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Visiting a walkable city in the United States offers a lot of benefits for travelers who want to explore different attractions, enjoy the local culture, stay healthy, and especially save some money. Not to mention, you’ll be doing the environment a favor by reducing your carbon footprint.
These 10 cities — nominated by a panel of travel experts and voted by readers as the best for their walkability during a visit — offer lots of things to do, places to eat, and places to stay, and it’s all connected by pedestrian-friendly streets.
Chicago is easy to navigate on foot; many parts of the city have sidewalks and other pedestrian-friendly designs. Some of the best walkable areas include the downtown area, East Ukrainian Village, West Loop, Lincoln Park, Noble Square, and Oak Park. The Chicago Lakefront Trail is an especially popular walking trail with great views.
New York City is one of the ultimate walkable cities. It has plentiful public transportation, but many visitors prefer to explore the city on foot. In fact, several of the city’s landmarks are within easy walking distance from one another, and all five boroughs of the city are walkable.
Boston is a walking city that’s fun to explore on foot. Beacon Hill is easily enjoyed by pedestrians, and it’s the neighborhood where the real Cheers — aka the bar that inspired the eponymous TV series — is located. Other walkable parts of the city for visitors to explore include the North End, Back Bay, and Harvard Square.
Well-known for its iconic squares and parks, Savannah welcomes visitors to explore its charming and idyllic corners. Tourists should also take a stroll along River Street, where they can shop the local stores and enjoy a meal at one of the many restaurants.
This vibrant Alaska town has plenty of spots to be enjoyed on foot, especially Downtown Juneau. Here, you’ll find boutiques and gift shops, opportunities to check out Native artwork at places like Sealaska Heritage’s Arts Campus, the Governor’s House, nearby nature hikes, plus plenty of gorgeous waterfront views along the docks.
Denver is a walkable city, thanks to its many neighborhoods with attractions, shopping, and restaurants in close proximity. Some of the most pedestrian-friendly areas include downtown, Capitol Hill, Cheesman Park, and Platt Park.
Columbus, Ohio, is home to a bevy of walkable neighborhoods, from the Short North Arts District where galleries and coffee shops are plentiful to the University District, home to The Ohio State University, the Gateway Film Center, and eateries galore. Consider a stay at the Residence Inn or the high-end Hotel LeVeque in the downtown area, which is especially walkable with its numerous museums, concert venues, and restaurants in close proximity.
The pedestrian-friendly streets of St. Augustine have a European feel, with many neighborhoods full of easy-to-reach restaurants, entertainment options, and shops — whether you’re staying uptown or by the beach. Trolleys are a popular mode of transportation for longer distances.
In this creative, charming, and modern city, enjoy a stroll along the Providence River and snap a photo by the pedestrian bridge, go shopping and meander through cobblestone streets, and check out the murals and public art on display throughout downtown.
Philadelphia is beloved for its cultural and historical attractions, and its walkability is appreciated by both residents and visitors. Tourists enjoy strolling through Center City, Philadelphia’s downtown district that contains several gorgeous neighborhoods, including historic and charming Old City and Rittenhouse Square.
Jessica James is an award-winning novelist and freelance writer who shares her passion for history and travel by writing about historical destinations and off-the-beaten path sites across the United States. Her blog Past Lane Travels has been named the #1 history and travel blog in the USA, and features many regional destinations that are often overlooked. You can find out more about her books at www.jessicajamesbooks.com.
Kyle McCarthy is co-founder of Family Travel Forum’s award-winning publications: The FamilyVacationist, MyFamilyTravels.com, and “America’s Most Popular Family Vacations.” Ms. McCarthy, author of a dozen Frommer’s guidebooks, also contributes to US News, MSN, CNN and other publications. Find her on Instagram and Facebook @familytravelforum.
Natasha Bourlin is an award-winning freelance food, travel and environmental writer based on the Island of Hawaii. As a first generation American, her fervor for travel and culture has sent her around the globe exploring myriad countries and continents, while her favorite times are spent at home in Waimea with her dog Lucy. Her work has been published in the San Francisco Chronicle, SFGate.com, AFAR Media and USAToday.com, among others. Follow her on Instagram @Natashawandersoff or visit Passportandplume.com.
Nicky Omohundro is the founder and editor of LittleFamilyAdventure.com, the popular family travel & lifestyle website that inspires families to leave no child left inside. Since 2013 LFA has been providing inspiration to get families outdoors, eat well, and travel everywhere from their own backyard to around the world. Always up for a family adventure, she has traveled to 37 states and 6 countries to zip-line through a Costa Rican rainforest, see Finland’s Northern Lights, and go camping throughout the US. Nicky is the co-founder of Tourism WorX a travel consultancy group. Connect with her Twitter and Instagram.
NikkyJ is a theme park super fan, author of The Solo Theme Park Traveler’s Guide, and the founder of ThemeParkHipster.com and FloridaHipster.com. As a self-proclaimed foodie and wine lover, she brings her curiosity and zest for life to every adventure. Based in Orlando, Florida, NikkyJ spends her days discovering hidden gems and world-class attractions throughout America. You can join her journey on YouTube, where she shares insider tips, stories, and inspiration for theme park travelers everywhere.
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