Top 20 Most Fun and Interesting Places To Live In The US Today

Top 20 Most Fun Places To Live In The US. Photo: KnowInsiders.com

When deciding on a city to visit or live in, people consider a variety of factors. Some of these factors include the cost of living or staying, as well as how easy it is to get around by foot or public transportation. Other factors to consider include a location's architecture, culture, and history. But many people have one lingering question: Is it any fun?

Of course, not every city has the same level of fun, or even the same type of fun, so how do you know where to let loose? To find out, and because "fun" can be a difficult variable to define, US News and World Report has chosen the top ten most fun places to live in the United States.

Let's take a look at the top 20 most fun places to live in the United States.

What Are Most Fun and Interesting Places To Live In The US?

1.San Diego

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Greater than the city of San Diego is San Diego County. There are many fantastic places to live in the metropolitan area's towns and cities. In one of the suburbs, you can locate a house that not only satisfies your requirements but also lives up to your expectations.

Sunny San Diego, which is right on the Pacific coast, is a partygoer's dream. The Gaslamp Quarter, which is primarily made up of bars, restaurants, and music venues, is awash in alcohol. Museums, gardens, art galleries, and one of the best zoos in the world are all spread across the 1200 acres of Balboa Park.

Searching for entertaining activities in San Diego that are more on land than in the water? You're in luck, then! Attend Kaboo Del Mar, the ultimate three-day gathering where you can delight in live music, fine dining, stunning art exhibits, and luxurious accommodations. Visit Petco Park with your friends to enjoy a mouthwatering ballpark frank and watch the San Diego Padres hit home runs. To get a high-up view of the ocean, hike up Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve and take the six trails. Climb a coconut tree, indulge in Dole Whip and Hot Dog on a Stick, or visit Belmont Park to ride the renowned Giant Dipper Roller Coaster. One of the best family-friendly activities in San Diego is a trip to LEGOLAND, where you can build a raft to float down the lazy river, jump around in a bioluminescent tide simulator, board a submarine to explore the underwater world, or experience the wind in your hair on dinosaur roller coasters.

2.San Francisco

Entertainment and Recreation Rank: 4

Nightlife and Parties Rank: 8

Cost Rank: 177

San Francisco is one of the most expensive cities, so it has its advantages and disadvantages. It also has the highest average beer price, second only to Anchorage. However, it also receives high marks for other categories: it ranks among the cities with the most festivals, dance clubs, fitness centers, and restaurants per capita.

3.Portland, Oregon

Entertainment and Recreation Rank: 13

Nightlife and Parties Rank: 7

Cost Rank: 117

Portland is notable for having a high number of accessible bars.

4.Seattle

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Entertainment and recreation rank: #10

Nightlife and parties rank: #14

Washington's city by the sea serves up some of the country's best seafood, which you can famously see "in action" at Pike Place Market. The Mariners, Sonics, and Seahawks all call this vibrant city home, as do monolithic tech companies like Amazon and Microsoft.

5.Nashville, Tennessee

Entertainment and recreation rank: #38

Nightlife and parties rank: #24

Nashville remains a vibrant haven for aspiring musicians from all walks of life. You'll also encounter a tomato-based art festival, full-scale replica of the Greek Parthenon, quality food, and all-around great vibes. “Music City” is as fun now as it ever was.

READ MORE: Top 10 Most Romantic Cities in The US For A Couple’s Getaway

6.Charleston, South Carolina

Entertainment and recreation rank: #21

Nightlife and parties rank: #76

Who needs history when there are so many fantastic breweries and award-winning restaurants to choose from in this South Carolina port city? Both casual shoppers and compulsive shoppers will adore Charleston City Market, where regional vendors offer a variety of handcrafted goods. With every year that goes by, this city becomes more enjoyable and well-known.

7.Los Angeles

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Entertainment and Recreation Rank: 8

Nightlife and Parties Rank: 12

Los Angeles is one of the cities with the most dance clubs and fitness centers per capita. The heart of the American film industry, the huge southern California city is naturally all about entertainment, and it's loaded with theme parks, museums and beaches.

8.Cleveland

Entertainment and recreation rank: #46

Nightlife and parties rank: #48

Home to four professional sports teams, Cleveland is the affordable city that just won't quit. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is a sure bet for a fun afternoon, as is the Cleveland Museum of Art. If there's one landmark not to be missed, it's the house from “A Christmas Story.”

9.Portland, Maine

Parks Ranking: 13

Restaurants Ranking: 21

Shopping Ranking: 15

The popularity (23), dining (21), attractions (16), parks (13), nightlife (19), concerts (11) and shopping (15) categories that make up the list of the Most Fun Places to Live all place this city in the Northwest in the top 25. It consistently earns excellent ratings in all categories.

