There are several cites in Texas that can claim that they have vibrant downtowns, and they are only getting better. Some that come to mind are Dallas, Houston, Fort Worth, Austin, and San Antonio. Which CBD do you prefer? Base your thoughts on nightlife, density, history, culture, transportation, elements that make the area more of a neighborhood such as parks, residential offerings, retail, entertainment, etcetera. Again, please do not make this a bias discussion and use some logical reasons.

nightlife: fort worth
density: san antonio
history: san antonio
culture: austin
transportation: dallas
residential: dallas
retail: dallas
entertainment: houston/dallas
overall: ft worth

It's pretty much impossible to be nonbias in any discussion because you have to go on your personal experiences...so based on my experiences:

Nightlife: Austin
Density: None of the Above
History: San Antonio
Culture: Austin
Transportation: Dallas
Residential: None of the Above (probably Dallas in a few years)
Retail: None of the Above
Entertainment: Houston
Overall: Fort Worth

I keep up with Austin and Dallas a lot more than the other cities, so naturally I lean towards them on their future promise, but I do think both of them will have awesome downtowns once all of these developments pull through.

That's why we shouldn't pick so fast, and actually gain info on the downtowns through discussion.

I have spent lots of time in all of the above. SA is by far the best to walk around in, to stay at a hotel, to shop, and dine. And the others can't touch it for history. Also, there's a good deal of housing too. The only other TX city that comes close is Ft. Worth, but they don't have the water. Austin has the water, and will probably pass FW in the next few years.

San Antonio. Very few downtowns in the US can comopare with the beauty and enchantment of downtown San Antonio. Something about that place makes me feel like I'm in Heaven.

Of course, as far as pure skylines go, I'd have to go for a tie between Dallas and Houston.

^as far as skylines, im with houston, with dallas a close second. although i like reunion tower

Blank Canvas Cafe

Boaka Bar
http://deda.org/images/members/boakabar.jpg
www.boakabar.com

Brewery Tap

Cotton Exchange
http://deda.org/images/members/Cotton_Exchange.jpg
www.cottonexchangebar.com

Duke of Hollywood/ CharBar
http://deda.org/images/members/Duke_of_Hollywood_CharBar.jpg

Flying Saucer Draught Emporium
http://deda.org/images/members/Flying_Saucer_Draught_Emporium.jpg

La Carafe
http://deda.org/images/members/La_Carafe.jpg

Live!
www.livesportscafe.com

Logans on Main

M Bar
http://www.monmain.com/images/Club_Photos/M%20BAR%2004.jpg
www.monmain.com

Magnolia Ballroom
www.magnoliaballroom.com

Mercury Room
http://deda.org/images/members/mercury_room.gif
www.mercuryroom.com

OPUS
http://deda.org/images/members/OPUS-image.jpg
www.OpusClub.com

The Ruby Room
http://deda.org/images/members/best-53-Ruby.jpg
www.slainteirishpub.com

Shay McElroys Irish Pub
http://deda.org/images/members/Shay_McElroys.jpg
www.mcelroyspub.com

Slainte
http://deda.org/images/members/Slainte.jpg
www.slainteirishpub.com

Slick Willies
www.slickw.com/sites/houston/560texas.htm

State Bar and Lounge
www.thestatebar.com

The Hub
http://deda.org/images/members/The_Hub.jpg

The Sam
http://deda.org/images/members/sam_sm.jpg

Twelve Spot
www.twelvespot.com/

Warrens Inn

Club Insomnia

Birraporetti's
http://deda.org/images/members/birraporettis.jpg
www.birrafun.com

Dean's Credit Clothing
http://deda.org/images/members/Deans_Credit_Clothing.jpg
www.deanscreditclothing.com

Grasshopper/ Red LIghts
http://deda.org/images/members/Grasshopper_Red_LIghts.jpg
www.grasshopperhouston.com

Mangos
http://deda.org/images/members/Mangos.jpg
www.mangoshouston.com

Mynt
www.minthouston.com

Paesano's Lounge
http://deda.org/images/members/Paesanos_Lounge.jpg
www.clubpaesanos.com

Pearl

Red Cat Jazz Cafe
http://deda.org/images/members/Red_Cat_Jazz_Cafe.jpg
www.redcatjazzcafe.com

Rehab

Sambuca
http://deda.org/images/members/Sambuca.jpg
www.sambucajazzcafe.com

Six Degrees
http://deda.org/images/members/Ambience_016_small.jpg
www.SixDL.com

Solero
http://deda.org/images/members/Solero.jpg
www.solero.citysearch.com

Suede

TOC

Austin is the most complete, IMO

It seems like most of the Texas downtowns are developing at the same rate.

Density: Houston/Dallas/San Antonio
Clubs/Bars: Houston/Austin
Music Scene: Austin
Downtown "Orientation": San Antonio/Fort Worth
Sporting Events: Houston
Architecture: San Antonio/Houston/Dallas
"Destinations": San Antonio/Austin/Houston
Skyscrapers: Houston/Dallas/San Antonio
Transportation: Dallas

Overall its a tie between San Antonio and Houston.

Future possibilites: Houston

This is a funny thread. I like the variety of opinions. My own?

Well, I like the charm of DT Fort Worth. It's not the biggest or the prettiest but at night it certainly gives an example of how smaller downtowns can still be centers for social gathering and a great time.

