For much of the past 30 years this 2 km long pedestrian mall has been a favourite draw for tourists to the city. Our hotel is located near one end of the mall so we've had a number of opportunities to wander about the mall and enjoy all that it has to offer. As you walk along the mall it isn't hard to realize why this is such a popular spot . . .
Free shuttles run up one side of the mall and down the other. I was surprised with how regular they were and the frequency of the stops - perfect for shoppers laden with bags who just couldn't walk any further! There were also connections between these shuttles and the city transit.
Lots of atempts had been made to create places where people would want to gather and interact - whether it was an outdoor cheese/checkers playing area, fountains, sculptures, benches and planters, or wonderfully decorated pianos where anyone interested could stop and play - more than once these pianos were the source of beautiful music as we wandered about.
We tried to take time to enjoy the interesting architecture as we wandered by - whether it was the tower that is a scaled replica of the famous bell tower in San Marco Square in Venice or the wonderful art deco trim preserved on some of the buildings. In the centre of the mall we even found a few large Victorian buildings with their bulky stone facades. near our hotel when you look towards the end of the mall you spy the gleaming dome of the state capital - lots of diamonds amongst the rough of 70s architecture for those who stop and look.
The shopping and restaurants are the usual choices - mainly chains with some tacky tourist spots tossed in. It looks as if this is an area that is in transition with some higher end offerings moving into the area.
Of course we had to pop into Smashburger which I have to confess is better than In-N-Out! It is no wonder why this chain is popping up across the US. While I don't normally frequent chain restaurants and try to stay away from fast food but this is not to be missed.
Sounds like a piazza!
Posted by: Palma | July 14, 2011 at 12:33 AM
You're right Palma - we don't have many here in NA. I guess that this is as close as we get to Italy. SIGH
Posted by: JDeQ | July 19, 2011 at 08:36 AM