Let's Have Some Fun! Pittsburgh Ranks As One Of The "Most Fun Cities In America"
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Pittsburgh is the most fun city in the northeast, a study from WalletHub concludes.
"Absolutely, Pittsburgh really did represent well, especially for the northeast," WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzalez told KDKA money editor Jon Delano on Monday.
Gonzalez says Pittsburgh ranks 14 out of 150 cities when it comes to entertainment, recreation, nightlife, and cost.
Las Vegas, Orlando and Miami rank one, two, and three, but Pittsburgh beat out cities like San Francisco, Honolulu, and, of course, Philadelphia.
"Of course we knew this all along," says Craig Davis, CEO of VisitPittsburgh.
Davis says affordable fun is what he sells to conventions and visitors.
"We are what's known as an "it" city. We're getting a lot of positive buzz and this is all part of it."
Pittsburgh ranks high in many categories -- like sports teams and public swimming pools -- but one area stands out.
"Pittsburgh ranks number one in terms of the access to bars so that's both the number of bars per capita and the number of bars per square mile," notes Gonzalez.
That's right. Number one in the country with 8 bars per square mile and 149 bars per 100,000 residents.
"We specialize in shots and beers," says Jennifer Grippo, whose family owns The Original Oyster House.
The Oyster House is the oldest bar in the city.
"We're a drinking town. We support our sports teams with beer. We're all about having a good time and celebrating," adds Grippo.
And that adds up to fun.
When it comes to bars in Pittsburgh, the end is hardly in sight.
On this corner in Market Square will soon be City Works, a new pub with over 90 taps for beer.
And that is why Pittsburgh's reputation for fun will continue to grow.
"What we sell to our meeting planners in particular is that they can bring a convention into downtown and the people do not have to leave here in order to have fun," says VisitPittsburgh's Davis.
"All the restaurants and bars that they need at their fingertips are right here -- we're safe, we're clean, and we're accessible."
And number one in the northeast!
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Click here to read WalletHub's full study of America's Most Fun Cities!
But if you're looking for a more serious city, you might want to try Oxnard, California. They come in dead last on the "fun" list at No. 150.