10. PHILADELPHIA, PA Philly is not one of my "conventional" cities. In fact, I don't really connect with how compact it feels. It's streets are clausterphobic, and for some reason I tend to feel dwarfed while blending in with the small-scale surroundings. However, it still maintains that "big city" feel for something relatively small. It's historical, which is a plus. It's a college city, which is even more of a plus. But number one --- it's got tax-free shopping. *ahahah* But of course, right?! Why else would it be on my TOP 10 LIST?! On the real, Philly does have its share of eclectic flavor, and I appreciate that. From the commercial feel of Market St. to the artsy-fartsyness of South St., Philly's definitely got the "east coast city" vibe goin' on.

9. SAN DIEGO, CA Daygo is west coast laid-backness personified. It's actually kind of a sleeper in my book; your typical hokie kind of town with lots of sunshine. San Diego differs greatly from it's northern neighbor, Los Angeles, as well as its even more northern neighbor of San Fran, in that it's very laid back, relatively quiet, but unequivocally gorgeous. The beaches that dot the coastline boasts picturesque perfection, and the weather is perfect year-round. My personal favorite part of San Diego?! La Jolla... Although Daygo lacks in city points (it's city is rather lackluster when compared to the likes of New York or Chicago), it's definitely a great place to raise a family. All in all, Daygo gets points on beauty alone.

8. SAN FRANCISCO, CA The Bay Area of California is home to San Fran, the quintessential gateway to the pacific northwest. It's probably Cali's closest thing to a real-deal East Coast city: big buildings & big businesses. It's a city of culture. It's a montage of ethnic identities. It's home of Golden Gate! Its panoramic views of the Bay are amazing. It's night life is reputable. All in all, it's a great place to visit. Dinner at Ghirardelli Square at dusk offers a fantastic view of the city, while driving down the infamous Lombard St. is just a "must-do" for all who visit. San Fran has got it all: food, fashion, fun. It's a little HILLY, but hey... that's just one of the things that makes this place unique.

7. MIAMI, FL What can be said about Miami, FL besides the fact that it's probably the only place in the country where almost 90% of the "beach" population can best be seen with as little clothing as possible? That's no joke. Miami and South Beaches are known the world over as some of the best along Florida's southern coast. South Beach has a nightlife that is unparalleled; undoubtedly unique in many respects. It's also one of the only places you'd run into rollerbladers gliding up and down streets wearing nothing but a thong... that means men, too, believe it or not. Besides that scary fact, Miami is in close proximity to the beach-bum isles of the Florida Keys. While in Miami, party street-style at Mango's, have a nice dinner at one of the many restaurants in Coconut Grove, take in the sights and scenery of La Vizcaya, and lounge and mingle with the stars at Mynt. But a true Miami experience is not complete without a dip (skinny or otherwise...!) in its awesome waters.

6. BOSTON, MA Do you think this city is only known for its baseball team and clam chowda?! Hellz nah... Bahstuhn, or Beantown, is truly a northeastern city. Its got the fast-paced business daily grind going on, as well as an interesting nightlife. Like many other cities, it offers a great interlocking relationship between city and suburban life. Though Bostonians aren't known for being an outwardly friendly bunch, they are known to "keep it straight-up and real." When in Boston, you get nothin' but the real deal. It's a university town, as well... home to some of the nation's top institutions like Harvard and Boston University. It's home to a winning baseball team, and also offers tax-free shopping. It's got a charming air about it that meshes the feel of "old money" with "new blood." Nightlife is decent, and food is off-the-chain... but the true Boston experience isn't greatly experienced without a cup, or bowl, of some real New England Clam Chowder. Grab a taste at one of the many stops in Faneuil Hall, get stuck in "game traffic" near Fenway Park... walk where our country's smartest have schooled at Harvard Square, and enjoy the shops along Newbury St. Stroll along the landscaped scenery of Boston Commons, and revel in the cool accents of the locals. It can be rather dull at times, afterall it's no New York City. But it's got its own "big-town-in-a-small-city" charm.

