The boundaries of downtown Evansville have changed as the city has grown, but they are generally considered to be between Canal Street at the south and east, the Lloyd Expressway to the north, Pigeon Creek to the northwest, and the Ohio River to the southeast south and southwest.

Evansville's original downtown plat was made on about 200 acres, with streets running parallel to the river from northwest to southeast.

Thus, anyone entering or leaving downtown finds that the street makes a confusing oblique-angle turn in one direction or another.

[2] In the 1970s, the city suffered from problems such as decreased economic activity and suburban flight, but city-sponsored revitalization has since improved downtown conditions.

Victory Theatre is a vintage 1,950-seat venue that is home to the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra and hosts other concerts and events.