6 walkable US Cities for pedestrian perfection
You’re finally on vacation. You’ve got your perfect hotel and
adependable rental car. But sometimes you just want to step
outside and walk around to see what the city has to offer. Here are six cities
in the United States that are perfect for a stroll with the family.
1. New York City
How could we start this list with any other city? I mean,
really! New York City is
built for foot traffic or any mode of public transit for when you’re tired.
Take a walk on Broadway to see all the old theaters that still pack people in
night after night. Central Park is one of the most relaxing places you could
ever find in the world. Prince Street in SoHo gives you
a solid dose of atmosphere and history of the city. It’ll also take you by Old
St. Patrick’s Cathedral, which you must go inside to see the brilliant
interior.
2. Chicago, Illinois
The Windy City is perfect for visitors just wanting to walk
around the city. Walking down Michigan Avenue (a.k.a. The Magnificent Mile)
let’s shopaholics go wild, and sightseers can get glimpses of the amazing
architecture. Navy Pier has rides for kiddies and stellar looks at Lake
Michigan. And no self-respecting sports fan can pass up to enjoy the happy hour
known as a Cubs game at Wrigley Field. Another boon for the city is a transit
system that can get you most anyplace without having to drive.
3. Miami, Florida
It’s true that South Florida is spread out, but Miami is still
a real treat for an evening walk. Ocean Drive in South Beach is the place to
see all sorts of tanned bodies, ocean vistas, celebrities and nightclubs that
make you lose all sense of time. Brickell Avenue is also worth your time. This
is the heart of the financial district for Miami and has great restaurants and
bars to chill out at with the locals.
4. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The City of Brotherly Love hooks
you up with plenty of cool places to walk to in the area. You can always see
the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall within four minutes of one another. But
a real treat is the Museum District on the Ben Franklin Parkway – the standout
being the Barnes Foundation, where you’ll find one of the finest collections of
impressionism, post-impressionists and modern art in all of the world. If
you’re looking for a taste of the odd, then walk 15 minutes south of the Barnes
to reach the Mutter Museum.
5. Boston, Massachusetts
Narrow, twisting streets are a pain in the butt for drivers. For
those travelling on foot, however, it’s a dream. There’s always something to
see in a city where almost everywhere you look has something of historic value
to our country. Great photo ops can be had at the statue of John Harvard
(remember the three lies?) on
the Harvard campus or Daniel Chester French’s Minute Man statue. You might know
French better for his other famed sculpture at the Lincoln Memorial.
6. San Francisco, California
You’re going to get a workout with all the hills, but it’s worth
it to see San Francisco by
foot. Walk throughChinatown’s narrow
streets in an area with one of the largest Chinese populations outside of Asia.
Fisherman’s Wharf is loaded with history, epic looks at Alcatraz, great food
and entertainment good for the entire family. Other spots in town to check out
are the Transamerica Pyramid and 400 Block of Jackson Square, home to some of
the few buildings that actually survived the 1906 earthquake and fire.
Which American cities do you
like to walk around? Sound off in the comment section below.
