WalletHub compared the 100 largest U.S. cities using 47 categories in an effort to determine those with the best and worst recreational activities. In each city, basic living costs, the quality of parks, the accessibility of entertainment, recreational facilities and the weather were evaluated. A wide range of leisure activities both indoor and outdoor, such as movie theaters, music venues and coffee shops were also counted. Recreation friendly cities encourage and facilitate recreation and have cheaper and more numerous options than others. Arizona is well represented on the list, with Scottsdale ranked 7; Phoenix 12, and Tucson 13. Other metro Phoenix area cities in the top 100 were Chandler at 49; Mesa 55, and Gilbert 78. The WalletHub list also revealed the worst rated cities, with the bottom three being Durham, NC at 98; Newark, NJ at 99; and Jersey City, NJ dead last at 100.
