ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando is runner-up to the most “fun” city in the country, according to the latest WalletHub study.
The Central Florida city ranked No. 2 among more than 180 U.S. cities. Only Las Vegas ranked higher.
WalletHub compared cities using dozens of measures, including:
Restaurants
Festivals
Parks
Fitness centers
Nightlife
Entertainment costs
WalletHub’s reasoning for the City Beautiful’s placement is as follows:
“The second-most fun city in the U.S. is Orlando, FL, which leads the nation in amusement parks, like the iconic Disney World and Universal Studios. While you might expect a stay in Orlando to be especially expensive, the amusement-park markup doesn’t necessarily extend to the rest of the city.
For example, Orlando actually has the 11th-lowest nightly rate for a 3-star hotel room, the 19th-lowest average pizza price, and the 53rd-lowest average wine price among the more than 180 cities in our study.
If you’re into sports, Orlando ranks as one of the best cities for soccer fans (5th), and it has a very large number of sports stadiums per capita. And if you want to get in shape yourself, the city has a very high number of fitness centers per capita.
In addition, Orlando ranks as one of the top cities for spas, performing arts theaters, arcades, pool halls and lounges, proving that it has more to experience than just the big tourist traps.”
WalletHub, “Most Fun Cities in America (2026)”
Miami ranked No. 3 overall, making Florida home to two of the top three cities on the list. Fort Lauderdale ranked No. 15, while Tampa came in at No. 16.
WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said the top cities offer many ways to have fun, including sports, theaters, arcades, restaurants and outdoor activities. He also said these cities offer options for residents who want to enjoy themselves without spending too much.
The study found that fun can look different for everyone. Some people may prefer beaches and parks, while others may enjoy restaurants, concerts or nightlife.
Florida cities on the list
No. 2: Orlando
No. 3: Miami
No. 15: Fort Lauderdale
No. 16: Tampa
No. 33: St. Petersburg
No. 39: Jacksonville
No. 72: Tallahassee
No. 79: Cape Coral
No. 98: Pembroke Pines
No. 119: Hialeah
No. 156: Port St. Lucie
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