12 Walkable Cities in the USA for Women Over 50
Do you like to walk? Does wandering in a city with no particular destination appeal to you? I love to walk and always make it a priority to research a city’s walkability before I visit.
There are many walkable cities in the USA that are great for women over 50. Here is a list of some of them.
- Seattle, Washington – The city also has pedestrian-friendly traffic signals that allow for safe crossings.
- San Francisco, California – SF has a number of pedestrian-only areas, such as the Embarcadero and Fisherman’s Wharf.
- Portland, Oregon – Portland has a strong biking culture, which has led to the development of many bike lanes, trails, and paths. Great for pedestrians too!
- Boston, Massachusetts – Boston is a historic city with many walkable neighborhoods, including the famous Freedom Trail.
- New York City, New York – Iconic New York is compact with walking the best way to get around.
- Chicago, Illinois – Like New York City, Chicago is laid out on a grid system, which makes it easy to navigate and locate destinations.
- Savannah, Georgia – Savannah’s historic district is home to many beautiful buildings and squares, which are easily accessible by foot.
- Charleston, South Carolina – Charleston, South Carolina is a highly walkable city due to its compact layout, historic architecture, and pedestrian-friendly streets.
- Santa Fe, New Mexico – This city’s compact and flat layout makes it easy to explore on foot.
- Asheville, North Carolina – Asheville’s compact and pedestrian-friendly downtown area is easily walkable.
- Washington, D.C. – The nation’s capital is highly walkable with its well-planned streets, numerous monuments, and expansive green spaces like the National Mall, making it easy to explore on foot.
- San Diego, California – With its beautiful weather and scenic waterfront areas like the Gaslamp Quarter and Balboa Park, San Diego offers a pleasant walking experience year-round.
What Makes a City Walkable
To come up with these cities, I analyzed various data sources and used the following methodology:
- City walkability score
- City infrastructures (sidewalks, pedestrian streets, etc.)
- Maintenance issues (any current city worker strikes, for example)
- Crime rates
- Opinions and recommendations of travel and lifestyle experts, including publications like AARP, Travel + Leisure, and Lonely Planet
- Input from community forums and social media groups focused on the selected cities.
There are so many beautiful cities that have great streets to walk! Based on this information and analysis, I selected cities that consistently scored high in these criteria and are frequently recommended as top choices for walkable cities in the US for women over 50.
Read BEST WALKING SHOES FOR SENIOR WOMEN.
Top Walkable Cities in the USA
Seattle, Washington
The city has well-maintained sidewalks and crosswalks, which makes it easier and safer to walk on the streets. The city also has pedestrian-friendly traffic signals that allow for safe crossings.
Seattle is generally considered a safe city with a low crime rate. This can help you feel more comfortable and secure when walking around the city.
San Francisco, California
San Francisco is another great Californian city for walking, with its steep hills and iconic landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge. The city offers many parks, beaches, and waterfront areas that are easily accessible by foot.
San Francisco is a relatively small city which makes it easy for older women to walk to many destinations. The city also has a well-developed network of sidewalks and crosswalks, and many streets have traffic slowing measures to make walking safer. The city also has a number of pedestrian-only areas, such as the Embarcadero and Fisherman’s Wharf.
San Francisco has a strong culture of walking, with many residents walking to work, to run errands, and to socialize.
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a very walkable city with a vibrant downtown area and many parks and green spaces. It is also known for its excellent public transportation system. It is a relatively small city which makes it easy for residents to walk to many destinations.
Portland has a good network of sidewalks, crosswalks, and pedestrian-friendly streets. The city has also implemented traffic slowing measures, such as speed bumps and traffic circles, to make walking safer.
Portland has a strong biking culture, which has led to the development of many bike lanes, trails, and paths. This has also made it more pedestrian-friendly, as many of the same infrastructure improvements that benefit cyclists also benefit pedestrians.
Portland has many parks and green spaces, including Forest Park, the largest urban park in the country, which are easily accessible by foot. These parks provide a natural respite from the urban environment and offer opportunities for walking and hiking.
Boston, Massachusetts
Boston is a historic city with many walkable neighborhoods, including the famous Freedom Trail. It also has many cultural attractions, including museums and theaters.
As the other cities on this list, Boston has an evolved network of sidewalks, crosswalks, and pedestrian-friendly streets. The city also has speed bumps and roundabouts.
The city has many parks and green spaces, including the famous Boston Common and the Charles River Esplanade, which are easily accessible by foot.
New York City, New York
New York City is a bustling metropolis with many walkable neighborhoods, including Greenwich Village and the Upper West Side. It also has many cultural attractions, including Broadway shows and museums.
Despite being a densely populated city, New York is compactly laid out, with a grid system that makes it easy to navigate. This means that many destinations are within walking distance of each other, which makes walking a convenient and efficient way to get around.
New York has an extensive network of sidewalks that are well-maintained and wide enough to accommodate large numbers of pedestrians. There are also many pedestrian-only areas, such as Times Square and parts of Central Park. Also, the High Line park walkway is definitely a must-walk when in NYC.
New York is made up of many distinct neighborhoods, each with its own unique character and attractions. Walking through these neighborhoods is a great way to experience the city’s diversity and culture.
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago is a great city for walking, with its many parks, beaches, and cultural attractions. It is also home to some of the best restaurants and shops in the country.
