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Most Walkable Cities in the US (With Walk Scores)

by  Noor Ul Ain
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2024-07-10

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Exploring on foot is the most authentic way of travelling. Getting boots dirty in walkable cities enables travellers to enjoy attractions in an unmatchable way. The walkable places in a country as urbanized as the US make exploring and enjoying new cultures much more fun.

Only a traveller can understand the joy behind walking down the streets of a city and finding some hidden gem that goes unnoticed while driving. Tripshepherd realizes the beauty of walking through picturesque places and thus offers various walking tours in the walkable cities of the US. We will cover some of the most walkable cities in the US and their walk scores, starting from Boston - the heart of academic excellence.

Boston

Step back in history in the city, rich with historical sites, culture, and revolutionary landmarks. The city will welcome you with a warm atmosphere while you behold the vibrant world-class art, for example, the Boston Opera House. How can one not enjoy walking through such a captivating city where every corner has a unique character?

Walk through the picturesque waterfront, aesthetic, and charming neighbourhoods like Jamaica Plain and Newbury Street. After a refreshing walk in the green spaces, explore delicious food spots. The experience of a stroll through world-class institutions like Harvard and MIT is matchless. All these reasons justify the 83 walk score of the city.

Chicago

One of the best big cities in the US, with a walking score of 77, is a fun place for tourists who love to explore new places on foot. You will notice diversity in attractions and food everywhere in the city. While walking through the city, you will come across cheap food spots and world-famous fine dining. How can one forget about the museums and art galleries of the metropolis, which attract tourists from around the globe? The parks, gardens, beaches, and beautiful riverfront can only be cherished if you walk in the city.

Miami

The word Miami brings the imagery of beaches and surfing, but Miami has many more fascinating touristy attractions. Explore top-notch designer brands, galleries, salsa dancing, and museums. People think that Miami is not walkable because of humidity, but a stroll through the city on a bright day will refresh you, and you will cherish the memories forever. The walk score of Miami is 77.

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Washington DC

With the same walk score as Miami, the United States capital is famous for its government buildings like the White House. You will enjoy exploring the political and historical buildings for which the city is well-known, but DC has more to offer.

You can explore the farmers markets, stroll through fields of pink cherry blossoms at Tidal Basin, or walk through spectacular neighbourhoods at night and enjoy the scenic beauty of the nightlife. DC Monuments, the National Mall, and various historical memorials can only be appreciated enough if you walk to these places instead of passing by them in a car.

Seattle

One of the largest cities in the US, with a walk score of 74, is often called a car city. The city has forests, mountains, and water around it and vast green spaces inside, making the city ideal for walking for nature enthusiasts. There are parks and spectacular waterfront views within a 10-10-minute distance from most of the neighbourhoods, so you do not get overwhelmed by the label car city attached to Seattle. You will have plenty of opportunities to explore the city on foot.

Philadelphia

The city is enriched with historical and revolutionary sites, making it very walkable. Walk through the large town to observe the places and preserve memories by taking pictures of all the famous spots. Visit a century-old Reading Terminal market with your friends, where dozens of food vendors are waiting to serve you delicious food.

The LOVE sculpture, Independence Hall, and Liberty Bell are the brimming tourist spots in the city where everybody loves to have pictures. A relaxed amble in the world-famous Longwood Gardens is a must on your visit to Philadelphia. The walk score of Philadelphia is 75.

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Portland

Portland has a walk score of 83 and is home to many food carts and tea houses. Walk through the city to enjoy delicious food and beautiful gardens like the Portland Japanese Garden and the Portland International Rose Test Garden. Moreover, the events at the top attractions are changing and evolving. Walk through all the famous spots of the urban area, and you will see new exciting events taking place there on your next walk to the same spots.

St. Louis

Although the city has an average walk score of 66, you can still walk through it to enjoy popular attractions. The Gateway Arch and the city museum are the top sights to visit if you are walking to explore the city. You will love strolling through Forest Park, Missouri Botanical Garden, and Gateway Arch National Park. You must visit St. Louis Science Center and St. Louis Zoo if you want to have an informative trip. Moreover, the most walkable part of St. Louis is Downtown St. Louis, with its beautiful streets and various dining options.

