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Santa Monica to Sol: The World’s Most Vivacious Hoods
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Santa Monica, CA
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Apr 26, 2013 — No one likes a party pooper. Few people, if any, scroll through their cell phones and pick their most boring friend to call when they want a fun night out. Similarly, when you want a rowdy night on the town, you don’t head to the dullest neighborhood that comes to mind.
The earth is loaded with bustling, vivacious areas that offer things to do from sun up until sun down. In these locales, you won’t have to twiddle your thumbs or play Snake on your phone for entertainment. What’s that? No one plays Snake anymore? Fair enough.
Close out of Angry Birds because The Loop in Chicago – which boasts Grant/Millennium Park, Phoenix Lounge, and Angels & Kings – is the perfect place to take a stroll, learn about Second City culture, see some of Chicago’s best views, and catch a 312 beer buzz in the span of a couple hours.
Similarly, across the globe in Munich’s City Center, locals and tourists alike digest countless historical sites before drowning themselves in steins filled to the brim with delectable German brew. City Center has well-dressed clubgoers covered too with its lavish, expansive, and exclusive Pacha nightclub.
It’s time to stop spending your days in neighborhoods that offer you a limited amount of activities and head to one of these sprightly spots. It might be time to delete that boring bud from your contacts too.
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Leidseplein
Bursting with enough nightlife options to keep most partiers out until dawn, Leidseplein is a vast square that draws a crowd practically twenty-four hours a day. In warm weather, the animated plaza hosts numerous street performers cheered on by travelers gathered on the square’s giant terrace, while at dusk the area begins to fill up with a. . . more -
Barri Gòtic
Barcelona’s oldest district is by no means its dullest, and thanks to its winding medieval streets and star attractions like La Seu Cathedral and Plaça del Rei, residents and visitors of all ages and nationalities keep Barri Gòtic buzzing both day and night. Rife with pubs, bars, and restaurants, the neighborhood offers plenty of options. . . more -
Mitte
Mitte (“Center”) was best known during the Cold War for its three border control points demarcating East and West Berlin, including the infamous Friedrichstraße Crossing Point, a.k.a. “Checkpoint Charlie.” Once the Wall came down, the neighborhood underwent an artistic renaissance, as derelict buildings became home to local art galleries, edgy. . . more -
The Loop
Named for the elevated train that encircles it, The Loop is without doubt the central business district of the city – but that’s not to imply the neighborhood has no social scene to offer. Home to government employees, business people, and laid-back art students from the Chicago Art Institute, The Loop is packed during the week with. . . more -
Around the Duomo
The neighborhood surrounding the Duomo, one of Italy’s largest cathedrals, is packed during the day with Florence tourists marveling at Renaissance masterpieces and historical treasures, and well-to-do shoppers browsing the high-end stores for designer goods by the likes of Ferragamo, Cavalli, Gucci, and Prada. By night, the hordes of Duomo. . . more -
Central London
Central London is a bit of an anachronism, as its boundaries are ill-defined and often blend with Covent Garden to the east and Mayfair to the west. At its core, however, Central London contains some of the city’s most popular tourist districts, as well as a large number of commercial and industrial firms. That means the area is continually. . . more -
Santa Monica / Westside
Where historic Route 66 hits the bluffs overlooking the glistening Pacific Ocean sits the scenic city of Santa Monica that, along with much of LA’s Westside, has a relaxed and affluent vibe that starkly contrasts to the more hectic areas to the east. By day there’s no shortage of outdoor activities, as the area’s wide, sandy beaches and. . . more -
Sol (El Centro)
Reputed to be the very center of Spain, Sol’s position within easy walking distance of major attractions like the Royal Palace and the Prado Museum definitely make it the cultural center of Madrid. Virtually all aspects of the madrileño life can be enjoyed in this area, from simple tapas and great art to passionate performances of. . . more -
City Center
Known as the historical center of Munich, City Center encompasses Marienplatz, Odeonsplatz, Karlsplatz, Viktualienmarkt, Kaufingerstrasse, and everything around each of these landmarks. Given the large number of historical sites, the area is usually flooded with snap-happy tourists. Since the neighborhood is also Munich’s business center,. . . more -
Midtown
Stretching from Central Park to 40th Street and from Eighth Avenue to the East River, Midtown is not only one of New York’s largest neighborhoods, but also the epicenter of the city’s bright-lights, big-city grandeur that guarantees a tidal wave of activity and chaotic crowds every day and night of the week. Radiating with energy, the area. . . more -
Les Halles / Rivoli - 1er / 2eme
In the 1970s, one of Paris’ oldest open-air markets was transformed into a shopping community known as Les Halles. Although the area – which extends to the popular Rue Montorgueil that was immortalized by Claude Monet – is still home to fruit and vegetable markets, cheese shops, and bakeries, the steady crowd of students, local workers, and. . . more -
Centro
Centro is the heart of downtown Rome and contains endless historic sites, museums, and maze-like streets that attract masses of people both day and night. Home to five-star hotels, bar-lined piazzas, fine restaurants, laid-back cafés, and a variety of clubs, the area has plenty to offer to keep the diverse crowds fully occupied. During. . . more -
The Richmond
Stretching from Arguello Boulevard all the way to the Pacific Ocean, The Richmond is commonly broken into two sections: the inner Richmond, home to a bustling restaurant scene and a Chinese population large enough to unofficially dub it “New Chinatown,” and the outer Richmond, which is about as bustling as the fog that slowly envelops it almost. . . more -
Georgetown
Includes: Glover Park Originally built up as a shipping port due to its location on the banks of the Potomac River, present-day Georgetown is far more likely to be home to fashionistas than fish mongers. With high-end shops, swanky lounges, lively sports bars, and a glut of restaurants with some of the most beautiful views of the river,. . . more -
Santa Monica / Westside
Where historic Route 66 hits the bluffs overlooking the glistening Pacific Ocean sits the scenic city of Santa Monica that, along with much of LA’s Westside, has a relaxed and affluent vibe that starkly contrasts to the more hectic areas to the east. By day there’s no shortage of outdoor activities, as the area’s wide, sandy beaches and. . . more
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