Walking is one of the best ways to get around, whether you’re visiting a new vacation destination or just running errands in your neighborhood. No sitting in traffic, no road rage, no trying to find a parking spot, no carbon emissions — and you can move your body and enjoy the fresh air.
“You want to be able to get groceries, see friends, go to the doctor, go to work, run errands and do fun things within walking distance of your home,” says Alana Lindsey, a real estate agent at Coldwell Banker Warburg. “That walkability also helps foster community and belonging to an area.”
Fortunately, there are many pedestrian-friendly cities scattered throughout the country. For help finding some of America’s most walkable cities, I turned to Walk Score, which ranks more than 2,800 cities based on their walkability. (Each score is out of a total of 100 points.) Places that earn a 90-100 Walk Score are considered “walkers’ paradises” and you won’t need a car to run your daily errands. A location that scores between 70-89 is considered “highly walkable,” and if you live there, you can do most of your daily errands on foot.
Walk Rating: 89
Thinking of moving to the City by the Bay? You can leave your car, because you can walk almost everywhere in San Francisco. (The city’s ultra-steep hills are also great for working up a sweat.) Although San Francisco already has the highest walkability score in the country, community leaders are actively working to make the city even more pedestrian-friendly with initiatives like “Slow Streets,” or designated stretches in mostly residential areas where walkers, cyclists and wheelchair users have the right of way over cars.
Walk Score: 88
No surprise here: The Big Apple is considered one of the most walkable cities on the planet. New Yorkers won’t think twice about walking a few miles to their desired destination (and they’ll do it at top speed) — and this ethos adds to the vibrant atmosphere of the city that never sleeps. In addition to its high walking score, New York City also topped America’s Smart Growth in the 2023 pedestrian traffic report.
Walk Rating: 87
Located across the Hudson River from New York City, Jersey City is basically a pedestrian-friendly extension of New York City. It’s big — it’s about 15 square miles — but it has a ton of green space, parks, sidewalks, and, of course, a beautiful waterfront promenade with views of Manhattan.
Walk Rating: 83
You may know it as Beantown, but one of Boston’s other nicknamed “America’s Walking City,” thanks in large part to its compact design. And while its one-way twisties and confusing traffic patterns might make life difficult for drivers, they’re a piece of cake for pedestrians. Boston also has several quiet walking routes that make walking a pleasure, such as the Charles River Esplanade and Southwest Corridor Park.
Walk Score: 77
Chicago may have the L, its signature elevated public transit system, but many people who live, work and visit the Windy City are happy to get around on foot. Neighborhoods like Wicker Park, River North and the West Loop are ideal for walking, thanks to their abundance of shops, restaurants, art galleries and parks. Wicker Park, for example, is home to the 606, an old railroad that has been converted into a 2.7-mile multi-use recreational trail. Plus, you can’t beat the view as you walk the scenic Lakefront Trail, which hugs the shores of Lake Michigan.
Walk Score: 77
Sun, sand, public art and architecture – what more could you ask for while walking around Miami? This bustling city has many walkable neighborhoods, including downtown, Flagler Heights, Wynwood and Edgewater. But if you’re intrigued by Miami’s Cuban culture, head to Little Havana. Stroll along historic Calle Ocho (Southwest 8th Street), where you’ll find Cuban restaurants and bakeries, cigar shops, and Cubans playing dominoes in Maximo Gomez Park.
Walk Score: 75
Located across the Bay Bridge from San Francisco, Oakland is a vibrant, diverse community where you can kiss your car goodbye. Walk, bike, ride BART, or ride an e-scooter around town. In recent years, the city has become even more intent on making its neighborhoods more walkable — one recent project, called Walk This Way, makes it safer for people to walk under busy Interstate 880, for example.
Walk Score: 75
Take a walk back in time through Philadelphia, which played a vital role in our nation’s history. Since the City of Brotherly Love dates back to the British colonial era, many of its streets are narrow and unusual – making them not so great for cars, but ideal for pedestrians. Some of the most walkable neighborhoods include Washington Square West and Rittenhouse Square, which are home to original public squares dating back to the 1680s.
Walk Rating: 74
Don’t let the city’s rainy reputation fool you: Seattleites love to walk, no matter the weather, especially in neighborhoods like First Hill, Belltown, and the Chinatown-International District. If you’re in the mood for a scenic walk, check out the Alki Trail, a coastal route in West Seattle with views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains.