Although most cities have thousands of streets, one or two streets always become to be better known than any other. Whether it’s because of their shopping opportunities, center of nightlife, entertainment hub or their place in history, it’s the streets that travelers always visit. Walking down well-known streets shows you a lot about a place’s culture, and style. Some roads buzz with energy; others feel quiet and charming.
23. Broadway, New York City
Think of New York City, and Broadway pops up almost instantly. Theaters and shows line this street, luring visitors from everywhere. Every night, bright lights and crowds gather for musicals or plays.
Broadway stretches for miles, starting in lower Manhattan and running north into the Bronx. Unlike most New York streets, it slices across the grid, making corners like Times Square and Union Square feel unique.
Even if you skip the theater, there’s plenty to check out along Broadway. Shops, restaurants, and historic buildings sit shoulder to shoulder. You can’t help but feel the city’s pulse and history as you wander.
22. Michigan Avenue, Chicago
Michigan Avenue mixes old and new and runs from the Chicago River down toward the southern suburbs. The Magnificent Mile is the section everyone talks about.
Luxury shops, famous restaurants, and grand old buildings line the street. Sure, it’s known for high-end shopping, but you’ll also stumble on parks and art installations.
Modern skyscrapers stand next to classic architecture. Weekends and holidays bring out the crowds—tourists and locals both. Michigan Avenue isn’t just about shopping; museums, theaters, and lively street scenes all come together here. You get a sense of Chicago’s style—culture, history, and a bit of fun all mixed up.
21. Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles
Hang out in Los Angeles for even a day, and someone will mention Sunset Boulevard. This famous street runs over 20 miles, from downtown all the way to the Pacific Coast.
Driving along, you’ll spot music venues, restaurants, hotels, and neighborhoods tucked away. The Hollywood section? You might catch a celebrity sighting or a tour group snapping photos. The Sunset Strip bursts with nightlife and neon.
History buffs love it too, thanks to old buildings and landmarks scattered along the way. Even if you’re just cruising for the vibe, Sunset Boulevard gives you that unmistakable LA feeling.
20. Avenida 9 de Julio, Buenos Aires
In Buenos Aires, Avenida 9 de Julio is impossible to ignore. It’s one of the world’s widest avenues—up to 16 lanes across. Crossing it takes patience and maybe a deep breath.
The avenue runs about 3 kilometers through the city center, named for Argentina’s Independence Day, July 9th, 1816.
Landmarks like the Obelisk rise up in the middle. Tall trees, shops, and busy sidewalks line both sides. Traffic moves fast, and there’s always something happening. If you want to see Buenos Aires in full swing, this is the place to walk.
19. Hollywood Road, Hong Kong
Walk down Hollywood Road in Hong Kong and you’re surrounded by a real blend of old and new. At over 180 years old, it’s one of the city’s oldest roads.
Antique shops offer Chinese treasures, and art galleries show off local talent. Street art pops up against historic buildings, adding a fresh twist.
If you’re hungry, you’ll find everything from tiny cafes to trendy spots with global flavors. Hollywood Road cuts through Sheung Wan and Central—both lively districts.
Locals, visitors, and art fans all wander here. There’s always something different—a new shop, a mural, or maybe just a really good meal.
18. Nevsky Prospect, St. Petersburg
Walk down Nevsky Prospect and you’ll feel the heartbeat of St. Petersburg. The street slices right through the city and stretches nearly three miles, linking key spots like the Admiralty and the Alexander Nevsky Monastery.
Shops, theaters, and restaurants line both sides, and the buildings mix baroque with art-nouveau. Some have stood since the 1700s.
Nevsky Prospect started as a path through wetlands, but it quickly became the city’s main avenue. With places like the Ballet Academy and Eliseev Emporium, you’ll never run out of things to see.
Grab a snack, people-watch, or just take in the changing views. Every block has its own story.
17. Unter den Linden, Berlin
Unter den Linden sits right in the center of Berlin, running from the Berlin Palace to the Brandenburg Gate. Linden trees line the boulevard and give it its name.
Walking down, you’ll pass major landmarks—the Berlin State Opera, Humboldt University, and more. If you’re into history, this street brings it close.
The vibe shifts as you go. Between Friedrichstrasse and the Brandenburg Gate, the buildings get grand and historic.
Unter den Linden has shaped Berlin for centuries. Whether you’re after architecture, culture, or just a scenic walk, it’s a Berlin classic.
16. Fifth Avenue, New York City
When you’re in New York City, Fifth Avenue just stands out. It runs for over 6 miles, from Harlem down to Greenwich Village, hugging Central Park for part of its length.
Here, you’ll find world-famous museums and luxury stores. It’s the place for shopping—designer brands, big department stores, and those over-the-top window displays.