I really like the cleanliness, the modernity and the expansion of downtown Houston. It has a solid mix of wide sidewalks, a well connected rail line, smooth streetscapes, engaging architecture (both old and new), a nice array of public parks (though, Houstonians rightfully complain about the lack of attention given the Bayou), lots of great restaurants and bars and a growing retail scene. But there is still a lack of oomph that should be more befitting of a city its size.

Downtown San Antonio is the most ecletic of any of the larger Texas downtowns and where New Orleans charms the visitor so does San Antonio, but there seems to be a missing link between its past and its present.

Dallas has many of the attributes that Houston has but there is a definite disconnect between the vibrancy of Uptown and downtown. It's too bad that Deep Ellum physically sits as far away from the core of downtown, otherwise there would be a great bit of energy in DT proper. I also think that some of the streetscapes have been ignored for the last couple of decades. Small issues but issues, IMO, nevertheless.

Austin: mixes small town charm with growing metropolitan boisterousness. The Frost Tower gives its skyline more of an identity but downtown itself doesn't really feel like a "center" of activity until Thursday - Sunday nights, and even then its concentrated on one street. Like in Houston, there is a nice movement towards residential development, though, and as I've said before, it would seem to give Austin a head's up at this stage of its development compared to its larger sunbelt brethren when they were at similar points in their development.

So in summary, I would rank as follows:

1) Fort Worth
2) Houston
3) San Antonio
4) Dallas
5) Austin

Skyline: Houston
Density: San Antonio
Night Life: Austin/Houston
Mass Transit: Dallas
Tourist: San Antonio
High Culture: Houston
Residential: ?????

beaumont

beaumont
I was thinking Baytown...

el paso baby, yeah....................

jmancuso, if you don't like the thread, can ya just close it?

I really enjoyed Houston and Dallas CBD, good clean fun. Partied in Austin for one of my buddies bachelor parties, lost him somehow, found out that he got arrested for p.i. So to that I say my vote's for Austin!

TB, I think 'Cuso's just having some fun. I wouldn't think too much of it.

Favorite TX downtowns:

San Antonio: activity
Houston & Dallas: skyline
Fort Worth: nightlife
Austin: shinyness

My overall vote goes to SA

Based purely on skyline, it goes to Houston.

From what ive seen i`d say San Antonio, San Francisco is supposedly the most beautiful city in America, but i`d say that San Antonio would give it a run for its money. The way the city has been developed around the river, the mix of old and new and just plain beauty combined. If you base you answer on shiny glass skyscrapers then i guess it would be Houston then Dallas.
Im not even from the USA so i cant be biased.

Austin: mixes small town charm with growing metropolitan boisterousness. The Frost Tower gives its skyline more of an identity but downtown itself doesn't really feel like a "center" of activity until Thursday - Sunday nights, and even then its concentrated on one street. Like in Houston, there is a nice movement towards residential development, though, and as I've said before, it would seem to give Austin a head's up at this stage of its development compared to its larger sunbelt brethren when they were at similar points in their development.



I unfortanately have to respond to your statements regarding downtown Austin. It appears you haven't spent too much time in downtown for the last several years. I say this, because you seem to have fallen prey to the idea that all of downtown Austin's activity is concentrated on one street, which I assume due to other people's comments in the past you are speaking of Sixth Street. Well, you must be speaking of nightlife/restaurants/retail, etc., as certainly their is plenty of business/political activity in the rest of downtown at other times. But, again, Sixth Street is one of several areas in downtown that has much activity besides business, etc. How about Fourth Street and the surrounding Warehouse District? What about where all the live music gets played, on Red River? How about the shopping area in the Market District? And of course, there are restaurants and clubs spread around the rest of downtown that are open seven days a week, and into the late hours. I know you weren't intending to bash Austin, and really didn't; but I hear this myth that all the nightlife/vibrancy/whatever you want to call it is on Sixth Street, and that is wrong. Let me be clear, however, I am not saying Austin has the best downtown. I did not vote in this poll, because I have only spent a significant amount of time in downtown Austin and San Antonio. But, I know Austin's downtown is already quite happening, and has many, many new projects that will take it to a whole other level.

i'm just curious as to how downtown Houston wins? Trust me, Houston is my home and i love it but i'm not too crazy about downtown Houston. I think downtown Dallas is better as far as transportation and San Antonio wins as far as Enetertainment and tourism but Houston, being the largest Texas city should come wit' it better than that!

Good idea for a topic! That being said heres my view

Nightlife: San Antonio
Density: Houston
History: San Antonio
Culture: San Antonio
Transportation: Dallas
Residential: Austin. "Have alot of nice res building mostly all gone up in past 10 years
retail: San Antonio "Rivercenter!"
Entertainment: San Antonio, Austin
Overall: San Antonio


Ok I live in San Antonio but I answered honestly. San Antonio really is different then most downtown in the U.S me and friends as well as many other locals go down there just to hang and bs on the river, how many other cities in the U.S do locals flock downtown for pleasure? SA gives off a very euro vibe to me. Not to mention downtown was built around tourism unlike Houston Dallas which are purely Business. The only reason I really didnt vote for Houston is everytime I go downtown its just dead and dull, nice buildings and all but you get what the purpose of downtown Houston is. And on the other hand downtown San Antonio is always crowded with people and full of life. Just my two cents! I wish San Antonio had more high rise res downtown thoe it would really add alot more character!

dallas my far. It has the beautiful post-modern architecture that flows and blends in very nicely with its surroundings. Nothing is sticking out of place or looks ugly. my opinion.