Atlanta, September 3, 2025
News Summary
In a recent analysis, Atlanta has been identified as the top U.S. city for excitement in 2023. The ranking is based on various criteria, including nightlife, dining variety, and local attractions. Miami follows in second place, while cities such as New York and Las Vegas highlight their unique offerings in food and entertainment. The research evaluated 75 major cities, yielding valuable insights for travelers, event planners, and local policymakers.
Atlanta
Atlanta tops a nationwide ranking of the most exciting U.S. cities for 2023 based on an index that combines nightlife, food, outdoor activities and other attractions. The analysis evaluated 75 of America’s largest cities across five categories and produced a weighted excitement index that places Atlanta first, Miami second and a diverse set of other cities across the top of the list.
Key findings
The study assessed each city using five categories: population makeup, culinary scene, outdoor activities, nightlife and celebrations, and overall things to do. Scores from those categories were weighted and combined into a single index. Cities with higher combined totals ranked higher on the excitement scale.
- Top-ranked city: Atlanta, driven by strong nightlife, a wide variety of dining options and numerous concert and club venues.
- Second place: Miami, noted for its nightlife, fine dining (including many Michelin-recognized restaurants), major sports teams and beaches.
- Other notable rankings: Orlando’s placement reflects the draw of major theme parks such as Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld; Las Vegas ranked highest in the things to do category because of nonstop entertainment, casinos and live shows; New York City remains a major destination based on its vibrant nightlife and diverse food scene.
- Surprises and specialties: St. Louis scored well on nightlife thanks to a high nightclub density and an active music festival calendar. Minneapolis ranked seventh overall, standing out for outdoor activities and live entertainment despite cold winters.
Notable city-specific details
Las Vegas led the list in the things to do category, reflecting its continual schedule of entertainment and performances. Orlando’s ranking was powered by theme-park tourism and international visitors. New York City’s combination of diverse cuisines and nighttime options keeps it among the most visited. Washington, D.C., scored strongly for nightlife and cultural events and is also recognized for its museums and monuments.
Some cities show distinctive local strengths that influenced scores. San Francisco has a dining profile where only about 25% of restaurants are chains, highlighting unique, independent options. Salt Lake City’s demographic profile shows a relatively youthful population with only 12.1% of residents over 65, reinforcing its emphasis on year-round outdoor attractions.
Methodology and verification
The analysis covered 75 large U.S. cities and used five category scores to generate a final weighted index. Each category contributed to the overall score according to pre-set weights, and cities were ranked by their total. The process emphasized measurable factors such as restaurant composition, nightlife density, attraction counts and demographic indicators tied to activity levels.
Professional fact-checkers reviewed the data, verifying figures against primary sources and expert opinions to ensure accuracy of the inputs and the resulting rankings. The final list reflects a combination of quantitative measures and contextual interpretation intended to capture the range of experiences available in each city.
What the results mean
The rankings suggest that different cities attract residents and visitors for different combinations of reasons. Some shine because of nightlife and entertainment venues, others because of outdoor recreation or cultural institutions, and a few because they offer strong family- or theme-park-related tourism. The index aims to present a practical way to compare cities by how many activities and experiences they offer, not by a single dimension of quality.
Who might use this information
Travelers choosing a destination, people considering relocation, event planners, and local policymakers may find the index useful as a snapshot of how cities compare on entertainment, dining and activity options. The data can help identify strengths that cities might build on or gaps they could address to broaden their appeal.
FAQ
What criteria were used to rank the cities?
Rankings were based on five categories: population makeup, culinary scene, outdoor activities, nightlife and celebrations, and overall things to do. Category scores were weighted and combined into a single excitement index.
How many cities were analyzed?
Seventy-five of America’s largest cities were evaluated.
Which city ranked first and why?
Atlanta ranked first due to its strong nightlife, variety of dining options and numerous venues for concerts and clubs, which contributed to high scores across the evaluated categories.
Were the findings verified?
Yes. The study included professional fact-checking that compared data against primary sources and expert input to confirm accuracy.
Does the index favor any single type of attraction?
No. The index combines multiple categories so that cities with varied mixes of outdoor activities, dining, nightlife and cultural events are recognized.
Simple chart: Top cities and their standout features
| Rank | City | Primary standout(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atlanta | Nightlife, dining variety, concert venues |
| 2 | Miami | Nightlife, fine dining, beaches, sports |
| 3–5 | New York City, Washington D.C., Las Vegas | NYC: food and nightlife; D.C.: cultural events; Las Vegas: things to do |
| 7 | Minneapolis | Outdoor activities, live entertainment |
| — | Orlando | Theme parks and family attractions |
| — | St. Louis | Nightclub density, music festivals |
| — | San Francisco | Predominantly independent restaurants (only ~25% chains) |
| — | Salt Lake City | Youthful population, year-round outdoor access (12.1% over age 65) |
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Additional Resources
- Quartz: Most Exciting Cities in USA 2025
- PJ Star: Report Ranks Chicago Among Most Exciting Cities in US
- Newsweek: Map Shows Most Fun Cities in US
- KHOU: Most Fun Cities in U.S. Ranked
- Google Search: Exciting Cities in USA
Author: STAFF HERE ORLANDO WRITER
ORLANDO STAFF WRITER The ORLANDO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOrlando.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Orlando, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Megacon Orlando, and Central Florida Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Orlando Economic Partnership and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando, plus leading businesses in leisure and hospitality that power the local economy such as Walt Disney World Resort, AdventHealth, and Universal Orlando. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
