Your state's/province's most interesting/ cuturally distinct city(ies)

[jd3189]

One last thread idea I came up with while thinking about stuff on another thread.


Instead of looking at cities in terms of physical or statistical qualities, why not view them in terms of their feel and level of distinctiveness that not only sets them apart in their own state or province, but also in the point of view of a person who only has a superficial view of the place. All of this is opinion so no view is necessarily free from criticism or well founded subjective support.



To start, for me, the most distinct cities in Florida are probably Miami and Key West.


The former has a international feel that is different from the other Florida cities that seem almost as slight variations of the same thing ( looking at Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville). While most of Florida still has some Southern attributes that are to overlook, Miami almost seems like it suppose to be an outpost of either in the NE or the Caribbean. The culture there also makes it unique.


Key West has some of the same distinctiveness, but it's more isolated. Its architecture and vibe is almost from another era. I would say it's probably the best built city in Florida for what it is and where it is. I got nothing else to say about it, anyone else can mention something.


But, yes, Canadian cities are welcomed as well. This thread is pretty much what sets a city apart from its peers close by to warrant it is a unique entity.

[bossabreezes]

NY would probably be Manhattan, as there is nothing like it in the state or country.

New Jersey would probably be Cape May. It's a small city but feels very southern. Even the climate there is Southern. Giant Camellias blooming in February, Southern and Victorian architecture, ect.

[Centropolis]

Originally Posted by bossabreezes

NY would probably be Manhattan, as there is nothing like it in the state or country.

New Jersey would probably be Cape May. It's a small city but feels very southern. Even the climate there is Southern. Giant Camellias blooming in February, Southern and Victorian architecture, ect.

cape may, interesting. extreme southern edge of new jersey, facing south towards the gulf stream...palms...


i.ytimg.com

[Centropolis]

ste genevieve has sister cities like st. charles and st. louis in french missouri but as it didn't have a big early-mid19th century american building boom/influx its late 18th century french colonial architecture/district wasn't completely overbuilt and is a little surviving piece of quebec 2.0 on the edge of the aux-arcs (ozarks) i suppose.


greatriverroad.com


garden-gc.s3.amazonaws.com


stegenevieve.org


https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com


wikipedia.com


www.visitstegen.com


pinterest.com

[suburbanite]

In Canada, you have areas in the provinces that border Quebec that have a lot of spillover of French language and culture going back to pre-Confederation. It would probably be one of these as you aren't going to see too much variability between English cities in Ontario, or West of Manitoba.

In Ontario it would probably be one of the small Northern towns that is majority French-Canadian, or specifically Franco-Ontarians. Hawkesbury (80% French-speaking), Kapuskasing, West Nippising, etc.

In New Brunswick you have Edmunston (93% French), Grand Falls, Saint-Léonard, etc.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by Centropolis

ste genevieve has sister cities like st. charles and st. louis in french missouri but as it didn't have a big early-mid19th century american building boom/influx its late 18th century french colonial architecture/district wasn't completely overbuilt and is a little surviving piece of quebec 2.0 on the edge of the aux-arcs (ozarks) i suppose.

Is that really where the word Ozark comes from? I always thought it was an indigenous word!

[Boisebro]

for Idaho, it's probably Boise.

people always ask what Boise is like and try to compare it to other cities such as Portland, Salt Lake City, Denver, Seattle, Spokane, Bend, etc, but it's just not any of those. it's got its own vibe.

Sun Valley is unique with its history and connection to Hemmingway, but it's rapidly becoming another Aspen.

Coeur d'Alene is also a consideration, especially its resort and golf course with the offshore floating green. many people don't expect something like this in Idaho.


source

but for Idaho's most unique city? hmmmm... how about a city of rocks?


source

[photoLith]

Originally Posted by Acajack

Is that really where the word Ozark comes from? I always thought it was an indigenous word!

It is most definitely of French origin, think it was the word the French used for the Arkansas Indians or the country where Arkansas now is.

