Did you know that July is National Parks and Recreation Month? Heading to parks and outdoor activities has been a lifesaver over the past two years. Being in nature is good for your mental health and physical wellness, and it’s a fun way to spend time with your loved ones. As prices for travel and recreation continue to rise, outside activities are a great way to save money while traveling.
WalletHub recently released its list of Best & Worst Cities for Recreation for 2022. Is your city on the list?
Related: Top 20 Travel Destinations In The U.S., According To WalletHub’s Latest Report
How did WalletHub come up with the rankings?
WalletHub compared 100 of the largest cities in the U.S. using 47 key metrics of recreation-friendliness. Living costs, quality of parks, recreational facilities, weather, and accessibility of entertainment were all factors.
What are the top 5 indicators for evaluating the best cities for recreation?
According to Katrina Black Reed, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Recreation, Parks and Tourism Management at Penn State Abington, the top 5 indicators are:
- Do recreational services include the voice of everyone in the community? (You can tell this by who is represented in staff and stakeholders)
- Is the facility welcoming to all people?
- Are the recreation facilities accessible to the community members?
- Do recreational services offer physical, social, psychological, and cultural benefits for their participants?
- Do recreational activities benefit the community?
Best U.S. Cities For Recreation (1-10)
- Las Vegas, NV
- Orlando, FL
- Cincinnati, OH
- Tampa, FL
- Scottsdale, AZ
- San Diego, CA
- Albuquerque, NM
- Atlanta, GA
- Honolulu, HI
- New Orleans, LA
Worst U.S. Cities For Recreation (91 - 100)
- Memphis, TN
- Aurora, CO
- Durham, NC
- Garland, TX
- Oakland, CA
- Irving, TX
- Newark, NJ
- Jersey City, NJ
- Chula Vista, CA
- Fort Wayne, IN
Related: These Are The 10 Best Cities In The World For 2022, According To Time Out