NEW: Travel + Leisure Names Providence 5th Best US City for Summer Travel
Thursday, May 26, 2011
As the summer travel season officially opens this weekend, Providence snags top honors in Travel + Leisure's Best Cities for Summer Travel survey, coming in at #5.
It's a coup for the capital city, beating out destination classic Boston, MA by 6 whole rungs in the rankings. Portland, ME, was the only other New England city to make T+L's top five.
Food + WaterFire
Based on reader surveys conducted by the magazine, Providence mounted points in having a down-to-earth vibe partnered with great food (burgers received specific praise, plus mom and pop cafes). Throw in WaterFire, and it was a formula that just shouted Summer Tourism.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThis year's top city, Portland, OR, got special love for farmer's markets, inventive cafes, and lots of microbreweries, plus lots of places to bike and exercise. Seattle and Portland, ME came in to fill out the top three. San Diego took fourth.
Who chooses and why
Every year, Travel + Leisure readers rank cities for qualities such as great food or excellent shopping. Readers also vote on best times of year to visit—including the classic, all-important summer vacation. And, says the magazine, interest in summer travel (despite gas prices) is on the upswing. According to a poll by the American Express Spending & Saving Tracker, 59 percent of Americans will take some kind of summer getaway, up from 51 percent last year.
So get out the welcome mat, Providence. They're on their way.
For the entire story, go here.
