NEW: Providence Named Top Food City 2012 By Travel + Leisure

NEW: Providence Named Top Food City 2012 By Travel + Leisure

Providence has nabbed Travel + Leisure's top food honors in a big way, having now been named the top destination in the United States for “Food/Drink/Restaurants” in the just-released results of Travel + Leisure magazine’s “America’s Favorite Cities” poll.  The city finished just ahead of New York, New Orleans, Chicago, and Portland, Ore., which rounded out the top five.

“Providence’s national reputation as a culinary powerhouse is a cornerstone of our marketing efforts,” said Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau (PWCVB) President & CEO Martha Sheridan. The PWCVB encouraged people to vote in the survey through its social media channels.  “The depth and breadth of our culinary offerings is phenomenal and we are fortunate to have so many talented people in our city.”

Providence placed in the top ten in all food-related categories but one – barbecue.  The survey covers many categories, with Providence ranking #4 in “Theater/Performing Arts,” #1 as a “Base for Day Trips,” #6 as a “Gay Friendly Destination,” and #5 as a “Summer Destination.

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Providence was also named the #13 city for Most Attractive Residents on the latest poll. For more on the Capital City's attractiveness quotient and other Providence rankings, go here.

Overall, Rhode Island’s capital handily beat Boston and Portland, Maine, the two other New England cities included on the list.  The destination did have it downside, however, with Providence placing #26 out of #35 in “Driving Ability.”

To see all the rankings in the latest poll, go here.