{"id":119451,"date":"2026-07-09T10:56:36","date_gmt":"2026-07-09T09:56:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.betway.com\/?p=119451"},"modified":"2026-07-09T17:18:47","modified_gmt":"2026-07-09T16:18:47","slug":"north-americas-most-nostalgic-cities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.betway.com\/ca\/casino\/north-americas-most-nostalgic-cities\/","title":{"rendered":"North America\u2019s Most Nostalgic Cities Revealed In New Study"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":119449,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[788],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-119451","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-casino"],"acf":{"brief_description":"These nostalgic American and Canadian cities cannot get enough of the retro lifestyle.","auto_update_sportal365":true,"property_type":["","run_ads","","","",""],"main_image":119450,"authors":[116152],"properties":{"ads_enabled":true,"adult_content":false,"important":false,"live":false},"live_url":"","type_of_redirect":"permanent","body":[{"acf_fc_layout":"editor_block","content":"

New research from our online casino<\/a> team shows the North American cities most gripped by nostalgia right now, ranking the biggest metros on everything from record store counts to searches for vintage clothing.<\/p>\n

From the resurgence of vinyl to a renewed appetite for retro arcades and thrifted fashion, nostalgia has become big business across the US and Canada – and the data suggests some cities are leaning into the trend far more than others.<\/p>\n

The study weighted record store and arcade counts, retro diner ratings, and vintage clothing search volume (per capita) to produce a final nostalgia score out of 100.<\/p>\n

U.S. Key Findings:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u25cf Los Angeles is crowned America’s most nostalgic city, topping the table with the 240 vinyl record sellers and the highest overall weighted score.<\/p>\n

\u25cf New York City takes second place, generating more vintage clothing searches than anywhere else in the country (48,350) but a lower per-capita rate keeps it just behind LA.<\/p>\n

\u25cf The Windy City rounds out the podium in third, helped by the 4.6-rated \u2018The Chicago Diner\u2019 and the second-highest vintage clothing search volume in the study.<\/p>\n

\u25cf Minneapolis ranks 12th overall but posts the highest vintage clothing searches per capita (19,300) of any city on the list – a sign nostalgia runs deeper there than the headline ranking suggests.<\/p>\n

U.S. Full Table:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Rank<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

City<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Record Stores<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Arcades<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Top Retro Diner Rating<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Vintage Clothes Searches Per Capita<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Nostalgia Score<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

1<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Los Angeles<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

240<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

76<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4.7<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

5,737<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

100<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

2<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

New York City<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

240<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

108<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4.1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

5,688<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

91.88<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

3<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Chicago<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

171<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

66<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4.6<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

6,278<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

72.57<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

4<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Portland<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

110<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

30<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4.5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

16,767<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

64.86<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

5<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Orlando<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

62<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

88<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4.0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

16,200<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

64.21<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

6<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Nashville<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

56<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

30<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4.8<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

13,414<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

53.55<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

7<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Las Vegas<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

41<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

63<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4.6<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

9,057<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

46.42<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

8<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Seattle<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

93<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

33<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4.4<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

13,463<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

46.09<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

9<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Austin<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

57<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

64<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4.4<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

9,790<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

44.17<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

10<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Miami<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

37<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

52<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4.5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

11,260<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

41.05<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

11<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

San Francisco<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

110<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

48<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4.1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

12,000<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

40.80<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

12<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Minneapolis<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

75<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

27<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4.0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

19,300<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

38.56<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

13<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Houston<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

96<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

98<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3.9<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4,100<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

32.69<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

14<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Dallas<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

87<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

42<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4.5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

5,231<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

26.57<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

15<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Detroit<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

66<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

37<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4.5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

7,200<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

24.68<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"editor_block","content":"

Los Angeles Crowned As America\u2019s Most Nostalgic City.<\/h2>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"editor_block","content":"

Los Angeles<\/strong> secured top spot with a maximum weighted score of 100, boosted by its 240 record stores – a joint-high alongside New York City – and 76 arcades. Vintage clothing searches in the city topped 21,800, reflecting a fashion scene that continues to look backwards for inspiration.<\/p>\n

New York City<\/strong> finished a close second, with the highest volume of vintage clothing searches nationwide at 48,350 – more than double any other city in the study. Chicago <\/strong>claimed third, driven by the best-reviewed retro diner of the top three – \u2019The Chicago Diner\u2019 – at 4.6 stars.<\/p>\n