Like New York City, Chicago is laid out on a grid system, which makes it easy to navigate and locate destinations. The streets are also relatively wide, providing ample space for pedestrians to walk.
Chicago has an excellent network of sidewalks, crosswalks, and pedestrian-friendly streets, speed bumps, and traffic circles.
Chicago has many parks and green spaces, including the famous Millennium Park, Grant Park, and the Chicago Lakefront Trail, which are easily accessible by foot.
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah’s historic district is home to many beautiful buildings and squares, which are easily accessible by foot. Walking through these historic areas is a great way to experience the city’s past and culture.
The city also has an advanced network of sidewalks and pedestrian-friendly streets, speed humps, and roundabouts. Savannah has many parks and green spaces, including Forsyth Park and the Savannah Riverwalk. It’s made up of many different neighborhoods and walking through these areas is a great way to explore the city and discover hidden gems.
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina is a highly walkable city due to its compact layout, historic architecture, and pedestrian-friendly streets. The city’s historic district is relatively small, making it easy for residents and visitors to walk to many destinations.
Charleston is home to many beautiful buildings and sites, such as the Battery and Rainbow Row, which are easily accessible by foot. With its mild climate, beautiful parks and green spaces, and distinct neighborhoods, walking through Charleston is a great way to experience the city’s rich history and culture.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe, New Mexico is a walkable city that offers visitors and residents a unique experience due to its distinct architecture, beautiful natural surroundings, and pedestrian-friendly streets.
The city’s compact and flat layout makes it easy to explore on foot, and many of the city’s most popular attractions, such as the historic Santa Fe Plaza and the Loretto Chapel, are easily accessible by walking.
Santa Fe’s adobe-style architecture and vibrant art scene add to the city’s charm, and walking through the city is a great way to experience its unique character. The city also boasts many beautiful parks and trails, such as the Santa Fe River Trail, which are easily accessible by foot.
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville is a charming and walkable city that is surrounded by the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. It is also known for its thriving arts and music scene, as well as its many craft breweries and restaurants.
The city’s compact and pedestrian-friendly downtown area is easily walkable and offers a variety of shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions, such as the Asheville Art Museum and the Thomas Wolfe Memorial.
The city has made significant investments in pedestrian infrastructure, including sidewalks, crosswalks, and pedestrian bridges, which make walking safe and comfortable.
Asheville’s mild climate and scenic surroundings also make it an ideal city for walking, with many hiking trails and natural areas located just a short walk from the city center. With its vibrant cultural scene, natural beauty, and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, Asheville is an excellent city for walking and exploring.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. is a highly walkable city celebrated for its well-planned streets and numerous historical monuments. The city’s layout, designed by Pierre L’Enfant, includes wide avenues, scenic circles, and open spaces that make walking both enjoyable and practical.
One of the standout features for walkers is the National Mall, an expansive green space that stretches from the Capitol Building to the Lincoln Memorial. This area is not only home to some of the country’s most iconic landmarks, such as the Washington Monument and various Smithsonian museums, but it also provides a quiet environment for leisurely strolls.
The city’s compact layout ensures that many attractions are within walking distance of each other, making it easy to explore different neighborhoods on foot.
Washington, D.C. offers an extensive public transportation system, including the Metro and a network of buses, which further enhances its walkability by providing convenient alternatives for longer distances.
The city’s commitment to pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, such as well-maintained sidewalks and crosswalks, ensures a safe and comfortable experience for walkers of all ages.
San Diego, California
San Diego offers a perfect blend of beautiful weather and scenic waterfront areas, making it an ideal city for walking. The pleasant climate allows for enjoyable walks year-round, with sunshine and mild temperatures encouraging outdoor exploration.
The city’s flat terrain and pedestrian-friendly streets enhance its walkability, allowing residents and visitors to comfortably navigate its diverse neighborhoods. Iconic areas like the Gaslamp Quarter and Balboa Park are particularly attractive for walkers.
Balboa Park, one of the largest urban cultural parks in the country, offers a mix of gardens, museums, and walking paths, providing a beautiful setting for leisurely strolls.
San Diego has also made significant investments in pedestrian infrastructure, including well-maintained sidewalks, pedestrian bridges, and traffic calming measures, which contribute to the overall safety and convenience for walkers.
Are You a Walking Enthusiast?
These cities all offer a unique and vibrant experience for women over 50 who are looking for a walkable city with plenty of cultural attractions and outdoor spaces to explore.
If your favorite walkable city did not make the list, it doesn’t mean that it is not a walkable city, it simply means that I could only fit a certain amount of cities into this article. I would love to hear about it though! You can tell us about it in the comments section.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
If you had to create a list of your five favorite walkable cities, which ones would you choose? Have you walked in any of the cities on this list? In your opinion, what makes a city walkable? Tell us about it in the comments below.
I also look for a good public transportation system when I travel to a walkable city. I’d rather not drive to see the sites Salt Lake City is a good place to explore
Hi! In New York, Central Park is a great place to walk. You can even cross through CP from the east to the west side.
I used to live in Boston and, yes, it’s very walkable! I live in L.A. now and, believe it or not, there are lots of places to walk, just much different than Boston because it’s so much bigger. There are lots of lovely/interesting neighborhoods to walk and trails right in the middle of the city that feel like they’re a million miles away from the urban sprawl.