America’s 50 Favorite Streets
Hello, my friend, hello again; today we come together to talk about America’s 50 Favorite Streets and hope the blog can help you.
Every state in the union has a unique culture that is reflected in the streets of its communities. The homes and businesses that line these avenues tell a story about the fabric of our country, how it was built, and the people who have shaped it. From large metropolitan thoroughfares to small town main streets, every state has a beloved boulevard.
Court Street in Florence, Alabama
flickr.com via Jimmy Emerson, DVM
A timeless example of the American main street, this revitalized historic shopping and entertainment district in downtown Florence is also home to the popular First Fridays arts and music street fair.
Creek Street in Ketchikan, Alaska
Flickr via Bernard Spragg
Once an infamous red light district, the historic Creek Street is a boardwalk built on wood pilings over the Ketchikan Creek. No longer a seedy haunt, it is now home to a unique mix of restaurants, shops, and a museum that tells the story of its sordid past.
Related: 18 American Towns Every Old-House Lover Needs to See
Congress Street in Tucson, Arizona
Flickr via On Congress
Congress Street is the cultural hub of Tucson. Home to restaurants, theaters, and shops, the street is dotted with historic buildings such as Hotel Congress, which was once the hideout of Depression-era gangster John Dillinger.
Dickson Street in Fayetteville, Arkansas
Flickr via MRHSfan
This colorful street is full of galleries, boutiques and music venues, including George’s Majestic Lounge, the oldest club in Arkansas. The street is also the headquarters of the annual Bikes, Blues & Barbecue rally, one of the largest motorcycle meet-ups the nation.
Related: 18 Small Towns with Strange Claims to Fame
Lombard Street in San Francisco, California
This iconic winding road, known for its eight hairpin turns down a steep slope, attracts millions of tourists each year. The well-known street has also catapulted several houses to fame, all of which stand along Lombard.
Related: 18 Victorian Homes We Love
Larimer Square in Denver, Colorado
Flickr via Geoff Livingston
As the oldest street in Denver, Larimer Square has seen decades of change—from its frontier town beginnings, to its decline after the 1893 Silver Crash, to the bustling commercial hub it is today.
Related: Would You Recognize These 9 Iconic Streets Way Back When?
Chapel Street in New Haven, Connecticut
Flickr via Malcom K
Strolling down Chapel Street is a great way to get a scenic view of the historic Yale Campus and the surrounding 19th-century architecture. And for those who don’t prefer sight-seeing, there’s always the charming restaurants and shops on this college town street.
Second Street in Lewes, Delaware
Flickr via Mike Mahaffie
Lewes claims to be “The First Town in The First State,” and historic Second Street is an essential part of the town’s cultural fabric. The street is lined with antique shops, boutiques, and gift shops that are second to none.
Ocean Drive in Miami, Florida
Known for its Art Deco hotels and historic buildings, Ocean Drive is a scenic thoroughfare in Miami Beach. The street is also home to the Casa Casuarina, the famous residence of fashion designer Gianni Versace.
Related: 11 Crazy Colorful Homes We Love
Peachtree Street in Atlanta, Georgia
Not to be confused with Atlanta’s 71 other streets named after Georgia’s unofficial state tree, Peachtree Street is home to prominent landmarks and historic architecture. Another claim to fame? Margaret Mitchell wrote “Gone With the Wind” in this very spot.
Related: What 11 Ordinary People Paid to Live in Your Favorite Movie Homes
Kahala Avenue in Honolulu, Hawaii
flickr.com via Matt Sims
This prestigious waterfront street is lined with mansions and stunning ocean views on the southern part of the island. The street has recently seen some rebirth after a controversial Japanese billionaire sold several of his properties, many of which had fallen to ruin.
Related: Island Living: 20 Tropical B&Bs That Are Only an Airplane Away
Eighth Street in Boise, Idaho
Flickr via Ken Wilcox
This thriving restaurant district in downtown Boise has benefitted from several city improvements since the 1980s, including wider sidewalks, and is home to a robust weekend farmer’s market.
Michigan Ave in Chicago, Illinois
This famed street is home to such iconic Chicago spots as the Art Institute of Chicago, Millennium Park, the Chicago Water Tower, and Magnificent Mile shopping district. Originating on the shores of Lake Michigan in the north, the 12-mile street runs downtown and extends into the South Side neighborhood.
Washington Street in Indianapolis, Indiana
Wikimedia Commons via Peetlesnumber1
Washington Street is an east–west thoroughfare in Indianapolis that passes local landmarks such as the Indianapolis Zoo and White River State Park. The street runs over the White River, and also under the glass-domed Indianapolis Artsgarden.
Snake Alley in Burlington, Iowa
Flickr via Loco Steve
This winding street challenges San Francisco’s Lombard Street for the title of “crookedest street in the world.” Built in 1894 to emulate the vineyard paths of Europe, the brick pavers were laid at an angle to give horses better footing as they descended the steep hill.
Massachusetts Street in Lawrence, Kansas
Flickr via Patrick Emerson
Named by settlers from New England and known to locals as “Mass Street,” this street is home to many buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as well as new shops, restaurants, and music venues that make it one of the most popular tourist attractions in Kansas.
Related: 15 Places Every American Should Visit at Least Once
Fourth Street in Louisville, Kentucky
Flickr via frankieleon
This downtown entertainment corridor has seen decades of transformation and revitalization. Stretching seven blocks south from the Ohio River, the street features new commercial developments alongside historic hotels and a library with grounds designed by famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted.
Related: 17 Log Cabins We Love
Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Louisiana
This famous street in New Orleans’ French Quarter dates back to 1798 and is known for frenetic nightlife, strip clubs, music venues—and, of course, the annual Mardi Gras celebration.
Related: 12 Destinations You Should Actually Visit During the Off-Season
Congress Street in Portland, Maine
Flickr via Corey Templeton
Originally serving as an access road for 18th-century farmers, Congress Street continues to be Portland’s main street. Decades of development initiatives have resulted in a mix of historic structures and architecturally-diverse buildings from in the Federal, International, and Postmodern styles.
North Charles Street in Baltimore, Maryland
Wikimedia Commons via Frederic C. Chalfant
Splitting the east and west parts of Baltimore, Charles Street is a National Scenic Byway. The 12-mile road runs through Baltimore’s Inner Harbor neighborhood, and showcases 19th-century buildings untouched by the Great Fire of 1904.
Related: After Disaster: 8 U.S. Cities That Went from Ruin to Rebirth
Acorn Street in Boston, Massachusetts
This cobblestone street in the picturesque Boston neighborhood of Beacon Hill is said to be one of the