USA TODAY 10Best
America's gathering places: Celebrating the 10 best public squares
Best Public Square (2024)
Public squares have long been the keystones of American communities, serving as the stage for everything from farmers’ markets to historic speeches. They're the heartbeats of cities, where culture pulses and people gather.
These 10 public squares have been nominated by an expert panel and voted by readers as the best in the United States — not just for their aesthetic value, but also for their historical significance and communal importance.
- Fountain Square - Cincinnati, Ohio
- Jackson Square - New Orleans, Louisiana
- Winterset Town Square - Winterset, Iowa
- Santa Fe Plaza - Santa Fe, New Mexico
- St. George Town Square - St. George, Utah
- Centerway Square - Corning, New York
- Old Town Square - Fort Collins, Colorado
- Market Square (Knoxville) - Knoxville, Tennessee
- The Square - Oxford, Mississippi
- Campus Martius Park - Detroit, Michigan
Photo courtesy of iStock / jplank1807
No. 10:
Fountain Square sits at the heart of downtown Cincinnati, anchored by the historic Tyler Davidson Fountain, dedicated in 1871. Grab lunch at one of the outdoor tables in the square, attend a live concert during the warmer months, or go ice skating in winter.
Photo courtesy of iStock / Art Wager
No. 9:
No image of New Orleans is quite as iconic as that of Jackson Square. This National Historic Landmark in the French Quarter covers 2.5 acres and gets its name from Andrew Jackson, a bronze statue of whom sits at the center of the square. An estimated 2 million people visit the square each year.
Photo courtesy of Madison County Chamber of Commerce
No. 8:
Winterset, Iowa, is famous as the birthplace of John Wayne and for the covered bridges that provided the romantic setting for "The Bridges of Madison County." And the Winterset Town Square in is just icing on the cake. Anchored by the historic Madison County Courthouse, the square is an iconic and charming small-town destination known for its picturesque setting and community events.
Photo courtesy of TOURISM Santa Fe
No. 7:
The Santa Fe Plaza is the most historic part of the city, centered on the 400-year-old Palace of the Governors. Styled after a traditional Spanish plaza, Santa Fe’s version is surrounded by galleries, restaurants, bookshops, and boutiques. Local Native American artisans often sell traditional arts and crafts along the side of the square.
Photo courtesy of Greater Zion Convention & Tourism Office
No. 6:
Featuring dramatic water features, shade pavilions, and grassy spaces, Town Square in St. George, Utah, serves as a vibrant community hub and hosts diverse events and celebrations. The Town Square is surrounded by local shops, boutiques, and restaurants, as well as well-preserved pioneer architecture and landmarks that provide a glimpse into the town's past.
Photo courtesy of Brian Maloney
No. 5:
The town of Corning was revitalized in 1989, when two blocks of street were replaced with the pedestrian plaza known as Centerway Square. This brick-paved area features a 50-foot-tall clock tower, street lamps, cafe seating, and a covered stage for live events.
Photo courtesy of Fort Collins Downtown Development Authority
No. 4:
The downtown district surrounding Old Town Square in Fort Collins features more than 20 restored historical buildings, including the art deco Northern Hotel. In fact, the charm and architecture found in Old Town Square served as inspiration for Main Street USA in Disneyland, which is modeled after this community hub.
Photo courtesy of Visit Knoxville
No. 3:
Bring the whole family (even the pets) to Market Square in Knoxville, which has been a popular spot to live, work, and play since the 1860s. It's within walking distance of many places to dine, stay, and be entertained. Plus, Market Square features two water play fountains and hosts its own outdoor events throughout the year.
Photo courtesy of Visit Oxford
No. 2:
The Square in Oxford, Mississippi, features well-preserved architecture, and it hosts diverse boutiques, art galleries, and local shops, including the oldest department store in the South, and is renowned for its dining options from down-home Southern cooking to haute cuisine. The Square is also a cultural hub, hosting special events and festivals.
Photo courtesy of Downtown Detroit Partnership
No. 1:
Campus Martius Park serves as Detroit’s gathering place, where locals and visitors alike can come to take in the skyline views, people-watch around the Woodward Fountain, grab a meal from a food truck, or go ice skating in winter.
