Map reveals most—and least—enjoyable cities within the US

New evaluation has named probably the most, and least, enjoyable cities within the U.S. in 2025.

Personal finance firm WalletHub in contrast 65 “key metrics” to 182 U.S. cities.

The high 5 most enjoyable cities on this 12 months’s rating are the identical as these ranked highest by the corporate in 2024, suggesting the 5 cities proceed to excel in offering sights and a variety of indoor and outside leisure.

How Cities Were Scored

The firm generated the rankings utilizing knowledge throughout three key dimensions: leisure and recreation, nightlife and events and prices. The first two had the very best weighting, whereas prices had a decrease weighting.

WalletHub’s rating analyzed the highest 150 most populated cities within the nation alongside at the least two of probably the most populated cities in every state (182 cities in whole).

What To Know

The high 5 most enjoyable cities for 2025 in keeping with WalletHub’s rankings are: Las Vegas, Orlando, Miami, Atlanta and New Orleans.

Las Vegas got here out high within the evaluation. The metropolis boasts an enormous variety of sights and eating places rated at the least 4.5 stars, alongside its many spas, buying facilities, sports activities stadiums, festivals, arcades, and actions like bowling, mountain climbing and sports activities.

The metropolis is synonymous with a celebration ambiance, with a excessive variety of casinos, music festivals, bars, and dance golf equipment and was one of many few cities in WalletHub’s evaluation that enables consuming in most public areas.

Orlando, Florida, paced second because of its amusement parks just like the world-famous Disney World and Universal Studios.

It additionally ranked effectively in WalletHub’s checklist for its vital variety of spas, performing arts theaters, arcades, and is without doubt one of the finest cities for soccer followers.

Further south, Miami’s seashores make it a preferred vacation spot for each vacationers and holidaymakers. It additionally ranked extremely for fishing services, water sports activities, marinas, parks and health facilities.

Atlanta and New Orleans accomplished the highest 5, adopted by Houston, California’s San Francisco, Texas’ Austin, Oregon’s Portland, and Cincinnati.

At the underside of the rankings have been Oxnard, California, Bridgeport, Connecticut, Yonkers, New York, Lewiston, Maine, and Pearl City, Hawaii. These cities ranked among the many lowest for his or her leisure and recreation, nightlife and their prices.

See the total checklist and scores beneath.

What People Are Saying

Analysts WalletHub stated in a launch: “Everyone’s brand of fun is different. Some people like trying new restaurants, traveling, visiting bars and clubs, or playing outdoor sports, for example. Others enjoy things like riding roller coasters, going to the movies or playing video games.”

David Cella, a professor of medical social sciences at Northwestern University, instructed Newsweek: “The first thing I noticed is that all of the top five cities are in the south or southwest U.S. Year-round warmth is playing a role under the surface of the survey. Looking at the factors that are most heavily weighted, recreational attractions, accessible drinking and dancing deep into the night, play the biggest roles. Cost played a minor role, noting that none of the top five cities overall ranked very well there. I would say that if partying is what you like to do, this survey will help you decide where to go.”

Jonathon Day, a professor and lead researcher on the Sustainable Tourism and Responsible Travel Lab at Purdue University, instructed Newsweek: “The image of a city as a “enjoyable” place grows over time. It may sound simplistic—but they are known as fun because these cities offer experiences that people enjoy. Cities with great access to things people enjoy—from natural attractions to the built environment. Tourism can create a virtuous cycle of fun delivery. Destinations that attract visitors attract investment in facilities that will attract more visitors. This can benefit both locals and travelers. It is worthwhile remembering that New York’s Broadway—an incredible asset for the people of New York—is supported by visitors to the city.”

What Happens Next

Hilary Duff and former One Direction member Zayn Malik are among the many stars to have introduced residencies in Las Vegas for 2026.

Update 12/02/25, 11:12 a.m. ET: This article has been up to date with remark from David Cella.

Update 12/02/25, 11:34 a.m. ET: This article has been up to date with remark from Jonathon Day.

Most Fun Cities: Full List