Your Guide to the Most Walkable Cities in the U.S.

walkable cities

Meandering through cute downtowns. Strolling from one historic site to another. Popping into live music venues when the urge hits. In America’s most walkable cities, all you need are your feet and a sense of adventure to enjoy the vacation of a lifetime. No rental car, taxis, or Uber required!

Ready to wander your way through your next getaway? Then head over to one of these easy-to-explore, highly walkable cities.

  • Boston, MA

    You can walk through centuries of American history in Boston. In fact, the city was designed for it!

    Boston combines its rich history and reputation for walkability with the Freedom Trail. This 2.5-mile walk connects 16 cultural landmarks dating back to the American Revolution.

    And it’s right in the heart of a modern, bustling city! Boston’s compact layout makes it easy for visitors to spend the day checking out historic sites and museums, then cap the day off with shopping and dinner.

    The city’s planners have purposely made plenty of green space available. The waterfront Harborwalk and Boston Commons are a pleasant break for pedestrians.

  • Miami Beach, FL

    Ready to salsa, errrr, stroll your way through one of the most walkable cities in Florida? Then spend your next tropical vacay in vibrant, sunny Miami Beach.

    The most popular neighborhood is definitely South Beach. The mixed-use neighborhood has hotels, restaurants, shops, clubs… you name it, it’s there!

    The South Beach Promenade, a beach-front walkway, is on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Just across the street, Ocean Drive is a lively blend of music venues, trendy outdoor cafes, and Art Deco architecture.

    And a short walk along either of those will get you to Lincoln Road Mall. This wide, outdoor, pedestrian-only destination is famous for its wide variety of shops and restaurants. And the people-watching is amazing; you never know which local celeb might be out for a stroll.

  • New York City, NY

    Walking around is a given on a visit to the Big Apple, one of the most famously walkable cities in the world!

    The city is home to countless cultural sites and landmarks, mostly concentrated within “destination” neighborhoods. Popular areas include attractions as diverse as “Museum Mile” (Upper East Side) or the cobblestone streets and trendy boutiques of SoHo.

    And of course, Times Square is the ultimate walkable place to visit. Pick up discounted Broadway tickets at iconic TKTS. Then visit nearby attractions, including the Top of The Rock and MOMA, while you wait for your showtime.

    Looking for green space? Then a walk through Central Park is an absolute must during your visit. Or visit the High Line, a public park built on an old rail line. Today, it’s a mixture of nature and art that looks and feels uniquely New York.

  • Seattle, WA

    If you don’t mind a little rain, then definitely add Seattle to your list of walkable cities!

    Despite its notoriously “wet” weather, Seattle is easy to explore on foot, thanks to its relatively compact downtown area. The city’s most iconic attractions are within easy walking distance of one another, including its instantly recognizable Space Needle, the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP), and the Seattle Art Museum.

    If you prefer your excursions with a water view, Seattle’s got you covered there, too! The highly walkable waterfront offers amazing views of Puget Sound. While you’re there, take a spin on the Seattle Great Wheel, a 175-foot-tall Ferris wheel with themed LED light shows.

  • Chicago, IL

    Some of Chi-town’s best experiences cluster along the lakefront trail, so it’s easy to hit Millennium Park (home of the famous Bean), the Art Institute, the Field Museum, and the Riverwalk in a single day, with skyline views over Lake Michigan the whole way. From there, wander the walkable neighborhoods: Wicker Park for vintage shops and record stores, Fulton Market for some of the city’s best restaurants, and a deep-dish pizza stop somewhere in between.

  • Portland, OR

    Portland is made for slow, aimless wandering. Its easy-to-explore neighborhoods are packed with coffee shops, breweries, and vintage stores, and Powell’s City of Books, the world’s largest independent bookstore, can eat up a happy few hours on its own. Stroll the fashionable Pearl District for trendy restaurants and high-end shopping, then head to the Alberta Arts District for galleries, eclectic shops, and colorful murals.

  • San Francisco, CA

    In San Francisco, even a quick coffee run turns scenic, past colorful Victorian homes or a sudden glimpse of the Golden Gate Bridge between buildings. The compact layout makes it easy to cover several neighborhoods on foot, and a climb up one of the city’s many hills pays off with sweeping bay views. Golden Gate Park alone can fill an afternoon with gardens, museums, and trails, or head to the Embarcadero for shops, seafood, and the city’s famously noisy sea lions.

Go ahead—put on your comfiest shoes. Because you’ll have the time of your life exploring one of our favorite fun, vibrant, and completely walkable cities.

And to make your pedestrian-friendly adventure even more enjoyable, ship your bags to your hotel or Airbnb with LugLess. No hassles at the airport and no hauling luggage around. We’ll take care of your stuff so you can walk straight past baggage claim and right into the heart of your destination.