12 Most Beautiful Neighborhoods in the US You’ll Fall in Love With
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If we told you to imagine the United States, you’d likely think of big cities like New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. That’s because these places are amongst the most popular places in the country. However, what makes a place so special is its neighborhoods and people living there.
The United States has over 18,000 neighborhoods, each offering something unique. This makes the US an exciting place to explore but also makes it harder to choose where to stay. To help you decide, we’ve compiled a list of 12 beautiful neighborhoods. We’ve selected these based on their beauty, atmosphere, and things to do.
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Fort Greene – Brooklyn, New York
Let’s kickstart this list with Fort Greene in Brooklyn, New York. This charming, family-friendly neighborhood makes our list because it features various cultural landmarks, has a lively atmosphere, and is quite a beautiful place to stay. Much loved for its namesake park, Fort Greene also has a diverse community, which is evident in the variety of eateries, bars, and shops.
When not walking along DeKalb and Myrtle avenues, explore Brooklyn Flea Market and seek the neighborhood’s iconic landmarks. Popular points of interest in Fort Greene include the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Pratt Sculpture Park, and the Center for Fiction. Sports lovers should also visit the Barclays Center, the home of the Brooklyn Nets.
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Richmond District – San Francisco, California
If you’re lucky enough to be planning a trip to San Francisco, you must stay in the Richmond District. The perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of the busy city center, this neighborhood is surrounded by the ocean and parkland. It’s a popular place to hike, cycle, and walk.
However, the Richmond District is best known for its views of the Golden Gate Bridge. The neighborhood borders Golden Gate Park, where you can glimpse the iconic bridge in all its glory. For the best bridge views, hike along the Lands End Trail. The neighborhood also borders Presidio Park and the northern end of Ocean Beach, so there are plenty of places to enjoy the great outdoors.
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Coral Gables – Miami, Florida
Coral Gables is a luxurious neighborhood in Southern Florida famed for its idyllic atmosphere, 20th-century Spanish architecture, old-world flavor, and thriving financial district. Home to the rich and famous, this is a neighborhood most of us could only dream of living in.
In Coral Gables, everything is better. You can expect the best dining experiences, high-end shopping options, award-winning attractions, world-class sports facilities, and more. When you’re not admiring the neighborhood mansions or watching a show at the Coral Gables Art Cinema, take a refreshing dip in the Venetian Pool, visit the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, and dine at one of Miami’s critically acclaimed restaurants on Ponce de Leon Boulevard.
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Capitol Hill – Denver, Colorado
The construction of the State Capitol Building in Capitol Hill in the 1870s saw many of Denver’s wealthiest citizens build luxury mansions, creating a residential district famed for its “Millionaire Row.” Unfortunately, many homes were destroyed during the Great Depression, but some remain.
Today, Capitol Hill is a picturesque residential district dotted with what remains of the stately old mansions and famous attractions. Despite the famous landmarks that line the streets, this neighborhood has a somewhat bohemian vibe and a relaxed atmosphere. You’ll enjoy walking along 13th Avenue, where you’ll find hip bars, coffeehouses, and parties after dark. Notable things to see in the neighborhood include the Molly Brown House Museum, Alfred Butters House, and the Colorado State Capitol.
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South Historic District – Savannah, Georgia
Savannah has been a city for over 300 years, making it Georgia’s first and oldest city. As a result, the city is most enjoyed by history buffs who want to step back in time. One of the most spectacular neighborhoods in Savannah is the South Historic District. This elegant neighborhood is home to some of Savannah’s most prestigious buildings.
You can expect to find some of the most expensive homes in the city, world-famous hotels, and upscale restaurants, among other things. Keep your eyes peeled for 19th-century mansions, Gothic Revival churches, and lush green spaces. Forsyth Park, with its Spanish Moss-covered oak trees and ornate fountain, is one of our favorite places in the neighborhood.
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Beacon Hill – Boston, Massachusetts
The following neighborhood on our list is an absolute beauty. Nestled in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts, this gorgeous colonial neighborhood stands out from the rest of the city because of its lovely red brick sidewalks, breathtaking Georgian architecture, and cute gaslights that cast an amber glow over the narrow streets in the evening.
