Cultural capitals: 10 American cities with worldwide claims to fame

Capital with a capital C

Cultural capitals: 10 American cities with worldwide claims to fame

America has no shortage of capital cities. After all, besides the national capital, there is a capital city for each state and territory. But what about unofficial capitals? Some cities are so relevant to an industry, concept, or phenomenon that they transcend all political boundaries. Here are 10 American cultural capitals you might not know!

Nashville: The Country Music Capital of the World

Image: Raúl Nájera

Let’s start with an easy one. If you think country music, you think Nashville. Besides being the capital of Tennessee, Nashville is the epicenter of the country music scene, home to landmarks such as the Grand Ole Opry, the Ryman Auditorium, and Legends Corner.

Scottsboro: The Lost Luggage Capital of the World

Image: Erwan Hesry

If you’ve lost your luggage, you might want to check Scottsboro, Alabama. The town is home to the Unclaimed Baggage Center, which buys and resells lost and forgotten luggage from across the country at a discounted rate. Among their most famous finds are a suitcase filled with Egyptian artifacts, a two-century-old violin, and a huge diamond ring that was concealed in a sock.

Niagara Falls: The Honeymoon Capital of the World

Image: Edward Koorey

Niagara Falls is known for its beautiful scenery and relaxing nature, which makes it a perfect destination for newlyweds. But who started the trend of choosing Niagara Falls as a honeymoon spot? According to popular legend, Theodosia Burr, the daughter of Vice President Aaron Burr, was one of the first people to visit the place after her wedding.

Barberton: The Fried Chicken Capital of the World

Image: Brian Chan

If you were asked to pick a city of utmost importance for fried chicken, would you pick Barberton, Ohio? This choice might seem surprising, but Barberton has been a center for fried chicken since the 1930s. It all stems from two Serbian immigrants who, during the Great Depression, opened a Serbian-style fried chicken business. The dish became the town’s signature, and Barberton restaurants continue to sell thousands of pounds of fried chicken to this day.

Kennett Square: The Mushroom Capital of the World

Image: Phoenix Han

What began almost by accident has become central to the town’s identity. Pennsylvania is not the obvious choice to grow mushrooms, but this did not stop a group of local Quakers from wanting to take full advantage of their greenhouses. What started as a small venture in the 1880s eventually grew into a place that produces roughly half of the mushrooms consumed in the United States.

Traverse City: The Cherry Capital of the World

Image: Quaritsch Photography

If you produce three-fourths of America’s tart cherries, it is only fair that you receive the "Cherry Capital" title. Thanks to its unique climate and soil conditions, this Michigan city leads not only the tart cherry production, but is also a major producer of sweet cherries. Its annual National Cherry Festival attracts around 500,000 visitors per edition.

Hartford: The Insurance Capital of the World

Image: Abbe Sublett

Hosting more than 150 insurance companies, Hartford, Connecticut, sits at the center of the U.S. insurance industry. Compared with the rest of the country, this region has roughly nine times the percentage of insurance workers and is home to the headquarters of major insurance companies.

New York: The Pizza Capital of… the World?

Image: Jon Tyson

A disclaimer for any angry Italians: we know this is a polemical title, hence the question mark. But setting the rest of the world aside, New York is a strong contender for the Pizza Capital of America for several reasons: the sheer number of pizzerias, the cultural importance of thin-crust pizza, and the many legendary spots, to name just a few. That said, New Haven, Connecticut, has also laid claim to the title, so we’ll leave it to readers to decide.

New Castle: The Hot-Dog Capital of the World

Image: chris robert

Hot dog styles in America are as diverse as the country itself, so what makes New Castle special? In this case, it is the unusually high number of hot dog restaurants, particularly of Greek origin. These spots are famous for their signature chili-topped, Coney Island-style dogs, and some of them have been operating for nearly a century.

Portland: The Craft Beer Capital of the World

Image: Josh Olalde

Home to dozens of craft breweries, Portland, Oregon, is a mecca for beer enthusiasts everywhere. Though mainly known for its West Coast IPAs, the city is also renowned for its wide range of beer styles, both specialized and traditional. Besides the high concentration of breweries, Portland is also famous for its vibrant pub culture.