There is something to be said for a vacation full of activity and outdoor time. Whether traveling with family or on your own, it can be a great way to enjoy your time away and create memories.
If you are planning your next vacation and want a place with a lot to do outside, there are so many options. It all depends on the type of outdoor recreation you are after. In this post, we will look at a few cities that have a lot to offer for outdoor activities.
Denver, Colorado
Denver is a great place for people who love spending time outdoors. To start, the city has a lot of paved bike trails, so you can ride your bike all over during your trip. You can also find tons of nature trails for hiking and biking. Confluence Park is also a great destination for people who love the outdoors. Even just outside the city, you have expansive natural spaces for activities like camping and rivers for rafting and kayaking.
St Petersburg, Florida
You’ll find no shortage of sunshine in St Petersburg, Florida. The city also has a lot of park space for visitors and residents to enjoy. You can walk by Crescent Lake or explore the islands of Fort De Soto Park. Along with that, you have several scenic beaches in the St Petersburg area. Being on the sea, you have opportunities for swimming, surfing, and boating. The area is also great for golf.
Phoenix, Arizona
Visitors will find a wide array of outdoor things to do in Phoenix. To start, it is the sunniest city in the US. That means you can usually count on clear skies and sunny weather when you travel to Phoenix. The areas around Phoenix and nearby Scottsdale have a lot of open space for hiking, exploring and mountain biking. You also have outdoor attractions like Papago Park and the Japanese Friendship Garden. The Phoenix and Scottsdale area is also home to some of the best golf courses in the country.
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is a city ripe with opportunities for outdoor adventures. The city is surrounded by water, mountains and pristine natural spaces. It is also another city with a lot of parks and lanes for bicycles. With attractions like Green Lake Park, Seattle is great for people who like fishing, swimming, boating, and hiking. You can also find a nice range of boat tours around the city. The mountains also offer opportunities for hiking, biking, camping, and climbing.
Austin, Texas
Most people don’t think of the outdoors when it comes to Austin, TX. However, the city has so much to offer for outdoor adventure. The nearby Texas Hill Country has countless opportunities for recreation. The area has hiking, biking, swimming, and more. If you love the water, you need to check out Barton Creek Greenbelt. It is a hiking trail with a spring-fed swimming hole that offers one of the most unique swimming experiences you will find.
Anchorage, Alaska
It almost goes without saying that Anchorage is a great destination for outdoor activities. The city is still close to the wilderness, and it offers experiences like nothing you’ll find in the lower 48 states. It also has more park space per 1,000 residents than any other city in the US. Enjoy hiking or kayaking, explore the wilderness or check out the many glaciers. You also have the area’s unique wildlife to enjoy. The city and surrounding area are a paradise for those who love the outdoors.
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is another place off the radar of many outdoor enthusiasts. That said, this city has a lot to offer for outdoor adventure. To start, the city has incredible lakes and parks to explore. Lake Mendota is great for sailing and other water sports. You can also enjoy picnics and hiking at places like Tenney Park. If you are up for a drive, Ferry Bluff Natural Area is less than an hour from the city. Madison is also a city with many great bike trails. For example, the Badger State Bike Trail offers a scenic trip from Madison to the Illinois border.
Boise, Idaho
Boise is great for the diversity of outdoor experiences visitors can enjoy. You can spend time on the Boise River one day and then climb the Black Cliffs the next. Hiking up to Goose Creek Falls is another experience well worth your time. Boise has something for just about everyone. You’ll find some of the best freshwater fishing, incredible trails for hiking and biking, excellent swimming holes, and so much more.
This is just a short list of some of the best cities for outdoor recreation. The US is a big country with so much to do and see. However, you can’t go wrong with selecting any one of these cities if you want a vacation full of time outdoors.
Comments are closed.