Thought all America’s downtowns were sterile business districts packed only with glass offices that become ghost towns after the working day ends? Think again.
There are some city centers packed with character that break the mold — and here we reveal seven of the most beautiful. What’s more, they are all highly walkable.
Venture to South Carolina for a city that feels like a living museum, with over 2,500 historic buildings in its downtown area. In Georgia, leave your car parked and set out on foot to explore the city with 22 park-like squares, while New Mexico’s capital has strict rules ensuring that its downtown will always be a mesmerizing mix of earthy tones.
Our downtown directory also includes a Wisconsin city with a spectacular setting on an isthmus between two lakes and the Rhode Island destination with a distinctly European vibe.
We also included a leafy Idaho city, along with a stunning spot in Virginia that in many respects is little changed from its 18th-century beginnings.
Most beautiful downtowns in America
1. Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is akin to a living museum, with over 2,500 historic buildings dating to the 18th and 19th centuries clustered in the walkable downtown area, and dozens of church spires punctuating the skyline.
Among the most picturesque buildings are the 13 candy-colored Georgian row houses on East Bay Street. These are must-haves for your camera roll — along with the intricate wrought-iron balconies that embellish the facades throughout the district, the cobblestone streets and narrow leafy lanes, and the hidden passages that connect them.
One of the best viewpoints to take it all in from is the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge pedestrian path, which offers sweeping views of the skyline and harbor.
After that, review your photos at celebrated Southern restaurant Husk, located in a beautifully restored Victorian house.
Great place to stay: The Ryder Hotel (rooms from $300) is a boutique property with quasi-tropical design accents and an outdoor pool in the heart of downtown.
Read more: You’ve probably never heard of Mitchelville – but it might be the most important place you visit in South Carolina
2. Savannah, Georgia
Savannah’s downtown is not only stunning, but a candidate for being one of America’s most walkable historic districts. A grid plan dating back to 1733 that features 22 park-like squares remains intact, and the atmosphere is enchanting.
The streets are lined with buildings that span 300 years of American architectural evolution, from Federal (think brickwork, centered doors and evenly spaced windows) to Greek Revival (ancient temple aesthetics), and from Gothic (steep gables and spires) to Italianate (ornate ironwork). Adding to the storybook vibe are vast oak trees draped in Spanish moss that form canopies over the roads.
One of the best viewpoints? Look north from the fountain in Forsyth Park along oak-lined Bull Street, which runs toward the river through several historic squares.
For a top dining spot, try The Grey, which is set inside a restored 1930s Greyhound bus terminal.
Great place to stay: The Marshall House (rooms from $250) is a beautiful landmark hotel dating to 1851 in the center of the historic district — you won’t need your car before you leave.
Read more: Forget Route 66: Five under-the-radar road trips that get to the heart of America
3. Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe has a distinctive downtown look unlike any other, thanks to a 400-year history — the city is the oldest state capital in the U.S. — and a strict architectural code that stipulates adobe aesthetics: flat roofs and earthy, neutral tones such as tan, cream or yellow.
Adding to the vibrancy are over 250 art galleries, the majestic 17th-century Palace of the Governors (America’s oldest public building), and a skyline that’s framed by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
Head to the Cross of the Martyrs in Fort Marcy Park for a sweeping panorama of the city and the peaks beyond, and then to The Shed for some classic New Mexican fare, such as blue-corn enchiladas.
Great place to stay: Inn of the Governors (rooms from $250) is a short walk from downtown’s shops, galleries and landmarks.
Read more: Seven remote luxury hotels in America — where wilderness meets five-star comfort
4. Madison, Wisconsin
Madison’s downtown has a head start over many others simply because of its spectacular setting. The city sits on a narrow isthmus — formed 18,000 years ago by glacial activity — between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona.
Visitors are also wowed by its majestic centerpiece: the Roman Renaissance-style Wisconsin State Capitol, whose gleaming white granite dome towers above a cluster of handsome historic buildings.
Urban planning also plays a part in the appeal: there’s State Street, a mile-long pedestrian mall, which links the University of Wisconsin campus to Capitol Square, and extensive lakefront parks.
For the best Instagram shot, head to the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed lakeside convention center Monona Terrace. From here, you can capture the Capitol dome rising dramatically above the water.
You can also admire the view from Graze, a popular Capitol Square bistro serving seasonal Midwestern dishes.
Great place to stay: The Madison Concourse Hotel (rooms from $220) is positioned right beside Capitol Square, with views of the grand surrounding architecture part of the package.
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5. Providence, Rhode Island
The architectural grandeur of downtown Providence gives it a distinctly European feel, with Beaux-Arts, Greek Revival and Art Deco designs underpinning many of its civic buildings.
Your eye will be drawn to the Art Deco Industrial Trust Tower — dubbed the “Superman Building” due to its striking resemblance to the Daily Planet building featured in the 1950s Adventures of Superman TV series — and the neoclassical Rhode Island State House, which is topped by one of the largest self-supporting marble domes in the world.
The Westminster Arcade, with its huge Greek-style columns, also impresses. Built in 1828, it was the first enclosed shopping mall in the United States. Carve out time to stroll the elegant walkways alongside Providence River and take in the view of the skyline from Prospect Terrace Park on College Hill.
For food, book a table at Al Forno, a Providence institution famous for its wood-grilled pizzas and hand-churned ice cream.
Great place to stay: Graduate by Hilton Providence (rooms from $200) is soaked in vintage character and sits in the heart of downtown Providence on the edge of Kennedy Plaza.
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6. Boise, Idaho
An oasis at the edge of the high desert, Boise’s downtown is blanketed in trees, a feature that has defined the city since its earliest days.
The name derives from the French “les boisés,” meaning “the wooded place,” coined by French-Canadian fur trappers who discovered the lush valley where the city was later founded.
The Boise River Greenbelt park and trail system is one of the most tranquil areas of greenery, while the handsome neoclassical State Capitol building anchors the skyline.
The best view of the latter is from Camel’s Back Park in the North End, from where you can look out beyond the city to the foothills of the Rockies beyond.
A can’t-go-wrong downtown food option is Fork, which serves locally sourced comfort food, from Wagyu smash burgers to “dirty buffalo wings.”
Great place to stay: The Grove Hotel (rooms from $220) sits right next to the Idaho State Capitol, with foothill views and a rooftop-level fitness club with pool and spa.
Read more: Is this America’s best-kept vacation secret? The underrated state that deserves your attention
7. Alexandria, Virginia
Downtown Alexandria, set along the Potomac River, is most commonly referred to as Old Town — and for good reason. Established in 1749, it’s a beautifully preserved colonial-era historic district.
It’s a haven where open-flame gas lanterns illuminate wrought-iron gates and cobbled streets are lined with historic row houses.
One of the most notable landmarks is Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, which in the 18th and early 19th centuries comprised a tavern and hotel visited by the likes of George and Martha Washington, Thomas Jefferson and the Marquis de Lafayette.
The district’s anchor is King Street, a mile-long thoroughfare lined with historic storefronts, boutiques, galleries, restaurants and independent coffee shops.
It leads down to the waterfront promenade, where you’ll discover gorgeous views of the harbor, river and the Washington, D.C. skyline in the distance.
For a good feed, head to Virtue Feed & Grain, set inside a lovingly restored 19th-century feed warehouse. Here you can refuel with the likes of shrimp & grits, oven-baked rockfish and rigatoni alla vodka.
Great place to stay: Hotel Indigo Old Town Alexandria by IHG (rooms from $250) has a waterfront setting and offers views of Old Town Alexandria, Washington, D.C. and the sparkling Potomac River from its rooftop courtyard.
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