What US Cities Have A Vibrant Downtown Feel ? (neighborhood, camps)

[Cuggz]

Been talking about this with a few friends

How American cities and culture really use the downtown area as a work place and after 5pm it dies out.

We’re curious… what US cities besides NYC / Chicago have a downtown core that is still lively where everyone still goes out to eat, clubs, etc…

For example, in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver
Everything happens downtown.

In LA, nobody wants to go there.

So different and strange to us.

[masssachoicetts]

Tier 1
New York City
Chicago
San Francisco (I dont know where downtown ends, but it feels this way...)
Miami
Nashville

[nadnerb]

Detroit's downtown is beautiful and definitely the best part of the city. There's the impressive architecture, riverfront, artwork, large sports stadiums, and impressive public spaces. It was very vibrant and lively when I visited earlier this year.
https://goo.gl/maps/6LMvNtfasjZaR7yD6

Downtown Portland is very seedy and full of homeless camps in certain parts, but it's still a very cool looking downtown bustling with locals and tourists. I love the narrow tree-lined streets, compact blocks, multiple streetcar and light rail lines, preserved buildings, and the large amount of pedestrian activity. Here or the adjacent Chinatown neighborhood is generally where people go out to clubs.
https://goo.gl/maps/8Y8fQCErDQWQ2RVo7

[Guineas]

Seattle 1st and 2nd Ave and Belltown are pretty lively on the weekends and evenings:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ta...4d-122.3467139

And Pike Place is always lively if you want a people zoo:
https://www.google.com/maps/@47.6084...!7i6000!8i3000 (and this was taken during the pandemic)

Pretty decent for a relatively newer American city that grew mostly during the car era.

[michgc]

Philadelphia

[AshbyQuin]

"...Philly, Philly"!

[zenith32]

Oklahoma City's downtown-adjacent "Bricktown" district is pretty lively well into the evening and night hours.


https://www.google.com/maps/@35.4664...7i16384!8i8192

[Boston Shudra]

Boston is definitely like the Canadian cities you mentioned! The nightlife (clubs/bars/restaurants) is pricier and more buttoned-up than MTL; more and better downtown beer gardens, though!

Originally Posted by masssachoicetts

Miami

I thought the action in Miami was more in Miami Beach and Wynwood than in downtown?

[Jandrew5]

Beyond the typical answers that this thread is going to get, St Petersburg FL's got it going on. A lot of life during the day and night. Tampa imo is the better and more livable city, but downtown St Pete is the best in the bay area and probably all of Florida.

[Surge0001]

During Mardi Gras season, Downtown Mobile is incredibly vibrant and active, especially with to complete overhaul of downtown the past few years, however, definitely a little more work needed for it to be just as vibrant all year round, but it’s definitely getting there