2022's Most Fun Cities in America

Adam McCann, WalletHub Financial WriterDec 7, 2022

Adam McCann, WalletHub Financial Writer
Dec 7, 2022

Everyone’s personal brand of fun is different. Some people like trying new restaurants, traveling, going to bars and clubs or playing outdoor sports. Others enjoy riding roller coasters, going to the movies, or playing video games. But having fun can be expensive – the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average American spends over $3,500 on entertainment per year.

With such different preferences, what, then, makes a fun city? At WalletHub, we define such a place as one that packs a little bit of everything for everyone — except maybe people seeking the most extreme of thrills. In a city with enough variety, you won’t have to compromise with your friends, your family or even yourself about the next fun activity to do alone or together.

To help Americans find the cities with the greatest number and variety of fun yet cost-effective options, WalletHub compared more than 180 U.S. cities based on 65 key metrics. They range from fitness centers per capita to movie costs to average open hours of breweries.

Table of Contents

Main Findings

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Most Fun Cities in America

Overall Rank*	City	Total Score	Entertainment & Recreation	Nightlife & Parties	Costs
1	Las Vegas, NV	73.95	1	1	84
2	Orlando, FL	63.90	3	2	60
3	Miami, FL	55.60	7	3	143
4	Atlanta, GA	53.59	11	6	125
5	New Orleans, LA	53.14	16	4	117
6	San Francisco, CA	52.65	6	5	178
7	Austin, TX	51.21	21	7	88
8	Honolulu, HI	50.00	2	19	171
9	New York, NY	49.90	4	9	182
10	Chicago, IL	49.59	10	12	152
11	Cincinnati, OH	49.43	12	22	42
12	Tampa, FL	49.10	8	24	72
13	Fort Lauderdale, FL	49.02	9	14	128
14	Portland, OR	48.88	18	8	146
15	Denver, CO	48.48	17	11	135
16	San Diego, CA	47.48	5	20	164
17	Washington, DC	47.06	13	10	173
18	Houston, TX	46.91	32	15	33
19	St. Louis, MO	46.57	25	16	34
20	Los Angeles, CA	44.38	14	17	162
21	Philadelphia, PA	44.28	24	17	118
22	Seattle, WA	44.16	15	13	179
23	Charleston, SC	44.08	22	39	77
24	Salt Lake City, UT	43.55	20	35	94
25	Tucson, AZ	43.16	26	48	17
26	San Antonio, TX	42.88	36	29	39
27	Richmond, VA	42.64	35	30	56
28	Phoenix, AZ	42.62	34	31	45
29	Pittsburgh, PA	42.34	19	47	92
30	Reno, NV	41.80	49	28	58
31	Sacramento, CA	40.97	31	21	151
32	Dallas, TX	40.48	55	26	93
33	Jacksonville, FL	40.47	33	60	30
34	Tempe, AZ	40.45	46	61	16
35	Nashville, TN	40.28	41	25	129
36	St. Petersburg, FL	40.22	29	59	54
37	Knoxville, TN	39.93	42	53	52
38	Indianapolis, IN	39.86	64	37	38
39	Scottsdale, AZ	39.83	40	50	48
40	Minneapolis, MN	39.70	27	44	114
41	Louisville, KY	39.59	28	56	100
42	Cleveland, OH	39.51	54	42	37
43	Boston, MA	39.43	23	23	177
44	Milwaukee, WI	39.27	44	43	76
45	Albuquerque, NM	39.16	30	86	35
46	Kansas City, MO	39.02	68	36	59
47	Raleigh, NC	38.99	69	34	67
48	Charlotte, NC	38.89	61	38	87
49	Rochester, NY	38.81	37	52	99
50	Portland, ME	38.75	39	27	157
51	Buffalo, NY	38.47	43	46	96
52	Omaha, NE	38.44	47	64	53
53	Tulsa, OK	38.41	67	71	3
54	Birmingham, AL	38.18	71	41	86
55	Chattanooga, TN	38.16	56	55	75
56	Columbus, OH	38.15	45	70	40
57	Fort Worth, TX	37.96	83	32	47
58	Oklahoma City, OK	37.82	82	57	6
59	Columbia, SC	37.32	50	68	101
60	Baton Rouge, LA	36.92	60	54	97
61	Madison, WI	36.55	48	75	89
62	El Paso, TX	36.41	57	89	25
63	Mobile, AL	36.18	107	45	63
64	Memphis, TN	35.90	91	58	28
65	Lincoln, NE	35.86	75	73	51
66	Virginia Beach, VA	35.74	38	97	98
67	Providence, RI	35.73	81	40	121
68	Grand Rapids, MI	35.63	79	77	27
69	Durham, NC	35.45	112	66	2
70	Colorado Springs, CO	35.38	52	91	85
71	Baltimore, MD	35.15	53	74	112
72	Boise, ID	35.13	65	80	71
73	Springfield, MO	34.47	108	78	20
74	Huntsville, AL	34.46	123	72	31
