downtown
Being Central in the Central Valley
Modesto’s downtown has a community feel and spirit that brings people from all over to enjoy being and being together. Downtown flows with the seasons and celebrates our heritage and diversity. It’s a great cup of coffee, the Cruise or a parade; it’s a quiet shady spot, it’s live music and theater, it’s a makers’ fair, it’s fine food and drink. Downtown Modesto has been steadily building its quality of experience and is entering an exciting new phase of development including new museums, transit and more.
Downtown Master Plan Points Forward
The Modesto City Council approved the twenty-year Downtown Master Plan in August 2020. The plan encompasses specific development recommendations and planning guidelines to optimize circulation for pedestrians and bicycles as well as vehicles and activate more area for public use and enjoyment. The plan builds on anchor developments already underway including a renovated Transit Center that will accommodate ACE Rail service as well as bus, and a new Courthouse that will energize the southeast area of the downtown core.
New Courthouse under construction
Coming Attractions
There’s “Mo” coming to downtown soon including two much-anticipated museums - the Modesto Childrens’ Museum, and the Graffiti USA Museum inspired by classic cars and the Cruise popularized by Modesto-native George Lucas in American Graffiti.
There’s always something to do in downtown Modesto, from Thursday and Saturday Farmers’ Markets to Third Thursday Art Walks to Live Music and First Fridays to winter ice skating and on and on. Find out what’s happening at two great sources - the Modesto View and VisitModesto, Modesto’s Convention and Visitor Bureau.
Childrens’ Museum interior rendering
Tenth Street Plaza
Downtown for Business
Downtown Modesto is a great choice for businesses - it offers a built in customer base, convenience and amenities for employees and qualifies for Federal Opportunity Zones investment.
The Downtown business community has a strong voice through the Downtown Modesto Partnership and the Downtown Improvement District. Come on down…. town!