BOSTON -- Bostonians can bust out their city pride over TripAdvisor’s first-ever American city survey, which revealed that travelers enjoy the city but aren’t too keen on its trademark accent.

Boston tied with Chicago for the third-favorite city, behind New York City and San Francisco, according to TripAdvisor Media Network, which is based in Newton. However, Beantown also won the not-so-coveted most annoying accent recognition.

“There are so many accents that you can find across the US, and I guess somebody had to get chosen as most annoying,” TripAdvisor spokesman Brooke Ferencsik said. “It’s subjective but very interesting nevertheless.”

On the other hand, Larry Meehan, the vice president of media and tourism at the Greater Boston Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, said he didn’t think Bostonians had annoying accents at all, pointing out that Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Jay Leno and Steve Tyler -- even Leonard Bernstein and Bette Davis – all have (or had) Boston-area accents.

“Ben and Matt are obviously [from] Cambridge, and no one’s complaining over their looks or their accents,” Meehan said.

TripAdvisor visitors often comment on the many attractions in Boston, including the Red Sox and many historic sites in the area, Ferencsik said. The Freedom Trail, for instance, is discussed as a “must-do kind of tour,” he said.

TripAdvisor sites attract more than 25 million visitors each month, and they represent places around the world from Brazil to Ireland to provide traveler information in community forums. More than 3,400 people participated in the American city survey last week according to TripAdvisor.

“I’m not sure if during the winter, it might have changed,” Ferencsik joked in reference to Boston’s chilly winter weather.

Boston’s museums, architecture and convenient transportation system are major draws to the city, Meehan said. Boston is also a friendly city that is welcoming to gays, families and people with different ethnic backgrounds, he said.

“You take it [the subway] in New York, and you’re afraid to look to closely in someone’s eye . . . You take it in Boston, and you can actually talk to people,” he said.

The city is also fairly affordable, which is especially important this year, Meehan said.

“Your vacation for 2009 has to be absolutely everything for everyone in the family, and I think Boston without question has that,” he said.

The least favorite American city was Detroit, which was also named the dirtiest and least healthy, according to TripAdvisor. Miami was hailed as the sexiest, Honolulu was named the most romantic and Portland, Ore., was named the most underrated.

Atlanta won the nicest sounding accent recognition, but we're happy p-ah-king our c-ah-s and eating lobst-ah on the harb-ah.

Favorite U.S. City
1. New York City
2. San Francisco
3. Chicago and Boston (tie)

Least Favorite U.S. City
1. Detroit
2. Los Angeles
3. Atlanta

Most Underrated
Portland, Ore.

Most Overrated
Las Vegas

Most Economical
Las Vegas

Most Expensive
New York City

Cleanest
Portland, Ore.

Dirtiest
Detroit

Sexiest
Miami

Most Boring
Cleveland

Healthiest
Seattle

Least Healthy
Detroit

Friendliest and Most Helpful
New York City

Least Friendly and Helpful
New York City

Best Free Attractions
Washington, DC

Most Romantic
Honolulu

Nicest Sounding Accent
Atlanta

Most Annoying Accent
Boston