75	Arlington, TX	34.32	110	51	68
76	Chandler, AZ	33.99	85	103	12
77	Wichita, KS	33.98	124	76	8
78	Plano, TX	33.62	76	87	69
79	Detroit, MI	33.59	84	63	95
80	Oakland, CA	33.46	70	33	175
81	Wilmington, DE	33.46	105	49	127
82	Missoula, MT	33.16	90	79	61
83	Glendale, AZ	32.96	109	112	4
84	Rapid City, SD	32.92	96	107	15
85	Anaheim, CA	32.87	78	65	130
86	Bakersfield, CA	32.77	114	101	10
87	Winston-Salem, NC	32.73	97	99	44
88	Tallahassee, FL	32.66	103	96	80
89	Henderson, NV	32.53	87	62	122
90	Norfolk, VA	32.44	58	108	123
91	Long Beach, CA	32.44	59	67	165
92	St. Paul, MN	32.20	63	114	90
93	Overland Park, KS	32.19	127	137	21
94	Mesa, AZ	32.19	98	130	14
95	Amarillo, TX	32.04	138	165	1
96	Akron, OH	31.71	126	90	49
97	Corpus Christi, TX	31.61	88	131	24
98	Greensboro, NC	31.55	95	104	32
99	Huntington, WV	31.42	144	123	41
100	Sioux Falls, SD	31.33	148	93	50
101	Billings, MT	31.27	118	92	79
102	Jackson, MS	31.22	174	134	9
103	Lexington-Fayette, KY	31.12	86	115	43
104	Huntington Beach, CA	31.09	77	69	166
105	Shreveport, LA	31.02	141	111	23
106	Gulfport, MS	30.95	150	84	74
107	Montgomery, AL	30.86	163	139	5
108	Des Moines, IA	30.83	131	117	18
109	Spokane, WA	30.56	73	128	109
110	Cape Coral, FL	30.51	72	155	102
110	Fort Smith, AR	30.51	164	116	36
112	Fargo, ND	30.29	133	154	11
113	Irvine, CA	30.17	62	119	161
114	Toledo, OH	30.15	100	142	22
115	Chesapeake, VA	29.96	92	143	103
116	Anchorage, AK	29.86	51	170	149
117	San Jose, CA	29.83	66	81	170
118	Fort Wayne, IN	29.80	119	146	13
119	Garden Grove, CA	29.71	101	85	142
120	Tacoma, WA	29.71	120	82	116
121	Las Cruces, NM	29.40	132	167	19
122	Fayetteville, NC	29.25	142	124	64
123	Modesto, CA	29.24	136	102	110
124	Pembroke Pines, FL	29.07	89	161	104
125	Little Rock, AR	28.96	146	135	57
126	Hialeah, FL	28.94	113	110	131
127	Jersey City, NJ	28.87	93	88	158
128	Lubbock, TX	28.80	116	136	91
129	Newark, NJ	28.78	106	105	140
130	Gilbert, AZ	28.75	130	152	26
130	Augusta, GA	28.75	161	145	29
132	Fresno, CA	28.55	102	141	73
133	Charleston, WV	28.40	159	140	62
134	Salem, OR	28.38	151	83	113
135	Aurora, CO	28.34	122	121	105
136	Casper, WY	28.30	149	175	66
137	Port St. Lucie, FL	28.18	139	160	70
138	Cedar Rapids, IA	28.15	162	129	81
139	Irving, TX	28.12	145	164	46
140	Glendale, CA	28.11	80	122	160
141	Columbia, MD	27.96	129	118	139
142	Newport News, VA	27.95	154	109	107
143	Worcester, MA	27.85	140	98	137
144	Peoria, AZ	27.74	152	148	82
145	Vancouver, WA	27.71	94	147	119
146	Burlington, VT	27.59	115	127	134
147	Stockton, CA	27.38	117	159	83
148	Riverside, CA	27.37	99	125	133
149	Columbus, GA	27.11	160	163	65
150	San Bernardino, CA	27.02	172	94	120
151	Manchester, NH	26.53	143	95	154
152	New Haven, CT	26.49	158	133	124
153	Santa Ana, CA	26.48	125	106	150
154	Santa Clarita, CA	26.41	134	126	153
155	North Las Vegas, NV	26.27	135	100	132
156	Oceanside, CA	25.90	104	157	136
157	Juneau, AK	25.77	74	171	174
158	Garland, TX	25.55	147	151	115
159	Bismarck, ND	24.95	157	177	108
160	Cheyenne, WY	24.44	180	176	55
161	West Valley City, UT	24.28	165	169	111
162	Warwick, RI	24.16	128	113	172
163	Nampa, ID	24.13	175	149	141
164	Brownsville, TX	24.04	182	182	7
165	Grand Prairie, TX	23.91	167	173	106
166	Nashua, NH	23.35	171	138	155
167	Chula Vista, CA	23.34	153	132	159
168	Dover, DE	23.28	177	174	145
169	Aurora, IL	23.15	166	162	147
170	Ontario, CA	23.10	169	150	138
171	Rancho Cucamonga, CA	23.01	156	158	148
172	Fremont, CA	22.90	121	172	163
173	Lewiston, ME	22.84	176	178	126
174	Fontana, CA	22.66	179	166	156
174	Bridgeport, CT	22.66	178	156	144
176	Laredo, TX	22.62	155	181	78
177	Yonkers, NY	21.90	137	153	176
178	Santa Rosa, CA	21.77	111	144	181
179	Moreno Valley, CA	21.21	181	120	169
180	Oxnard, CA	20.11	168	168	167
181	South Burlington, VT	17.92	170	180	168
182	Pearl City, HI	17.41	173	179	180

