| The East Waterfront,
Portland, Maine
Vibrant downtown district that has been revitalized but not gussied-up beyond all recognition. Fenway Park,
Boston
Threatened baseball shrine that blends wonderfully into the surrounding neighborhood. Public Garden,
Boston
Not only the setting of children’s classic Make Way for Ducklings, but also a well-used front yard for thousands of nearby urban dwellers. Main Street,
Northampton, Massachusetts
Bustling small-town Main Street with an alternative twist. Bridge of Flowers,
Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts
Abandoned trolley bridge decorated with flowers and art by local civic groups every year since 1928. Central Park,
New York City
The heart of the heart of NYC. Coney Island,
New York City
Beaches and amusement parks that draw 50 million fun seekers each year. 92nd St Y,
New York City
A branch of the Young Men’s Hebrew Association that reigns as one of the city’s most important cultural centers with lectures, classes, and arts events. Riverside Skate Park,
New York City
Skateboard center built and designed by neighborhood kids. Broadway
The Great American Street worth strolling the whole length, but especially from 112th Street to Columbus Circle. 125th Street,
Harlem, New York City
Black America’s Broadway, alive with musicians, orators, and street vendors. Farmers Market,
Ithaca, New York
Lakeside bazaar where the whole town congregates. Broadway Market,
Buffalo, New York
Indoor emporium of fruits, vegetables, sausage, pastry, and ethnic treats. Appalachian Trail,
Georgia to Maine
Two thousand miles of scenic hiking. South Street,
Philadelphia
Urbane promenade lined by sidewalk cafés, bookstores, funky boutiques, theaters, and other curiosities. Senator Theater,
Baltimore
Magnificent movie palace that has hosted world premieres of John Waters and Barry Levinson films, public events featuring the likes of Muhammed Ali and Johnny Depp, and music concerts. Vietnam Veterans Memorial,
Washington, D.C.
Public monument offering Americans an outlet for their complicated emotions about a wrenching war. | The South University of Virginia campus,
Charlottesville
Thomas Jefferson’s masterpiece, designed to maximize opportunities for informal educational encounters between students and professors. Diggs Town,
Norfolk, Virginia
Dangerous housing project transformed into a vital low-income neighborhood thanks to architectural redesign directed by the residents. Historical Districts,
Charleston, South Carolina
Architectural treasure imbued with the leisurely mood of the past without feeling like a museum. Squares of Savannah,
Georgia
Inspired feat of city planning, with squares every few blocks making this a gracious and green city. Lincoln Road,
Miami Beach
America’s equivalent of Barcelona’s rambla, a stretch of cafés, galleries, shops, and theaters that teems with throngs of happy walkers. Sunset,
Key West
Festival each evening in Mallory Square to celebrate the final rays of the day. Historic Center,
Ponce, Puerto Rico
Once-dilapidated port city whose revitalization and Latin-accented street life holds lessons for neighbors to the north. Dreamland barbeque,
near Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Nothing fancy—just a shed-like building with a pot-bellied stove, beer signs, great ribs, and a happily finger-licking interracial crowd of diners. Graceland,
Memphis
Elvis’s home, a historical shrine as dear to the hearts of Americans as Independence Hall or Gettysburg. The French Quarter,
New Orleans
The best place in America to lose sight of our Puritan heritage. Mulate’s,
Breaux Bridge, Louisiana
Cajun dance hall where you see everyone from 7 to 77 doing the two-step. Riverwalk,
San Antonio, Texas
A café-lined path built by the WPA along the San Antonio River. Barton Springs,
Austin, Texas
Spring-fed swimming hole beloved by Austinites of all social classes, racial hues, and philosophical persuasions. Staples Street Station,
Corpus Christi, Texas
One of the world’s finest bus stops, giving passengers of 14ngers of different routes a convenient and pleasurable downtown plaza to enjoy while waiting for a ride home. |