5. LONDON, ENGLAND Our neighbors from across the pond have one of the world's most outstanding cities. London is cosmopolitan, world-class, historical and modern all rolled into one. For a less-shocking intro to the world of Europe, London is the city to start off with. The historical landmarks that dot the city are numerous: Big Ben & Parliament, London Bridge, the Tower of London, the Tower Bridge, etc.-etc.-etc. Even the money-wasting Millenium Eye (aka The London Eye) is eye-catching. Driving on the other side of the street, and at the opposite end of a car, can be a bit overwhelming for first-timers, but you easily get used to it. The city bustles with chic, modern style. Londoners have a great style and confidence that allows them to get away with a lot of the mainland Euro trends, yet they yield to fashions that are pretty much simple and classic. The London experience is NOT complete without a visit to Harrods - the nation's leading department store. At Harrods you'll find anything from signature handbags and glassware, to the latest by Dolce & Gabbana and Jil Sander, to Krispy Kreme donuts. The myth regarding Londoners and bad teeth is true, unfortunately (as is the myth about Europeans and their "smell..." EH...), but all that aside, London is definitely a place to be. Their under/overground transit system is off-the-chain, reminding you to "Mind the Gap." It's surrounded by little towns with big families, like Windsor. And although it's not exactly known for its cuisine, you must complete your London experience with a dose of bangers and mash or fish and chips. Samosas will do you good, too, as will some Cadbury chocolates. If you consider yourself a fat-kid, then Sainsbury will become your very best friend. Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Knightsbridge ---all will make your London experience worthwhile. Cheers!

4. WASHINGTON, DC Not listing my hometown as a major city would be a major sin, and I'm not saying that just because I'm biased. DC has become a gem in the past few years. It's a "monumental" town, and Washingtonians don't take that nickname lightly. There's a monument for almost every president, political figure, foreign diplomat, war, ethnicity...you name it, DC's got it. The sad part is that a visitor can't come to DC to experience the true beauty of it with just ANYONE. Even many of the locals don't know the city well enough to uncover its many hidden treasurers. A typical "Washingtonian" can easily point out major monuments, landmarks, and shopping areas. But a TRUE "Washingtonian" will uncover every little nook and cranny of the bourgeoning town. DC is almost known only for its NorthWest quadrant, but what people tend to forget is that the city is made up of four quadrants: NW, NE, SW, SE. Put all four together, and you've got yourself one big city. It may not house the skyscrapers of New York or Chicago, but its buildings in and around the financial district are vertically massive. It's also a college town, with schools like Georgetown University, The American University, and the Catholic University of America. The city is known for its lawyers and politicians, with power bars and lounges dotting the streets surrounding the famous Penn Ave. residence: The White House. It's home to the Smithsonian Institute, the U.S. Capitol, the Washington Monument, as well as The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. DC is home to "old money," with "new money" making its rounds more and more with the emergence of its growing IT industry, which services the powerful U.S. Government. Neighborhoods have their own flavors: the Penn Quarter boasts the sophistication of the Financial District --- have a power dinner at the Old Ebbit Grill, Asian fusion at TenPenh, or grab a martini at Juste Lounge. Check out the new Convention Center and restaurants around Mt. Vernon Square/Chinatown. Join the college crowd as they mix and mingle with ethnic diversity in Adams Morgan. Party it up along DuPont Circle, and shop your butt off in the little boutiques and shops of Georgetown. DC has a bustling nightlife, a competent employment rate, and a very classy air about it. It's where Dixie meets Yankee; a true connection of North and South.

3. NEW YORK, NY NYC is the epitome of UNIVERSAL CLASS. It may not be all that clean, nor is it all that comforting. But it's unabashedly hip. NYC is intimidation on a silver platter or a paper plate ---whichever way works best for you. It's home to world-class restaurants, Broadway theaters, haute couture designers, high-class shopping. No other city in the world can compare to NYC's limitless energy. It's raw, it's urban, it's home of the Big White Way. No matter what travesty New Yorkers come face-to-face with, they resiliently rise back to action. Life never stops completely in NYC; it's the city that never sleeps. You can take in art at the Met, you can watch the world's top performers at Lincoln Center. You can shop the top names along 5th Avenue, and you can chill in the bars and lounges of SoHo. Stroll along Greenwich Village, or the NYU campus... or take a day or two to figure out just how big Central Park really is. Walk updown, walk downtown, or take it easy in midtown. Overwhelm yourself with the lights and sights of Times Square, or pace yourself along the residential palaces of Park Avenue. Life is grand in NYC. It's a world all its own. It's no wonder that even Jersey guys/gals try to claim it as their own... Close, but no cigar. NYC is strictly NYC; worldclass all the way.