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by photoLith

It is most definitely of French origin, think it was the word the French used for the Arkansas Indians or the country where Arkansas now is.

Makes sense now that I think of it.

Probably from something like "montagnes aux arcs-en-ciel" which would mean Rainbow Mountains or Mountains of the Rainbows.

I'll never think of the Ozark Mountain Daredevils the same way again.

[suburbanite]

Originally Posted by Acajack

Makes sense now that I think of it.

Probably from something like "montagnes aux arcs-en-ciel" which would mean Rainbow Mountains or Mountains of the Rainbows.

I'll never think of the Ozark Mountain Daredevils the same way again.

Wouldn't it just be for Aux-Arkansas?

[Centropolis]

Originally Posted by Acajack

Makes sense now that I think of it.

Probably from something like "montagnes aux arcs-en-ciel" which would mean Rainbow Mountains or Mountains of the Rainbows.

I'll never think of the Ozark Mountain Daredevils the same way again.

i think it refers to the karst topography which creates limestone bridging.

Canadiens settled in the missouri ozarks in the swath of 18th century mining communities like Bonne Terre, Valles Mines, Desloge, De Soto, Old Mines just southwest of st. Louis...where they spoke a dialect related to Quebec French into the twentieth century. My understanding is that they came down from Quebec, instead of the misconception that they were from Louisiana.

Today the dialect is highly endangered, with only a few elderly native speakers. It is thought that any remaining speakers live in or around Old Mines, Missouri.

I've only heard an old timer speak a broken sort of emulated sounding french.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missouri_French

[LouisianaRush]

I will pick the states where I have lived

New Orleans, Louisiana: Even in a state as unique as Louisiana New Orleans is still the jewel of the state.

Annapolis, Maryland: It is a charming colonial town and state capital. A case could be made for Baltimore, but Charm City feels like a smaller Philadelphia to really stand out in the area.

Galveston, Texas: If I dropped someone off in a random neighborhood in the city/burbs of Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, or Austin most people would not know the difference. Yes, there are slight variations of topography, but the homes and strip-malls all look about the same. That cannot be said with Galveston.

Key West, Florida: Very few cities have the look or feel to Key West. I believe it could be one of the most unique cities in the US.

[JManc]

Tiki Island...

[ThePhun1]

Originally Posted by JManc

Tiki Island...

I can't believe people live that low.

[kcexpress69]

Just across state line from Kansas City, Mo.... Kansas City, Kansas.

[edale]

Originally Posted by kcexpress69

Just across state line from Kansas City, Mo.... Kansas City, Kansas.

What is so unique about Kansas City, Kansas? Guess it might just be a matter of slim pickings when it comes to interesting/culturally distinct cities in Kansas, but I'd think there might be some better options. Lawrence, maybe? Even the wealthier suburbs of KC, like Overland Park, seem like they are more interesting than Kansas City, Kansas. Genuinely interested to hear more.

[Centropolis]

Originally Posted by edale

What is so unique about Kansas City, Kansas? Guess it might just be a matter of slim pickings when it comes to interesting/culturally distinct cities in Kansas, but I'd think there might be some better options. Lawrence, maybe? Even the wealthier suburbs of KC, like Overland Park, seem like they are more interesting than Kansas City, Kansas. Genuinely interested to hear more.

i would offer strawberry hill, a neighborhood of kansas city, kansas, a historically croation enclave that has seen a couple of newer waves of immigration of both balkan and mexican immigrants.

lawrence would be the other contender in my opinion.

i also don't doubt that like other midwestern/prairie/plains states there are random quasi-utopian cultural enclaves that i don't know about.

[dc_denizen]

In my area:

Stonington, ct
Cape May, nj

Lakewood, nj (Hasidim)

[KB0679]

For SC, it's Charleston easily.

[jtown,man]

For Arkansas, it's incredibly easy to pick Eureka Springs. Such a nice and unique small town.