If landmark buildings, fascinating backstories, and rich heritage are your thing, then venture to one of the most historically important (and beautiful) downtowns in the US. From districts packed with Victorian-era architecture to atmospheric main streets in former Gold Rush towns, this list pulls together towns and city districts that are overflowing with historic charm.
From the grandeur of Independence Hall to one-horse towns out west, these are the most historic downtowns in America...
The Salem Maritime National Historic Site, Salem Witch Village, and Charter Street Historic District all take pride of place in the historic downtown of Salem. Founded in 1626, the city used to be one of the most significant seaports on the East Coast, but it's better known today for the infamous Salem witch trials of 1692-3. Many historic buildings have survived in Salem, but the only structure directly connected to the trials is the Witch House, which now operates as a museum.
Named after the gas-lamp-style street lights, this 16-block neighborhood looks like an American Victorian-era film set. Built mostly between the 1860s and the 1880s, a lot of the charming homes here haven't changed very much, so the area feels very distinct from the rest of San Diego. Today it's a popular tourist destination, drawing visitors with its arched sign and great spots for dinner and drinks.
Also known as Downtown Manhattan, the modern-day financial district was the heart and soul of New York City during the 17th and 18th centuries. Not much of the original Lower Manhattan has survived, but there are a few landmarks among the towering skyscrapers that nod to the city's past. One of the oldest surviving buildings in Manhattan, Fraunces Tavern (pictured) is thought to have been built in the early 1700s. Peace negotiations between George Washington and the British were also held here after the American Revolution.
Tipped as the nation's most historic square mile, Philadelphia's old city is packed with Revolutionary War-era sites – as well as a wealth of superb restaurants. Popular landmarks nearby include the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the Betsy Ross House, and the district also boasts the oldest continually inhabited residential street in America, Elfreth's Alley, which dates back to 1702. All but two of the restored 18th-century houses are still occupied by Philly residents.
Built along a railroad track, and what would later become Route 66, Flagstaff's Historic Downtown is defined by 1900s-era buildings that are now shops, restaurants, art galleries, and hotels. The pedestrian-friendly neighborhood was once one of the busiest railroad corridors in the US. Later, when Route 66 was completed in 1926, the city became a popular stop along the roadway, due in part to its proximity to the Grand Canyon.
This historic waterfront district was established around 1763 and is where some of the earliest US Navy vessels were built. Today, it's more than just a historic shipyard – it's also Baltimore's coolest destination for restaurants and bars, attracting pub-crawlers and diners, especially during events and holidays. Some of those revelers end up at The Horse You Came In On Saloon, one of America's oldest bars, reportedly favored by writer Edgar Allan Poe. The neighborhood hosts Baltimore's oldest standing residence – the Robert Long House.
If you've been to Washington DC, you may have noticed that Georgetown feels like an entirely different place to the rest of the city, and that's because, until it merged with the capital in 1871, it actually was. Today, it's a leafy and charming area in northwestern DC that's defined by Federal-style architecture and cobblestone streets. It's also home to Georgetown University, so the neighborhood is flooded with casual eating spots, college bars, and lively taverns.
Just west of the main downtown area, Beacon Hill is a picturesque and sought-after area in Boston. It's home to one of the prettiest streets in the US, Acorn Street, and is also where Boston's first European settler, William Blaxton, built his house in 1625. The area, and the rest of Boston's historic downtown, is famous for its Federal-style brick row houses and antique gas-lit lanterns, making it one of the most photographed urban areas in the US.
Founded in 1896 by the legendary Colonel William 'Buffalo Bill' Cody, the town and especially its main street still have a certain Wild West feel. Along Sheridan Avenue you'll find plenty of old-school shopfronts, the fascinating Buffalo Bill Center of the West, and the historic Irma Hotel – dedicated to Buffalo Bill's daughter Irma. The hotel hasn't changed much since its opening in 1902. Don't miss the regular shootout re-enactments and the hotel restaurant's signature prime rib.
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If streets could talk, the ones in Downtown Charleston would have a lot to say. Charleston was the place where the first shots of the Civil War were fired, and history is never far away in this elegant Southern city. One of the best ways to learn more about the city's past is to take a downtown walking tour, or one on a horse-drawn carriage, on which you'll find historic antebellum mansions, preserved Civil War sites, and moss-draped, tree-lined streets.
The oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the continental United States, St Augustine was established in 1565 by Spanish explorers. Many of the Historic District's buildings date back to the 1700s and the area is still very much the heart of the city, with plenty of restaurants, shops, and hotels. For a taste of what life would have been like way back when, many head straight for the Colonial Quarter, where the history museum offers plenty of interactive experiences and regular costumed re-enactments.
