Cleanliness: #1

Bravo, Minneapolitans. We tip our stylish fedora caps to you.

Minneapolis is the cleanest city in the nation. Next time you’re out and about the city, take a look around; it really IS spotless out there. Even Mr. Clean would say, “Your city shines like my bald head.” It’s an effort that is contributed by a large amount of people.

Citizens do their part every day to recycle and hang on to that litter until they find a trash can on the corner, and it is common place to see someone bend down and pick up loose trash. But a big shout-out goes to our amazing DID Ambassadors . They put in the time every day to make the city look the way it does, and they do it while offering directions to people, suggesting places to eat and even just saying hello. So kudos, Minneapolis! Go outside with a bottle of Windex and give a hardy “WE’RE #1! WE’RE #1” chant.

Intelligence: #2

Turn down the Monet and bookmark where you are in War and Peace: we’re the second smartest city in America. Bequeathed upon us is substantial recognition for our cerebral prowess. A veneration, indubitably.

It shouldn’t be a surprise, though. We’ve got one of the world’s leading research institutions in the University of Minnesota . We like to spend our Friday nights taking in a play, going to an art gallery and learning how to cook. There’s a lot of intellectual power in the atmosphere Minneapolis.

Parks and Outdoor Access: #3

We didn’t call ourselves the “City by Nature” for nothing. Winter, spring, summer or fall we’ve got a place for anyone to go out and enjoy themselves. As we mentioned before, you’re never more than six blocks away from a park. If you want to go outside and just lay out, you can do that here.

A surprising fact, some of the cities we beat out: San Diego, Honolulu, Miami and San Juan (yes, they counted Puerto Rico in this survey. SEW ANOTHER STAR ON THE FLAG!).

AND, ONE THAT COMPLETELY CAUGHT US OFF GUARD

Winter: #24

But, to be fair, you can't ski, snowmobile and really get that holiday feeling without that white stuff that falls from the sky when it gets cold.

Let us know what you think about the rankings. Too high on some? Too low? Are our hipsters not mainstream enough to make the list yet? Sound off.