America’s 100 Most Charming Main Streets.

America’s 100 Most Charming Main Streets.

Main streets in towns and cities across America are lined with unique shops, cafes, and restaurants, forming the center of local culture and community. From family-owned bakeries to trendy boutiques, each place adds to the town's unique character. These streets are more than just locations for shopping and eating; they're crucial to the town's identity, creating connections and memories for both residents and visitors.

Recognizing the unique allure and significance of these treasured main streets, our team embarked on a mission to celebrate them in a way they truly deserve. After an extensive survey of 3,000 respondents, we have meticulously compiled a list of the "Top 100 Most Charming Main Streets" in the nation. 

Among the array of main streets celebrated across the country, ten have risen to the top, distinguished by their exceptional beauty, vibrant culture, and unparalleled charm. From bustling sidewalks framed by historic buildings to tranquil avenues canopied by ancient trees, our list is a celebration of America's diversity, heritage, and the enduring appeal of its main streets.

1. King Street, Charleston, South Carolina:

 Topping the list, King Street sweeps through Charleston's core, a dynamic avenue celebrated for its diverse neighborhoods. This historic street is known for its architectural marvels and cultural festivities, offering an authentic Charleston vibe through its eclectic mix of boutiques, dining options, and events like the festive 2nd Sunday on King.

2. Main Street, Lake Placid, New York:

Ranked second, this idyllic Adirondack Main Street exudes charm with its array of shops, eateries, and the Lake Placid Olympic Museum. Surrounded by the natural beauty of Mirror Lake, Whiteface Mountain, and enriched by the annual Lake Placid Film Festival, it embodies the iconic charm of Upstate New York.

3. Main Street, Beacon, New York:

Near the Hudson River, this street brings a lively arts scene with shops and galleries. The scenic beauty of Mount Beacon, Bannerman Castle, and the spirited Beacon Riverfest add to its vibrant Hudson Valley appeal.

4. Main Street, Montpelier, Vermont:

Known for its lively ambiance, this street boasts quaint shops, restaurants, and the Vermont State House. The nearby Hubbard Park, and the Green Mountain Film Festival contribute to the quintessential Central Vermont experience.

5. E Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida:

Epitomizing South Florida's upscale charm, this boulevard is a haven for high-end shopping, art galleries, and fine dining. Its proximity to the beach and the Intracoastal Waterway, along with nearby museums, enhances its appeal.

6. Broughton Street, Savannah, Georgia:

This historic thoroughfare is lined with 19th-century buildings, home to unique boutiques, art spaces, and eateries. Close to Forsyth Park and known for its ghost tours, its essence is the epitome of Savannah's enchanting allure.

7. King Street, Alexandria, Virginia:

A picturesque blend of historical charm and modern vibrancy, serving as the cultural and commercial heart of Old Town. This historic thoroughfare boasts a variety of boutique shops, gourmet restaurants, and the Torpedo Factory Art Center, all set against the backdrop of the Potomac River and cobblestone streets.

8. Broadway Street/Biltmore Avenue, Asheville, North Carolina:

Bustling with activity, this is a cultural hub with its array of shops, dining experiences, and the Asheville Art Museum. Nearby attractions like the Biltmore Estate and the Blue Ridge Parkway add to the vibrancy of Western North Carolina.

9. Washington Avenue, Ocean Springs, Mississippi:

This coastal street is full of art galleries, boutiques, and the Walter Anderson Museum of Art, highlighted by its nearby beaches. The Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival paints a vivid picture of Gulf Coast Mississippi's colorful charm.

10. Main Street, Eureka Springs, Arkansas:

Nestled within the Ozark Mountains, and rounding up the top ten, this serpentine street is bordered by Victorian-era architecture, with an array of art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants. Its unique hillside setting, natural springs, and historic ambiance encapsulate a quaint and picturesque charm unique to this list.

