best cities for downtown atmosphere? (Charlotte, Raleigh: chapel, how much, hotel)
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This, of course, is subjective and depends on your interpretation of "best". For some this would mean "biggest". For others it would mean walkability. I live in Raleigh and have become pretty accustomed to what downtown has to offer. Bars, cafes, a little architecture, an IMAX, a few squares, museums, etc. My first time in downtown Greensboro I was kind of blown away by how much larger it was than Raleigh's. There were lots of people out on a Saturday night like you'd find on Franklin St. or Fayetteville St. so began my curiosity. Rank yours
1. Wilmington (Front street, scenic, bars, people watching, architecture)
2. Charlotte (huge, lots of variety, big city feel with skyline all around you)
3. Asheville (great breweries and bars, huge and spread out, scenic)
4. Raleigh (Fayetteville St. is great, Glenwood South as well, outdoor cafes)
5. Chapel Hill (Franklin St., Halloween)
My top 3 would be Asheville, Charlotte, and Wilmington. Charlotte has the advantage because there are tons of things to do downtown. Asheville has the food advantage. Wilmington has the water front advantage.
I'd pick downtown Durham or Chapel Hill/Carrboro over downtown Raleigh, but I prefer smaller cities. I was just in downtown Raleigh weekend before last and my socks were not blown off.
I'd pick downtown Durham or Chapel Hill/Carrboro over downtown Raleigh, but I prefer smaller cities. I was just in downtown Raleigh weekend before last and my socks were not blown off.
yea... Fayetteville St. and Glenwood South are pretty much it. Not too much to see otherwise... narrow weed infested sidewalks, parking garages, construction, dull buildings occupying entire blocks, a glorious bus station, couple of squares that are "blah". Wish something BIG and iconic would come around. And is it me or is nobody's really talking about the Raleigh Beer Garden anymore?
I'd pick downtown Durham or Chapel Hill/Carrboro over downtown Raleigh, but I prefer smaller cities. I was just in downtown Raleigh weekend before last and my socks were not blown off.
DPAC and baseball helps downtown Durham a lot. Think about the number of event days those two have each year.
Winston-Salem is my favorite downtown in NC after Charlotte. I might be biased, but I love all the development/redevelopment that has gone on recently and continues. We're planning to stay at the new Cardinal Hotel (by Kimpton) in the old RJ Reynolds building soon, just to have a full weekend to be able to walk around the area.
yea... Fayetteville St. and Glenwood South are pretty much it. Not too much to see otherwise... narrow weed infested sidewalks, parking garages, construction, dull buildings occupying entire blocks, a glorious bus station, couple of squares that are "blah". Wish something BIG and iconic would come around. And is it me or is nobody's really talking about the Raleigh Beer Garden anymore?
Raleigh Cityscape
Greensboro Cityscape
I guess it is all about expectations. DT Raleigh blows away some Downtowns in other similar-sized cities. Doesn't mean it's an epic DT, though.
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