An article, recently published by Forbes appeared on Yahoo, citing America’s safest ‘top 10’ cities. Criteria used to formulate this list included stats from 2008 and 2009, and was based on population (250,000+); violent crimes per 100,000 residents and traffic fatalities per 100,000 residents. If you missed the article, you can read all about it here: http://www.forbes.com/2010/10/11/safest-cities-america-crime-accidents-lifestyle-real-estate-danger.html
Here are three of those cities; beginning in the far Northwest with #2, Portland, Oregon; then in the heartland of America, #5, Omaha, Nebraska and ending up on the East coast is New York City, ranked #6.
According to www.travelportland.com, Portland is “big on livability, big on visit-ability, and is very accessible.” One of Portland’s key attractions is the Pioneer Courthouse Square, considered the “4th Best Public Space in the World.” At one time a school was located on the square as well as a hotel. Located in downtown Portland, Pioneer Courthouse Square is ‘affectionately known as the city’s living room,” and boasts of more than 300 events a year.
Another key attraction in Portland is the Portland Art Museum, which was founded in the 1890’s, and “houses permanent collections that include Northwest Coastal Indian art, Chinese artifacts and European and Classical art.”
While in Portland you might also want to visit the International Rose Test Gardens and the Pittock Mansion, built in 1914. To get details and check ou the top 10 attractions in Portland, click on this link: http://www.10best.com/destinations/oregon/portland/attractions/best-attractions-activities/
Traveling further east we visit Omaha, Nebraska, the 5th safest city on Forbes list. After touring the 31-acre “Heartland of America Park,”located in downtown Omaha, you won’t want to miss taking a fun boat ride on the General Marion Boat for only a quarter! Before you climb on board though, be sure to take in the natural beauty of the lake and their two fountains (shooting water more than 300 feet into the air) as part of this phenomenal downtown attraction. The whole family will also enjoy the Henry Doorly Zoo, considered one of America’s best (where you can visit Cousin Joe), and the Strategic Air & Space Museum. Why not check out their great attractions here: http://www.omaha.world-guides.com/omaha_attractions.html.
New York City with 8.4 million residents came in at #6 on America’s Safest Cities list. Wow, where does one start? After all, New York City “has it all,” including historic landmarks, Broadway, theaters, hundreds of museums and too many attractions to list. Visiting this website might be a good place to start. http://www.mustseenewyork.com/attractions.html.
A few key attractions that you don’t want to miss include the Brooklyn Bridge, Empire State Building, Madame Tussaud’s, Radio City Music Hall, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Statue of Liberty, Times Square and the World Trade Center site and more than 60 other great places to visit.
Get Packin' 
It seems that every city has its jewels. Who would have thought you could find a Garden of Eden in the city center of Omaha, Nebraska, a midwestern town that brings to mind fields of hay. It just goes to show you that beauty is everywhere – no wonder we are known as America the Beautiful!