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Every year, Time Out taps its network of experts to deliver our much-anticipated list of the world's coolest neighborhoods. Writers and editors from far and wide weigh in to decide which neighborhoods make the cut and why they should earn a spot on the coveted ranking.
As in years past, 2024’s criteria champion places that reflect the very best of their cities, from their culture to their community spirit and lively food-and-drink scene. In America, that translates to East Hollywood in L.A., a buzzy culinary destination; Logan Square in Chicago, a walkable cultural hub brimming with historic homes; and Miami’s Little River, an emerging hub for independent businesses and restaurants, including the highly awaited return of Sunny’s.
New York’s Flatbush neighborhood, home to the largest and most diverse Caribbean-American-Latinx community outside of the West Indies, made the ranking, as did Boston’s Sommerville, a recent haven for grad students and young professionals, especially those working in the city’s booming biotech industry. Plus, more thriving areas in cities across the country.
Whether you’re a local looking to explore a new part of town or you're visiting a foreign city and seeking something different, we suggest you dig a little deeper into our findings. Every neighborhood on this list offers something you can't find anywhere else.
The coolest neighborhoods in the U.S. right now
5. Kerns in Portland, Oregon
Surrounded by residential streets adorned with delightful Craftsman homes, Spanish-style apartments, vibrant gardens and fruit-bearing trees, Kerns exudes the charm of a quaint small town. The highly walkable Northeast 28th Avenue is home to some of the neighborhood's coolest spots, including Music Millennium record store, while Laurelhurst Park is the place to be for outdoor cultural events—from music and comedy nights to outdoor movie screenings.
12. Little River in Miami, Florida
This up-and-coming hub for independent local businesses, art galleries and restaurants—including several Michelin-recognized establishments—retains an industrial vibe, featuring a mix of warehouses, smaller homes and even a functioning dairy plant dating back to 1929. Spend the day visits its acclaimed pop-ups, cafés, arts organizations, and cultural venues that have set up shop among old car repair garages and Haitian botánicas, paving the way for several new mixed-use developments currently in progress.
17. Flatbush in New York City, New York
Just south of Brooklyn's lush Prospect Park, this vibrant neighborhood boasts a wealth of Black-owned businesses, from lively bars to exceptional restaurants, all complemented by its ideal proximity to one of the city's finest parks and its rich cultural tapestry. Flatbush is home to the largest and most diverse Caribbean-American-Latinx community outside the West Indies, and you can see this community flourishing at local favorites like Peppa’s Jerk Chicken, as well as during the lively annual West Indian Day Parade that marches along Eastern Parkway every Labor Day weekend.
26. East Hollywood in Los Angeles, California
East Hollywood is establishing itself as L.A.’s hottest culinary hotspot, thanks, in part, to Melrose Hill, a developer-driven block at Melrose and Western Avenues, featuring brick buildings that host a variety of casual dining spots. The broader area also boasts must-try venues in two sub-neighborhoods: the walkable Virgil Village and the newly bike-friendly Thai Town, where you can cycle your way to more of the area’s top eateries.
29. Mount Pleasant in Washington, D.C.
The cherished neighborhood is a true multicultural hub with a vibrant food scene anchored by Mount Pleasant Street—a haven for foodies with its array of locally-owned spots that reflect the area’s diverse heritage. Community ties run deep here, and you can feel it during the many festivals and events that take over Lamont Plaza with live music and a true neighborhood vibe. And it’s not just the sense of community that makes this place special—it’s beautiful, too.
32. Brewerytown in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Once a thriving German settlement with more breweries than you could count, this North Philly neighborhood is getting a second wind, attracting young residents who are all about those affordable, grand rowhomes right on the edge of Fairmount Park. Brewerytown has experienced rapid growth, boasting a spate of new must-visit places, including The Monkey & The Elephant, Philly’s first non-profit coffee shop supporting former foster youth. Brewerytown is a neighborhood that’s proud of its past but fully embracing its bright future.
34. Logan Square in Chicago, Illinois
Logan Square is a walkable, cultural hotspot, buzzing with some of the city’s best restaurants and bars. Stroll along Logan Boulevard to find rows of stunning, historic limestone homes or Milwaukee Avenue’s lively commercial strip, which is packed with great bars, restaurants and locally-owned shops that make Logan Square the vibrant destination it is today.
38. Union Square in Somerville, Massachusetts
Union Square in Somerville has been a buzzing hub since the American Revolution, but these days, it’s become a favorite for grad students and young families looking to stay close to Cambridge’s top universities and Boston’s thriving biotech scene. It's filled with the area's most diverse and talked-about restaurants and hosts quirky events throughout the year, like the delightfully odd What the Fluff? Festival.