Map Shows Most 'Cultured' Major Cities in US

Newsweek

5 days ago

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New Orleans in Louisiana has been ranked as the most "cultured" major city in the United States, followed by San Francisco, California and Nashville, Tennessee, according to a new study.
The study by Holafly, eSIM provider, measured cultural venues and landmarks per capita across 100 of the most populated cities in the U.S. Each was assessed based on the number of museums, music venues, landmarks, art galleries and theaters per 100,000 residents, which was used to create a culture score for each city.
Culture advocate Sehila Mota Casper is the executive director of Latinos in Heritage Conservation and a former senior field officer at the National Trust for Historic Preservation. She told Newsweek that, while museums and music halls play a role, the essence of culture is found in the everyday lives of residents.
"Museums and galleries are part of the picture, but the core of a cultured city is its people. Culture is not built from above. It grows from neighborhoods, kitchens, churches, sidewalks, street corners, and languages spoken at home," Casper said. "Every city on this list reflects that. Diversity is not an accessory to culture. It is the foundation."
The study crowned New Orleans as the most "cultured" major city in America, citing its unmatched concentration of cultural landmarks—over 38 per 100,000 people—and iconic sites such as the St. Louis Cathedral, the oldest continuously active Roman Catholic cathedral in the country. Located in the historic French Quarter, the cathedral is part of a broader cultural landscape that includes jazz institutions such as Preservation Hall, the Maple Leaf Bar, and Kermit's Treme Mother-in-Law Lounge.
"In addition to the stunning historic architecture, culture-hungry travelers will also have an array of music venues to catch some live music; from jazz to reggae, there really is something for everyone," the study noted.
Stock image: People walk in the streets of the French Quarter in New Orleans.
Stock image: People walk in the streets of the French Quarter in New Orleans.
Getty
Coming in second was San Francisco, described in the report as "a hotbed of culture," with more than 41 landmarks per 100,000 people. In addition to well-known tourist destinations like the Golden Gate Bridge, the city is home to cultural fixtures such as the historic Alcatraz Island and panoramic spots like Twin Peaks.
"If getting outdoors and exploring the local areas via hiking is your thing, then the Twin Peaks is a must-see," the study said. "Standing over 900 feet above the city, Twin Peaks offers stunning views of the city's skyline, not to mention being the perfect sunset spot."
Nashville, dubbed "The Music City," secured third place, owing much to its rich musical heritage. The city is home to legendary venues such as the Grand Ole Opry and the Ryman Auditorium, as well as the Johnny Cash Museum; this reportedly hosts the largest and most comprehensive collection of Johnny Cash artifacts in the world.
Rounding out the top five were St. Louis, Missouri, and Honolulu, Hawaii. St. Louis scored high with a 60.54 culture rating, bolstered by its iconic Gateway Arch and thriving blues scene, including institutions like BB's Jazz, Blues & Soups. Honolulu closely followed with a culture score of 60.47, with the study highlighting Pearl Harbor and the city's blend of historical depth and natural beauty.
The remaining cities in the top 10 included: Boston, Massachusetts (sixth); Arlington, Virginia (seventh); Miami, Florida (eighth); Washington, D.C. (ninth); and Richmond, Virginia (10th), each recognized for their blend of artistic, historical, and musical significance.
"Culturally rich cities are shaped by migration, language, memory, and community tradition," Casper said. "The cities in this ranking reflect concentrated diversity. New Orleans, San Francisco, Miami, and Honolulu all carry histories of layered settlement—African, Indigenous, Latin American, Asian, and Caribbean. Culture has been created, protected, and reimagined in these cities across generations."
The executive director further noted the deep, layered histories that shape some of the cities in the ranking. "San Francisco's murals, New Orleans' music traditions, Miami's diasporic neighborhoods, Honolulu's ancestral practice, Washington D.C.'s multiethnic enclaves—these are not recent phenomena," Casper added. "They are cultural ecosystems built through survival, exchange, and continuity."
Top 20 Most 'Cultured' Major Cities in the U.S.
New Orleans, Louisiana San Francisco, California Nashville, Tennessee St. Louis, Missouri Honolulu, Hawaii Boston, Massachusetts Arlington, Virginia Miami, Florida Washington, D.C. Richmond, Virginia Cincinnati, Ohio Atlanta, Georgia Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Las Vegas, Nevada Portland, Oregon Minneapolis, Minnesota Cleveland, Ohio Seattle, Washington Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Baltimore, Maryland
Source: Based on a ranking of 100 of America's most-populated cities done by Holafly, according to the number of theaters, live music venues, museums, art galleries and landmarks/points of interest per 100,000 people.
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