Dallas has secured its place as the 26th most fun city in the United States, according to WalletHub’s latest ranking for 2025. The city’s vibrant entertainment and nightlife scenes have contributed to this improved standing, moving up five places from its previous position as the 31st most fun city in 2024.
WalletHub’s “Most Fun Cities in America (2025)” study evaluated 182 cities across 65 different metrics. These metrics included the number of sports venues, music venues, and shopping centers per capita, as well as the average cost of a restaurant meal. The analysis categorized these metrics into three key areas: entertainment and recreation, nightlife and parties, and cost.
Dallas’ Ranking Highlights
In this year’s ranking, Dallas excelled particularly in the nightlife and parties category, achieving a commendable 23rd place. However, the city still faces challenges in the entertainment and recreation category, where it ranked 35th, and in overall cost, landing at 99th. These rankings indicate that while Dallas offers a lively social scene, there is potential for growth in its recreational offerings and overall affordability.
Las Vegas, Nevada, continued its dominance as the most fun city in America for 2025, maintaining a multi-year streak at the top. Following Las Vegas in the rankings were Orlando, Florida, and Miami, Florida, which secured the second and third spots, respectively.
In North Texas, Fort Worth followed Dallas, ranking as the 60th most fun city. Arlington and Plano were further down the list, at 71st and 78th, respectively.
Shifts in Texas City Rankings
Houston emerged as the top-ranked city in Texas, coming in at 6th place overall. This marked a significant achievement for Houston, surpassing Austin, which dropped from 6th to 8th place. Other Texas cities making the top 100 include San Antonio at 23rd, El Paso at 62nd, and Corpus Christi at 94th.
The report emphasized the importance of variety in a city’s offerings, stating, “In a city with enough variety, you won’t have to compromise with your friends, family, or even yourself about the next fun activity to do alone or together.”
Interestingly, both Chicago and New York City experienced a decline in their standings, falling out of the top 10. Chicago now ranks 11th, while New York City holds the 14th position on the list.
The complete list of WalletHub’s top 10 most fun cities in the United States for 2025 includes:
1. Las Vegas, Nevada
2. Orlando, Florida
3. Miami, Florida
4. Atlanta, Georgia
5. New Orleans, Louisiana
6. Houston, Texas
7. San Francisco, California
8. Austin, Texas
9. Portland, Oregon
10. Cincinnati, Ohio
Dallas’ ascent in the rankings reflects its ongoing efforts to enhance its appeal as a destination for entertainment and leisure. As the city continues to develop its offerings, it may further improve its position in future assessments of fun cities across the nation.
