its musical talent, this Tennessee town just doesn’t make hearts sing.

See all the America’s Favorite Cities survey results!

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#19 Austin

Austin
Credit: cameraPT / Alamy

The results are in: awesome music, cool shops, and killer neighborhood restaurants weren’t enough to keep Austin from this list’s bottom half.

See all the America’s Favorite Cities survey results!

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#20 Orlando

Orlando
Credit: Dennis MacDonald / Alamy

Some of our survey takers found this Magic Kingdom city to have a romantic draw, but not surprisingly, more liked it for a family vacation and great resorts.

See all the America’s Favorite Cities survey results!

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#21 Minneapolis/St. Paul

Minneapolis/St. Paul
Credit: Visions of America, LLC / Alamy

To survey takers, the Twin Cities play host to America’s smartest people, but rough weather didn’t exactly add to the area’s sex appeal.

See all the America’s Favorite Cities survey results!

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#22 Kansas City

Kansas City
Credit: Ann Shields

It may be in the Heartland, with some of America’s friendliest people, but this all-American city has little affection for romance-seekers.

See all the America’s Favorite Cities survey results!

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#23 Philadelphia

Philadelphia
Credit: iStock

America’s most unattractive people, according to our survey takers, couldn’t have helped the City of Brotherly Love earn any points in the romance department.

See all the America’s Favorite Cities survey results!

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#24 Los Angeles

Los Angeles
Credit: iStock

Angelenos may be attractive, but they may also be more in love with themselves than each other. Survey says: head north, or south, for romance.

See all the America’s Favorite Cities survey results!

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#25 Houston

Houston
Credit: iStock

Ranking in the bottom third, this new-to-the-list Texas town needs to work on first impressions. Even its great restaurants and high-scoring theater scene aren’t enough to inspire romance.

See all the America’s Favorite Cities survey results!

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#26 Atlanta

Atlanta
Credit: Digital Vision / Alamy

“Hotlanta” struggled in our survey; respondents liked the business hotels, but how romantic is that?

See all the America’s Favorite Cities survey results!

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#27 Cleveland

Cleveland, Ohio
Credit: iStock

Ohio’s wallflower of a city came in #2 for classical music, but hardly rocked the romance category.

See all the America’s Favorite Cities survey results!

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#28 St. Louis

St. Louis
Credit: iStock

Romance is clearly not an overarching reason to visit Missouri’s metropolis. Its strongest trait, according to survey takers? Affordability.

See all the America’s Favorite Cities survey results!

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#29 Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C.
Credit: Meghan Lamb

The great monuments of the nation’s capital can be romantic, but it seems the wealth of lawyers and politicians kills any romantic buzz.

See all the America’s Favorite Cities survey results!

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#30 Dallas/Fort Worth

Dallas/Fort Worth
Credit: iStock

These twin towns may be deep in the heart of Texas, but not in the hearts of couples. How to ease the pain of coming in last? Go shopping.

See all the America’s Favorite Cities survey results!

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    1 of 30 #1 Honolulu
    2 of 30 #2 Charleston
    3 of 30 #3 San Francisco
    4 of 30 #4 New Orleans
    5 of 30 #5 Santa Fe
    6 of 30 #6 San Diego
    7 of 30 #7 San Antonio
    8 of 30 #8 Las Vegas
    9 of 30 #9 Miami
    10 of 30 #10 New York
    11 of 30 #11 Chicago
    12 of 30 #12 Seattle
    13 of 30 #13 Portland
    14 of 30 #14 Providence
    15 of 30 #15 Phoenix/Scottsdale
    16 of 30 #16 Denver
    17 of 30 #17 Boston
    18 of 30 #18 Nashville
    19 of 30 #19 Austin
    20 of 30 #20 Orlando
    21 of 30 #21 Minneapolis/St. Paul
    22 of 30 #22 Kansas City
    23 of 30 #23 Philadelphia
    24 of 30 #24 Los Angeles
    25 of 30 #25 Houston
    26 of 30 #26 Atlanta
    27 of 30 #27 Cleveland
    28 of 30 #28 St. Louis
    29 of 30 #29 Washington, D.C.
    30 of 30 #30 Dallas/Fort Worth

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