Look
for love in all the right places, because these 10 U.S. cities rank tops for
their dating-friendly credentials. Expect dating pools distinguished by
diversity or a high proportion of singles (enhancing your chances of
meeting
Mr. or Ms. Right), superlative dating venues (rendezvous-ready
restaurants, bars, museums, and more), and/or stunning natural settings, primed
for swoon-worthy outings. Ready to get your dating game on?
Austin (Photo: Thinkstock)AustinAustin’s music scene isn’t all
that rocks – this city’s dating scene doesn’t skip a beat, with singles
comprising more than half the local population (thanks largely to the University
of Texas campus). For a Texas-size dose of top-notch dating potential, try a
toe-tapping night out at some 200 live-music venues (test your inner cowboy or
cowgirl at The Broken Spoke honky-tonk), or hit up the nightlife hotbeds in the
Warehouse District or on Sixth Street. Plus, year-round sunshine and the great
outdoors combine for date-worthy dips at
Barton Springs Pool, hiking or biking the Greenbelt, or
getting out on the water on Lady Bird Park (a kayak for two, anybody?).
Cosmopolitan
Chicago is made for dating: Check out world-class art museums (like
the
Art Institute of Chicago), comedy clubs (Second City is
unsurpassed for laughs), theaters (second only in concentration to Broadway),
and sporting venues (catch a Cubs game at
Wrigley Field). Then, continue your rendezvous well into the
night at smoky blues clubs or trendy rooftop bars showcasing Chi-town’s
cityscape. Outdoor enthusiasts flock to
Lincoln Park or the Lake Michigan waterfront for
biking, jogging, or simply unwinding. Or, take your date to new heights –
literally – with a whirl in
Navy Pier’s Ferris wheel, or in winter, a little ice-skating
in the sky at the rink atop the John Hancock building.
Miami (Photo: Thinkstock)MiamiMake your way to Miami for its
sun-kissed beaches and sexy locals known to show off teeny bikini- and swim
trunks-clad bods. A sizzling nightlife scene infused by sensual Latin flavors
(clubs pumping salsa, meringue, and more) commands the night, while the
beachfront beckons active types who can jog, bike, or rollerblade under the sun.
Of course, simply frolicking in the waters off the white-sand beaches or
lingering over a sunset-view cocktail (try DiLido Beach Club) or savory seafood
meal (The Redfish Grill’s beachfront patio is tops), are perfect
tropical-inspired dates all their own.
New Orleans (Photo: Jenn
Amato)New OrleansThe French Quarter’s
wrought-iron balconies and flickering streetlamps; the soaring oak canopies of
City Park; and balmy Southern nights combine for romantic only-in-N’awlins’
strolls. Or, snuggle up in a horse-drawn carriage or aboard a streetcar to
kindle your date’s desire. New Orleans delivers in the nightlife department,
with legendary music venues (try dimly lit jazz clubs like Snug Harbor) and
watering holes fueled by classic New Orleans cocktails (300-year-old Lafitte’s
Blacksmith Shop Bar ranks high for atmosphere). Or, indulge in neighborhood
cafés (hit Café du Monde for café au lait and beignets for two) and restaurants
flexing their culinary chops (Bayona’s lush courtyard is especially
enchanting).
New York City (Photo:
Thinkstock)New York CityThe Big Apple is big on
dating, with hip, career-driven New Yorkers oozing unrivaled cultural diversity,
perfect for those looking to broaden their dating horizons (plus, a special
bonus for the fellows: Females outnumber males here by 52.5 to 47.5 percent).
NYC’s abundant offerings ensure a date night needn’t be repeated twice – from
music clubs to museums, Broadway to bars, and rooftop lounges to top-ranked
restaurants, Manhattan seems designed with matchmaking in mind. Add on a stroll
in
Central Park, a sunset cruise around the harbor, or a rooftop
cocktail overlooking NYC’s twinkling skyline, for some Gotham trysts not to be
missed.
Phoenix / Scottsdale (Photo: Courtesy Greater
Phoenix CVB)Phoenix &ScottsdaleThe bordering, sun-kissed
sister cities of Phoenix and Scottsdale, tucked into Arizona’s palm- and
cacti-speckled Sonoran Desert, tout a top-notch dating scene that’s no mirage.
The desert delivers abundant hiking, rock climbing, and biking opportunities for
outdoorsy types; follow it up with some pampering for two at one of the area’s
world-class spas (Royal Palms Resort and Spa ranks tops for romance). After
sunset, a foodie scene unfolds at date-primed eateries like T. Cook’s, while
chic nightlife abounds, especially in downtown Scottsdale (try Kazimierz World
Wine Bar). For dates with an artsy edge, peruse galleries during special evening
receptions, courtesy of Phoenix’s Artlink First Fridays, or the weekly
Scottsdale ArtWalk.
San Diego (Photo: Thinkstock)San DiegoSun-drenched San Diego, with
its endless-summer weather, buzzing beach culture, hip nightlife scene, and
generous population of tanned, hard-bodied singles, is an easy contender for
this list. Head out for a date-worthy dip or a go at surfing at one of 33 city
beaches, then stick around for an evening beach bonfire, or hit up the nightlife
haunts of the historic
Gaslamp Quarter, with chic rooftop lounges primed for alfresco
romance (like Ivy Rooftop). The luxe, Mediterranean-style
La Jolla neighborhood, meanwhile, beckons couples
with elegant bars and eateries (we love The Marine Room) and superlative natural
scenery at spots like La Jolla Cove or
Torrey Pines State Reserve.
San Francisco (Photo:
Thinkstock)San FranciscoCalifornia’s cultural
capital, San Francisco, is a boon for diverse, creative singles blessed.
Cultural venues, museums, and art galleries; world-class dining scene (try
romantic Fifth Floor);
Golden Gate Park (with its picture-book
Conservatory of Flowers); and a vibrant nightlife and café scene rank among the
top dating scenes. The City by the Bay’s stunning waterfront setting, moody
misty weather, and iconic
Golden Gate Bridge are a perfect backdrop for
romance, best admired via strolls along the coastline (try Crissy Field) or
sunset catamaran cruises on the bay. California Wine Country and the fairytale
redwoods of
Muir Woods are within easy day-tripping distance
and only increase the likelihood that you’ll indeed leave your heart
here.
Seattle (Photo: Thinkstock)SeattleWith coffeehouses on
practically every corner (little wonder, given Starbucks was born here),
Seattle’s primed for cappuccino-fueled courtships. Or, if Dionysus-inspired
dating’s more your speed, romantic wine bars and urban tasting rooms are perfect
spots to taste Washington’s top-rate vintages. (Keep both options open at
establishments like Fonté Café & Wine Bar.) For an epicurean-edged outing,
sample local flavors via the food stalls, fish vendors, and eateries (Café
Campagne boasts a woo-worthy setting) of the
Pike Place Market. Or, sample Seattle’s natural bounty with
outings to the Cascade and Olympic Mountains, or to the city’s ample lakes and
scenic waterfront. Round it all off with a bird’s-eye view for two atop the
city’s iconic
Space Needle.