Best US Cities for Walking, From Woman Who’s Been to All 50 States

I grew up in Illinois, just a few hours outside Chicago, and it will always be one of my favorite cities in the world. Part of why I love it so much is that it’s so walkable.

The city’s flat layout, efficient public transit, and miles of lakeside paths make it easy to explore without a car. I love wandering around Millennium Park, pausing for coffee or to admire the architecture.

In my opinion, each neighborhood feels like its own little city — walkable, vibrant, and alive.

As someone who’s spent a lot of time in Sonoma wine country, I think Healdsburg, California, is the best city to stroll through. I like that it’s small, which means I can explore most of it in a single day.

The downtown plaza is surrounded by tasting rooms, wine bars, beautiful hotels, art galleries, and cafés with sidewalk seating.

I recommend popping into Healdsburg Bubble Bar for a sparkling drink or Harmon Guest House for a cozy stay.

In my opinion, New York City is truly designed for life on foot. Its dense grid, extensive public transit, and endless mix of neighborhoods mean it’s easy to get around without a car. In fact, having a car here can often slow you down because of the heavy traffic.

During my last visit, I walked around neighborhoods without a plan, spent hours in Central Park, and roamed the lively streets until I found a café.

When I moved to Colorado over a decade ago, I knew walkability was important to me when picking a place to live. I eventually settled in Boulder, which is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful and walkable places in the country.

When I’m not traveling, I rarely even use my car. Instead, I walk downtown to the Pearl Street Mall for coffee, food, and shopping.

I hike trails that are accessible from town, like Chautauqua and Mount Sanitas, and I spend time in Boulder Creek, which is easy to reach from the paved walking paths.

One of my favorite spots on the California coast is also one of the most walkable — Carmel-by-the-Sea. The city feels like a fairytale come to life, with a village-style layout that has no street addresses, just storybook cottages and the ocean breeze.

It’s one of the most peaceful, pedestrian-friendly towns I’ve ever visited, filled with quiet courtyards, flower-covered walls, and winding paths that lead to the sea.

I recommend the Stillwell Hotel for a relaxing stay, Nicolas for a satisfying dinner, and Barmel for elevated cocktails.