Cultural Center Standouts: Five US City Hubs to Wander

A cultural center of any city is its life blood and often its reason for being. In many U.S. cities, however, that all important cultural center of spirit is fast disappearing. Here are five U.S. cities where the vibrant cultural city center is still alive and well and worth the visit while they are still there. 

New Orleans | The Eliza Jane 

Visitors interested in exploring the cultural center of New Orleans beyond Bourbon Street can spend time in the historic French Quarter, the city’s oldest neighborhood, and catch a show at one of the longest running local theatres in the U.S., Le Petit Theatre. After the show, visit the birthplace of jazz in New Orleans, Tremé, which is one of the most culturally significant neighborhoods in the world. Jazz music can be heard throughout Congo Square, the place where slaves once gathered to make music. A trip to NOLA is not complete without a Mardi Gras experience, and travelers can get a close look at the intricate floats and a deeper understanding of the famous parade that overtakes the city with a tour at Mardi Gras World, available year-round. 

Where to stay: Steps away from the lively French Quarter, The Eliza Jane is the perfect destination for visitors looking to immerse themselves in its historic past. Housed in a quartet of historic warehouses, the hotel’s unique programming and antique architectural flourishes pay homage to its storied past as a gunpowder company, bitters distillery and printing house for the city’s famed Daily Picayune newspaper. Arched passageways join The Eliza Jane with its signature French brasserie, Couvant. Housed in the former Peychaud Cocktail Bitters factory, Couvant reimagines elegant French cuisine with southern soul and a New Orleans flair.

Denver | The Curtis 

Denver, Colorado, famously known as the “Mile High City” and “The Gateway to the Rockies” has evolved into a hotspot for art, culture and nightlife with a casual vibe and all the makings for an epic urban getaway. Denver’s identity is often tied to its proximity to Colorado’s scenery and adventure and its local craft brewery scene (among other things), boasting more beer in the Denver Metro Area than in any other city. Though Denver might be your pit stop en route to one of Colorado’s 32 iconic ski resorts visitors often find it hard not to stay a bit longer to experience its thriving cultural center and the arts and cuisines that can be found in every neighborhood.  

Where to stay: In Denver’s vibrant arts and cultural center, The Curtis Hotel, an eclectic, retro-chic hotel in downtown Denver, offers guests a one-of-a-kind experience with its iconic pop-culture-infused design boasting 13 hyper-themed floors and an immersive camp-like lobby that includes a ski chair lift, a deconstructed RV, a Lemonade Stand and more. Conveniently located “two blocks from anywhere,” The Curtis is within 15 minutes of all major sports venues, bars, restaurants and attractions, including historic Larimer Square, RiNo Art District, Empower Field at Mile High, Denver Performing Arts Complex, Denver Art Museum and more. Book The Curtis’ “Stay Like a Local” package to ensure you hit the tried-and-true Denver recommendations. 

Nashville | Holston House 

As America’s Music City, Nashville is packed with history and rich culture. To learn more behind-the-scenes info on the city, go on a walking tourdowntown or check out Nashville’s National Museum of African American Music. Kick things up a notch for dinner, and enjoy a decadent meal and drink at The Twelve Thirty Club, a restaurant inspired by the supper clubs of the 19th-century that features an eclectic menu served in a swanky, art-deco-inspired setting.  

Where to stay: Holston House is a premier 191-room boutique hotel located in cultural center of downtown Nashville. It encompasses the city’s dynamic charisma through its centric location, rich historic roots, locally inspired food and cocktail offerings and thoughtfully curated decor. Housed in the iconic Art-Deco, 1920s-era James Robertson Hotel, one of the first hotels in Nashville, Holston House’s gorgeous building has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1984. Today, Holston House boasts beautiful interior décor, that includes nods to the hotel’s Art-Deco past with modern, Tennessee-inspired elements. The hotel is home to TENN, Holston House’s signature restaurant that sources local, seasonal ingredients to create American cuisine infused with Southern flavor and tradition. 

Memphis | Central Station 

Memphis, the birthplace of the blues, barbecue and rock ‘n’ roll – otherwise known as “Bluff City” – is a family-friendly hotspot that offers options for the music maven, cultural connoisseur, foodie fanatic and history buff. Merging a taste of the past and a look forward, visitors can explore the National Civil Rights Museum, Stax Museum of American Soul Music and Graceland. Meanwhile, foodies can indulge all day long, enjoying famed Memphis style ribs at Central BBQ, hot and spicy chicken at Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken and classic French-inspired dishes at James Beard Award finalists’ Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman’s latest concept, Bishop. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore Big River Crossing and Shelby Farms Park, and finally, a visit to Memphis would not be complete without a night spent among Beale Street’s neon lights and live music. 

Where to stay: Central Station, housed inside an early 1900s train station in the South Main District is a must-see property and a unique stay for visitors. The hotel captures the city’s vibrant spirit with stunning mid-century architectural design, captivating local art and a world-class Memphis music experience. It is steps away from breweries, dive bars, and diners, including one of Elvis’ favorites, The Arcade. 

Washington D.C. | The Kimpton Banneker  

In the city known for its rich history and attractions, the nation’s capital has exactly the right combination of education and fun. Visitors can explore the cultural center of the nation’s capital at the National Mall and famous monuments, such as the Lincoln Memorial, steps from where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous speech or watch history firsthand by sitting in on a Supreme Court hearing. D.C. has a robust art scene that visitors can experience by spending time at Dupont Underground, Artec House D.C. or one of the city’s famed museums – the National Portrait Gallery, International Spy Museum and the National Archives Museum are unmissable. 

Where to stay: Located in the heart of the capital, The Kimpton Banneker is a contemporary-modern luxury boutique hotel that immerses guests in the city’s rich history and urban culture, and it’s near top attractions, including the White House, National Mall, Dupont Circle and countless museums and galleries. Historical references can be found throughout the property – it was named after Benjamin Banneker, a significant figure in the history of Washington, D.C., and the rooftop bar, Lady Bird, also ties back to historical figure Claudia Alta “Lady Bird” Johnson, a former First Lady of the United States.