This article covers the 20 most Boring Cities in the US and offers detailed insights into the cities that people believe do not offer much in the way of excitement. For a quick overview of the top 5, read our article, the 5 most Boring Cities in the US.
Everyone has dreamed of visiting the United States at some point in their lives, whether to experience the electric atmosphere of Times Square, marvel at the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, or thrill-seek on the roller coasters of Disneyland.
The US is a vibrant and exciting country that hosts various popular events yearly, attracting visitors worldwide. These festivals, celebrations, and sporting events receive international recognition, and the country’s ability to host all types of sporting events is unparalleled.
Consequently, the country currently accounts for 10.5% of the global sports tourism market in 2023. Meanwhile, the sports tourism market size is projected to grow to $559.75 billion by 2027. On the other hand, people from across the globe travel to the States to get a piece of its music scene.
A report predicted that the global live music market will reach $11.49 billion by the end of 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.3% to reach $15.62 billion by 2028. This growth is further supported by a study that estimated that two Taylor Swift concerts alone could generate $140 million in consumer spending in Colorado.
Entertainment and activities companies are consistently expanding their footprint to attract more people as consumers continue to spend heavily on experiences and leisure travel.
For example, Carnival Corp (NYSE:CCL) announced in 2022 that it would debut seven-day cruises between the eastern and western Caribbean. These cruises will feature Playlist Productions and Center Stage entertainment options, including The Most Magnificent Circus, Color My World, Visual Symphony, and Rio Carnival.
Another company that regularly plays its role in making sure that some excitement is brought to various cities across the US is Marvel Entertainment Inc. (NYSE:MVL), which showcases exciting panels and activities for fans.
At the 2023 San Diego Comic-Con, Marvel Entertainment Inc. (NYSE:MVL) hosted several panels that discussed the future of Marvel Comics and featured tips and tricks from industry experts. It also revealed a selection of pins that San Diego Comic-Con attendees could collect during the show.
Marvel Entertainment Inc. (NYSE:MVL) debuted the new costumes for The Marvels at its booth on the show floor, allowing attendees to get an up-close look at the latest superhero gear. Moreover, it hosted a panel titled Designing the X-Men, where they showcased the first finished footage from the highly anticipated animated series X-Men ’97.
Meanwhile, sporting events like the Super Bowl are a major cultural phenomenon in the US. Preparations for the 2024 event, which will take place in February, are already underway. Paramount Global (NASDAQ:PARA), one of the event’s partners, is using its CBS and other cable networks to air a new promo for Super Bowl LVIII.
As part of the collaboration for the event, Paramount Global (NASDAQ:PARA) will offer multiplatform coverage throughout the event. It will further allow users to stream the game after the fact.
Photo by Baron Cole on Unsplash
Methodology
To determine the most boring cities in the US, we decided to use four metrics as major indicators: the number of major league sports teams in each city, the number of theaters/museums per capita in each city, the number of non-fast food restaurants in each city, and population density.
We wanted to find the cities that score lowest on these indicators, as the lack of activities mentioned above would make a city boring. To reach accurate rankings, we assigned weights to each metric. For example, we assigned 0.3 to the city’s population, the number of museums/art galleries in cities, and restaurants. Meanwhile, a weight of 0.1 was assigned to sports teams. We then calculated a weighted average score for each city and ranked the cities with the lowest scores on these metrics.
We collected data on the relevant metrics from different websites. We got the number of restaurants from Data Axel USA, the total number of museums/art galleries from Yelp, the names of sports teams from Sports Media Watch, and the total population from the government census.
Below is our complete list of the 20 most boring cities in the US.
Most Boring Cities in the US
20. Jacksonville
Population: 1,605,848
Restaurants: 2,626
Museums/Theatres/Art Galleries: 80
Sports Teams: 2
Final Score: 35.9
Jacksonville, Florida’s most populous city, is situated on the Atlantic coast in the state’s northeast corner. While known for its beaches and military bases, the city has been criticized for its sprawling size, lack of a central core, and dearth of exciting attractions.
19. Sacramento
Population: 2,397,382
Restaurants: 3,467
Museums/Theatres/Art Galleries: 11
Sports Teams: 2
Final Score: 36.4
Sacramento, situated in the heart of California’s agricultural region, attracts many former residents of small farming towns.
