Dallas has made its share of lists — fastest-growing suburbs, most homes for rent — but here's one you might never have predicted: Little old Big D is one of the coolest cities in America, according to a new study by British gambling company Betway.com.
The team at Betway analyzed 50 of the most populated cities across the U.S. and Canada, ranking them on factors associated with "being cool".
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. The other Texas city on the list, no surprise, was Austin, AKA "The Live Music Capital of the World," which ranked at No. 11.
So sorry, Houston.
The No. 1 coolest city in America: Boston, Massachusetts. That was followed by Las Vegas at No. 2 — really? — and the far more predictable Portland, Oregon at No. 3.
According to Betway.com, factors that determine a city's coolness include: median age of residents, and then how many street art murals, vegetarian/vegan bars and restaurants, record stores, upcoming music events, and tattoo parlors a city has.
The survey found that there are 40 dietary-friendly restaurants per 100,000 people in Dallas; six tattoo parlors "per population"; and 37 upcoming music events.
Dallas is rife with new restaurant openings, especially as the city's accomplished chefs move on to new opportunities within the hospitality industry.
Dallas is particularly unforgettable for its copious "energy and culture," the report said.
"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."
The top 15 coolest American cities are:
- No. 1 – Boston
- No. 2 – Las Vegas
- No. 3 – Porland
- No. 4 – San Francisco
- No. 5 – Seattle
- No. 6 – Denver
- No. 7 – Nashville
- No. 8 – Washington, D.C.
- No. 9 – Detroit
- No. 10 – Los Angeles
- No. 11 — Austin
- No. 12 — San Diego
- No. 13 — Phoenix
- No. 14 — Dallas
- No. 15 — Columbus
