What Are the Best Downtowns Across the U.S.? (largest, comparison, quality)

[pwright1]

NY
San Francisco
Chicago
Seattle
Boston
Portland Oregon
are the ones I like the best.

[erin3465]

why is Portland always so underrated?

I think it's a more walkable, soulful, fun, and in many ways "urban feeling" downtown than higher rated cities like Seattle or Minneapolis

[Akhenaton06]

Originally Posted by Rwarky

Raleigh and Durham are growing cities that I feel have good downtowns, especially for the South.

I'll give you Raleigh since they're making tangible progress downtown, but Durham? I mean Brightleaf Square is cool, but I can think of several Southern cities in Durham's league that have better downtowns.

Everyone is more or less familiar with the larger cities, but for the smaller cities, I'm going with Charleston, Savannah, Chattanooga, Greenville, SC, Little Rock, and Annapolis.

[BlackOut]

Originally Posted by SweethomeSanAntonio

NYC
San Fran
Boston
Chicago
Seattle
San Diego
Portland
Minneapolis
Denver
Baltimore
Atlanta
San Antonio
New Orleans
Philly
L.A.
Austin
Milwaukee
Charlotte
Cincinatti

Portland, Minneapolis, and Denver belong above Baltimore. I fixed your list for you.

[mas23]

durham's downtown just dont compare to raleigh's.

[tmac9wr]

Originally Posted by erin3465

why is Portland always so underrated?

I think it's a more walkable, soulful, fun, and in many ways "urban feeling" downtown than higher rated cities like Seattle or Minneapolis

I certainly wouldn't call Portland's downtown underrated. It's got a great image on this site...people often give it high-praise.

[MplsTodd]

Originally Posted by tmac9wr

I certainly wouldn't call Portland's downtown underrated. It's got a great image on this site...people often give it high-praise.

I agree

My list

World-Class:
NYC
Chicago
Boston
San Francisco

Very Strong:
Philadelphia
Seattle
Portland
Washington DC (incl Georgetown w DT)

Strong:
Minneapolis
Los Angeles
Denver
New Orleans
San Diego
Baltimore

Good
Salt Lake City
Pittsburgh
Austin
Charlotte
Indianapolis
Norfolk
Richmond
Milwaukee
Houston
Cincinnati
Providence
St Louis
Columbus

[fashionguy]

It is better than Minneapolis but comparable to Seattle. I think most people got that right.

Originally Posted by erin3465

why is Portland always so underrated?

I think it's a more walkable, soulful, fun, and in many ways "urban feeling" downtown than higher rated cities like Seattle or Minneapolis

[wh15395]

In no particular order: Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Minneapolis, Seattle, Dallas, Houston, Portland, and San Diego.

[Caymon83]

Originally Posted by MplsTodd

My list

World-Class:
NYC
Chicago
Boston
San Francisco

Very Strong:
Philadelphia
Seattle
Portland
Washington DC (incl Georgetown w DT)

Strong:
Minneapolis
Los Angeles
Denver
New Orleans
San Diego
Baltimore

Good
Salt Lake City
Pittsburgh
Austin
Charlotte
Indianapolis
Norfolk
Richmond
Milwaukee
Houston
Cincinnati
Providence
St Louis
Columbus

Nice list, although I might create a seperate category for Portland. It seems a little below Philly/Sea/DC at least in terms of scale/amenities, but above the strong downtowns. It reminds me more of a big college town, like Ann Arbor or Madison on steriods, than a major city.

The other 3 seem like they just miss world class status, and with some changes could easily rival at least Boston and maybe SF in say 10 years.