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New York is lauded as one of the best cities for cyclists, and some of the best NYC walks span Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens. But, according to a recent analysis by USA Today, Gotham falls behind not one but nine other U.S. cities in terms of walkability.
With plentiful public transit and dozens of green spaces, New York is considered an “ultimate walkable city” by the national news group. Several landmarks are within easy walking distance from one anothe: Empire State and Herald Square, Hudson Yards and the Intrepid museum, Little Island and the High Line, World Trade Center and South Ferry. Plus, sprawling Central Park provides over 840 acres to stroll. In fact, every one of the five boroughs can be explored on foot.
So who the hell beat us? Ranking tenth, New York was bested by familiar frenemies Washington, D.C., Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, and — nabbing the number one spot — Philadelphia. (No doubt cleaner streets and sidewalks played a part.)
Beloved for its cultural and historical attractions, Philly’s walkability is appreciated by both residents and visitors. Tourists enjoy strolling through Center City, the downtown district home to several gorgeous neighborhoods, including historic Old City and charming Rittenhouse Square.
Compact and clean, D.C. is incredibly simple to traverse. Home to incredible free museums and monuments, the Capital city offers major attractions within walking distance of one another. Meanwhile Chicago, recently named most vegan-friendly, is super easy to navigate on foot; most neighborhoods are designed with pedestrian traffic in mind, but the Lakefront trail is particularly popular, offering sweeping skyline views. Even small metros like Savannah, Georgia; Columbus, Ohio; Burlington, VT and Providence, RI all ranked higher than our fair city.
To make their selections, USA Today travel experts nominated various cities before readers cast votes based on previous visits. Every ranking considered pedestrian connections alongside cultural offerings such as places to eat, stay, and things to see or do. Visiting a walkable city is perhaps more important now than ever, as we address the carbon footprints of travel, but it also offers an exciting way to experience local everyday life and stay healthy while also saving some dough.
Tell us: Have you walked every city on this list?