In the South/Southeast, what's the most vibrant city?

[Spade]

Originally Posted by EndersDrift

... and New Orleans is nothing more than a big city. Could you clarify how Disney does not qualify as Vibrant?

Have you ever been to a vibrant city? That's what this thread is about. Live and active streetscape, urban setting, fast pace, budding nightlife, very walkable and trendy areas, a great theatre and arts culture area, etc.. Orlando does not meet the criteria for this and Disney does not help. Sorry. Orlando is not that vibrant. It's growing but it's still mostly suburban and slow. It does not touch Miami, New Orleans, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Atlanta, or even Tampa on it's best days and this is coming from a person that would pick Orlando over all Florida cities except Miami.

[DANNYY]

Originally Posted by EndersDrift

... and New Orleans is nothing more than a big city. Could you clarify how Disney does not qualify as Vibrant?

Disney closes at what? 12 AM, night clubs and bars in the other cities are open late nights, Disney speaks to the hearts of thousands if not millions of 5 year old kids, but how is it vibrant for an adult? Maybe one or two visits, but can you go there everyday? No. These other cities have things you can do everyday...that's what defines their vibrancy above Orlando's haha.

By the way, I wasn't trying to sound harsh, but I can see if it sounded like it was.

[EndersDrift]

Originally Posted by Spade

Have you ever been to a vibrant city? That's what this thread is about. Live and active streetscape, urban setting, fast pace, budding nightlife, very walkable and trendy areas, a great theatre and arts culture area, etc.. Orlando does not meet the criteria for this and Disney does not help. Sorry. Orlando is not that vibrant. It's growing but it's still mostly suburban and slow. It does not touch Miami, New Orleans, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Atlanta, or even Tampa on it's best days and this is coming from a person that would pick Orlando over all Florida cities except Miami.

Unlike most of the people posting in this one I have lived in Miami for many years. Miami really doesn't perform in the way a lot of you outsiders would like it to. Downtown is dead during the day. Largely dead at night. Miami Beach is somewhat active during the day and fairly active at night. Miami has crap for events though, Miami has crap for arts (hopefully this will change with the new Art Museum).

I was not aware that a city had to be 'trendy' to be active or lively. I don't think it does.

Let's look at it this way:
Nightclubs: Miami obviously wins
Concert venues: Orlando by far and away takes this
Arts: Comparable but in all honesty Orlando probably takes this too, not to people who just read about Orlando online and visit for a week but people that have lived in both Orlando and Miami I'd give this to Orlando. Miami has a bit more tiny galleries but Orlando has a good share as well and then has a few very good ones including one famous one.
Events and Attractions: Orlando by far and away takes this
Walkable: Orlando would win this. Disney is walkable, Universal is walkable, UCF Club Area is walkable, Downtown Club area is walkable. Miami only has South Beach.
Gardens and Historic Attractions: Comparable but I'd probably give this one to Miami Fairchild is way nicer than Leu Gardens.

On any given night in Orlando just to name a few places I could go (this doesn't include all the daytime things):
- Bars around the underground art district
- Blue Man Group performance
- Amway Arena for a sporting event or show
- One of the many bars and clubs by UCF
- One of the many bars and clubs in Downtown
- House of Blues
- Hard Rock Live
- Saks Comedy Club
- Just to relax in a world class hotel and watch fireworks

Here's where to go in Miami at night:
- One of the many bars and clubs in Downtown
- One of the many bars and clubs in The Grove
- One of the many bars and clubs in Miami Beach
- AA Arena for a sporting event or show
- Wynwood District only if there is the Gallery Night which happens once a month

[Spade]

I have also actually lived in Miami so I know what it has as well. Downtown Miami is dead at night. I have said this many times on this forum as well. But Coconut Grove and Miami Beach is much more vibrant and energetic than any other place in Florida. Miami does not have crap for events. I love the Memorial Day fest, goombay (if they still have it), parades, festivals. As far as trendy, I did go a bit far with that. But most areas that are vibrant do have a trendy side to it.

I agree about nightclubs.
You maybe correct on Arts. But when it comes to a culture city, Miami wins.
Concert Venues- I give this to Miami
Events and Attractions - subjective. I happen to think Orlando's events are pretty boring. But that's just me.
Walkable- neither city can brag about this but the Miami area wins this.

As far as the venues and everything. I can make long lists for many cities especially the biggest cities in the Southern region. Orlando does not crack the top 5.

[EndersDrift]

Unless you're going all the way up to Hard Rock Casino which is in Ft. Lauderdale (technically Reservation) enlighten me as to where all of these Miami Concerts are? There's AA and Adrienne Arsht.

How can an occasional parade compete with daily parades in multiple places? It may not be to your taste but its still there. I personally find a lot of it boring as well but thats personal taste and has little bearing on its existence. I think wandering around South Beach can be pretty damn boring at times too.