By Robin Culverwell

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Philadelphia is on the top 10 list of places to visit in the United States, according to “Lonely Planet” editors, and the reason why might surprise you.

“They chose Philly for the art scene, and that is such a coup for us,” said Cara Schneider with the Greater Philadelphia Tourism and Marketing Corporation.

For a city steeped in history, and saturated with microbreweries and a restaurant for every palate, art is sort of the new “kid” on the block, in large part because of a relocated old favorite — the Barnes Foundation.

Add to that an already well known Avenue of the Arts, and Schneider says the excitement is contagious:

“In the neighborhoods, in the galleries, in vox-populi, and places like Space 1026, and the Crane Arts building, where hundreds of artists are choosing to live and work.”

The top ten list itself is eclectic, including Louisville, Glacier National Park in Montana and the South Pacific island of American Samoa.