Best city "downtown" where is it?
May 29th, 2003 | 09:07 PM
#21
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
I agree that the downtown area of Asheville, NC is a force to be reckoned with.
No other city in North Carolina is as architecturally diverse as Asheville, which boasts one of the largest collections of Art Deco architecture in the country, as well as the distinction of having the vast majority of the buildings constructed during its first major boom period (1890 - 1935) still standing.
Downtown Asheville can't be beat in North Carolina for the quality and quantity of great restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, performing arts and venues, commercial art galleries, fun shopping, and public art.
Now, of course, you can't just take someone's word for it. Get an expert opinion. James Howard Kunstler, a renowned writer whose works deal with urban issues, called Asheville an "urban gem." National Geographic Traveler named the city's top attraction, the Biltmore Estate located just south of downtown, one of the 50 places you must see in America. American Style named the city one of the top arts destinations in America. The Boston Globe, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Charlotte Observer, Washington Post, and Hemisperes Magazine all wrote glowing reviews of downtown, the city, and all it offers. Asheville placed 15th in a nationwide survey of the cities people would most like to live (New York was first), and Asheville has earned glowing reviews in various men's magazines, Southern Living, and Woman's Day, thanks in large part to the vibrancy and beauty of downtown. Wallpaper Magazine even named the city the "No. 1 Urban Haven in the World."
Downtown Asheville, and the thriving neighborhoods that surround it can take all the credit. Sure, the city sits in amazingly beautiful natural surroundings, and has over a million acres of government-owned land at its doorstep for people to play in, but without that incredibly alive central city, Asheville would just be a place to sleep between hikes, and never a place to visit.
And of course, many who visit want to stay, and quite a few want to immerse themselves in that wonderful downtown -- which is why in the last census, downtown Asheville was the census tract that showed the most growth, beating out mountaintop communities, gated golf course communities, and the shiny new subdivisions that can be found throughout the area. It certainly wasn't from lack of choice. There are plenty of suburban areas and small towns to settle down in; people chose downtown over plentiful other options because of downtown amenities, beauty, character, and overall joie de vivre.
There really is no other city like it, and it's definitely one of the best and most beautiful cities in the country. boasting one of the greatest downtowns in the country. And remember, I'm not just saying that -- I've got the research to prove it.
No other city in North Carolina is as architecturally diverse as Asheville, which boasts one of the largest collections of Art Deco architecture in the country, as well as the distinction of having the vast majority of the buildings constructed during its first major boom period (1890 - 1935) still standing.
Downtown Asheville can't be beat in North Carolina for the quality and quantity of great restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, performing arts and venues, commercial art galleries, fun shopping, and public art.
Now, of course, you can't just take someone's word for it. Get an expert opinion. James Howard Kunstler, a renowned writer whose works deal with urban issues, called Asheville an "urban gem." National Geographic Traveler named the city's top attraction, the Biltmore Estate located just south of downtown, one of the 50 places you must see in America. American Style named the city one of the top arts destinations in America. The Boston Globe, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Charlotte Observer, Washington Post, and Hemisperes Magazine all wrote glowing reviews of downtown, the city, and all it offers. Asheville placed 15th in a nationwide survey of the cities people would most like to live (New York was first), and Asheville has earned glowing reviews in various men's magazines, Southern Living, and Woman's Day, thanks in large part to the vibrancy and beauty of downtown. Wallpaper Magazine even named the city the "No. 1 Urban Haven in the World."
Downtown Asheville, and the thriving neighborhoods that surround it can take all the credit. Sure, the city sits in amazingly beautiful natural surroundings, and has over a million acres of government-owned land at its doorstep for people to play in, but without that incredibly alive central city, Asheville would just be a place to sleep between hikes, and never a place to visit.
And of course, many who visit want to stay, and quite a few want to immerse themselves in that wonderful downtown -- which is why in the last census, downtown Asheville was the census tract that showed the most growth, beating out mountaintop communities, gated golf course communities, and the shiny new subdivisions that can be found throughout the area. It certainly wasn't from lack of choice. There are plenty of suburban areas and small towns to settle down in; people chose downtown over plentiful other options because of downtown amenities, beauty, character, and overall joie de vivre.
There really is no other city like it, and it's definitely one of the best and most beautiful cities in the country. boasting one of the greatest downtowns in the country. And remember, I'm not just saying that -- I've got the research to prove it.