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Kirstie and Christine of On Airplane Mode Travels
Kirstie Pike and Christine Diaz are award-winning... Read More
Kirstie Pike and Christine Diaz are award-winning LGBTQ+ travel creators and trailblazers, using their platform, On Airplane Mode, to inspire others to follow their passions while celebrating their unique identities. With the leading LGBTQ+ travel platform in the US, they have a thriving community of over 650,000+ followers. The dynamic duo craft unique storytelling content that resonates with diverse audiences, sparking positive transformation within the travel industry, making it a more inclusive and vibrant space.
Kirstie and Christine of On Airplane Mode Travels
Kirstie Pike and Christine Diaz are award-winning LGBTQ+ travel creators and trailblazers, using their platform, On Airplane Mode, to inspire others to follow their passions while celebrating their unique identities. With the leading LGBTQ+ travel platform in the US, they have a thriving community of over 650,000+ followers. The dynamic duo craft unique storytelling content that resonates with diverse audiences, sparking positive transformation within the travel industry, making it a more inclusive and vibrant space.
Marla Cimini
Marla is a writer with a passion for travel, music... Read More
Marla is a writer with a passion for travel, music and culinary adventures (and combining those whenever possible)! As an avid globetrotter, she encourages respecting and learning about other cultures while traveling. She has visited Hawaii multiple times, and has explored destinations worldwide, including the Mediterranean region, South America, Asia and more. Marla is a contributor to Fodor’s Hawaii guidebooks (Oahu and Kauai 2020) and her articles have appeared in a number of international publications. She calls New Jersey (Philadelphia area) home. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter and read her travel tips and adventures on her website.
Marla Cimini
Marla is a writer with a passion for travel, music and culinary adventures (and combining those whenever possible)! As an avid globetrotter, she encourages respecting and learning about other cultures while traveling. She has visited Hawaii multiple times, and has explored destinations worldwide, including the Mediterranean region, South America, Asia and more. Marla is a contributor to Fodor’s Hawaii guidebooks (Oahu and Kauai 2020) and her articles have appeared in a number of international publications. She calls New Jersey (Philadelphia area) home. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter and read her travel tips and adventures on her website.
Melody Pittman
Melody Pittman is the owner and creator of Read More
Melody Pittman is the owner and creator of Wherever I May Roam Blog and is co-owner of the Southern Travelers Explore annual conference, in its 4th year, which brings CVBS and writers/influencers together from all over the country. She is a digital influencer and writes for both online and print publications, such as Travel Awaits, Charleston Home and Living Magazine, Matador Network, She Buys Travel, and more. Melody has worked with major brands during her nine-year career, such as Viking River Cruises, Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons, Disney, hundreds of tourism boards, and GO RVing. Melody’s first book “100 Things to Do in West Virginia Before You Die” was released in the spring of 2023. She has a podcast, 100ThingsWV, and social channels to go along with the book. Melody loves road trips, small towns, cruising, and sharing lesser-known destinations with her followers via TikTok, Youtube, IG, and FB. After a year of full-time RV travel, she now resides in Mesquite, Nevada.
Melody Pittman
Melody Pittman is the owner and creator of Wherever I May Roam Blog and is co-owner of the Southern Travelers Explore annual conference, in its 4th year, which brings CVBS and writers/influencers together from all over the country. She is a digital influencer and writes for both online and print publications, such as Travel Awaits, Charleston Home and Living Magazine, Matador Network, She Buys Travel, and more. Melody has worked with major brands during her nine-year career, such as Viking River Cruises, Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons, Disney, hundreds of tourism boards, and GO RVing. Melody’s first book “100 Things to Do in West Virginia Before You Die” was released in the spring of 2023. She has a podcast, 100ThingsWV, and social channels to go along with the book. Melody loves road trips, small towns, cruising, and sharing lesser-known destinations with her followers via TikTok, Youtube, IG, and FB. After a year of full-time RV travel, she now resides in Mesquite, Nevada.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
