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[mmbcross]

Here's an interesting series of lists. Travel & Leisure's the USA's Favourite Cities. Miami got first prize for attractiveness of its people, but last prize for historical monuments.
http://www.travelandleisure.com/afc/2008/index.cfm

They also publish the world's best cities. Bangkok came in No. 1. Do you agree with their selection?
http://www.travelandleisure.com/worldsbest....cfm?cat=cities

[starlagurl]

Hm...so I looked at the methodology and it's from a survey distributed through the magazine and online?

It's kind of mind-boggling to see Cape Town in 2nd place, yeah. I think Bangkok should probably be in the top 10 though.

[sianeth]

What is the world's best cities based on? The same ratings as the US one?

I think the US one's awesome, the stats are really thorough and its all easy to understand, plus rated by tourists and locals so the marks seem quite accurate (for places I've been anyway)

[exploreamerica]

I complain about our (miami) history and culture all the time. I can't believe a city of our stature and cultures doesn't have an amazing art or history museum.

[mmbcross]

Get your hands on last Sunday's (14th. Sep.) Miami Herald. It has a 26-page "Season of the Arts" section that should satisfy you. Covers all the winter season's cultural happenings in the tri-county area.

I admit our museum situation in Miami is pretty grim. The plans for the new Art and Science museums across from the Adrienne Arsht Performing Arts Centre are wonderful, but the form of financing is still very controversial.

Have you seen the plans for the Frank Gehry New World Symphony concert hall in Miami Beach?
http://www.playbillarts.com/news/article/6156.html

[exploreamerica]

I agree that there are options, but the quality is poor. Our cultural and historical sites are a joke in compariosn to places like Chicago and New York City. There is no place to go to see a Renoir, Monet or any other painter with a silent consonant at their end of their name. And there is no place to view world history.

[mmbcross]

No Monets...but all is not bleak.

Our Historical Museum of Southern Florida is one of the largest private, regional history museums in the country, recognized for excellence in programming and management by national museum services organizations. It hosts the Annual Miami International Map Fair - "The Super Bowl of mapdom." every February. Considered the one of the world's most eminent exhibitions for map dealers, collectors and aficionados from the four corners of the world.

The Miami International Book Fair in November is also now world renown. It's the largest and finest book fair in America.

The world's most prestigious art show, Art Basel has chosen Miami Beach to hold the most important art show in the United States, a cultural and social highlight for the Americas in December.

It's not Monet...but all is not bleak.