10 Prettiest Downtown Strips In The United States
One of the best ways to explore a new destination is on foot. Set the pace of your journey and let curiosity lead the way as you soak in your surroundings to the fullest extent. Plus, with charming shops, rustic stores, fascinating museums, lively bars, gorgeous galleries, and local restaurants, exploring the center is the best way to dive into the heart and soul of a city. From Park City to Eureka Springs, discover the 10 prettiest downtown strips in the United States you need to add to your list!
Main Street — Park City, Utah
Meander through Main Street in Park City, one of the West’s most popular mountain towns. Stop and shop between boutiques with over 100 to choose from. Choose from 50 distinctive restaurants to dine at, such as the red-brick No Name Saloon, home to the famous Buffalo Burger, or enjoy all-day breakfast and patio views at the cozy Bridge Cafe and Grill. Learn about the town’s rich history stretching from 1600 A.D. to 2015, including the silver discovery in 1868 to its transformation as a ski resort town. Even simply strolling through town, capturing stunning photos of the mountainous backdrops, will instantly put a smile on your face.
Main Street — Galena, Illinois
Welcome to Galena, a picture-perfect city that will speak to history buffs. With its 1800s Main Street featuring well-preserved buildings, a fascinating mix of 19th-century architectural styles, and over 125 shops and restaurants, a trip here will leave you in awe. Discover exquisite gifts and eye-catching wall art in Geoffrey’s River Bend Gallery, or try award-winning wines and incredible cocktails at Galena Cellars. Wandering from site to site, you will quickly see why this is one of the 10 prettiest downtown strips in the United States. If you head east of South Main Street, you will find Depot Park; a lovely spot to soak in the scenery of the Galena River and explore the gorgeous green grounds.
Front Street — Leavenworth, Washington
Get a taste of Bavaria without leaving America with a trip to Leavenworth, a breathtaking city with scenery straight from a fairytale. Explore the picturesque pedestrian-only Front Street, lined with quaint gift shops, bustling breweries, traditional European eateries, unique themed stores, and mountainous backdrops. See what festivals and parades are taking place at Front Street Park with its iconic gazebo and maypole before you visit the magical Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum. This one-of-a-kind shop features nutcrackers of all materials and designs, ranging from the Archaic period to modern-day pieces. Next, head towards the water to Waterfront Park. Follow the scenic trails winding along the Wenatchee River and through serene forests.
Church Street — Burlington, Vermont
Discover Burlington, the biggest city in the Green Mountain State (by population). Despite its nickname, you can see soft blankets of powdery white snow cover the streets in places like Burlington’s Church Street. Illuminated in lights and featuring a 30-foot Christmas tree over the winter holidays, you will feel like you have stepped into your own Hallmark movie. All year round, Church Street Marketplace, the city’s legendary outdoor pedestrian mall home to over 100 shops and restaurants, is closed to cars to enhance the experience of shoppers and pedestrians. Popular events such as the Pride Parade and Vermont City Marathon also take place here, bringing the community together. Order a tasty Maple Latte from Black Cap Coffee & Bakery and head out to see the mix of architectural styles.
Fun fact: Church Street Marketplace was named the No. 1 Public Square in America in 2022 by USA Today.
Ocean Avenue — Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
Let yourself be transported straight into a fairytale with a trip to Carmel-by-the-Sea. Ocean Avenue, one of the 10 prettiest downtown strips in the United States, is lined with beautiful boutiques, gorgeous art galleries, incredible restaurants, cozy inns, and quaint cafes. Treat your tastebuds to some flavorful desserts in the historic Carmel Bakery, and bring a piece of the ocean home with the eye-catching artwork of Aaron Chang Ocean Art Gallery. Eventually, you will reach Carmel Beach. Between bright white sands, cerulean blue waters, and spectacular sunsets, you will feel like you have entered a Pacific paradise.
