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I think expectations of visitors have a lot to do with how these rankings play out. Minneapolis is one of those cities that unfamiliar people tend to underestimate. What they are greeted with is a clean, safe, friendly city that's affordable, has all the big city amenities, is decently urban, and has good shopping/dining/nightlife. I really like Minneapolis. I don't know that'd I'd say it's in my top 10, but it's a really nice city and I'm never disappointed if I end up out that way. I would guess that most people who visit Minneapolis are pleasantly surprised the first time they visit. It may not have the glitz/glamour of Vegas or Miami, nor does it have the historic urban bones of Chicago or NYC. But it's a solid, well-rounded city and that certainly plays well in rankings.
Congrats, Chicago. Well-deserved, and I've visited enough to approve of this ranking.
Minneapolis-St. Paul, in my opinion , is more highly-rated as a place to LIVE, as opposed to a place to vacation in.
The Twin Cities, judging by various social indicators, are the best place in the country to raise a family. However being family friendly and being a tourist draw are often at odds, which is good for both kinds of cities imho.
The Twin Cities, judging by various social indicators, are the best place in the country to raise a family. However being family friendly and being a tourist draw are often at odds, which is good for both kinds of cities imho.
In 2018 Minneapolis had a higher violent crime rate per 100,000 inhabitant than New York City and Los Angeles.
I live in Chicago so I'm obviously biased and glad to see Chicago on top of the list. It is hands down the best big city to live in with low cost of living and amazing architecture, attractions, restaurants, etc. I've lived here 15 years and am still discovering new places / things.
But I'd have to put New York on the top of the TRAVELER list. There's so much to see and do in such a compact area it's insane. As soon as you step out your hotel in Manhattan the energy is electric. You don't get that same feeling in Chicago.
I think expectations of visitors have a lot to do with how these rankings play out. Minneapolis is one of those cities that unfamiliar people tend to underestimate. What they are greeted with is a clean, safe, friendly city that's affordable, has all the big city amenities, is decently urban, and has good shopping/dining/nightlife. I really like Minneapolis. I don't know that'd I'd say it's in my top 10, but it's a really nice city and I'm never disappointed if I end up out that way. I would guess that most people who visit Minneapolis are pleasantly surprised the first time they visit. It may not have the glitz/glamour of Vegas or Miami, nor does it have the historic urban bones of Chicago or NYC. But it's a solid, well-rounded city and that certainly plays well in rankings.
Your post seems quite reasonable. My comment, however, was a joke. Despite posting here for a while, I sometimes forget that there are plenty of folks on CD who lack a healthy sense of humor. Nevertheless, I was making a point with my joke.
Anyone who knows even the basics of polling knows that so-called “reader polls“ don’t hold up to statistical analysis. Sometimes, there are even campaigns to influence votes. I realize there are people who would rather visit Minneapolis than NYC, DC, Orlando or Vegas. But anyone who feels that is the prevailing preference of the traveling American public need look no further than actual statistics, to learn where Americans are (you know) actually visiting: https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/...in-the-us.html. While sources of these statistics can vary in their numbers and rankings a bit, these strike me as a more realistic Top 10.
None of this is to disparage Minneapolis as a city. I’ve heard it’s a lovely place.
Your post seems quite reasonable. My comment, however, was a joke. Despite posting here for a while, I sometimes forget that there are plenty of folks on CD who lack a healthy sense of humor. Nevertheless, I was making a point with my joke.
Anyone who knows even the basics of polling knows that so-called “reader polls“ don’t hold up to statistical analysis. Sometimes, there are even campaigns to influence votes. I realize there are people who would rather visit Minneapolis than NYC, DC, Orlando or Vegas. But anyone who feels that is the prevailing preference of the traveling American public need look no further than actual statistics, to learn where Americans are (you know) actually visiting: https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/...in-the-us.html. While sources of these statistics can vary in their numbers and rankings a bit, these strike me as a more realistic Top 10.
None of this is to disparage Minneapolis as a city. I’ve heard it’s a lovely place.
I'm pretty sure no one claimed this was a scientific poll.
The Twin Cities, judging by various social indicators, are the best place in the country to raise a family. However being family friendly and being a tourist draw are often at odds, which is good for both kinds of cities imho.
In my opinion, having a city that is geared towards both is very healthy. You get the relaxed atmosphere void of tourist traps besides the Mall. You don't have to stress about transportation too much and the costs associated with it.
Your post seems quite reasonable. My comment, however, was a joke. Despite posting here for a while, I sometimes forget that there are plenty of folks on CD who lack a healthy sense of humor. Nevertheless, I was making a point with my joke.
Anyone who knows even the basics of polling knows that so-called “reader polls“ don’t hold up to statistical analysis. Sometimes, there are even campaigns to influence votes. I realize there are people who would rather visit Minneapolis than NYC, DC, Orlando or Vegas. But anyone who feels that is the prevailing preference of the traveling American public need look no further than actual statistics, to learn where Americans are (you know) actually visiting: https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/...in-the-us.html. While sources of these statistics can vary in their numbers and rankings a bit, these strike me as a more realistic Top 10.
None of this is to disparage Minneapolis as a city. I’ve heard it’s a lovely place.
Good list. But just noting that for some cities ..... stats are city-proper's alone. For others it is metro region. I know NYC's and Chicago's are city-proper's alone.
Some count day trips some only overnight or both. Also my State of PA requires they be counted by whole metro areas. So some cities may be metros other then in PA?
Chicago tourism has skyrocketed past decade. But still though growing ..... lacks the larger International tourist of our Coastal cities.
I have a link that adds differences in counts between some cities by what I listed.
Link's list. * This is like a 2016 list because Chicago's reached almost 58-mill in 2018
I will just use numbers link uses.
#1 NYC ------- 59.7 mil
#2 Chicago --- 54.1 mil
#3 Atlanta ---- 51-mil
#4 Anaheim/Orange County 48.2
#5 Orlando --- 48-mil
#6 LA --------- 47.3mil
#7 Las Vegas - 42.9mil
#8 Philadelphia 42-mil
#9 SD --------- 34.9mil
#10 SF -------- 25-mil
*** So MY POINT is why it isn't far fetched Chicago was voted by magazine Subscribers ..... for 3-years in a roll. Its Tourism numbers, clearly show why it was too. That Hit almost 58.mil in 2018. Also majority is in summer vs Many other cities on the list.
Last edited by DavePa; 10-22-2019 at 08:11 AM..
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