maybe next year
San Antonio gets snubbed on new list of America's coolest cities
San Antonio isn't as cool as Dallas or Houston, apparently.
A new study ranking the coolest cities in America has entirely snubbed San Antonio, while two other Texas cities made the cut.
The survey by British gambling company Betway.com ranked 50 most populated cities across the U.S. and Canada, ranking them on factors associated with "being cool."
Though San Antonio was nowhere to be found, Austin faded into the background by landing in the No. 11 spot. Dallas came in at No. 14 on the list — not even the top 10, but nonetheless one of only two cities in Texas to make the list at all. Houston was also given the cold shoulder in the report.
Boston, Massachusetts claimed the title as the coolest city in America, followed by Las Vegas, Nevada (No. 2), and Portland, Oregon (No. 3).
The rankings were determined based on seven "coolness" factors including the median age of residents, the number of tattoo parlors, record stores, upcoming music events, street art murals, and vegan/vegetarian restaurants each city has.
The report specifically called out the two Texas cities' "energy and culture" and gave nods to their respective culinary scenes.
"What makes a city cool often goes beyond its reputation or famous landmarks – it’s the unique blend of culture that provides the energy," the report's author wrote. "From thriving music scenes and vibrant street art to foodie hotspots and inclusive, laid-back vibes, the coolest cities offer something authentic, exciting, and effortlessly memorable."
In defense of San Antonio
Channeling CultureMap's late columnist Ken Hoffman, who has criticized similar studies in the past: There is so much that makes San Antonio cool that this silly study doesn't appear to take into account.
This city treasures its numerous cultural icons, its top-tier universities are shining beacons in the education field, and its nearby suburbs are among the best places to live in the nation. Local celebrities like Spurs Jesus and Fiesta Sucia make city living genuinely weird. Even ghosts seem to like it. Almost every building downtown seems to have its own spooky story.
San Antonio's food scene is unmatched with new bars and restaurants opening up all over the city, offering everything from healthy meals to yummy desserts, and cocktails galore. Many of the newcomers, like Pullman Market, The Newstand, and El Tigre, are from Austinites who became enchanted with the city's charms.
It's not like Boston has the Alamo, the River Walk, or a citywide event like Fiesta. If that's not cool, we don't know what is.
The top 15 coolest American cities are:
- No. 1 – Boston, Massachusetts
- No. 2 – Las Vegas, Nevada
- No. 3 – Portland, Oregon
- No. 4 – San Francisco, California
- No. 5 – Seattle, Washington
- No. 6 – Denver, Colorado
- No. 7 – Nashville, Tennessee
- No. 8 – Washington, D.C.
- No. 9 – Detroit, Michigan
- No. 10 – Los Angeles, California
- No. 11 – Austin, Texas
- No. 12 – San Diego, California
- No. 13 – Phoenix, Arizona
- No. 14 – Dallas, Texas
- No. 15 – Columbus, Ohio
