National Geographic Traveler is constantly in search of qualities that make for an unforgettable travel experience for its readers. Travel is rooted in hospitality, so for this issue, Traveler partnered with Resonance Research Consultancy to develop a unique, data-backed index of the 28 friendliest neighborhoods in the U.S. From the pale-colored houses of Charleston’s French Quarter to the byways of Back Bay in Boston to the 3 miles of powdery sand of Waikiki, these open-minded and open-hearted neighborhoods make travelers feel at home.
In a survey created just for Traveler, Resonance Research Consultancy combined its proprietary Best Cities analytics with statistics and user-generated data that included walkability, home affordability, public spaces and prevalence of third spaces, such as cafes and restaurants. In addition, it examined social media and perception data from TripAdvisor and Yelp. The combination of this research produced a list of zip codes that National Geographic Traveler editors then correlated with existing neighborhoods to create a list of America’s Friendliest Neighborhoods.
Friendliness and goodwill go a long way. We want the traveling world to discover destinations that embrace diversity and hospitality when they extend a warm welcome. That’s why we’re excited to share this list of the 28 most welcoming neighborhoods in the U.S. These vibrant, unique enclaves are friendly, surprising and rewarding for locals and visitors alike. These destinations offer starting points to experience local city culture through food, people, art, history and outdoor spaces.
George Stone, National Geographic Traveler editor in chief
National Geographic Traveler’s Friendliest City Neighborhoods are:
- Historic Oldtown – Albuquerque, N.M.
- Rogers Park – Anchorage, Alaska
- “The Block” – Asheville, N.C.
- Second Street – Austin, Texas
- Hyde Park – Boise, Idaho
- Back Bay – Boston, Mass.
- French Quarter – Charleston, S.C.
- Wicker Park – Chicago, Ill.
- Broadmoor/Stratton Springs – Colorado Springs, Colo.
- Chihuahuita and El Segundo Barrio – El Paso, Texas
- Waikiki – Honolulu, Hawaii
- The Heights – Houston, Texas
- The Strip – Las Vegas, Nev.
- Downtown LA – Los Angeles, Calif.
- University Area – Madison, Wis.
- Brickell/Hammock – Miami, Fla.
- Downtown – Myrtle Beach, S.C.
- Old Naples – Naples, Fla.
- Times Square & Hell’s Kitchen – New York, N.Y.
- West Omaha – Omaha, Neb.
- Thornton Park – Orlando, Fla.
- Little Italy – San Diego, Calif.
- North Beach – San Francisco, Calif.
- Japantown – San Jose, Calif.
- North Historic District – Savannah, Ga.
- Capitol Hill – Seattle, Wash.
- Downtown – Tulsa, Okla.
- Logan Circle – Washington, D.C.
The June/July 2019 issue of Traveler magazine is available now on newsstands and online at natgeotravel.com/neighborhoods.
National Geographic Traveler publishes six issues per year and is the world’s most widely read travel magazine, with 18 international editions. National Geographic Travel shares its inspiring and authoritative digital content, including trip inspiration, travel news, photo galleries and more with its @NatGeoTravel community of more than 50 million people.
To learn more about each destination, visit natgeotravel.com/neighborhoods.
About National Geographic Partners LLC
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