The street buzzes with people, taxis, and endless energy. In winter, the holiday decorations and windows become a real spectacle. Fifth Avenue really packs in the Manhattan excitement.
Tourists, locals, shoppers, and sightseers all crowd the sidewalks. Each block brings something new, but the vibe always feels like classic New York.
15. Bourbon Street, New Orleans
Step onto Bourbon Street and you’ll see why it’s the French Quarter’s beating heart. It runs for about 13 blocks, alive with neon, music, and crowds. Nightlife rules here—bars, clubs, and live jazz spill out onto the street.
Tropical Isle, famous for the Hand Grenade drink, stands out. Frozen cocktail stands, laughter, and dancing keep the party going late. Many buildings date to the 1800s, giving the street a look you won’t find anywhere else.
Tourists flock here for a reason. Grab some local food, catch a parade, or just watch the street performers. If you’re after excitement and a little chaos, this is the spot in New Orleans.
14. The Bund (Zhongshan Road), Shanghai
Walk along the Bund in Shanghai and you’ll get a view you can’t forget. A row of historic buildings lines Zhongshan Road, right by the river—a city symbol for over a century.
Old European-style banks and trading houses mix with modern shops and hotels. Look across the Huangpu River for a wild contrast—the glass towers of Pudong’s financial district.
People come here for evening strolls, when the lights on both sides of the river shimmer on the water. No ticket needed, and honestly, you could spend hours just soaking up the view.
13. Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington D.C.
If you’re in Washington, D.C., you’ll probably find yourself on Pennsylvania Avenue. This street links the White House and the U.S. Capitol—two of America’s most iconic buildings.
Presidential inaugurations, parades, and all sorts of events happen here. Crowds gather for protests, celebrations, or just the classic tourist photo.
The avenue cuts through downtown, so it stays busy and lively. Along the way, you’ll spot historic sites, federal offices, and sidewalks packed with people going about their day.
A walk down Pennsylvania Avenue gives you a taste of the capital’s real heartbeat.
12. Gran Via, Madrid
Gran Via in Madrid puts you right in the middle of things. The street runs through the city center, connecting Plaza de España to Calle de Alcalá.
It’s famous for its mix of old and new. You’ll see theaters, classic facades, and big stores like Primark and Zara.
Locals call it the “Spanish Broadway” for its movie theaters and bright lights. It’s a favorite spot for shopping, catching a show, or just people-watching.
Since the early 1900s, Gran Via has been a Madrid landmark. Now, it’s a symbol of the city’s energy and style—never boring, always buzzing.
11. Ocean Drive, Miami
When you think of Miami, Ocean Drive is probably the first street that pops into your head. This stretch runs right along South Beach, lined with those iconic Art Deco buildings and rows of palm trees swaying in the breeze.
The beach sits just steps away. During the day, people cycle past, skate along the sidewalk, or just wander over for a swim. The street buzzes with open-air cafés and crowds moving in every direction.
As night falls, Ocean Drive really wakes up. Neon signs flicker to life, bars and restaurants pump out music, and the energy just ramps up. Tourists and locals both flock here, so you never know what you’ll stumble across.
But hey, it’s not all about parties and nightlife. The Art Deco Historic District is worth a look, and there are a couple of parks nearby if you want to just chill for a bit. You can wander around on foot or hop on a bike—there are rental spots all over the place, super easy if you’re feeling spontaneous.
10. Lombard Street, San Francisco
Located between Hyde and Leavenworth streets in San Francisco, Lombard Street is famous for being the crookedest street in the world. The one-block portion of Lombard Street that contains eight hairpin turns was created to reduce the hill’s natural steep slope.
The speed limit in this section is a mere 5 mph (8 km/h). Vermont Street, also in San Francisco, and Snake Alley in Burlington, Iowa are two other famous streets claimed to be the crookedest street in the world.
9. Abbey Road, London
Abbey Road is located in the north of London. The Abbey Road Studios, located at the south-eastern end of the street, was the studio where the Beatles recorded 90% of their recordings. In April 1969, they came together to record their final album as a group and titled it “Abbey Road”.
This album became their best selling work and featured the now iconic image of the zebra crossing just outside the studios on the front cover. Today, tourists typically come here to create their own Abbey Road album cover.
8. Hollywood Walk of Fame, Los Angeles
The Walk of Fame along Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles consists of a series of stars embedded in the sidewalk to commemorate famous actors, musicians, directors, producers, theatrical groups and others for their entertainment contributions. More than 2,400 stars have been immortalized.
Anyone, including fans, can nominate anyone active in the field of entertainment and about 200 nominations are submitted to the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce committee each year.
