Baedeker's United States 4/5/2021
The Selection Process
How I choose the Backseat Cities

First and Second Century Roman Busts, Cleveland Museum of Art, September 2018
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The Selection Process
I have rules for selecting Backseat Cities.
- According to 2019 Census Bureau estimates, the MSA (metropolitan statistical area) has an approximate population between 250,000 and 2.5m people
- It’s not a widely recognized tourist destination, and is not particularly close to one
- In general, if you tell people you’re going there on vacation, they make a face and ask why
- Exception to the rule above: If you live near the city in question, it’s common to visit for the day or a long weekend
- It’s not a beach town
- My choices allow for balanced geographical distribution in the United States
![]() Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester, NY. Aug 2018 |
![]() Cathedral of St John the Evangelist, Lafayette, LA. Oct 2018 |
I have visited the Backseat Cities for Book 1. I've written 52,800 words: an introduction, plus chapters on Rochester and Lafayette. Finished manuscript should be 95K words.
Populations below are 2019 estimates for the MSA.
Book 1
City | Population | MSA Rank |
---|---|---|
Cleveland, OH | 2,048,449 | 34 |
Rochester, NY | 1,069,644 | 52 |
Boise, ID | 749,202 | 78 |
Lafayette, LA | 489,207 | 114 |
Tentative follow-up projects:
Book 2
City | Population | MSA Rank |
---|---|---|
Milwaukee, WI | 1,575,179 | 39 |
Richmond, VA | 1,291,900 | 44 |
Wichita, KS | 640,218 | 94 |
Tuscaloosa, AL | 252,047 | 190 |
Book 3
City | Population | MSA Rank |
---|---|---|
Indianapolis, IN | 2,074,537 | 33 |
Tulsa, OK | 998,626 | 55 |
Spokane, WA | 568,521 | 99 |
Lincoln, NE | 336,374 | 152 |
![]() State Capitol, Boise, ID. Sep 2019 |
Book 4
City | Population | MSA Rank |
---|---|---|
Kansas City, MO | 2,157,990 | 31 |
Grand Rapids, MI | 1,077,370 | 51 |
El Paso, TX | 844,124 | 69 |
Chattanooga, TN | 565,194 | 100 |
Guidelines
I followed these guidelines when visiting a Backseat City:
- Visit at least two museums of any kind
- Visit at least two historical sites or monuments
- Go to a market, if there is one
- Do the most touristy thing there is
- Do something stereotypically [city name here]
- Do something you think you will dislike or find boring
- See the oldest thing in the city
- See the newest thing in the city
- Eat where there is live music
- Eat the local specialties in different neighborhoods
- Play games
- Read local newspapers or magazines
- Participate in one of your interests with locals
- Visit parks or gardens; sit on benches and watch people
- See a government building
- Walk as much as possible
Read more
- About Backseat Cities
- The Selection Process
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