Livability.com's 10 Best Downtowns in America (Chicago, cons, restaurant, building)

[18Montclair]

A good downtown, whether it anchors a big city or a small town, acts a little like an addiction.

Go once and you can't resist going back for more.

In our search for the best downtowns, we considered the mix of entertainment options they had to offer, the planning that went into their design, and the beautiful architecture and green spaces that inspire interaction.

These downtowns are well thought out, walkable and easy to navigate. There's a range of flavors to be found in upscale eateries and casual cafés, while indie theaters, glossy off-Broadway productions, and family-friendly museums offer residents and visitors endless ways to spend their days. Buildings that have stood the test of time or showcase the edge of modern architecture add to the appeal, with parks and open spaces allowing a break from the city scene.

1. Indianapolis
2. Winston-Salem, NC
3. Burlington, VT
4. San Antonio
5. Savannah
6. Louisville
7. Fort Worth
8. Chattanooga
9. Eugene, OR
10. Franklin, TN

Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitor sites is not allowed

[wallstreetmafia]

What a tragic joke.

[Dub King]

Lead off the list with Indianapolis, what a way to flush credibility down the toilet. The whole list is worth a chuckle, perhaps San Antonio deserves to be there but the rest of the list = garbage.

[Mutiny77]

Notable downtowns, even underrated in many cases, but the 10 best in all the land? Come on....

[iMarvin]

Out of this list, I've only been to Savannah so I can't say if this light is right or wrong, but I would believe it to be wrong. Before clicking on this, I was expecting to see NYC, Philly, SF, Chicago, Seattle, and other big cities. I'm sure they have pretty good downtowns but just not the top 10. Wasn't expecting that.

[msamhunter]

Downtown Indianapolis is a great location, it's vibrant, walkable, plenty of greenspace and everything from restaurants to grocery and hardware store are within walking distance. There's a reason when cities talk about urban renewal in the central core, Indy is one of the first cities they mention. It's successful, laid out and planned.

[tmac9wr]

Without Jacksonville, this list is total crap. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[maxposure]

Originally Posted by tmac9wr

Without Jacksonville, this list is total crap. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

And the blatant omission of Phoenix, makes this list even more bogus

[stevo6]

I'm buying nos. 2,3,4,and 5. The others...I haven't been to.

[JoninATX]

What no Austin?