Note: *No. 1 = Most Fun
With the exception of “Total Score,” all of the columns in the table above depict the relative rank of that city, where a rank of 1 represents the best conditions for that metric category.

Festivals per Capita

Most

Most
T-1. Honolulu, HI
T-1. San Francisco, CA
T-1. Tampa, FL
T-1. New Orleans, LA
5. Las Vegas, NV

Fewest

Fewest
169. Billings, MT
170. Grand Prairie, TX
171. Amarillo, TX
172. Garland, TX
173. Laredo, TX

Restaurants per Capita

Most

Most
T-1. Orlando, FL
T-1. Miami, FL
T-1. Las Vegas, NV
T-1. San Francisco, CA
T-1. Chicago, IL

Fewest

Fewest
178. Fontana, CA
179. Lewiston, ME
180. South Burlington, VT
181. West Valley City, UT
182. Pearl City, HI

Park Playgrounds per Capita

Most

Most
T-1. Las Vegas, NV
T-1. New York, NY
T-1. Chicago, IL
T-1. Cincinnati, OH
T-1. Charlotte, NC

Fewest

Fewest
97. Jersey City, NJ
98. Santa Ana, CA
99. Newark, NJ
100. Gilbert, AZ
101. Hialeah, FL

Acres of Parkland per Capita

Most

Most
1. Anchorage, AK
2. Chesapeake, VA
3. Honolulu, HI
4. Jacksonville, FL
5. Scottsdale, AZ