May 30th, 2003 | 03:44 AM
#22
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
I'm biased, having grown up there, but I've lived in Washington, LA, and New Orleans since, and visited numerous others - Seattle still has the best downtown I know of. Unlike most cities, it's the best place in the city to shop, eat, go out, and in many cases live.
May 30th, 2003 | 01:16 PM
#27
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,110
Likes: 0
I agree that San Jose is doing a nice job of revitalizing downtown. The difference between now and 10 years ago is amazing.
A downtown that really surprised me was Omaha. I went there a few months ago for a training seminar, and the area called the Old Market is really pretty nice. It was winter time, so there wasn't a whole lot going on, but there were lots of restaurants, most with seating out front, the sidewalks were covered so rain and snow isn't as much of an issue, there were also several bars and a lot of shops. I was pleasantly surprised.
A downtown that really surprised me was Omaha. I went there a few months ago for a training seminar, and the area called the Old Market is really pretty nice. It was winter time, so there wasn't a whole lot going on, but there were lots of restaurants, most with seating out front, the sidewalks were covered so rain and snow isn't as much of an issue, there were also several bars and a lot of shops. I was pleasantly surprised.
May 30th, 2003 | 04:37 PM
#28
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,489
Likes: 0
J Cor, Great call on Nev City. Especially in the winter with some snow on the ground and a big chill in the air.
Just be careful with the parking tickets, especially around the Courthouse!
I hit a trifecta on 3 straight trips up there one year!
When did Kam become such a big San Jose fan? :-?
I have to throw my Cub hat into the ring for Chicago.
Kal
Just be careful with the parking tickets, especially around the Courthouse!
I hit a trifecta on 3 straight trips up there one year!
When did Kam become such a big San Jose fan? :-?
I have to throw my Cub hat into the ring for Chicago.
Kal
May 30th, 2003 | 07:34 PM
#30
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
San Jose has really improved their downtown by leaps and bounds. Good nightlife, restaurants, perfoming arts, museums, etc. As far as other big cities, New York without a doubt as well as Chicago. In terms of mid-sized cities, I like downtown Austin.
Jun 1st, 2003 | 08:17 AM
#31
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,641
Likes: 0
Philadelphia has one of the best downtowns in the country (but they call it Center City). You can walk from Elfreth's Alley up to Fitler Square and never run out of interesting things to see and do. Not to mention the great restaurant scene, outstanding cultural activities, endless list of museums, beautiful homes, and green, pretty parks.
Apr 9th, 2004 | 12:58 AM
#36
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
I believe El Paso, TX has the best best city downtown. Its very busy unlike most U.S. city centers. It has many types of stores and eateries. It's not just some yuppified business district. El Paso's city core is for the common man...and woman!
Apr 9th, 2004 | 03:25 PM
#40
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 833
Likes: 0
God bless downtown Santa Cruz, CA, with its filthy hippies harassing cigarettes out of pretty girls in tank tops and telling them dirty jokes in front of Borders Bookstore ("How many times does one go into zero? As many times as it can [dirty hand motion]!"). I cannot pick up a pizza and walk out to the car without some sleazy bastard going "Hey, I want a piece!"...some of them even threaten to come after me when I flip them off. How rude.
Ha! What a place. It's actually quite nice, with lots of flowering planters, benches, retail alleys/courtyards, the ubiquitous surf shops and a good mix of chain stores and local shops and lots of moderatey priced restaurants and coffeehouses, and my favorite, Marini's candy n ice cream, home of the pretty girl with the strong scooping wrist. There's even a couple of hot tub places on the side streets that are awesome (the "soak n poke" as my friend calls them). Sometimes the street music is even good. Sometimes. Excellent people watching overall. And yes, that's a needle exchange over by the bus station.
love
roxy
Ha! What a place. It's actually quite nice, with lots of flowering planters, benches, retail alleys/courtyards, the ubiquitous surf shops and a good mix of chain stores and local shops and lots of moderatey priced restaurants and coffeehouses, and my favorite, Marini's candy n ice cream, home of the pretty girl with the strong scooping wrist. There's even a couple of hot tub places on the side streets that are awesome (the "soak n poke" as my friend calls them). Sometimes the street music is even good. Sometimes. Excellent people watching overall. And yes, that's a needle exchange over by the bus station.
love
roxy
