City hotspots for the walking enthusiasts

Washington: The best way to explore any city is on foot, soaking in its sights, sounds, and adrenaline up close and personal. But while you can saunter just about anywhere, some cities are more walkable than others. If you are planning a trip to the US, here are some cities which are perfect for the walker within you.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Once you are in Philadelphia, you will find multitude of cosmopolitan experiences to choose from, ranging from restaurants, parks, and cafes that will make you fall in love with the city. You can explore Philadelphia by taking 426 miles of bicycle lanes.

Seattle, Washington: Whether you want to walk down for work or for fun, Seattle is a dynamic and walkable city nestled in the Pacific Northwest that offers numerous sidewalks and trails that will get you where you want to go. Some of the most walkable neighbourhoods in Seattle include Ballard. Ballard residents don't prefer a car for their daily commute between grocery stores, parks, and schools.

While in Capitol Hill, streets are tightly packed with movie theatres, cafes, bars, restaurants, and music venues. Downtown, on the other hand, is accessible to shops and public transportations, a wonderfully walkable place in the neighbourhood.

Boston, Massachusetts: It is a city where one can take a tour by foot, trolley, bike or boat. It offers tours for all interests like historical, food and wine, architectural, film, the harbour islands, and even tours for little feet.

Boston has good Hubway bicycle sharing system, by which one can explore the famous Hatch Shell, the Boston University Bridge, or a number of other places. There are also a number of paths throughout the park such as the 2.25 mile Circuit Path Loop. Another attraction is the South Bay Harbor Trail, which is a 3.5 mile trail that extends from the Ruggles MBTA station near Northeastern University in Roxbury to Fan Pier, overlooking Boston Harbor in the Seaport District.

Minneapolis, Minnesota: In Minneapolis, you’ll never be far from where you need to be – literally. It is a compact downtown, so no matter where you are, there are many options to get there quickly and easily.

The city has an award-winning transit system with light rail and buses – taxis, Uber, Lyft – and bike rentals on the streets with dedicated bike lanes all over the city. But the best way to get around is – two feet. There are also buses for “Free Ride” that will take you along Nicollet Mall, or catch the train on the Blue or Green line. Light-rail transit (LRT) connects downtown Minneapolis with the airport, Mall of America, Saint Paul, and 43 other stations.

Built around several lakes and the Mississippi River, Minneapolis's urban cityscape surrounds a lush green park system, providing the ideal landscape for walking.

Chicago, Illinois: It is a walking city with an easy-to-navigate downtown grid. Madison Street divides the city north and south, while State Street divides it east and west. The State/Madison intersection marks the origin of Chicago's address grid system. Not just this, the city was also voted one of America's most disability-friendly cities by the National Organization on Disability, as it is accessible for visitors with special needs and offers many resources.