18. Virginia Beach
Population: 1,780,059
Restaurants: 2,822
Museums/Theatres/Art Galleries: 43
Sports Teams: 0
Final Score: 36.75
According to a study conducted by Pennsylvania State University, the climate of Virginia Beach is rapidly changing, leading to a number of hazards. This has caused people to minimize outdoor activities, which are usually prevalent in beach towns.
17. Providence
Population: 1,676,579
Restaurants: 2,612
Museums/Theatres/Art Galleries: 240
Sports Teams: 0
Final Score: 37.47
In early 2023, Rhode Island was reported to be grappling with a drug addiction and overdose crisis, with Providence also facing the same challenges. This could be due in part to the lack of exciting events and opportunities in the city and state, which may lead some people to turn to drugs as a form of recreation.
16. Milwaukee
Population: 1,574,731
Restaurants: 2,202
Museums/Theatres/Art Galleries: 61
Sports Teams: 4
Final Score: 38
According to a recent report that analyzed FBI data, Milwaukee ranks third among the largest US cities in violent crime rates.
15. Memphis
Population: 1,345,425
Restaurants: 2,044
Museums/Theatres/Art Galleries: 70
Sports Teams: 2
Final Score: 40.1
Memphis is a very spread-out city, but its public transportation system is not as developed as various other cities.
14. Oklahoma City
Population: 1,425,695
Restaurants: 2,110
Museums/Theatres/Art Galleries: 39
Sports Teams: 2
Final Score: 42.1
Long winding roads and spread-out land are two distinctive features of Oklahoma City. However, this can make it difficult and time-consuming to get around, especially for those who rely on public transportation.
13. Louisville
Population: 1,362,180
Restaurants: 1,871
Museums/Theatres/Art Galleries: 50
Sports Teams: 0
Final Score: 42.70
Louisville is best known for its horse racing and bourbon, but it doesn’t have the same diversity of attractions as some other major cities.
12. Richmond
Population: 1,314,434
Restaurants: 1,997
Museums/Theatres/Art Galleries: 56
Sports Teams: 0
Final Score: 42.8
A traditional city, Richmond may not appeal to those who seek spontaneity or unconventional experiences.
11. Raleigh
Population: 1,413,982
Restaurants: 1,850
Museums/Theatres/Art Galleries: 21
Sports Teams: 2
Final Score: 45.3
Raleigh has a hot and humid climate, with summers typically characterized by high 80s and low 90s Fahrenheit temperatures.
10. Birmingham
Population: 1,180,631
Restaurants: 1,676
Museums/Theatres/Art Galleries: 52
Sports Teams: 0
Final Score: 46.66
Birmingham is a city that may be perceived as monotonous, with limited weekend activities beyond shopping and dining.
9. Salt Lake City
Population: 1,257,936
Restaurants: 1,540
Museums/Theatres/Art Galleries: 26
Sports Teams: 3
Final Score: 46.9
In 2023, a legendary NBA star, Charles Barkley, criticized Salt Lake City, calling it “boring” and saying he spent most of his time in his room.
8. Buffalo
Population: 1,166,902
Restaurants: 1,616
Museums/Theatres/Art Galleries: 17
Sports Teams: 4
Final Score: 48
While there are several places to go in the city, Buffalo is deemed as one of the boring cities in the US by many.
7. Fresno
Population: 1,164,909
Restaurants: 1,460
Museums/Theatres/Art Galleries: 27
Sports Teams: 0
Final Score: 48.71
Fresno, California, has a Mediterranean climate, with warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. While the city does not experience extreme cold, temperatures can occasionally drop below freezing. This can make the city feel uninviting, especially for people not used to cold weather.
6. Hartford
Population: 1,150,473
Restaurants: 1,902
Museums/Theatres/Art Galleries: 38
Sports Teams: 0
Final Score: 49.63
Residents and tourists alike often face significant challenges in Hartford. City services are often inadequate, crime rates can be high, and car insurance premiums are typically elevated. While the suburbs may offer a more tranquil lifestyle, they can also be perceived as exceedingly monotonous.
Click to continue reading and see the 5 Most Boring Cities in the US.
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Disclosure. None. 20 Most Boring Cities in the US is originally published on Insider Monkey.
