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Upstate New York has its mountains and I suppose the Maine coast isn't too far from Philly, and the Jersey shore and New York beach communities are nice, but why does Philly own the Twin Cities on this metric? Educate me.
Well, first of all, I never used the word "own." What I'm trying to say is that there's a good argument for a solid edge.
It's not as though Minneapolis doesn't belong in the conversation about outdoor assets, but I think it's fair to say there's more of an abundance in proximity to the Philadelphia region:
The Brandywine Valley, the Poconos, the Delaware Water Gap, NJ beaches, DE beaches, MD beaches, the Chesapeake Bay, Long Island, the Central PA Alleghenies, the Adirondacks, the Shenandoah Valley, the NY Finger Lakes. All within 1-5 hours of Philly.
Now, as far as immediate setting, this may be more subjective. It seems that Minneapolis is best described as being sited on flat Midwestern plain, right on the edge of the broader Prairie region, whereas the Philadelphia sits on the fall line right on the edge of the Piedmont region. I will grant that the abundance of lakes is a very pleasant aspect of the Minneapolis area. However, in so far as topographical variation is seen as appealing, the Philly area would definitely win out in that regard. I mean, there's a large wooded valley in the city limits of Philadelphia (part of the Fairmount Park system). You're just not finding this in Minneapolis or Denver, for that matter: https://goo.gl/maps/DaBzqnDU2xf3UuDr8
And this is a more nuanced take, but I've found it to be important in natural vibe: the Mid-Atlantic is just more biodiverse in terms of vegetation, and more moderate climate lends to a more vibrant and longer "green" season. The level of forestation in the Minneapolis area is a definite plus, though.
Well, first of all, I never used the word "own." What I'm trying to say is that there's a good argument for a solid edge.
It's not as though Minneapolis doesn't belong in the conversation about outdoor assets, but I think it's fair to say there's more of an abundance in proximity to the Philadelphia region:
The Brandywine Valley, the Poconos, the Delaware Water Gap, NJ beaches, DE beaches, MD beaches, the Chesapeake Bay, Long Island, the Central PA Alleghenies, the Adirondacks, the Shenandoah Valley, the NY Finger Lakes. All within 5 hours of Philly.
Now, as far as immediate setting, this may be more subjective. It seems that Minneapolis is best described as being sited on flat Midwestern plain, right on the edge of the broader Prairie region, whereas the Philadelphia sits on the fall line right on the edge of the Piedmont region. I will grant that the abundance of lakes is a very pleasant aspect of the Minneapolis area. However, in so far as topographical variation is seen as appealing, the Philly area would definitely win out in that regard. I mean, there's a large wooded valley in the city limits of Philadelphia (part of the Fairmount Park system). You're just not finding this in Minneapolis or Denver, for that matter: https://goo.gl/maps/DaBzqnDU2xf3UuDr8
And this is a more nuanced take, but I've found it to be important in natural vibe: the Mid-Atlantic is just more biodiverse in terms of vegetation, and more moderate climate lends to a more vibrant and longer "green" season. The level of forestation in the Minneapolis area is a definite plus, though.
Well, first of all, I never used the word "own." What I'm trying to say is that there's a good argument for a solid edge.
It's not as though Minneapolis doesn't belong in the conversation about outdoor assets, but I think it's fair to say there's more of an abundance in proximity to the Philadelphia region:
The Brandywine Valley, the Poconos, the Delaware Water Gap, NJ beaches, DE beaches, MD beaches, the Chesapeake Bay, Long Island, the Central PA Alleghenies, the Adirondacks, the Shenandoah Valley, the NY Finger Lakes. All within 1-5 hours of Philly.
Now, as far as immediate setting, this may be more subjective. It seems that Minneapolis is best described as being sited on flat Midwestern plain, right on the edge of the broader Prairie region, whereas the Philadelphia sits on the fall line right on the edge of the Piedmont region. I will grant that the abundance of lakes is a very pleasant aspect of the Minneapolis area. However, in so far as topographical variation is seen as appealing, the Philly area would definitely win out in that regard. I mean, there's a large wooded valley in the city limits of Philadelphia (part of the Fairmount Park system). You're just not finding this in Minneapolis or Denver, for that matter: https://goo.gl/maps/DaBzqnDU2xf3UuDr8
And this is a more nuanced take, but I've found it to be important in natural vibe: the Mid-Atlantic is just more biodiverse in terms of vegetation, and more moderate climate lends to a more vibrant and longer "green" season. The level of forestation in the Minneapolis area is a definite plus, though.