Baltimore

The city is rich with the historically significant sites of the United States and the world-renowned Museums. If you are walking through the town, visit Inner Harbor, home to various popular attractions and fun spots. You can also visit the National Aquarium if you want to explore oceans with fun. You cannot have a walking trip to Baltimore without visiting Fort McHenry, a fun spot for picnics. Although the city is rich with interesting, historical, and touristy attractions, its walk score is 64.

Dallas

The walk score of Dallas is 46, but the city has eminent attractions and tourist spots. You can explore history and culture in the museums, walk through picturesque and diverse neighbourhoods, or satisfy your taste buds by visiting the best-reviewed restaurants. Enjoy the entertaining nightlife with a stroll in the city at night. Dallas Farmers Market, Zoo, and Klyde Warren Park must be on your “go-to places” list if you plan a walk in the city.

Houston

Houston is considered not a very walkable city with a walk score of 47, but there are plenty of areas in

Houston is considered not a very walkable city with a walk score of 47, but there are plenty of areas in Houston where you can enjoy walking. Westheimer, Hyde Park, and Montrose, a diverse neighbourhood in Houston, are pedestrian-friendly places in Houston. You can also walk around Downtown Houston and explore bars, cultural attractions, and theatres. A walk in Rice University and The Museum District will be an enlightening and fun experience

New Orleans

New Orleans has some walkable neighbourhoods if you prefer understanding the ambience of a city by walking through it. The loveliest neighbourhoods to stroll through in New Orleans are “Lower Garden District & Garden District”. As the name shows, the neighbourhoods feel like a garden. Walk in the area to understand its rich history.

Bayou St. John neighbourhood is also the favourite spot of many. Walk in the neighbourhood on a bright day and eat at famous eateries like Café Degas to spend a day in New Orleans in the best way. The walk score of New Orleans is 58, but there are many other walkable areas in New Orleans: Bywater, Carrollton, and French Quarter.

Buffalo

The city’s walk score is 67. Some neighbourhoods are heaven for pedestrians: Central Business District and Grant Ferry. Central Business District is so walkable that it’s called “walker’s paradise” with a walk score of 95. Downtown Buffalo has many breathtaking architecture and spectacular streets where you would love to walk. Buffalo Naval Park, Art Museum, and Canalside are the must-go places on a walking trip to Buffalo. Downtown Buffalo is a must-visit if you are hungry and want to explore some delicious eateries.

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New York

A crowd of people in every picture of Times Square depicts how walkable New York is. The city has a stunning walk score of 88 and many pedestrian-friendly boroughs and neighbourhoods: Manhattan and Brooklyn. There is so much to see in New York, and enjoying the beautiful sights on foot enhances the whole experience of travelling in New York.

Besides the famous Times Square, you can visit historical monuments like the Statue of Liberty and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Many beautiful parks offer a relaxed amble, for example, Bryant Park and Central Park. Museums in different parts of the city make your walking tour of New York very informative.

Cincinnati

Cincinnati is famous for its 19th-century architecture, sometimes called the “Paris of America” because of its beautiful architecture. Therefore, on your walking trip to Cincinnati, you will be welcomed by various spectacular buildings. The city also has a zoo and a botanical garden in the North, and who doesn’t love strolls amidst nature?

Although all museums are worth a visit, you must have “American Sign Museum” on your list as the place whispers the history of sign making in the US. The city has a walk score of 49, but like the places mentioned above, you would love walking through the quiet Spring Grove and Eden Park, where nature embraces you.

Los Angeles

You must be thinking that LA always had a culture of cars, which is true, but now pedestrian-friendly areas are created in LA. The city’s walk score is 69. It has various walkable neighbourhoods in LA: Highland Park, Santa Monica, Westwood, Beverly Hills, and many more. Although the city might not seem aesthetically pleasing, you will fall in love with the area when you start exploring it on foot.

Many things about a city start making sense when walking through it, so plan a trip to Los Angeles and explore the second-largest city in the United States.

San Francisco

With a walk score of 89, San Francisco is a famous city to explore by walking. You can go to Downtown and Union Square if you are looking for a high concentration of restaurants and top sights of the city. The bustling Chinatown and the spectacular street art of “The Mission” must be explored and enjoyed on your walking trip to the city. There are various hills as well that offer splendid views of the city. The city is still investing to make the infrastructure more pedestrian-friendly.

To conclude, these were all the pedestrian-friendly cities in the United States. The blog provides you with everything you should know about the walkable places in the US. Book a tour with Tripshepherd now to any city mentioned in the blog that you found the most fascinating.