Fewest

Fewest
97. Stockton, CA
98. Jersey City, NJ
99. Newark, NJ
100. Santa Ana, CA
101. Hialeah, FL

Fitness Centers per Capita

Most

Most
1. Fort Lauderdale, FL
2. Tempe, AZ
3. Huntington Beach, CA
4. Salt Lake City, UT
5. Rochester, NY

Fewest

Fewest
178. Pearl City, HI
179. Juneau, AK
180. Huntington, WV
181. Lewiston, ME
182. West Valley City, UT

Accessible Bars

Most

Most
1. Fort Lauderdale, FL
2. Rochester, NY
3. Providence, RI
4. Buffalo, NY
5. Richmond, VA

Least

Least
178. Fremont, CA
179. Garland, TX
180. Moreno Valley, CA
181. South Burlington, VT
182. West Valley City, UT

Dance Clubs per Capita

Most

Most
T-1. San Francisco, CA
T-1. Las Vegas, NV
3. Orlando, FL
4. Houston, TX
5. New York, NY

Fewest

Fewest
158. Fremont, CA
159. Irving, TX
160. Plano, TX
161. Anchorage, AK
162. Henderson, NV

Avg. Beer Price

Lowest

Lowest
1. Brownsville, TX
2. Las Cruces, NM
3. Gulfport, MS
4. Milwaukee, WI
5. Missoula, MT

Highest

Highest
T-178. Miami, FL
T-178. Hialeah, FL
180. Atlanta, GA
181. Seattle, WA
182. New York, NY

Movie Costs

Lowest

Lowest
1. Port St. Lucie, FL
2. Montgomery, AL
3. Jackson, MS
4. Akron, OH
5. Corpus Christi, TX

Highest

Highest
178. San Francisco, CA
179. Oxnard, CA
180. Santa Rosa, CA
T-181. Los Angeles, CA
T-181. Long Beach, CA

Ask the Experts

Fun doesn’t have to mean expensive. For money-saving ideas and advice to city leaders on attracting fun lovers to their cities, we asked a panel of experts to share their thoughts on the following key questions:

What tips do you have for having fun while on a budget?
What should people be looking for when choosing a fun and affordable city?
Will rising inflation have an impact on visitors to U.S. cities?
Should cities allow drinking in public — either during certain times or in specially designated “entertainment districts” — to make their cities more fun?
What can local authorities do to make their city a more fun destination to visit?

Ask the Experts

Sean Hennessey
Clinical Associate Professor, Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality – New York University
Read More

Katherine A. Spilde
Ph.D., MBA – Professor, L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality and Tourism Management; Endowed Chair, Sycuan Institute on Tribal Gaming – San Diego State University
Read More

Marie Ozanne
Assistant Professor of Food and Beverage Management at the School of Hotel Administration – Cornell University
Read More

Amanda Belarmino
Ph.D. – Assistant Professor, William F. Harrah College of Hospitality – University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Read More

S. Abraham (Avri) Ravid
Sy Syms Professor of Finance, Sy Syms School of Business – Yeshiva University
Read More

Methodology

In order to determine the most fun cities in the U.S., WalletHub compared 182 cities — including the 150 most populated U.S. cities, plus at least two of the most populated cities in each state — across three key dimensions: 1) Entertainment & Recreation, 2) Nightlife & Parties and 3) Costs.

We evaluated those dimensions using 65 relevant metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weights. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the greatest number and variety of fun and cost-effective activities. For metrics marked with an asterisk (*), the square root of the population was used to calculate the population size in order to avoid overcompensating for minor differences across cities.

Finally, we determined each city’s weighted average across all metrics to calculate its overall score and used the resulting scores to rank-order our sample. Our sample considers only the city proper in each case and excludes the surrounding metro area.