After viewing some of those Minneapolis park views Kaszilla posted, I have to agree with the Minneapolis defenders that you may be selling the place short as far as in-city natural features are concerned.
I'm kinda sensitive to this because of the city I grew up in, which sits at the point where the North American ice sheet made its furthest advance south during the last Ice Age. While much of the terrain around Kansas City consists of the low rolling hills that distinguish much of the prairie, and the southwestern part of the metropolitan area is pretty flat (though not quite Chicago flat), one can also find actual river valleys (a trip up the Missouri River valley in the fall is as colorful as anything I've seen in Pennsylvania or New England) as well as ravines, hills, bluffs and smaller stream valleys (many of Kansas City's boulevards run through valleys, and the most scenic park drive in the city runs about 2/3 of the way up the side of a bluff).
And the city's largest public park, Swope Park, has a warren of hiking trails in its southeast quarter, winding through the hills that rise from the Blue River valley.
Pace that and the Ozarks about two hours away, I wouldn't put Kansas City on the same plane with any of the cities we're discussing here for outdoor activity. But the terrain isn't quite as featurless and unvaried as many who've never been there imagine — and I'd say the same for Minneapolis. It's especially nice that the Mississippi — which runs over falls right downtown and thus isn't navigable — is bordered by parkland as it flows through the city.
After viewing some of those Minneapolis park views Kaszilla posted, I have to agree with the Minneapolis defenders that you may be selling the place short as far as in-city natural features are concerned.
That's fair; the Minnehaha pictures did look like a great setting for a hike. And I do acknowledge that the Midwest does have more unique topographical features than it often gets credit for. I actually find the topic of geology and historic land formation fascinating, no matter where it is.
As far immediate outdoor settings, there's definitely some subjectivity. I know there's people, for example, who probably appreciate wide open plains vistas over being hemmed in by mountains. At the very least, I note a pretty different "flavor" to all of the subject thread cities in terms of nature. And it's certainly within the realm of reason to prefer any one of them.
What exactly do East Coast metros have for "outdoor activities" that Midwestern metros don't?
Easy access to the mountains, Boston is a short drive to the White Mountains in New Hampshire. New York City is a short drive to the Catskill Mountains. There is also the Green Mountains in Vermont and the vast Adirondack Park in New York. Not much equivalency to anything in the Midwest.
I mean, there's a large wooded valley in the city limits of Philadelphia (part of the Fairmount Park system). You're just not finding this in Minneapolis or Denver, for that matter: https://goo.gl/maps/DaBzqnDU2xf3UuDr8
You are vastly underestimating how much forestation and greenery Minneapolis has.
In large portions of the Minneapolis Park System, you can easily forget you're in the middle of the city.
Easy access to the mountains, Boston is a short drive to the White Mountains in New Hampshire. New York City is a short drive to the Catskill Mountains. There is also the Green Mountains in Vermont and the vast Adirondack Park in New York. Not much equivalency to anything in the Midwest.
Proximity is nice but does it count if you have to leave the metro areas to experience these things?
Proximity is nice but does it count if you have to leave the metro areas to experience these things?
I mean, yeah, it counts.
In using Boston metro as an example, I could be on Cape Cod in an hour and in the White Mountains in three. I can be in Portland Maine in two hours, or Newport Rhode Island in one. I can be in the Berkshires in one hour, the Green Mountains in 90 minutes. I am a train ride away from countless coastal towns, beaches, and rocky cliffs. I can surf, and I can ski. I can waterfall chase. I can white water raft.
I'm back in the midwest, in arguably the most picturesque State. It's not even close. The Northeast / New England is a whole different league.
I think people from the midwest know this is the case, but will fight tooth and nail to minimize the difference. Not sure why. People from the Northeast know that people from the Midwest are generally more friendly, more down to earth. You don't see them fighting it.
I will say though, some people, especially those from the midwest, prefer fresh water culture. And, I'll admit, it's pretty fantastic as far as boating and recreation. And that alone is enough for Midwesterners in the summer. And there's nothing wrong with that.
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