The best and worst of Boston

Travel and Leisure magazine recently released the results of its annual survey of “America’s Favorite Cities’’ with Boston getting high marks from visitors for its classical music, culture, and history. But the grades for local barbecue, driving, and weather weren’t so kind. Here’s where Boston finished in a variety of categories, according to visitors, of the 35 cities involved in the survey.

Professional sports, No. 3

It’s hard to figure, after a year that saw the Red Sox win the World Series, the Bruins return to the Stanley Cup final, and the Patriots hosting the AFC Championship game, how you could do much better in professional sports than Boston. Alas, the Hub finished third, behind Denver (?) and No. 1 Chicago, which watched the Blackhawks beat the Bruins last June for the Stanley Cup.

Attractive, No. 17

What’s the big deal? Providence finished No. 2. Number two! Portland, Maine, was No. 4. Is Boston really that much less attractive?

Cool souvenirs, No. 14

Memo to the street vendors at Quincy Market: Step up your game.

Street food/food trucks, No. 21

Despite the influx of mobile restaurants over the past few years, Boston didn’t fare well when it came to food trucks. Providence finished fourth overall.

Sports bars, No. 5

Boston slid three notches in the sports bar category, losing out to Chicago, Denver, Philadelphia, and New Orleans.

Boston also fell five spots when it came to classical music. Visitors tend to think of New York, San Francisco, Nashville, New Orleans, Kansas City, and Philadelphia as better outlets.

We’re no Seattle, San Francisco, or Portland, Ore., but Boston has enough intellectual horsepower to place us fourth on this list. Miami was last.

Boston beat out Washington, D.C., (No. 13) but not No. 1 San Diego or Minneapolis-St. Paul for this patriotic honor.<br>With fireworks like this, who can argue?

We sure know how to get our gadgets on. Boston came in fifth. <br><br>Pictured: Karl Stier, owner of Watershed Media, with his assortment of computer-based technology at his home office station in West Roxbury.

Boston finished two spots below its 2012 ranking. No .1 wasn’t Chicago or New York, but Providence.

We may not have as much city pride as New Orleans, which took No. 1 in this category, but Bostonians are proud to call this city home. At the bottom of the list is Orlando. They wish they were from Boston, too.

They may be fun destinations, but Las Vegas and Orlando, Fla., the bottom two in the survey, can’t match what Boston and Santa Fe (No. 1) can offer in terms of culture. Boston also finished eighth in terms of theater and performance art.<br>
<br>Pictured: Time Stamp, a music project, involved 15 musicians recording improvised experiments at Somerville Theater.

Visitors liked the museums in eight other cities more than they did Boston’s. Washington, D.C., of course, finished No. 1.

Historical monuments, No. 8

At the top of the list are Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia, but Boston boasts a number of historical landmarks. Some of those historical buildings also probably helped the city take eighth on the list of architecture and cool buildings.

Bostonians may grumble about the T, but visitors indicate it’s worse elsewhere, giving Boston high marks for public transportation and pedestrian access. Portland, Ore., finished first.

Free attractions, No. 21

Places like the Arnold Arboretum (pictured) make Boston a top destination with free attractions, yet the Hub plumetted from No. 7 to No. 21 over the past year.

Microbrew beer, No. 9

Boston finished behind both Providence (No. 8) and Portland, Maine (No. 3). Portland, Ore., finished No. 1.

New England must have some great ice cream. Providence finished third, and Portland, Maine, finished second above Boston in eighth. Savannah was No. 1.

Charming local accent, No. 11

We may not paahk our caahs in Hahvahd Yahd, but we do love our chowda. Visitors apparently aren’t as enamored.

New York City came in No. 1 in this category, but Boston still made the top 10. Las Vegas and Los Angeles also made the top four.

It’s New England. What do you want? An explanation how Portland, Maine, and Providence finished 14 and 15? Sorry, no clue.

We’ve moved up quite a bit on this list, from No. 25 in 2012. Only New Orleans and Portland, Ore., got more votes. So, smile.

Since they’re illegal, Boston finished near the bottom of the pack. New Orleans topped the list, while Salt Lake City came in dead last.

Best time to visit: Valentine’s Day, No. 25

Apparently, the Swan Boats aren’t enough to keep the lovebirds happy. Boston placed just ahead of Dallas. Ouch. But no city was as enchanting enough to top Honolulu.

College students would rather bask in the sun in San Diego (No. 1) than visit Boston, Portland, Maine (No. 33), or Salt Lake City (No. 35) in the midst of winter? Go figure.

Only Honolulu, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York City finished with lower scores.

Boston shouldn’t feel all that bad. New York City, arguably one of the country’s top holiday destinations, only finished 23d. Predictably, the warmer destinations finished high on the list.

So, we’re not Nashville, Memphis, or Kansas City, and we have a reputation for some pretty weak barbecue. At least we ranked higher than Anchorage, Seattle, and Salt Lake City.

Take that, New York, San Juan, and Miami. Portland, Maine, finished No. 1.