While Minneapolis<\/strong> finished 12th overall, the city recorded the highest rate of vintage clothing searches per capita anywhere in the country at 19,300 – suggesting nostalgia culture runs deeper there than its headline ranking lets on. Nashville<\/strong>‘s retro diner quality rated highest of any city in the study at 4.8 stars, helping it to sixth overall, while Las Vegas<\/strong> rounded out the top seven on the back of 63 arcades and strong vintage clothing search volume.<\/p>\n

Commenting on these findings, our lifestyle spokesperson said: “These findings show an interesting trend in how Americans are embracing the past, from vinyl records to retro arcades and vintage fashion.”<\/p>\n

“Los Angeles and New York City lead the way, but it’s cities like Minneapolis that show nostalgia is a genuine cultural movement in smaller markets too.”<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"editor_block","content":"

Canada’s Most Nostalgic Cities Revealed – Victoria Takes Top Spot<\/h2>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"editor_block","content":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

City<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Record Stores<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Arcades<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Top Rated Retro Diner<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Vintage Clothes Searches per capita<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Nostalgia Score<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Victoria<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

173<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

14<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4.30<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

9,375.00<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

99.00<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Toronto<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

70<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

103<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4.10<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2829.69<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

55.21<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Barrie<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

47<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

14<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4.20<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

9,400.00<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

52.84<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Calgary<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

25<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

57<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4.30<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3,835.29<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

39.58<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Ottawa<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

12<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

118<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3.70<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3,920.00<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

22.45<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Hamilton<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

122<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

32<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3.70<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4,925.00<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

21.23<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Montreal<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

36<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

64<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4.10<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2,033.33<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

20.86<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Quebec City<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

11<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

26<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3.60<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

10,166.67<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

9.09<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Vancouver<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

29<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

23<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4.00<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3,380.65<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.00<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The study also found that Victoria<\/strong> is Canada’s most nostalgic city, earning an overall score of 99.00 and finishing comfortably ahead of every other destination analysed.<\/p>\n

Victoria’s victory was built on a remarkably balanced performance across the study’s key metrics. The city boasts a strong collection of vintage stores and record shops, while its highest-rated diner, Frankie’s Modern Diner, helped strengthen the city’s nostalgic credentials.<\/p>\n

Despite finishing well behind Victoria overall, Toronto<\/strong> ranks second thanks to the sheer scale of its nostalgic offering. The city recorded more arcades and record stores than any other location in the study. Visitors can choose from a huge range of retro entertainment venues, vinyl retailers and classic diners, including Golden Diner, making it one of Canada’s strongest destinations for those seeking a trip down memory lane.<\/p>\n

The biggest surprise in the rankings, meanwhile, comes from Barrie<\/strong>, which places third overall. While considerably smaller than cities such as Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, Barrie performs exceptionally well across several nostalgia indicators. Its strong showing demonstrates that a memorable retro experience is not limited to Canada’s largest urban centres.<\/p>\n

Commenting on the Canadian findings, our lifestyle spokesperson said:<\/p>\n

“These findings show that nostalgia tourism is thriving across Canada, but some cities have embraced retro culture far more than others.”<\/p>\n

“Victoria’s combination of vintage shopping, classic dining experiences and retro entertainment helped it stand out as the clear winner.”<\/p>\n

“What’s particularly interesting is seeing smaller cities such as Barrie outperform some of Canada’s biggest destinations. It shows that creating a nostalgic experience is about quality and concentration rather than population size alone.”<\/p>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"editor_block","content":"

Methodology<\/h2>\n"},{"acf_fc_layout":"editor_block","content":"

Record store, arcade, and retro diner data (including ratings) was sourced from Tripadvisor and Yelp. Vintage clothing search volumes were pulled from search engine data and adjusted to per-capita figures using the latest population estimates for each city. These metrics were then weighted and combined to calculate a final nostalgia score out of 100.<\/p>\n"}]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.betway.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/119451","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.betway.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.betway.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.betway.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=119451"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blog.betway.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/119451\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":119452,"href":"https:\/\/blog.betway.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/119451\/revisions\/119452"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.betway.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/119449"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.betway.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=119451"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.betway.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=119451"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.betway.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=119451"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}