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This Beantown neighborhood’s crowning glory is the gold-domed Massachusetts State House, which overlooks Boston Common, the city’s most beautiful open green space. Charles Street is another popular location. Chic boutiques, antique shops, and the picturesque Public Garden are here. Meanwhile, Beacon Street is home to a stunning row of houses you don’t want to miss.
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Central Park West Historic District – Manhattan, New York
Another New York neighborhood that makes our list is Central Park West Historical District in, yes, you guessed it, Central Park. This neighborhood is between 61st and 97th Streets in Manhattan. It was inducted into the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 and is recognized for its historic architecture.
In this neighborhood, travelers can expect to find a variety of buildings, including townhouses, apartments, churches, and museums, in various 19th-century styles, including Neo-Grec, Romanesque Revival, Gothic Revival, and Renaissance Revival. However, most travelers spend their time exploring the iconic Central Park. Popular attractions in the neighborhood include the New York Historical Society, Theodore Roosevelt Park, and the Ladies Pavilion.
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Bungalow Heaven – Pasadena, California
Bungalow Heaven in Pasadena is precisely what its name suggests: a bungalow heaven. This beautiful 16-block neighborhood is home to 800 bungalows. While this might not sound impressive, these gorgeous properties were expertly crafted between 1900 and 1930.
Almost 100 years later, most of the bungalows still stand, and they look incredible. Much of the area became a landmark district in 1989 in recognition of its impressive 20th-century craftsmanship. As a result, historic tours are possible. An annual home tour has been conducted in Bungalow Heaven annually since 1989. This tour runs on the last Sunday of April yearly.
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Garden District – New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans’ Garden District might be the most beautiful neighborhood on this list. This charming district is unique because each block was designed to hold only a few homes, allowing large gardens to take up the rest of the area. These gardens offer a relaxed atmosphere and gorgeous flora and fauna.
This serene district’s oak-shaded streets are lined with charming single-story cottages, large family homes, and impressive historic mansions. Walking through the neighborhood, you’ll also pass lavish gardens, quaint cafes, boutique shops, and museums. Significant points of interest in the Garden District include St. Charles Avenue, Lafayette Cemetery, Mardi Gras World, and the National WWII Museum.
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Victorian Village – Columbus, Ohio
Like the Garden District, the Victorian Village in Columbus, Ohio, is much loved for its beautiful architecture, open green spaces, and laid-back lifestyle. However, this neighborhood does deliver more regarding architecture, offering a wide-ranging mix of architectural styles, including Second Empire villas, Gothic Revival mansions, and Queen Anne homes.
Victorian Village also has a wide range of things to do. Once you’ve seen the houses that line the neighborhood’s streets, visit Goodale Park, where annual music festivals occur, discover iconic works of art in the Columbus Museum of Art at The Pizzuti, and explore North Market Downtown for fresh goods.
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Hyde Park – Chicago, Illinois
Hyde Park is a great place to stay in Chicago if you want to experience a little of everything. This culturally diverse neighborhood is home to the lively and quite beautiful University of Chicago campus, historic houses, fascinating museums, lush parks, and even a picturesque stretch of beach. What’s not to like?
In Hyde Park, you’ll likely spend most of your time exploring the quaint neighborhood, taking in the views of spectacular houses and Lake Michigan, and visiting the most popular attractions. Points of interest in the neighborhood worth mentioning include the Frederick C. Robie House, the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Street Beach, and the Hyde Park Art Center.
Read also: Quaint Harbor Towns in the US
College Hill – Providence, Rhode Island
The final neighborhood on our list is College Hill. This relatively small section of Providence offers a beautiful timeline of architectural styles from the 18th century onward. The best way to see everything the neighborhood offers is to meander down the streets, looking for the finest architectural masterpieces.
Having said that, there are a few things you don’t want to miss, including the 18th-century Georgian-style Old State House, the 19th-century Greek Revival Providence Athenaeum library, and the John Brown House Museum. After that, make sure you also visit Thomas Street, where you’ll find four historic buildings that house the Providence Art Club. Prospect Terrace Park is also well worth visiting if you want to relax.
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