The changing function of downtowns from dominant centers to specialized service and office centers has made the maintenance of a vital downtown more problematic. The data are derived from a telephone survey of 735 city and suburban residents of metropolitan Atlanta. The analysis explores the impact of demographic, social background, and familiarity variables, as well as cognitive images, affective responses, and evaluative assessment on the use of downtown dining and entertainment facilities. Findings include the following: (1) people who go downtown regularly or work downtown and people who have a greater affective attachment to the area are more likely to participate in downtown drinking and dining activities and (2) younger, better educated, higher status adults and people who have a greater affective attachment to the area are more likely to go downtown for entertainment.
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