Providence Named Favorite City in America by Travel + Leisure

The eighth edition of the America's Favorite Cities rankings include 38 different cities across the country and Providence was the only East Coast city to place in the Top 5, beating out Houston, Kansas City, Minneapolis/St. Paul and Los Angeles for the top ranking.

An accompanying story running in conjunction with the survey results in the November issue of Travel + Leisure describes Providence as having “a bit of everything: great food, an exciting bar scene, and endless curb appeal.” Travel + Leisure cites how the city is “brimming with New England charm” and is “a legitimate culinary capital” that has a “downtown [that] has gone from seedy to hip.” The magazine cites The Arcade Providence, The Dean Hotel, and Providence Walks: The East Side walking tours as well notable restaurants and bars as exciting new developments in the city.

In addition to the overall #1 City in America ranking in the America's Favorite Places survey, Providence also took home top honors as the Best City for Bakeries and Best City for Diners. It received second place recognition as one of the country's top cities for Notable Restaurants, Gay-Friendly Vacations, Hip/Cool People, Art Scene Street Food/Food Trucks, Pizza and Sandwiches. A full list of accolades is available here: www.travelandleisure.com/articles/americas-favorite-cities-2014.

The Travel + Leisure America's Favorite Places survey, developed by the publication's editors, launched online on June 2, 2014. Respondents rated their choice of 1,209 destinations in up to 67 categories, using a scale of one to five (with five being the highest score). The final results reflect a subset of the survey data for 38 cities, based on votes cast through July 21, 2014. Surveyed cites are selected by Travel + Leisure editors based on reader feedback and tourism statistics.

The Creative Capital

Providence is a vibrant and energetic destination boasting some of the country's finest educational institutions paired with a pulsating artistic landscape. The city's history of innovation, dating back to its founding father Roger Williams, drives a strong sense of place and encourages residents and visitors alike to view Providence as a leading arts and cultural destination. Providence seamlessly blends the urban sophistication of a big city with the graceful charm of a small town replete with internationally-acclaimed restaurants and a thriving arts scene.

More information: www.goprovidence.com