New Orleans ranks No. 1 in ‘America’s Favorite Cities’ survey

Where can you find the wildest weekends, the best antique and vintage shopping and the best people-watching in the country? It isn’t Atlanta, Austin or Boston. It’s right here on the corridor, in the Big Easy. New Orleans was ranked No. 1 in ten categories in Travel + Leisure magazine’s 2009 “America’s Favorite Cities” survey, more than any of the other 30 popular travel destinations in the survey. Beating Las Vegas, Miami, Nashville, New York and Austin, New Orleans was named the best city in the country for nightlife, receiving a No. 1 ranking in all three nightlife subcategories — cocktail hour, singles bar scene and live music/concerts/bands. New Orleans was voted best in the following subcategories: wild weekend, live music, singles/bar scene, cocktail hour, stylish boutique hotels, antique and vintage shopping, cafes/coffee bars, neighborhood joints, people-watching and spring break. Other top five finishes for New Orleans include noteworthy neighborhoods, big-name restaurants, ethnic food, farmer’s markets and romantic escapes. “Today’s travelers want to immerse themselves in an experiential, indulgent, authentic destination, which is New Orleans,” says New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau President /CEO Stephen Perry. “I think we will continue to see an influx of young people and young entrepreneurs coming to explore New Orleans as a hot new place to visit, live and work because they crave something hip and real, not artificially contrived.” An online survey appeared on travelandleisure.com from June 1 through July 31. The results will be featured in Travel + Leisure magazine’s October issue. To see the results online, click here.