The U.S. has a reputation for being one of the least walkable developed countries in the world. But that is a little unfair. It turns out that there are actually quite a few American cities you can see on foot. Some of them even have a sort of European feel: there are so many bicycles and public transport options.
New York City, NY
The most obvious walking city in the whole of the U.S. is New York City. While it is huge, it also gives people on foot plenty to see and do (especially if you are already on Manhattan Island).
New York, for instance, has plenty of pedestrian plazas and sidewalks. It also has open areas, like the High Line and Times Square, where you can meander along the pavement and make your way to other popular areas in the city.
There is an efficient public transport system in New York, which is nice. And if you are around in the daytime, there are taxis everywhere, making it easy to travel further (say from one side of the island to another).
You also have Central Park which offers massive walking space. It hardly feels like a city at all because it is so green and lush.
Many people who go to New York City start at the Museum Mile and then make their way to Soho and the other iconic districts, like Chinatown and Greenwich Park. Everything is so built up it is hard to get your bearings, but there are signposts on all the streets and because it is a grid pattern, you always know how close you are to any destination.
It is worth remembering that NYC is far larger than many people realize. The center is not a small area, as it is in many European cities.
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco in California is another city well worth visiting. It is compact, and dense, and it is easy to walk around, provided you remain within the Bay Area.
Most people walking through San Francisco head to the hills and the Golden Gate Bridge, the city’s most iconic landmark. It provides incredible views of the surrounding landscape and helps you get a sense of the geography of the region (and the powerful forces that shaped it).
Key walking highlights include Fisherman’s Wharf and hiking the Coit Tower. Many streets in the middle of the city are pedestrianized, opening up the space for shopping, touring, and generally enjoying a more European feel.
Nashville, TN
Taking a Nashville walking tour is another option for travelers who love to see the world on foot. While it is not the most pedestrian-friendly city on this list, it does offer some unique advantages.
One perk is its compact urban core. Nashville is easy to explore on food with attractions like the Country Music Hall of Fame and Ryman Auditorium accessible nearby. It also has a greenway system, including the Cumberland River Greenway and Shelby Bottoms Greenway which connect urban areas and are ideal for anyone interested in Nashville tours.
Then there are the Nashville history tours. These travel through cultural hotspots and interesting neighborhoods, like The Gulch in Germantown. Many of these destinations offer visitors a vibrant street life to enjoy with music and entertainment.
Savannah, GA
Savannah, GA, which is fairly close to Nashville, is another city worth exploring on foot. It is not quite as large as many of the locations listed so far on this list, but it is charming, thanks to its cobbled streets and squares.
Savannah has an air of history about it, similar to Charleston. It is famous for its slower pace of life and appreciation of Southern cuisine. The fact that cars are not rushing all over the place makes it more conducive to walking, though it is not perfect.
The highlight of walking through Savannah is Forsyth Park and its surrounding historic homes. It provides an insight into how the wealthy and powerful lived in the city in years gone by, and the social forces shaping the surrounding society.
Portland, OR
Portland, OR, is another city that is well worth exploring on foot. While it has had some trouble in its recent history, the built-up area is famous across the world for its strong public transportation and compact neighborhoods.
While Portland has a lot of cars, it is also home to some innovative pedestrian walkways and car-free bridges. These help walkers get around without having to walk next to busy roads all the time.
Furthermore, the culture is equity techie and friendly to cycling. This perk means you can often get around the city on a bicycle without people flipping you off or even having to interact with the traffic.
Most people visiting Portland spend time walking around Washington Park. It is home to the Japanese Garden, a secluded and beautiful retreat flanked by the International Rose Test Garden. The serene environment makes you believe you are somewhere else, not in a city.
Seattle, WA
Just up the coast is Seattle, WA. While the weather in the city is often poor, it does make life easier for pedestrians willing to brave the elements.
Most people visiting the city go to places like Capitol Hill and Ballard. These are easy on foot and allow you to explore the cultural significance of the city and its administrative history.
Seattle is also close to various nature trails that lead out toward the coast and into the Rockies. These can be treacherous, so it is always worth going prepared, including with the ability to fight off bears.
If within the city, you can benefit from its green initiatives and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. The urban area has invested significantly in upgrading the ability of people to leave their cars at home and use foot or bicycle transportation instead.
If you decide to go to Seattle, it is well worth walking through Pike Place Market. This enormous frenzy of buying and selling is fun to visit and may even provide you with a souvenir of your travels.
You can also walk along the city’s waterfront and admire the architecture. Downtown Seattle is an impressive location while also allowing you to access nature at the same time.
Washington, D.C.
Washington D.C. is also well worth a visit if you are the sort of person who likes to walk everywhere when they travel. The city, the administrative heart of America, is unique in many ways and offers some of the most spectacular sights anywhere in the world.
Most of the monuments and museums are pedestrian-friendly. This means you can walk between them on dedicated concourses instead of having to battle with traffic.
There is also a decent metro. This system is helpful when you do not want to walk a couple of hours and would rather get there in 15 minutes without taking a taxi.
Furthermore, Washington is home to many free attractions, with the Smithsonian museums being among the first to spring to mind.
The National Mall should probably be your first stop. From here, you can visit the Capitol, Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial.
Boston, MA
Finally, you might want to consider Boston if you want to keep the majority of your trip on foot. The city layout is quite intuitive, and most of the major landmarks are in the middle.
If you want, you can pick up the Freedom Trail. This 2.5-mile path goes past many of the city’s key historical sites, providing an insight into the past. Many of the streets remain cobblestoned, reminding visitors how old the location is.
