D&D 5E Big Cities

[Minigiant]

Yeah. Don't define everything.

Make a checklist of what is in the city and what notable things aren't there.

Fill in by neighborhood. If the party never goes to the halfling slums, don't even name it.

Stuff doesn't exist until you describe them or someone mentions them.

 

[Will Doyle]

Think of a schtick for the city that will lodge it in your players' imaginations.

Remember when...
...we went to that city ruled by a medusa where all the guards were gargoyles.
...we went to that city that was crumbling into the Underdark.
...we went to that city that had a flying carpet taxi service.

 

[MarkB]

Try to include some interesting geography in your city rather than just laying it out on a flat plain - think New York, wth Manhattan Island at its centre, or Rio, sprawling across hills and bays.

Google Earth is great for inspiration here - just pick a few cities and 'fly' around them to see how they're laid out.