7. La Rambla, Barcelona
Lined with trees, La Rambla is the busiest and most lively pedestrian street of Barcelona, Spain. Most of the time, there are many more tourists than locals occupying the Rambla, which has changed the shopping selection and the character of the street in general. For this reason also, it has become a prime target for pick pocketing. It is often called Las Ramblas, because it is actually a series of several different streets that all have a distinct feel.
6. Orchard Road, Singapore
Orchard Road is the main shopping street of Singapore, regularly frequented by the locals as well as being a major tourist attraction. Named after the fruit orchards that the road led to, Orchard Road is flanked by malls, numerous upmarket restaurants, coffee chains, cafés, nightclubs and hotels.
It is also the site of the official residence of the President of Singapore, the Istana. The Christmas decorations along Orchard are famous and entirely over the top, with reindeers cavorting through palm trees and gingerbread houses topped with fake snow.
5. Khao San Road, Bangkok
Khao San Road is, technically speaking, a small road located about a block from the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, Thailand. Khaosan translates as “milled rice”, a reminder that in former times the street was a major Bangkok rice market.
In the last 20 years, however, Khao San Road has developed into a world famous backpackers hangout. It offers cheap accommodation, ranging from dorm style hostels to reasonably priced 3-star hotels as well as bars, food stalls, restaurants, convenience stores, internet cafes and travel agencies.
4. Wall Street, New York
Wall Street is the historic heart of the Financial District and the home of the New York Stock Exchange. The term has become a byword for American big business and stock trading. A narrow street running downhill from Broadway to the East River, Wall Street was named for the wall that was built here in 17th century by the Dutch to protect their growing settlement.
By the late 18th century, traders and speculators would gather under a buttonwood tree at the foot of Wall Street to trade informally. This was the origin of the New York Stock Exchange that was established in 1817. Other famous streets in New York City include Broadway, Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue.
3. Via Dolorosa, Jerusalem
Via Dolorosa (Latin for Way of Grief) is a famous street, in two parts, within the Old City of Jerusalem that traces the last steps of Christ on the way to his crucifixion. The 0.25 km (0.16 miles) route has changed over the centuries and archaeological discoveries in the 20th century now indicate that the early route of the Via Dolorosa on the Western hill was actually a more realistic path.
Nevertheless, pilgrims traditionally walk the route, identifying with Jesus’ suffering. Along the route are 14 Stations of the Cross, each connected with a particular story or event.
2. Las Vegas Strip
The gambling mecca of the world, Las Vegas is situated in the midst of the southern Nevada desert landscape. Casinos can be found throughout Las Vegas, but the strip, a stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard South, contains the most of them.
It features giant mega-casino hotels, decorated with lavish care and attention to detail to create a fantasy-like atmosphere. The casinos often have names and themes that evoke romance, mystery, and far-away destination.
1. Champs-Elysees, Paris
With its cinemas, cafés, luxury shops and clipped horse-chestnut trees, the Champs-Élysées is one of the most recognizable and most famous streets in Paris and France. This elegant and broad avenue runs from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe. It is also one of the most prestigious shopping boulevards of Paris.
The upper stories are mostly occupied by offices as few people can afford to live on the Champs-Élysées. Since 1975, the last stage of the Tour de France traditionally finishes on the Champs-Élysées, with riders typically making six to eight circuits back and forth on the avenue.
Informative, I have been only to two but very famous Gerad street, and young streets Toronto are missing.
Abby road would not be famous without the Beatles. It’s to bad they couldn’t work it out.
I’ve been on 8
Mexico’s Paseo de la Reforma should be right after Champs Elysees. And Buenos Aires’ Nueve de Julio should be in the first ten streets/avenues/avenidas.
How can Bourbon Street in New Orleans not make the top 10?
I though Baker Street should’ve been there without question
How about Oxford Street, Regent Street or The Mall leading up to Buckingham Palace? All great Streets especially the Mall which is coloured red to make it look like a big red carpet leading up to the gates of the Palace.
How about the our famous’ Rodeo Drive’ in Beverly Hills!!!
Reforma Avenue, Mexico city?
This couldnt be more wrong. Without any question, Wall St is by FAR the worlds most famous street
I agree with LPT – Where’s New Orleans’ Bourbon Street? Great list though and I’m proud of myself for having made it to 6 of the 10!
I’ve been to 7 of the 10 – great list. Will add the other 3 to my bucket list!
Opened the page with a suspicion I’d see Rodeo Dr. on here.
Now that I see these other famous streets I know why.
I don’t really care for Abbey Road. Iconic yes but I do not like The Beatles.
What? No Bourbon Street?!
What in the world happened to Sesame Street?!
Great list! I’m only familiar with The Wall Street and the Holywood Walk of Fame but everything in the list are all fascinating especially the Champs-Elysées – breath taking pic. I love it, thanks!