Travel – The New York Times: 52 Places to Go in 2014

Making a list or two is always good for a city’s ego. Making the New York Times’ list of 52 places you should go in 2014 out of thousands of great spots in the world is likely going to be good for the city’s tourism industry if it can capitalize on it. In a list that featured such places as Scotland, Croatia, South Africa and New Zealand among others, St. Petersburg clocked in at No. 49. It was one of nine U.S. cities that made the list. The others were Nashville, downtown L.A., downtown Atlanta, Niagara Falls, a new national lands park in Northern California, Indianapolis, Tahoe, Calif., and Aspen, Colo.  In singling out the reason for people to visit, the Times cited “a redeveloped waterfront, a stunning Dali Museum, and sophisticated restaurants” and said “the downtown energy is now heading up historic Central Avenue, thanks in part to the craft beer scene.  How’s this for reinventing our reputation as God’s Waiting Room?