Pick A City, Any City; We’re All The Same – Except For That One Area

After spending the past week vacationing with my family in Duluth, Minnesota, I've come to the conclusion that all cities are pretty much the same - except when it comes to the downtown area.  That's where a city truly shines.

While driving around Duluth it became quite obvious to me that we're all pretty much the same.  Most cities have the same big box stores on the outer edges of town, but it's the downtown area that leaves the biggest impression on a person.

If you've never been to Duluth, the area down by Lake Superior where the bridge actually goes up and down so the big freight liners can slip into port, has been converted into a shopping and dining mecca.  Most of the older downtown buildings in Duluth have been converted into either restaurants, bars or cute little mom-and-pop stores - much like what Sioux Falls is in the process of doing.

In fact, while in Duluth we spent the majority of our time in the "downtown area."  Given all the pedistrian walkways and unique places to eat and shop, there was really no need to drive anywhere.

There was that one day though I decided to take a drive into the "suburbs," and that's where it became quite obvious that once you get out of a downtown area, every town is pretty much identical.

Having been in Fargo recently, I left with much the same feeling - the downtown area is where it's at.  Outside of downtown, it's nothing but big chain stores.

Take Omaha, for example, what part of town do you usually visit when you go there?  Chances are it's the Old Market Area downtown.  How about Sioux City; where did the Hard Rock Casino decide to locate? - downtown.

My point here is, no matter what city you go to, whether it be on vacation or on a business trip, try to set aside some time to visit the downtown area.  That's where you'll find those special one-of-a-kind restaurants and shops - and that's what you'll remember the most about that particular city.