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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.
What similarly sized US cities does DT Raleigh blow away? For the record, I'd never make such a bold claim about uptown Charlotte vs Charlotte's peers.
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.
I agree with you on this. It IS all about expectations but what if you're a tourist for a day with no idea what to expect? The out of towners I sometimes host generally enjoy their time in DT Raleigh but there really isn't anything there that you couldn't find in another city. Nothing that really "coins" it. Nothing really iconic....innovative. My family and out of town friends were more charmed over by Wake Forest's downtown.
I did a commercial photo shoot for Lennar Commercial last year. They wanted me to capture a bit of Raleigh nightlife and cafe culture to appeal to well established professionals. It wasn't an easy task. Everytime I left Fayetteville St. I would eventually strike out amidst dimly lit sidewalks and uninteresting buildings that checked out at 5PM on Friday. (So I'd usually end up walking back.)
I think downtown Raleigh has so much potential but there's a somewhat staleness that keeps it from being truly exceptional.
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
Seriously? You pick the "backside" of Fayetteville St as your Raleigh example? You seriously picked one of the least active and attractive streets to compare? rolleyes: That said, I think that Salisbury St. is a sleeper and will surprise everyone in the future. Raleigh's DT is growing way too rapidly for it not become "a thing" in the future.
In addition to the two streets you mention, I'd say that you forgot others that are very active as well. Arguably the Wilmington Street corridor south of The Capitol and toward Moore Square is more active than Fayetteville. The Warehouse District is also dotted with dining, drinking and party venues. While there are venerable establishments in the Warehouse District, It's poised to only grow.
Seriously? You pick the "backside" of Fayetteville St as your Raleigh example? You seriously picked one of the least active and attractive streets to compare? rolleyes: That said, I think that Salisbury St. is a sleeper and will surprise everyone in the future. Raleigh's DT is growing way too rapidly for it not become "a thing" in the future.
In addition to the two streets you mention, I'd say that you forgot others that are very active as well. Arguably the Wilmington Street corridor south of The Capitol and toward Moore Square is more active than Fayetteville. The Warehouse District is also dotted with dining, drinking and party venues. While there are venerable establishments in the Warehouse District, It's poised to only grow.
I totally agree with you on this. I'd like to add north Person and Seaboard Station. I will say none of these spots are very well connected to the other. On a night out you kinda have to just pick one and stick with it.
Kimbrells on Salisbury Street. Probably the worst possible example I could ever think of. Rolled my eyes a little on that one myself.
So what are your favorite streets for walking in the different downtowns? Fayetteville Street is nice in downtown Raleigh, but I'm also a little partial to Jones Street where you can see the legislature and the museums with the big Daily Planet.
In Durham I like American Tobacco Campus with the Lucky Strike Tower and the water features and with the DPAC and the DBAP right across the way:
I also like downtown Durham around West Main St near Dame's and the Durham Hotel. Lots of nice old architecture around there.
In Chapel Hill and Carrboro it's Franklin St to W Franklin to Main St and Weaver St. Always plenty of people out and about and sometimes acting crazy:
For Greensboro it's Elm St.
Which is your fave walking street in Charlotte? I don't like it down by Discovery Place. I feel very hemmed in down there.
Winston, and DT Winston was THE standard for the state about a half century ago up til maybe the mid to late 70s (historians help me out)...It was a bustling hub... Then it bottomed out for about 20-30 years... and recently it has been coming back around.
Winston's downtown has come a loooooooooooong way in the past 15 years. It's finally getting more activity.
I don't know what OP sees in DT Greensboro. It has more of an urban feel of the DTs outside of Charlotte, but it's not really that lively, imo. Maybe two streets have consistent activity.
If we're talking potential, I think Fayetteville's downtown has so much potential. *gasp* ... If someone only cared.
I agree with Atowwn and rnc2mbfl about Raleigh's DT. I don't know what some of you folks were doing.
...and now that I think about it, Wilmington's downtown is very underrated. Top 5 for sure.
Last edited by UserNamesake; 05-03-2016 at 05:36 PM..
So what are your favorite streets for walking in the different downtowns?
Has to be 4th street in Winston.
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