12 Best Cities for Online Dating
By Ellen Lee, CNBC.com
Cities Wired for Dating
This being the era of Facebook and Twitter, it only makes sense that online dating has become one of the main sources for meeting new people.
Online dating sites, from top contenders such as Plenty of Fish, to more niche sites such as Christian Mingle, drew nearly 626 million visits in January, according to Experian Hitwise.
But where are the best cities locations for singles to take the online dating plunge? Look at cities with the biggest pool of online daters, according to eHarmony, Match.com and the up-and-coming HowAboutWe, where people meet their match based on the types of dates they propose.
See the slideshow: 12 Best Cities for Online Dating
New York City
New York's population of more than 8 million - with transplants from around the world arriving by the minute - means there is always someone ready to find love online and off. The city tops eHarmony's list for male and female singles, ages 18 to 80.
Best of all, with the Empire State Building, Central Park and Times Square as a backdrop, New York has no shortage of romantic, movie-scene-ready date locations.
Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, after all, found each other at the top of the Empire State Building in the classic "Sleepless in Seattle." Or, more recently, Justin Timberlake demonstrated his love for Mila Kunis in Grand Central Station in the romantic comedy "Friends with Benefits."
And for the ultimate experience, what could be more romantic than a horse-drawn carriage ride around Central Park?
San Diego
Best to get your bikini and surfer body ready. San Diego's balmy weather and sandy beaches mean that the swimsuit factors into a high number of online dates here, from sun tanning on the beach to going for a swim, according to HowAboutWe.
For dates that call for more clothes, popular date ideas include taking a walk on the wild side at the San Diego Zoo, home to more than 3,700 rare and endangered animals, strolling through the gardens of Balboa Park or screening a film at the old-fashioned South Bay Drive-In Theatre.
Boston
Home to Harvard, MIT and so many other colleges and universities, is it any wonder that singles in Boston like to meet at bookstores? According to HowAboutWe, singles are three times more likely to meet up in places such as the Trident Booksellers & Cafe , than in any other big city.
Books not your thing? That's OK, because Boston has many other charms. Catch the Boston Red Sox at historic Fenway Park or go to TD Garden to see the Boston Bruins of the NHL or the NBA's Celtics. Then grab a pint at the Cambridge Brewing Company. For more romance, how about an evening stroll through the Boston Public Garden?
Detroit
Don't just take Eminem's word for it. Detroit is the place to be for singles, with the Motor City among the top 10 markets for eHarmony.
Start out with a visit to the Motown Historical Museum , where you and your date can see where hits such as "You Can't Hurry Love" and "My Girl" were made.
Then, take a gamble on love with a stop at the MotorCity Casino & Hotel, a popular date spot, or head over to Greektown for a bite. For a late night feast, maybe you and your date can decide once and for all which place cooks up the best chili dog, Lafeyette Coney Island or American Coney Island.
Atlanta
Turn on the Southern charm. Atlanta ranks No. 1 for singles over 40, according to HowAboutWe. It also has a large pool of women in their 30s looking for love, according to eHarmony, with Atlanta placing in the top five.
Be inspired by the romance of Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'Hara in "Gone With the Wind," which Margaret Mitchell wrote in her home of Atlanta. Or, for a darker romance, scout out the locations where the popular television series "The Vampire Diaries," is filmed.
Kansas City
A little unexpected, maybe, but makes sense, when you think about it: Kansas City knows how to say just the right thing. And you can pick up a few good lines to romance your date at the Hallmark Visitors Center , headquarters of the card making company.
K.C. is one of HowAboutWe's top five places for singles over 40. Here, finding romance can be combined with enjoying the many cultural offerings in the city. Take in a ballet or symphony performance at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Stroll along the riverfront. Or, check out the work of independent artists at the Crossroads Arts District.
Need a little more action? The Kansas City Chiefs of the NFL and baseball's Royals offer sports fans the opportunity share their love of the home team.
Dallas/Ft. Worth
Everything is big in Texas, including online dating. Dallas appears on the top 10 lists for both Match.com and eHarmony.
And with the popular television series Dallas returning to the airwaves this year, you can be sure there's romance and drama in the air.
Or maybe you would rather keep things simple: Go bowling at 300 Dallas or visit the sea life at the Dallas World Aquarium, two popular date spots.
See the full list: 12 Best Cities for Online Dating
"Love @ First Byte: The Secret Science of Online Dating" re-airs on Tuesday, February 14th at 8 pm ET on CNBC.
For more info, visit onlinedating.cnbc.com
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