Americans love cars. They are symbolic of the American Dream. But how refreshing to go on vacation and ditch the wheels. There are many walkable Western cities where exploring without a car creates a fun getaway. Check out these five.
Long Beach
Long Beach is in Southern California about 25 miles south of Los Angeles. The city is part urban oasis, part beach resort. In addition to the beachfront, there are miles of inland bays and waterways, all with walkways connecting them.
Every stopover in Long Beach should include a visit to The Queen Mary, where you can explore the history of life on the seas. The Aquarium of the Pacific is open daily and has something for the entire family. Kids of all ages will love the penguins and jellyfish, and a sneak peek with a behind-the-scenes tour is a fun experience.
Your walk will take you past The Pike at Rainbow Harbor with its shops and restaurants and on to Pine Avenue, the epicurean epicenter of Long Beach. Long Beach recently added a beachfront, concrete walking path dedicated to bicycles, while a new softer resin path is exclusively for walking and running. This opens up much more of the beachfront for exploring on foot. Check out the upscale boutiques and specialty shops in the Belmont Shore neighborhood, or head over to Retro Row on 4th Street for some hip finds that bring a bit of yesteryear to today.
Las Vegas
For anyone who has visited this famed gambling spot, it’s obvious that Las Vegas is all about walking — and not just within the massive casinos. During the balmy winter months, there is plenty to see within walking distance of the busy Las Vegas Strip.
The revamped downtown is filled with entertainment, museums, restaurants, and shopping. The Fremont Street Experience has everything from a zip line to free concerts and light shows. Take a stroll to the nearby Neon Museum to see where all those retro neon signs go when they outlive the buildings they once illuminated.
Another only-in-Vegas experience you easily can stroll to is the Mob Museum. Officially known as the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, it’s an interesting study into a time when organized crime figures had showdowns with G-Men on the Vegas streets.
Denver
Denver, known as the Mile High City because of its elevation at 5,280 feet, has emerged into the 21st century as one of the West’s most forward-thinking cities. A superb light rail system, buses, public bike rentals, a large urban hiking network, free shuttles, pedicabs, and scooters make this an easy city to get around without a car.
The most walkable part of Denver is downtown, stretching from the state capital at the Civic Center to the newly renovated Union Station. Beginning in April 2016, commuters will be able to jump on the light rail 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Downtown Denver is filled with small eateries, independent boutiques, multiple breweries, and world-class museums. Be sure to check out Union Station. Opened originally in the 1880s, it now offers a variety of restaurants, lounges, and shops — including a small branch of Tattered Cover Book Store, a local favorite since 1971.
The main shopping area downtown is 16th Street. Visitors can hop on and off the free 16th Street MallRide to quickly check out the shops and restaurants. The bus is the only vehicle allowed the length of the street from Civic Center to Union Station.
Exit the bus closest to the Civic Center and head over to the Denver Art Museum. Founded in 1893, the museum consists of two buildings, including one by architect Gio Ponti that is a work of art itself. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, and general admission is free for children, thanks to a special grant by Kaiser Permanente Colorado. The Western art collection remains one of the best of its kind anywhere in the world.
Portland
Portland loves its bridges. In fact, Bridgetown recently opened its 12th bridge across the Willamette River. Tilikum Crossing (every bridge has its own name) is the first multimodal bridge in the United States, with space for bikes, pedestrians, buses, and light rail — but no cars.
Portland is a city that thrives on its alternative culture and style. Walking is the perfect way to experience that eclectic character. There are some fun places to rest between walks when you visit Portland — from a former schoolhouse turned hotel and brewpub (McMenamins Kennedy School) to farm stays at Urban Farm.
Portland is well-known for its street food, so walking through downtown gives visitors a chance to check out the carts serving cuisine from across the globe. This also is the city with more craft breweries than any other in the United States. Deschutes Brewery is one of the state’s largest and is located a short hike from downtown in the Pearl District.
After exploring the downtown culture, a great way to unwind is with a walk or bike jaunt down the Waterfront Park Trail. This path meanders along the Willamette River from Steel Bridge to Marquam Bridge passing the Portland Saturday Market and Oregon Maritime Museum. If you visit in spring or summer, a Portland visit must include the International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park. The park is about 2 miles from downtown, accessible by public transportation.
Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara’s incredible climate almost year-round makes it a great walking city. Nicknamed the American Riviera, this city encourages visitors to leave cars behind and use public transportation (the #11 bus makes more than 30 trips daily from the airport to downtown), rent a bike, or secure a surrey for four people. You even can hail a bike-powered pedicab when you need a break.
One of the most popular areas is downtown, home to the iconic Santa Barbara County Courthouse. The Spanish-Moorish building has an 80-foot clock tower with a new elevator that whisks visitors up to the observation deck.
State Street runs through downtown and is filled with dozens of shops, restaurants, boutiques, and tasting rooms. Wine enthusiasts can taste some of California’s best vino along the Urban Wine Trail that runs through downtown.
Don’t leave Santa Barbara without visiting the Funk Zone, a fun, artistic part of town with street murals, galleries, breweries, cafes, and wineries.
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