What are the most lively downtowns in the U.S.? (hotel, homes)

[SweethomeSanAntonio]

What cities do you think have the most lively downtowns?Have the most attractions,cultural venues,residents,retail,etc.

I would say San Antonio would be in the top 15 most lively downtowns in the U.S.
We know New York,Chicago,San Fran,Boston are a given.

Places to see in Downtown San Antonio.

*World class musuems(San Antonio Musuem of Art,a new Smithsonian)
*Two historic arts districts(Southtown,La Vilita)River North Theatre district planned.
*5 restored historic Vaudeville theatre Palaces.
*100's of dining options.
*16,000 hotel rooms.Major cenvention center.
*The 13 mile urban Riverwalk.Central Riverwalk,UC River North.
*Historical sites.Alamo,San Fernando Cathederal,Historical Arneson amphitheatre,Scotish Rite Temple,Municipal Auditorium.
*Oldest cathederal in America-San Fernando.
*Many parks and plazas.
*Entertainment centers:Sunset Station,Alamo Plaza,St.Paul Square,Market Square,Hemisphere Park,The Pearl District.(UC)
*Shoping Centers:Rivercenter Mall,Market Square,Houston Street.
*5 major hospitals,2 universities,3 high Schools.
*Nearly 25,000 residents in Greater downtown.

[Monumental1]

New York
Seattle
San Francisco
Chicago
Las Vegas

I'm throwing in Los Angeles, because what's going on with development in L.A. right now is magical. (L.A. Live, Nokia, etc.) .........and just because the city as a whole has so many spots, that are very lively........Sunset Strip, Hollywood, all the way down to the Pike in Long Beach,.... etc.

[downtown1]

San Antonio Riverwalk is second to none.

I would add Seattle to the 4 cities you just mentioned. Downtown Houston is also becoming more lively these days. I feel bad for Dallas. Hopefully, when the Trinity River Corridor Project completed in 2012, Dallas will make a comeback.

Originally Posted by SweethomeSanAntonio

What cities do you think have the most lively downtowns?Have the most attractions,cultural venues,residents,retail,etc.

I would say San Antonio would be in the top 15 most lively downtowns in the U.S.
We know New York,Chicago,San Fran,Boston are a given.

[darstar]

San Antonio always comes to mind , when I think of the downtown area. A river runs thru it........as in the case of a lot of big cities , but , SA has a charm like no where else in that department.
Chicago , as well , has the Chicago river , along with , Lake Michigan , so , I think it would be a toss up there...........

[Monumental1]

San Antonio riverwalk is nice.............but San Antonio is one of those cities, I would easily drive past or just fly over to get to another city.

Doesn't look too bad though.

I do have a tend to not really like, cities.......with the cheap Space Needle knock offs.............I like to call them "Fake Needles"

I give Vegas a pass, because it's cin city and that's what they do.

But to the others........come on. Get your own icon, don't copy.

Space Needle - Seattle, Washington USA

[Monumental1]

Tower of Americas - San Antonio, Texas USA

[pwright1]

NY
San Francisco
Chicago
Boston
Seattle
New Orleans(pre Katrina)
Philadelphia
Los Angeles
San Diego
Portland Ore.
Minneapolis
D.C.
Baltimore
Denver
Las Vegas

[john_starks]

Originally Posted by Monumental1

New York
Seattle
San Francisco
Chicago
Las Vegas

I'm throwing in Los Angeles, because what's going on with development in L.A. right now is magical. (L.A. Live, Nokia, etc.) .........and just because the city as a whole has so many spots, that are very lively........Sunset Strip, Hollywood, all the way down to the Pike in Long Beach,.... etc.

Santa Monica. Yeah. LA's very vibrant

[GreenOR]

These are ranked, and this is what I have noted in my travels:

1. New York City
2. San Francisco
3. Chicago
4. Seattle
5. Los Angeles
6. Boston
7. Washington DC
8. Portland, OR
9. Philly
10. Denver

I was actually very surprised how inactive the downtown areas were when I visited Texas. I was in Dallas for a while, then spent a few days in Austin, a few weeks in San Antonio, and about a month in Houston. I guess it has a lot to do with just how sprawled out these cities are, and the fact that transit there is terrible, but it really did freak me out (especially Dallas). However, San Antonio was pretty cool, and I loved the Riverwalk.

[jonjj]

I would pop LA out of that picture. I didn't think their "downtown" area was that active at all. But, it has been five years since I have been there and it may have changed. There were areas around the city that were active though.