Top 25 downtowns in the U.S. (state, largest, America, population)

[Boston14]

Originally Posted by BelieveInCleve

Very odd list.

I agree

[middle-of-nowhere]

1) New York City
2) Chicago
3) San Francisco
4) Boston
5) Washington, DC
6) Philadelphia
7) Seattle
8) Portland
9) Minneapolis
10) Austin

[Boompa]

Originally Posted by SweethomeSanAntonio

Based on cultural activity, pedestrian areas, retail, attractions, etc.

My list.

1. New York City
2. San Francisco
3. Chicago
4. Boston
5. Washington D.C.


6. Seattle
7. Portland
8. San Diego
9. New Orleans
10. San Antonio


11. Philadephia
12. Indianapolis
13. Atlanta
14. Austin
15. Miami


16. Denver
17. Pittsburgh
18. Minneapolis
19. Baltimore
20. Nashville

21. Memphis-St. louis
22. Charlotte
23. Sacramento tie (23)Ft. Worth
24. Salt Lake City-Kansas City
25. Houston & Dallas

You have 29 cities drop 24 and 25

[irishimm]

Overall, this is a great list, although I might swap Chicago and San Francisco.

Originally Posted by jayp1188

1. New York
2. Chicago
3. San Francisco
4. Boston
5. Washington, D.C.
6. Philadelphia
7. Miami
8. Seattle
9. New Orleans
10. Minneapolis
11. Dallas
12. Los Angeles
13. Atlanta
14. San Diego
15. Pittsburgh
16. San Antonio
17. Baltimore
18. Austin
19. Portland
20. Memphis
21. Denver
22. Milwaukee
23. Charlotte
24. Kansas City
25. Indianapolis

[jjohns252525]

Pretty good list. A couple of arguments.

Los Angeles has to be in there somewhere. I know the downtown is not the focus of the city but it's the second largest Metro in the county. There is some decent stuff in L.A.'s downtown. I'd put it between 10-20.

Philly should be in the top 10, take out New Orleans

Baltimore, Denver and Miami should be moved up about 5 spots. Portland, San Antonio and Indy should both be moved down about 5 spots.

[jjohns252525]

Originally Posted by DC's Finest

I am confused! What's the criteria? Vibrancy, activities, etc... If it is then, NYC's DT would be next to last because it is very dead after dark. I think you people are confusing Midtown with DT. DC has way more activities than SF, Philly......

Agreed, If the parameters are skyline and density of downtown, then yes Philly and San Fran have better "downtowns" than D.C. If the parameters are vibrancy, activities, nightlife, and cosmopolitan feel of the entire city, then Philly is not in the conversation with San Fran and D.C, which I would say are about equal in those categories--and probably only behind NYC, L.A. and Chicago.

[johnatl]

Sorry, but a lot of people are rating Miami's downtown WAY too high here on various lists.

[pwright1]

[Native17]

Originally Posted by johnatl

Sorry, but a lot of people are rating Miami's downtown WAY too high here on various lists.

I am sure it has a more active downtown than just about any southern city.

Remember: just south of Miami's CBD lies Brickell which has the largest concentration of International banks in the U.S.

[johnatl]

Originally Posted by Native17

I am sure it has a more active downtown than just about any southern city.

Remember: just south of Miami's CBD lies Brickell which has the largest concentration of International banks in the U.S.

Sorry, but no it doesn't. Not by a long shot.

I am totally aware of Brickell. A lot of Int'l Banks is nice, but they add nothing to the overall feel of an "active" downtown. Mary Brickell Village on the other hand is a step in the right direction. BUT, Brickell is NOT Downtown Miami.

While Downtown Miami looks great from a distance or from the Bay, upon closer inspection it is basically a shell of its former self. Besides a tattered old Macy's on Flagler, and a bunch of chessy electronics stores there is hardly any retail left to speak of. It empties out after office hours just like many other U.S. Downtowns.

They ARE making strides, and I will certainly admit they are on the right track, but they are still a long way from being the most vital Southern Downtown.