There are only two major league professional sports teams in Portland: the soccer team, the Portland Timbers, and the basketball team, the Portland Trail Blazers. This isn't true in any other industry. Residents of Rose City have access to a wide range of recreational opportunities along with a thriving job market, a steadily growing population, and an increasingly competitive housing market.

10.Santa Rosa, California

U.S. News & World Report claims that Santa Rosa is more entertaining than both Chicago and New York.

On the publication's list of the "30 Most Fun Places to Live in the U.S.," the city came in at number 10, ahead of Chicago and New York City, which came in at 14 and 24, respectively.

The list states that it should come as no surprise that the center of California wine country is one of the Most Fun Places to Live and one of the best places to find a fantastic restaurant.

When the number of shops per 1,000 residents and TripAdvisor user reviews were taken into account, Santa Rosa came out on top. When considering the number of restaurants per 1,000 residents, their TripAdvisor ratings, and whether they had received the AAA Four or Five Diamond Award, the city came in second.

11.Raleigh and Durham, North Carolina

Entertainment and recreation rank: #69

Nightlife and parties rank: #27

Visitors to Raleigh, which has recently become a tech hub, will find historic hotels, scholarly institutions, killer cuisine, craft beer and exceptional art. There's never been a better time to get to know this area.

12.Boston

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Parks Ranking: 63

Restaurants Ranking: 32

Shopping Ranking: 53

The New England Patriots for football, the Boston Red Sox for baseball, the Boston Bruins for hockey, the Boston Celtics for basketball, and the New England Revolution for soccer are all represented by teams in Boston. Additionally, the city has a wide variety of attractions that keep people moving around, such as Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Bunker Hill, and Boston Children's Museum.

13.Phoenix

Entertainment and recreation rank: #53

Nightlife and parties rank: #67

Phoenix is overflowing with opportunity and adventure. There are countless parks, springs, mountains, and rock formations just outside the city limits. Hot-air ballooning during the day and a party bike pub crawl at night are both options.

14.Chicago

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Entertainment and Recreation Rank: 7

Nightlife and Parties Rank: 6

The Windy City doesn't need mild weather to have fun. It ties with New York for most park playgrounds per capita. Pictured is ice skating at Millennium Park.

15.Fort Myers, Florida

Outdoor enthusiasts have a playground in Fort Myers. Miles of freshwater and saltwater channels, trails for biking, hiking, and paddling, golf courses, tennis courts, swimming pools, and shuffleboard courts can all be found in the area. The area is a gateway for sunbathing, shelling, and snorkeling because of its proximity to Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel Island.

Fort Myers gets a bit quieter after sunset, with the exception of its vibrant downtown, also known as the River District. Here, night owls can hop among bars and craft breweries, take in a live show at the Arcade Theatre, or see the city’s lights from a rooftop restaurant or lounge.

16.Honolulu

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Entertainment and recreation rank: #6

Nightlife and parties rank: #18

The center of this Hawaiian city is Waikiki, where resorts, hotels, bars, clubs, restaurants, and beaches come together to delightful effect. Honolulu is a destination where vacation fantasies come true. Hike a dormant volcano during the day and enjoy a cocktail from a coconut at night.

17.Denver

Parks Ranking: 40

Restaurants Ranking: 57

Shopping Ranking: 61

With the Colorado Rockies for baseball, the Denver Broncos for football, the Denver Nuggets for basketball, the Colorado Avalanche for hockey, and the Colorado Rapids for soccer, Denver is the fifth-best city for sports fans.

Denver is a well-liked destination for travelers flying in from across the nation due to its close proximity to outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, and other outdoor pursuits in and near the Rocky Mountains.

18.New Orleans

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Entertainment and Recreation Rank: 18

Nightlife and Parties Rank: 9

New Orleans ties for first place with Honolulu, San Francisco and Tampa for having the most festivals per capita.

19.Philadelphia

Entertainment and recreation rank: #22

Nightlife and parties rank: #19

In Philadelphia, history not only endures but also thrives. Along with numerous historical sites, the City of Brotherly Love is home to some of the best dining establishments, shopping areas, and sports franchises in the nation. It's time to try a Philly cheesesteak if you've never had one.

20.Orlando, Florida

Entertainment and Recreation Rank: 2

Nightlife and Parties Rank: 3

Orlando, another city centered on entertainment, is home to over a dozen theme parks. The Florida city shares the title of having the most dance clubs per capita with San Francisco and Las Vegas. In addition, it is one of the top five cities for restaurants.

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