Top 10 Hipster Cities In America

Whether the term elicits an eye roll or admiration, the counterculture types of the 21^st century go by one name: hipsters. Survey junkies Travel + Leisure set out to find "America's Best Cities for Hipsters" for their April issue, using an appropriately judgmental and irony-laced list of barometers.

The magazine's readers ranked 35 metropolitan areas on culturally relevant features like coffee shops, bars, live music and independent boutiques. They also factored in the number of microbreweries and the tech savvy of the population.

Travel + Leisure's Katrina Brown Hunt said finding these hubs of hipsterdom was pretty simple, adding that the hipsters' tastes often coincide with those of travelers.

"Whatever your take, you generally know hipsters when you see them -- most likely in funky, up-and-coming neighborhoods. A smirking attitude toward mainstream institutions means they tend to frequent cool, often idiosyncratic restaurants, shops, and bars -- the same kinds of venues that appeal to travelers looking for what they can't find at home."

Several cities on the list come as no surprise, but others may seem shocking considering hipster Mecca Brooklyn didn't even crack the top 10. (Probably because Travel + Leisure ranked New York City as a whole and noted that the hipster hangouts are too far from the traditional tourist zones.)

So what city provides the ultimate urban bohemia?

Be it Maine or Oregon, the name Portland may as well be synonymous with "hipster." Yet, neither made the top of the list. Press "Start" to have a look at the top 10 and find out which hipster haven came out on top.

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When Coloradans aren’t out exploring the mountains, biking, or living up to their outdoorsy reputation, they can be found in the trendy shops of the Highlands neighborhood in Denver.
Hipster Neighborhood: Highlands

Quirky venues, microbrews on tap, and a theater-loving crowd are three reasons Philadelphia ranked so high.
Hipster Neighborhood: Fishtown

Didn’t expect to see the Puerto Rican capital on the list? Think again: The culinary capital of the Caribbean boasts trendy bars, lively flea markets, and a tech-savvy population.
Hipster Neighborhood: Old San Juan

The hippest city in Texas is a hotbed for live music and offbeat types.
Hipster Neighborhood: East Austin

A delicate mix of artists and nerds put the academia-rich New England city in the top 10.
Hipster Neighborhood: Downtown near the multiuse space AS220

Like its sister city out West, Portland, Maine, has great art galleries, tantalizing food, and people with a penchant for a coffee buzz.
Hipster Neighborhood: Congress Street

A legendary café culture and rich music and arts scenes put New Orleans high on the list.
Hipster Neighborhood: Marigny area

A carryover from the days of the hippies, subculture is still alive and well in the Bay Area.
Hipster Neighborhoods: Mission District and South of Market (SOMA)

Great beer, creative street food, and a quirky sensibility put Portland near the top with its Northwest neighbor (click next).
Hipster Neighborhood: North Williams area

Seattle took top honors because of the city’s creative, tech-savvy, and coffee-fueled residents.
Hipster Neighborhood: South Lake Union area and Ballard