2. LOS ANGELES, CA In a city where almost everyone has a talent resume tacked to their forehead, it's no wonder that Los Angeles has a mystique that's all too foreign to the rest of the world. It's the entertainment capital of the universe: HOLLYWOOD. What separates LA from the rest of the cities on my TOP 10 LIST is the fact that its actual "downtown" is relatively small compared to others. But the area that is known as LOS ANGELES is sprawling. You definitely need a car to get you from point A to point B. Whether you're chillen along Marina del Ray and Santa Monica, or living it up in the Valley, the Los Angeles experience is one like no other. While its suburban living is definitively "southern californian," the greater experience of Los Angeles is all glitz and glamour. However, it's definitely not for everyone. Just stop and listen to bathroom conversation at any bar along the Sunset Strip and you'd be amiss if you didn't happen to eavesdrop on some heavy "industry talk." Women are tanned and styled-out, and men are just as image-conscious. It's where boobs, pecs, and abs make a statement all its own, and that's not only at the beach. Take in the relaxation of waterside comfort in Malibu, or drive along the scenic PCH. Take a stroll on the Santa Monica Pier, or ride the mechanical bull at the Saddle Ranch. Catch industry nights at Avalon or Shelter, or take in the shops of Beverly Hills or Melrose. Los Angeles is like its own planet ---detached from the fast-paced hustle/bustle of the east coast. But that's what makes it unique. It's where power comes through entertainment. While DC houses politicians and diplomats, LA houses entertainers and producers. Grab sushi at Katana or Koi, and get fat-kid burgers and hot dogs at Pink's. Score a chic shirt from The Hustler Store, or a new wallet from Ferragamo. Party alongside MTV's Real World alumni, or catch a glimpse of your favorite actor at Fred Segal. Hollywood is where the unexpected can, and will, happen. But keep your eyes peeled. It can be hard with all that sunshine... but its the sunshine that helps rank LA at a close #2.

1. CHICAGO, IL Topping my list of cities at the moment is the midwest's jewel: Chicago, IL. Why Chicago?! Well, ideally it is a mixture of both the comfort and charm of the West Coast while maintaining the class and cosmopolitan air of the East Coast. It's one of the world's most beautiful cities, with it's greater part of town being home to some of the country's tallest buildings. The people of Chicago are friendly; they boast a silent-like charm that can best be read through their smiles and gestures. A great part of the city is relatively clean, and it boasts world-class vistas and images superimposed by the grandeur of Lake Michigan. The Chicago experience is incomplete if you don't go on one of the famous architectural river tours. The best time to board is at dusk. The boat takes you up and down a part of the Chicago river, winding it's way through the grand architectural mammoths. At the mouth of the river, the boat enters a lock and is then transfused into Lake Michigan, where the night view of the cityscape is unlike no other. Lights abound at night, and the beauty of Michigan Avenue in lights easily rivals Rodeo Drive or 5th Avenue. Chicago-style pizza is a must-try, as are many of their other Italian dishes. A stroll along Navy Pier, munching on churros, is a nice, calming experience. Driving along Lakeshore Drive gives you another great view of the city while taking in the sights of the gorgeous coastline. Shopping is great, despite its hefty tax rate. But the sights, sounds, and surreal experience of the city quickly takes hold. Also a college-town, it's home to campuses such as Northwestern U., Loyola University, and the University of Chicago. The Sears Tower and the John Hancock Building provide the best views of the skyline, especially at the latter's Signature Lounge. You can shop till you drop at name brand and local boutiques. You can wine and dine at some of the nation's best. You can also catch a game at Wrigley Field, see the exhibits at the Shedd Aquarium, or have cheap eats at Chinatown. There's so much to be offered in Chicago. It's truly the smile of the Midwest. Freezing winters and sizzling summers await you in this great city. Chicago = number one in my book.

So there you have it. Wen's Top 10 List of Cities. Stay tuned for the next "best" list.