4. Downtown Mall

Back in the late 1970s, city leaders looked around and realized that Charlottesville's downtown area was suffering, as strip malls and shopping centers sprang up around town and stole business from downtown merchants. The leaders responded with an intrepid stab at urban renewal – a bricked, European-style commercial area open only to pedestrian traffic. The move was a stunning success and made Charlottesville a model for other communities. Plus, the town attracted a major hotel, an ice skating rink, and scores of high-end shops, chic restaurants, and unique nightspots to the area. The Mall now hosts a variety of annual community events, including the Holiday Market and the summer-long Friday After 5 block party.   (© 10Best)

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