DISCLAIMER: There is no population criteria in this "major" city compilation. The essence of a major city is that it feels like it's a major city. It is a subjective list.
The actual criteria: I have gotten out of the car and physically set foot in these places. There are a couple exceptions; they will be designated with a noticeable '*'. Life is not black and white, and I want to include cities I have merely driven around for a while that made an impression on me. This is a list that will perpetually be in progress. I offer my sincerest of apologizes for the nontraditional format of this post. I know I said I would respect you, readership. I am showing this respect through luxury: you will be able to access this page at will by simply scrolling to the top of I've Been Gone a Long Time and clicking. You're welcome...
THE EASTERN SEABOARD
- New York, NY
Population: 8,336,697
Last visit: 7/28/13
A place I've set foot in: Vinnie's Pizza
- Boston, MA
Last visit: 6/26/13
Place I've set foot in: Fenway
- Providence, RI
Last visit: 4/25/12
Place I've set foot in: Lupo's
- Hartford, CT
Last visit: 7/9/14
Place I've set foot in: Pig's Eye
- New Haven, CT
Last visit: 7/15/14
Place I've set foot in: Geronimo
- Bridgeport, CT
Last visit: 2/12
Place I've set foot in: Beardsley Zoo
- Burlington, VT
Last visit: 4/20/12
Place I've set foot in: El Gato Cantina
- Atlantic City, NJ
Last visit: 2/24/13
Place I've set foot in: House of Blues
- Philadelphia, PA
Last visit: 2/17/13
Place I've set foot in: North Bowl
- Pittsburgh, PA
Last visit: 7/1/14
Place I've set foot in: PNC Park
- Baltimore, MD
Last visit: 7/00
Place I've set foot in: National Aquarium
- Washington, DC
Last visit: 6/10
Place I've set foot in: Nationals Park
THE SOUTH
- Virginia Beach, VA
Last visit: 7/17/14
Place I've set foot in: The Boardwalk
- Savannah, GA
Last visit: 7/1996
Place I've set foot in: Tybee Island
...Per my lucid recollection of 1996. I was 6 years old. I'll be back, Savannah.
- Atlanta, GA
Population: 443, 775
Last visit: 7/18/14
Place I've set foot in: Star Provisions
- Orlando, FL
Last visit: 1/11/11
Place I've set foot in: Islands of Adventure
- Nashville, TN
Population: 624,496
Last visit: 6/27/13
Place I've set foot in: Wendy's (yes.)
- Lexington, KY
Population: 310,573
Last visit: 6/22/13
Place I've set foot in: Tolly-Ho
Last visit: 7/19/14
Place I've set foot in: Zaza Pizza & Salad
- Little Rock, AR
Last visit: 7/19/14
Place I've set foot in: Zaza Pizza & Salad
THE MIDWEST
- Detroit, MI
Last visit: 6/11
Place I've set foot in: The Heidelberg Project
- Madison, WI*
Last visit: 6/11
*I have not set foot in Madison. But it was such a friendly seeming city from the car window. Also extremely fun to get lost in. I drove in and around this building!
- St. Louis, MO
Last visit: 6/30/14
Place I've set foot in (at): Gateway Arch
THE GREAT PLAINS
- Omaha, NE
Last visit: 6/11
Place I've set foot in: Crossroads Mall
- Oklahoma City, OK
Last visit: 12/15/14
Place I've set foot in: American Banjo Museum
The most immediate major city in my life currently.
- Tulsa, OK
Last visit: 9/29/14
Place I've set foot in: Cain's Ballroom
- Dallas, TX
Last visit: 12/16/14
Place I've set foot in: Velvet Taco
- Amarillo, TX
Population: 195,250
Last visit: 12/29/13
Place I've set foot in: Baker Bros Deli
- Austin, TX
Last visit: 5/4/14
Place I've set foot in: Cherrywood Coffeehouse
THE ROCKIES
- Laramie, WY
Last visit: 6/11
Place I've set foot in: Sonic
- Salt Lake City, UT
Last visit: 6/11
Place I've set foot in (on): The Great Salt Lake
- Winnemucca, NV
Last visit: 6/11
Place I've set foot in: Pizza Hut
Indeed, its population is nothing to write home (or blog) about. However, it is nestled in the high desert mountains of Nevada and is certainly a metropolis in the context of its location.
THE PACIFIC COAST
- Los Angeles, CA
Last visit: 6/11
Place I've set foot in: A drum circle...
515x the population of Winnemucca. Both are major cities.
- Portland, OR
Last visit: 9/24/13
Place I've set foot in: Rogue Distillery & Public House
THE SOUTHWEST
- Las Vegas, NV
Last visit: 8/16/12
Place I've set foot in: The Stratosphere
- Flagstaff, AZ
Last visit: 6/11
Place I've set foot in: Campus Coffee Bean
- Albuquerque, NM*
Last visit: 6/11
*I have not literally set foot in Albuquerque. However, Kate and I spent an inordinate amount of time driving back and forth on a long boulevard at night looking for a restaurant. We couldn't find one we wanted to "settle" on. Nonetheless, the city intrigues me. Seeing desert cities from afar on the interstate at night is a sight to behold. I will elaborate on this in a blog post proper. And about that restaurant search, we ended up getting Taco Bell elsewhere later on in the night.
- Santa Fe, NM
Last visit: 12/28/13
Place I've set foot in: Santa Fe Brewing Company
HERE'S TO TRAVELING.
I finally read this! And I love it and now you have to update it with Portland! Yay
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