With one of the largest historical landmark districts in the country, Savannah is a true Southern belle. Established in 1733, it's famous for its antebellum architecture, moss-draped oak trees, and historic squares. A strategic port city during the American Revolution and the American Civil War, the city's Historic District and Victorian District are major attractions, much loved by history buffs. River Street, with its restaurants, shops, and historic buildings, also draws in the crowds.
The oldest neighborhood in New Orleans, the French Quarter was founded in 1718 by, surprisingly enough, the French. Most famous for its vibrant nightlife and elaborate ironwork balconies, it remains one of the most visited destinations in the US. The neighborhood's most famous street, Bourbon Street, is home to several notable bars and the district is one of only a handful of places in America where consumption of alcohol in an open container is allowed on the street.
One of the last silver-mining towns in the Wild West, Tombstone is now a living relic of a time when cowboys and gunslingers roamed the streets. Walking down Tombstone's main street, with its red-brick buildings, 20th-century saloons, and quirky storefronts, is like journeying back in time to 1879, when the town was founded. Today, you can take a tour of the old courthouse, visit the Gunfighter Hall of Fame, and watch duel re-enactments in the streets.
Left in deep decline for decades, Cincinnati's historic Over-the-Rhine neighborhood is finally coming out into the spotlight thanks to its gorgeous Italianate buildings, new restaurants and bars, and the redevelopment of the 167-year-old Findlay Market. Not a downtown exactly, but rather a historic working-class neighborhood, Over-the-Rhine was named by the German immigrants who resided here in the 19th century. It deserves a mention since it's thought to be the largest, most intact urban historic district in the US.
A historic district in Chicago's North Side, Old Town is home to Victorian-era buildings and St Michael's church, which was one of only seven buildings not completely destroyed by the Great Chicago Fire in 1871. Unlike the rest of Chicago, Old Town, also known as The Grid due to the layout of the streets, has a charming, old-world feel. The streets are filled with artisan bakeries, beautiful boutiques, and historic architecture.
Virginia City sprang into existence in 1859 after a significant vein of silver was discovered in the Nevada Desert, and it's also where Samuel Clemens lived and worked as a journalist, adopting the pen name Mark Twain. The city today has numerous restored buildings that date back to the late 19th century. Many of the saloons and stores have reopened and are maintained in accordance with their original style, so a trip to the city's main street feels like a walk into the past.
A stroll along the historic seafront district is a real treat in this charming coastal city. The area is admired for its pristine beaches, but also for its pretty and colorful Victorian mansions. The preservation of these eye-catching homes helped the entire city earn its status as a National Historic Landmark in 1976.
An area closely tied with the Klondike Gold Rush, Skagway's Historic District and White Pass encompass the historic parts of the 1887 town. There are almost 100 buildings in the area from the Gold Rush era, including the Arctic Brotherhood Hotel, which was built in 1899 and is covered in driftwood. A portion of the remaining historic buildings are preserved by the National Park Service.
With a totally unique and charming historic area, Santa Fe is the oldest state capital in the country, founded in 1610 by the Spanish. The Historic District is home to the country's oldest public building, the Palace of Governors, as well as the stunning Loretto Chapel. It also houses the San Miguel Chapel, which is reportedly the oldest church in America – built between 1610 and 1626. Today, top bars and restaurants sit alongside the area's many historic landmarks.
Another East Coast city especially important during the Civil War, Annapolis was a political and administrative center and even became a temporary capital of the United States after the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783. One of the historic center's most recognizable landmarks is the spire of the Maryland State House. Built in the 1700s, it's the country's oldest state house in continuous legislative use.
One of the most important cities in United States history, Williamsburg is perhaps the ultimate destination for US history buffs. The 18th-century historic area is the world's largest living history museum with over 40 historic sites, including the Governor's Palace, a courthouse, and several workshops. There are also four historic taverns and two art museums, as well as seasonal activities and historic walking tours.
Just south of the national capital, Alexandria is yet another city that predates the foundation of the United States. Formally founded in the mid-18th century – supposedly with the assistance of a young George Washington – today the settlement has more than 40 districts, sites, buildings, and structures on the National Register of Historic Places. Washington certainly adopted the town later on, and visitors can still see his pew at Christ Church and eat at Gadsby's Tavern, where he and several other presidents once dined.
First settled in 1844, today Grapevine's walkable Main Street anchors a rich downtown overflowing with 19th-century relics. A few blocks away lies Nash Farm, the oldest farm in the county, which still boasts a two-story farmhouse from 1869 and runs regular heritage workshops. Go another two blocks and you'll find the Settlement to City Museums, which include the home of the city's 19th-century newspaper and an 1881 printing press. An old schoolhouse, a vintage railroad, and a cotton museum round out Grapevine's highlight reel.
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