Check out how the rest of the main streets ranked:

RankingRoadCityState
11 Main Street Harpers Ferry West Virginia
12 S Franklin Street Juneau Alaska
13 Main Street Sag Harbor New York
14 State Street Santa Barbara California
15 Main Street Blowing Rock North Carolina
16 Broadway Street Paducah Kentucky
17 Main Street Park City Utah
18 Main Street Beaufort North Carolina
19 W Main Street Charlottesville Virginia
20 Main Street Lake Geneva Wisconsin
21 Bloomfield Avenue Montclair New Jersey
22 Main Street Annapolis Maryland
23 Main Street Helen Georgia
24 N Main Street Moab Utah
25 Mission Drive Solvang California
26 E Main Street Walla Walla Washington
27 N Main Street Chagrin Falls Ohio
28 Main Street Chatham Massachusetts
29 Main Street Talkeetna Alaska
30 Main Street Franklin Tennessee
31 8th Street Holland Michigan
32 Laurens Street Aiken South Carolina
33 Lower Dauphin Street Mobile Alabama
34 Historic C Street Virginia City Nevada
35 S Main Street Frankenmuth Michigan
36 Main Street Bar Harbor Maine
37 E Main Street Bozeman Montana
38 Historic Main Street Sheridan Wyoming
39 Main Street Taos New Mexico
40 Main Street Bisbee Arizona
41 Main Street Berlin Maryland
42 S Main Street Breckenridge Colorado
43 Main Street Ketchum Idaho
44 W Main Street Mountain View Arkansas
45 W Main Street Abingdon Virginia
46 Main Street Ames Iowa
47 Sherman Avenue Coeur d'Alene Idaho
48 Main Street Concord Massachusetts
49 Bridge Street Lambertville New Jersey
50 Central Street Woodstock Vermont
51 Main Street Frisco Colorado
52 Section Street Fairhope Alabama
53 Main Street Stowe Vermont
54 Main Street Collierville Tennessee
55 The Strip Parkway Gatlinburg Tennessee
56 Commercial Street Leavenworth Washington
57 Main Street New Hope Pennsylvania
58 Bush Street Red Wing Minnesota
59 Broadway Street Skagway Alaska
60 Main Street Branson Missouri
61 Washington Street Cape May New Jersey
62 Franklin Street Pella Iowa
63 Main Street Camden Maine
64 Main Street Greenville South Carolina
65 Harrison Avenue Guthrie Oklahoma
66 Main Street Lititz Pennsylvania
67 Ocean Ave (Dock Square) Kennebunkport Maine
68 Main Street Parkville Missouri
69 Broad Street Augusta Georgia
70 E Bridge Street Breaux Bridge Louisiana
71 Main Street Essex Connecticut
72 Main Street Grapevine Texas
73 Main Street Wickford Rhode Island
74 Massachusetts Street Lawrence Kansas
75 2nd Street Lewes Delaware
76 N Main Street Kent Connecticut
77 Main Street Littleton New Hampshire
78 Central Avenue Kearney Nebraska
79 N Main Street Cedar City Utah
80 Main Street Keene New Hampshire
81 Main Street Putnam Connecticut
82 Bank Street Wallace Idaho
83 Broadway Jim Thorpe Pennsylvania
84 Main Street St. Charles Missouri
85 Main Street Stockbridge Massachusetts
86 Loockerman Street Dover Delaware
87 Main Street Zionsville Indiana
88 Main Street Danville Kentucky
89 Water Street Decorah Iowa
90 Main Street S Stillwater Minnesota
91 Main Street Galena Illinois
92 N Williams Street Crystal Lake Illinois
93 Main Street Deadwood South Dakota
94 California Street Jacksonville Oregon
95 Main Street Natchitoches Louisiana
96 Ferdinand Street St. Francisville Louisiana
97 Main Street Rapid City South Dakota
98 Main Street Natchez Mississippi
99 Main Street Newark Delaware
100 Washington Avenue Cedarburg Wisconsin

Methodology: Online panel survey of 3,000 adults based on age, gender, and geography. Internal data sources are used to obtain population data sets. We used a two-step process to ensure representativeness through stratified sampling and post-stratification weighting. April 2024.

Image Credits:

Header : Photo by Olivia Hutcherson on Unsplash

1. By AudeVivere - Photo by User:AudeVivere, CC BY-SA 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1307294

2. Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash

3. Photo by Dominique Stueben on Unsplash

4. By Farragutful - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=117558234

5. By Chaplin62 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7975707

6. By JeffersonLH - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=116779609

7. By APK - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=116395759

8. Photo by Meritt Thomas on Unsplash

9. By Georgianotthestate - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=84594973

10. By doug_wertman - https://www.flickr.com/photos/nanoprobe67/6079474722/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20671884

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