Entertainment & Recreation - Total Points: 40

Number of Attractions: Double Weight (~2.00 Points)
“TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards Top 25 Destinations” Ranking: Full Weight (~1.00 Points)
Coffee & Tea Shops per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.00 Points)
Restaurants per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.00 Points)
Diversity of Restaurants: Full Weight (~1.00 Points)
Ice-Cream & Frozen-Yogurt Shops per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.00 Points)
Bowling Alleys per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.00 Points)
Baseball & Softball Diamonds per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.00 Points)
Basketball Hoops per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.00 Points)
Tennis Courts per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.00 Points)
Public & Municipal Golf Courses per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.00 Points)
Public Swimming Pools per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.00 Points)
Public Beaches per Capita: Half Weight (~0.50 Points)
Presence on TripAdvisor’s “Top 25 Beaches” List: Full Weight (~1.00 Points)
Fishing Facilities per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.00 Points)
Marinas per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.00 Points)
Boat Tours & Water Sports per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.00 Points)
Water & Amusement Parks per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.00 Points)
Hiking Trails per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.00 Points)
Scenic and Sightseeing Establishments per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.00 Points)
Spas & Wellness Centers per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.00 Points)
Shopping Centers per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.00 Points)
Share of Population with Walkable Park Access: Full Weight (~1.00 Points)
Share of Designed Parkland Areas: Full Weight (~1.00 Points)
Presence on TripAdvisor’s “Top 25 Parks” List: Half Weight (~0.50 Points)
Playgrounds per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.00 Points)
Parkland as Share of City Area: Full Weight (~1.00 Points)
Acres of Parkland per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.00 Points)
Bike-Rental Facilities per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.00 Points)
Sports Venues per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.00 Points)
Fitness Centers per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.00 Points)
Recreational Sports Centers per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.00 Points)
Sports Fan-Friendliness: Full Weight (~1.00 Points)
Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s “Best Sports Cities” ranking, which includes football, basketball, baseball, hockey and soccer.
Movie Theaters per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.00 Points)
Performing-Arts Theaters per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.00 Points)
Festivals per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.00 Points)
Arcades per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.00 Points)
Amusement Parks per Capita*: Full Weight (~1.00 Points)
Presence on TripAdvisor’s “Top 25 Amusement Parks” List: Full Weight (~1.00 Points)
Ideal Weather: Full Weight (~1.00 Points)
Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s “Cities with the Best & Worst Weather” ranking.

Nightlife & Parties - Total Points: 40

Bar Accessibility: Full Weight (~2.86 Points)
Note: This grade is a combination of bars per capita* (measures availability) and bars per square mile (measures proximity).
Pool Halls per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.86 Points)
Lounges per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.86 Points)
Beer Gardens per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.86 Points)
Legality of Public Drinking: Full Weight (~2.86 Points)
Time of Last Call: Full Weight (~2.86 Points)
Average Open Hours of Breweries: Full Weight (~2.86 Points)
Presence of Music Festivals: Full Weight (~2.86 Points)
Note: The cities that have music festivals will receive 1, the others 0. In case a city has more than one music festival, it will receive the exact number of music festivals.
Music Venues per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.86 Points)
Dance Clubs per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.86 Points)
Dance Party Index: Full Weight (~2.86 Points)
Arts & Crafts-Supplies Establishments per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.86 Points)
Casinos per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.86 Points)
Comedy Clubs per Capita*: Full Weight (~2.86 Points)

Costs - Total Points: 20

Average Price of Party Ticket: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
Average Beer Price: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
Note: This metric measures the price of a six-pack of 12-ounce Heineken containers, excluding any deposit.
Average Wine Price: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
Average Food Price (Pizza & Burger): Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
Prevalence of Affordable Restaurants Rated 4.5+ Stars: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
Restaurant-Meal Costs: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
Movie Costs: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
Bowling Costs: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
Average Fitness-Club Fee: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
Price for Three-Star Hotel Room: Full Weight (~1.67 Points)
Cost of Living: Double Weight (~3.33 Points)

Sources: Data used to create this ranking were obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau, The Trust for Public Land, Council for Community and Economic Research, Numbeo, Kayak, GolfLink, TripAdvisor, Yelp, Thumbtack, Eventbrite, TheHuffingtonPost.com, Wikipedia, AreaVibes, Music Festival Wizard and WalletHub research.

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