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Every city is one if it has a vibrant tourism industry. Baltimore should definitely be in top 10 or runner up if DC is there. I wonder what major cities get the most tourist by statistics. It surprised me when I found out Baltimore get more tourist then DC.
Huh? Where did you see that? That is way out in left field.
Tier 1 "big city" destination cities:
NYC (really a league of its own)
LA
SF
MIA (debatable, less "well rounded world class" than the others)
Tier 1 "niche" destination cities:
LV- casinos
Orlando- theme parks
Tier 2 "big city" destination cities:
DC
BOS
CHI Lower Tier 2 "big city" destination cities:
SEA
PHILLY (both helped and hurt by closeness to NYC/DC, gets lots of pass-through traffic, but is somewhat overshadowed as a stand alone destination).
Tier 2 "niche" destination cities:
New Orleans- lots of tourists, but more for the French Quarter/nightlife.
San Diego- people come for the beaches more than the city.
Honolulu- huge vacation spot.
After that there are lots of smaller places: beach towns, Savannah, Charleston, Newport, Santa Fe, etc. Maybe Portland, Baltimore, Denver, Phoenix (Scottsdale), St. Petersburg, Nashville, San Antonio deserve some mention. But, of the 1million+MSAs for the most part, they aren't really destinations that someone would specifically go to for the stereotypical "big city vacation". More if you are visiting family/friends, stopping through as part of a larger trip or a regional "weekend getaway"
Tier 1 "big city" destination cities:
NYC (really a league of its own)
LA
SF
MIA (debatable, less "well rounded world class" than the others)
Tier 1 "niche" destination cities:
LV- casinos
Orlando- theme parks
Tier 2 "big city" destination cities:
DC
BOS
CHI Lower Tier 2 "big city" destination cities:
SEA
PHILLY (both helped and hurt by closeness to NYC/DC, gets lots of pass-through traffic, but is somewhat overshadowed as a stand alone destination).
Tier 2 "niche" destination cities:
New Orleans- lots of tourists, but more for the French Quarter/nightlife.
San Diego- people come for the beaches more than the city.
Honolulu- huge vacation spot.
After that there are lots of smaller places: beach towns, Savannah, Charleston, Newport, Santa Fe, etc. Maybe Portland, Baltimore, Denver, Phoenix (Scottsdale), St. Petersburg, Nashville, San Antonio deserve some mention. But, of the 1million+MSAs for the most part, they aren't really destinations that someone would specifically go to for the stereotypical "big city vacation". More if you are visiting family/friends, stopping through as part of a larger trip or a regional "weekend getaway"
Miami's international profile has been steadily rising over the last decade or two and it arguably has one of the most recognizable "city brands" in the country, but I am still not sure I would classify it as a top "big city destination" comparable to NY and LA. I think it is still a niche destination (beach and nightlife) more comparable to LV. I would move Honolulu to that tier as well. Washington, for me, should be listed in the same group with LA and SF. Otherwise I think this is a good list. I will say that I agree with someone that said that Philly is not really a destination city. It *should be* but it just isn't -- poor marketing and an overblown reputation for crime and blight (as well as proximity to NY and DC) are to blame for that.
Miami's international profile has been steadily rising over the last decade or two and it arguably has one of the most recognizable "city brands" in the country, but I am still not sure I would classify it as a top "big city destination" comparable to NY and LA. I think it is still a niche destination (beach and nightlife) more comparable to LV. I would move Honolulu to that tier as well. Washington, for me, should be listed in the same group with LA and SF. Otherwise I think this is a good list. I will say that I agree with someone that said that Philly is not really a destination city. It *should be* but it just isn't -- poor marketing and an overblown reputation for crime and blight (as well as proximity to NY and DC) are to blame for that.
Id disagree on the basis for historical significance.
Boston and Philadelphia both are probably the two most well known for that for museums and history. Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Old City, etc.
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