Global Destination Cities (North America) (compared, life, parks, beautiful)

[mrjun18]

Originally Posted by the Instigator

I'm surprised Chicago made the list

I'm surprised Chicago is low on the lists.

Originally Posted by Davy-040

Why do tourists spend so much more in Vancouver than in Toronto? Is Vancouver that expensive?
Why are Vegas and Orlando not on the list?

It's an "international visitors" lists. Orlando and LV are visited by a lot of people, but I dont think you have people travelling from all over the world to come to Vegas and Orlando. Their visits are mostly U.S./North American whereas the other cities listed (NYC, TOR, LA, etc.) are more visited internationally by people from Europe, Africa, Asia, etc.

[clickclackpow]

except history, boston is pretty boring

[PCH_CDM]

Originally Posted by clickclackpow

except history, boston is pretty boring

Not sure why everyone is ripping on Boston on this thread.

What North American cities are clearly more interesting than Boston?

I would say

NYC
LA
SF

Outside of those three cities, I think one can easily make a case that Boston is as interesting as any other major North American city.

I would say that Chicago, Philly, DC, and Montreal are comparable to Boston in terms of visitor interest.

[pgm123]

Originally Posted by clickclackpow

except history, boston is pretty boring

Well, that's not going to be a controversial statement.

[munchitup]

Originally Posted by PCH_CDM

Not sure why everyone is ripping on Boston on this thread.

What North American cities are clearly more interesting than Boston?

I would say

NYC
LA
SF

Outside of those three cities, I think one can easily make a case that Boston is as interesting as any other major North American city.

I would say that Chicago, Philly, DC, and Montreal are comparable to Boston in terms of visitor interest.

I agree. At least the US cities, I've never been to Montreal.

[Atticman]

Originally Posted by PCH_CDM

Not sure why everyone is ripping on Boston on this thread.

What North American cities are clearly more interesting than Boston?

I would say

NYC
LA
SF

Outside of those three cities, I think one can easily make a case that Boston is as interesting as any other major North American city.

I would say that Chicago, Philly, DC, and Montreal are comparable to Boston in terms of visitor interest.

Toronto, too.

[PCH_CDM]

Originally Posted by Atticman

Toronto, too.

For a tourist, though? I think Toronto is better than Boston in many ways, but not for a tourist.

If I were to spend a weekend in Boston, there are many world-famous attractions, like Harvard Square, Freedom Trail, North End, MFA etc.

I can't think of one real world-class attraction in Toronto. The museums are better in Boston, there's more history, the streetscape is more interesting, and it's generally a more iconic city.

[Atticman]

Oh, please. There are lots of interesting places for tourists to check out in Toronto - more than enough to keep anyone non-stop busy for a mere weekend.

[PCH_CDM]

Originally Posted by Atticman

Oh, please. There are lots of interesting places for tourists to check out in Toronto - more than enough to keep anyone non-stop busy for a mere weekend.

What would be some of those iconic, world-class Toronto attractions?

Maybe the CN Tower, I guess? Would someone visiting from, say, Europe, care about a television tower observatory?

I really like Toronto, and have visited a number of times, but it doesn't really strike me as a city with a lot of obviously recognizable tourist attractions. It's more of a "experience the city" type place rather than specific attractions or neighborhoods.

[Atticman]

A little list right off the top of my head:

CN Tower
Casa Loma
ROM/Gardner/Bata Shoe Museum
Art Gallery of Ontario
Distillery Historic District
Kensington Market (bohemian enclave)
St. Lawrence Market
Dundas Square/Eaton Centre/Yonge Street strip
Chinatown/Little Italy/Koreatown/Greektown/Little India etc.
Entertainment district (theatres, restaurants, clubs)
Queen Street West (funky shopping)
Yorkville (upscale shopping)
Toronto Islands
Harbourfront
Ripley's Aquarium (opening soon)