New York is only the 10th best U.S. city for "staycations," says report
Whether you like staying in the city when it empties out for the summer, or simply don't have the time or funds for an out-of-town vacation, chances are high that at some point this summer you'll find yourself exploring NYC on what could be considered a "staycation." But will your staycation be less fun than it might be if you lived in, say, San Diego, Tampa, or Chicago?
Arguably, yes, according to a new ranking from personal finance website WalletHub. The site ranked 150 U.S. cities for recreational and entertainment options for creating a holiday vibe while staying in town, and even with all its museums, shows, and free summer events, NYC barely cracked the top 10:
What gives? To get at their findings, WalletHub analyzed 36 "key indicators" including swimming pools per capita, beer gardens, spa access, tennis courts, golf courses, museum options, nightlife, and more.
"New York City ranked first in a multitude of sub-metrics," explains WalletHub analyst, Jill Gonzalez, including basketball hoops, parks, theaters and concert halls, restaurants, coffee and tea shops, and beer gardens per capita.
As usual, however, the high cost of living diluted the perks. "NYC has a few shortcomings, all regarding high costs," Gonzalez tells us. To wit: We ranked near the bottom of all 150 cities when it came to costs for beauty salon treatments, restaurant meals, movie tickets, and bowling.
"The capital cities that ranked higher did so for a number of reasons," Gonzalez adds. "San Diego had the edge on NYC by ranking first in Public Beaches per Capita, whereas New York ranked 18th. New York's 133rd rank in Public Golf Courses per Capita was Surpassed by Las Vegas' fourth place. Orlando ranked first in Zoos & Aquariums per Capita, while New York ranked 93rd."
You can also see how other cities ranked and play around with the data in map form, below, or see the full list and rankings over at Wallethub:
Since we doubt you'll be up and moving to one of the better ranking staycation cities before the end of the summer, may we suggest these guides to the city's beach options, as well as ways to enjoy the city's cultural offerings on the cheap?
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