USA TODAY 10Best
Wilmington, N.C. Voted Best American Riverfront
Best American Riverfront (2014)
After voting closed on the USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice contest for Best American Riverfront, fans of Wilmington, N.C. no doubt breathed a huge sigh of relief. They waged a tight but winning battle against Spokane, Washington for the top spot and landed the #1 slot after a frenzied weekend of voting.
Beautiful Wilmington lies on the eastern shore of the Cape Fear river, which winds up into easternmost North Carolina from the Atlantic Ocean adjacent to Bald Head Island. Because Wilmington is associated with the many barrier island destinations for which it serves as a gateway - Wrightsville Beach chief among them - the public often forgets it's actually a river city.
Spokane, in far eastern Washington, sits on the Spokane River, and offers residents and visitors a large riverfront park in the heart of downtown.
The full list of winners for Best American Riverfront is as follows:
Congratulations to ALL our winners. Readers of USA TODAY and 10Best came out in droves for this vote, so the honor is particularly sweet. For those looking for an urban getaway, we happily remind you to consider whether a river runs through it.
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
Libby McMillan
10Best Sr. Editor Libby McMillan has long... Read More
10Best Sr. Editor Libby McMillan has long preferred rivers to seashores and lakes, and has sought out riverfronts across America during her travels. She's also a fan of great urban planning and appreciates a city's efforts to give residents beautiful green space in which to relax, reconnect, reflect or recreate.
Libby McMillan
10Best Sr. Editor Libby McMillan has long preferred rivers to seashores and lakes, and has sought out riverfronts across America during her travels. She's also a fan of great urban planning and appreciates a city's efforts to give residents beautiful green space in which to relax, reconnect, reflect or recreate.
Travis Seward
As Editor in Chief of 10Best since its founding... Read More
As Editor in Chief of 10Best since its founding 11+ year ago, Travis Seward has seen a good portion of the USA, and appreciates beautiful grounds, great urban planning, historic architecture, and a great story . . . all of which factor into these nominees.
Travis Seward
As Editor in Chief of 10Best since its founding 11+ year ago, Travis Seward has seen a good portion of the USA, and appreciates beautiful grounds, great urban planning, historic architecture, and a great story . . . all of which factor into these nominees.