Philly makes National Geographic's Best Trips list

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Oh, the places you'll go.

And according to National Geographic, Philadelphia is one of the places everyone should go.

Philly is among the 25 destinations that NatGeo recommends travelers should visit in their Best Trips 2020 list.

The editors say visitors will be able to "rediscover an American classic."

They cite Philly's "vibrant murals and glinting metalworks, multihued mosaics and kaleidoscopic light installations, art collectives in garages, and a traditionally Italian neighborhood famous for cheesesteaks now sprouting vegan-punk-metal coffeehouses" as reasons to take a trip to the City of Brotherly Love.

"No longer do we have those same old tapes that say can't we be like another city or shouldn't we be more like this," said Jeff Guaracino, CEO of Visit Philadelphia.

"It's the people of this city that give us our passion," added Guaracino.

National Geographic takes notice of BOK, Rittenhouse, the Notary Hotel, and the Mutter Museum as places to see and stay during a vacation in Philly.

"It's a scrappy underdog with a heart of gold and--who can resist the Rocky reference?-the eye of the tiger," the article says.

The other American location to make the list is the Grand Canyon.

The news, however, left some Philadelaphia natives surprised.

"Really? Are you serious? I love Philly but one of the greatest cities?" said George of West Philadelphia.

"I'm a little surprised. I've been to a lot of cities that are beautiful and wonderful travel destinations. Philadelphia has gems, but number one in the world? I don't know," said Pat Long on Valley Forge.

"I think people are the key," she said. "The neighborhoods are great; people look out for each other," said Mariella Esposito.

Other destinations include Tasmania, Australia, Asturias, Spain, and the Kalahari Desert, Botswana.

Fifteen years ago the same magazine called Philadelphia the world's next great city. Esposito believes it's always been that way. Others, however, think something has changed.

"The Philadelphia Eagles finally won a Super Bowl!" exclaimed Marc Lippy of South Philadelphia.

To see the list, click here.