Top 20 U.S. Cities for Culture:
Cultural Venues Density per City Population
20. Chicago, IL
Ratio: one location for every 7,438 people
While the Windy City doesn't lack attractions by any means, only 365 properties are specifically dedicated to cultural & recreational activities - which translate into 7,438 people per property. A registered landmark, the Chicago Theatre (pictured here) dates back to 1920. Image courtesy of Rob Young.
19. San Jose, CA
Ratio: one location for every 6,873 people
With a population of over 980,000, San Jose is the third most populated city in California. The city offers 143 culture-centric destinations, one for every 6,873 residents, which places it on the 19th spot on our list. The local Tech Museum of Innovation spans on over 132,000 square feet. Image courtesy of The Tech.
18. Memphis, TN
Ratio: one location for every 5,697 people
Memphis only has 115 properties destined for culture and recreation - one for every 5,697 residents - nabbing the 18th spot on our list. Graceland, the former home of music legend Elvis, is a top local attraction and one of the most visited houses in the United States. Image courtesy of Jan Kronsell.
17. Los Angeles Area, CA
Ratio: one location for every 5,210 people
With a remarkable number of properties dedicated to culture & recreation (774 to be more precise), the City of Angels ranks 17 on our list. Being the second most populous city in the U.S., 5,210 LA residents share each property. An LA icon, the Griffith Observatory is a national leader in public astronomy. Image courtesy of Matthew Field.
16. San Francisco, CA
Ratio: one location for every 5,130 people
Arguably the smallest city on our list, San Francisco manages to squeeze in 161 culture-centric properties within its boundaries. That's one location for every 5,130 residents. The Golden Gate Park, consisting of 412 ha of public grounds, is the fifth most-visited city park in the U.S. Image courtesy of Hispalois.
15. Dallas, TX
Ratio: one location for every 5,005 people
With a population of over 1.2 million, Dallas offers 248 locations for cultural & recreational activities - one per 5,005 residents - including an impressive 64.6-acre botanical garden (The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, pictured here). Image courtesy of David R. Tribble.
14. Phoenix, AZ
Ratio: one location for every 4,727 people
While some are predicting that by 2020 Phoenix will rank 4th in terms of population, it's currently the sixth most populous city in the U.S. It is home to 315 cultural and recreations destinations (meaning one location for every 4,727 residents), including the world's largest Musical Instruments Museum. Image courtesy of Kevin Spencer.
13. New York, NY
Ratio: one location for every 3,096 people
The Big Apple is a record-breaker, with an impressive number of 2,693 properties dedicated to cultural and recreational activities. But since it's heavily inhabited - by a population of well over 8 million - it lands the 13th spot on our list, with one property for every 3,096 people. Nevertheless, it is home to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the largest art museum in the U.S. Image courtesy of Arad.
12. Las Vegas, NV
Ratio: one location for every 3,043 people
Beyond all the lights and excitement, Las Vegas does not include only flashy hotels and casinos. The city offers its residents golf courses, green parks and a total of 196 locations dedicated to cultural and recreational activities. Among them (and pictured here) is the Wynn Golf Course that replaced the former Dessert Inn. Image courtesy of Dpursoo.
11. Jacksonville, FL
Ratio: one location for every 2,483 people
Not only is Jacksonville the largest city in Florida, but is also the largest city by area from the contiguous US! And it comes with a reasonable number of properties dedicated for cultural activities (2,483), including The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, home to over six thousand works of art - some dating as far back as 2100 B.C. Image courtesy of Ebyabe.
10. Washington, DC
Ratio: one location for every 2,422 people
While the U.S. capital only has about 640,000 residents, commuters from surrounding areas bring the city's population up to over 1,000,000 during workdays. The city accommodates 267 cultural & recreational locations, including the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts - the busiest performing arts facility in the U.S. - with over 2,000 performances a year.
9. Charlotte, NC
Ratio: one location for every 2,408 people
With 322 properties scattered throughout 199 neighborhoods, Charlotte lands on honorary 9th place on our list. Pictured here is the 98-acre Freedom Park, known for its numerous Canada Geese - that congregate year round on the central lake.
8. Philadelphia, PA
Ratio: one location for every 1,718 people
With 901 properties dedicated for cultural & recreational activities, Philadelphia has the largest number of outdoor sculptures and murals in all of America. The city is also home to the world's largest landscaped urban park, Fairmount Park, and the 1732-built Independence Hall, pictured here. Image courtesy of Rdsmith4.
7. San Antonio, TX
Ratio: one location for every 1,657 people
The fastest growing of the top 10 largest cities in the U.S. for the past decade, San Antonio offers 835 recreational & cultural destinations, including the San Antonio Museum of Art - a repurposed brewery that dates back to 1904.
6. Columbus, OH
Ratio: one location for every 1,366 people
In 2013, Forbes rated Columbus as one the top business cities in the U.S. In our list, it lands on the 6th place, with a total of 593 properties - including the Franklin Park Conservatory, which encompasses 97.8 acres of outdoor botanical gardens and green space. Image courtesy of Analogue Kid.
5. Boston, MA
Ratio: one location for every 1,188 people
While it may be the second smallest city on our list (by area), Boston is one of the oldest cities in the U.S. - and it nurtures that legacy with a total of 536 properties dedicated to cultural activities, including its marvelous 1,019-seat concert hall and principal space of the New England Conservatory, Jordan Hall.
4. Houston, TX
Ratio: one location for every 1,144 people
The largest city in all of Texas, and fourth-largest in the U.S., Houston is home to over 2.1 million people, as well as 1,890 cultural & recreational facilities. The Children's Museum of Houston was voted "America's No. 1 Children's Museum" by Parents Magazine.
3. Miami Area, FL
Ratio: one location for every 958 people
Home to the largest concentration of international banks in the entire U.S. and a well-known cultural, entertainment & arts hotspot, Miami is third, with a total of 629 properties. A leading local attraction, Zoo Miami is the only tropical zoo in the United States and one of the first free-range zoos in the country. Image courtesy of Alexf.
2. Indianapolis, IN
Ratio: one location for every 705 people
Housing six different Cultural Districts, Indianapolis prides itself with a rich cultural heritage. That, coupled with recent initiatives made by local officials to increase the city's appeal as a destination for arts & culture, have brought the number of cultural properties up to 1,184 (for a population of 835,000). Image courtesy of _J_D_R_.
1. Seattle, WA
Ratio: one location for every 354 people
Its impressive 1,840 cultural & recreational venues - for slightly over 650,000 people - propelled Seattle straight to our top spot! The fastest-growing major city in the U.S. is known for its lively blend of cultural activities, powered by its tradition of municipal support for the arts and its status as a national education hotspot. Image courtesy of DimiTalen.