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Magical is subjective here. What urban neighborhoods in the US have you visited that have you left you feeling a sense of magic or enchantment - it could be architecture, selection of restaurants, street life, etc. Magic doesn’t necessarily have to mean beauty here. I’ve visited several urban neighborhoods that wouldn’t be considered traditionally beautiful but have a magical feel in their ambience.
I’ll start:
Brooklyn Heights, NYC
Beacon Hill, Boston
River North Arts District, Denver
Rainey St, Austin
New Orleans - Marigny, Bywater, Lower Garden District
Austin - South Congress Area
Seattle - Capitol Hill, Ballard
Non-US? Basically the entirety Victoria, BC. That place really felt magical to me.
Those are my favorite neighborhoods across the country because they've come off as magical to me. And I've walked many city neighborhoods across this country.
Shout out to OTR in Cincinnati and my current 'hood of Lawrenceville in Pittsburgh. They're both on the cusp of magical in my fairy opinion.
Nothing about Austin screams MAGICALLY URBAN. Never got a sense of enchantment and WONDER anywhere in Austin. I don't think a lot of cities in America would fit the bill imo. Think there are a few Cities that would have neighborhoods that fit give that aura though. New Orleans, Charleston, Savannah, Boston, NYC even some smaller urban areas like Sleepy Hollow or Jim Thorpe would fit my description.
"Magical" is a pretty strong word. Can't say it's ever come to my mind when being in a city neighborhood. Rittenhouse Sq seemed nice enough (though I haven't been since the pandemic). Georgetown is pretty meh.
What feels magical to me are the golden and blue hours (in the evening) along the coast in Southern California. The way the air feels, the way the light interacts with the water and the landscape. There's something unique and enchanting to it.
"Magical" is a pretty strong word. Can't say it's ever come to my mind when being in a city neighborhood. Rittenhouse Sq seemed nice enough (though I haven't been since the pandemic). Georgetown is pretty meh.
you think so? Maybe more towards Dupont circle is where I am thinking, but I think the gilded age neighborhoods that have been preserved are up there for "magical" feeling places.
Magical is subjective here. What urban neighborhoods in the US have you visited that have you left you feeling a sense of magic or enchantment - it could be architecture, selection of restaurants, street life, etc. Magic doesn’t necessarily have to mean beauty here. I’ve visited several urban neighborhoods that wouldn’t be considered traditionally beautiful but have a magical feel in their ambience.
I’ll start:
Brooklyn Heights, NYC
Beacon Hill, Boston
River North Arts District, Denver
Rainey St, Austin
River North Arts District wouldn't make the cut for me, but I like the rest of this list.
Tough for me to include Beacon Hill, and not the South End. In fact, much of the South End, to me, feels the most "magical" with it's combination of residential architecture and incredible restaurants adjacent. It's a much larger neighborhood than Beacon Hill, and it's beauty is less interrupted surrounding the area. And, I really like looking at the neighborhoods urban gardens.
Magical? NYC from Thanksgiving until New Year's Day. It's always been pretty special. Shout-outs to Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick's Cathedral, the Christmas light shows on 5th Avenue on the side of the Saks 5th Ave building, Bryant Park and Central Park.
Parts of Chicago definitely.
Parts of Georgetown like further up on Wisconsin and all those side streets. I always felt this in Annapolis too. Philly too with some of that old world charm and cool streets and areas.
Charleston also had that feel to me in the few days I was there.
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