Broadway Street — Skagway, Alaska
Replace powdery white sand beaches with expansive snow-capped mountains and mesmerizing northern lights displays in Skagway; one of Alaska’s most breathtaking cities. Soak in the beauty and culture on Broadway Street. With its historic architecture depicting the Klondike Gold Rush era, framed by jaw-dropping backdrops of the Coast Mountains, Broadway perfectly combines history with nature. Meander through the streets, seeing the original 1898-constructed saloons, hotels, and stores now used as gift shops, art galleries, museums, and jewelry stores. Capture striking photos of the Golden North Hotel with its gorgeous golden dome, a key part of the city skyline since 1898. Sit back and sip on a draft beer at the famous Red Onion Saloon, and dive deeper into the city’s past through the interactive exhibits, special film, and summer ranger presentations at the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park Visitor Center.
Colorado Avenue — Telluride, Colorado
One of the 10 prettiest downtown strips in the United States is undoubtedly Colorado Avenue. Designated a National Historic Landmark District in 1964, this eye-catching part of Telluride played a significant role in American West history. Dive deeper into the town by seeing what treasures you can find in Between the Covers Bookstore, featuring works written by local authors. From there, collect quaint gifts and sizable souvenirs to fit in your luggage at Hook. To top your shopping experience, try handmade treats, locally sourced meats, and biodynamic wines in The Butcher & The Baker cafe. If you would like to connect deeper with nature, take the free gondola up to Mountain Village to uncover exquisite views of the breathtaking Colorado landscape on this mesmerizing 13-minute ride.
Mission Drive — Solvang, California
Another gem in The Golden State, Solvang is a charming village of Danish heritage that will captivate your heart. Get a taste of Scandinavia meandering through Mission Drive; the main street in “The Danish Capital of America.” Admire the intriguing mix of Danish and Spanish architectural influences as you explore the Mission District. Visit the captivating grounds of Old Mission Santa Inés, a historic church founded in 1804. Capture stunning photos as you walk through Solvang Park. Illuminated in lights and festive decor in the winter, this park transforms into a Christmas spectacle over the holidays. From there, head a few minutes west to Olsen's Danish Village Bakery. Treat your tastebuds to cakes, kringles, cookies, and breads, baked following the recipes of the Olsen family from Aerøskøbing, Denmark.
Main Street — Frankenmuth, Michigan
Next up is another Bavarian beauty. Between an incredible outdoor mall, expansive wineries, and the largest Christmas store in the world, Frankenmuth combines small-town charm with ample shopping opportunities. See the traditional timber-framed buildings as you walk down Main Street, one of the 10 prettiest downtown strips in the United States. Between the beautiful 35-bell carillon of The Bavarian Inn Glockenspiel Tower, playing both German and American tunes, and the captivating Bavarian Inn’s Holz-Brücke “wooden bridge” replicating designs from the 19th century, this street is filled with architectural marvels. Frankenmuth Cheese Haus is another landmark you must not miss. With 270 varieties of imported and domestic cheese to explore inside, and the magnificent 74-foot Figurinespiel Tower to see from outside, a trip here will be truly fascinating. Next, head southeast to Christmas Lane to visit Bronner's Christmas Wonderland. Experience the magic of the holidays all year round, where over 6,000 styles of ornaments await, open 361 days a year.
Main Street — Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Would you like to see well-preserved Victorian architecture with beautiful boutiques, exquisite restaurants, quaint cafes, and gorgeous art galleries? Welcome to Eureka Springs, a captivating town in the heart of the Ozarks, where history comes to life. Learn about the transitions the city experienced at Eureka Springs Historical Museum. From the early indigenous people who founded Eureka Springs, to pioneer life, the Victorian renaissance, and the arts and counterculture movement, you will see how the city transformed over time. Visit the intriguing Eureka Springs & North Arkansas Railway, a 1940s-era diesel locomotive offering a unique dining experience onboard. If you are searching for a cozy place to stay, the 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa, perched above the village, perfectly combines beauty and grace with relaxation.
Takeaways
Let inspiration take the lead and allow curiosity to guide you as you explore a new city inside out. Between the exquisite European-style shops of Leavenworth, the powdery snow-capped mountain views of Skagway, and the fairy-tale-like parks and architecture of Skagway, these are the 10 prettiest downtown strips in the United States. Expect fascinating new experiences as you step into the heart of these destinations, seeing what natural beauty, historical wonders, architectural marvels, and culinary delights await.
