Some of the nation’s top destinations are best experienced in active settings, whether you’re walking or jogging, pushing a stroller or cycling. You may be a fitness buff or just don’t want to be stuck in a car. Either way, for spring break plans or other vacations in 2014, these cities make you want to get out and stretch your legs.
Savannah
It's not a sprint in Savannah during spring break. Once you've checked into your hotel or bed-and-breakfast in downtown Savannah, the car can stay in park. Savannah's 22 squares and parks are meant for meandering, since they make up the largest National Historic District in the U.S. Walk underneath the mossy trees and on streets made of cobblestone or "tabby," a mix of concrete and shells. Take time to pause at monuments, mansions, antebellum architecture and landmarks such as the Forsyth Park Fountain, the unique ironwork and doorways along Gordon Row (Chatham Square), the spot where the "Forrest Gump" bus stop scenes were filmed (Chippewa Square) and the Mercer Williams House (Monterey Square), made famous in the book "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil." Pack a picnic, and if you're 21 or older, you can drink alcohol in the streets due to the open container law. The streets get crowded in Savannah, however, when the coastal city hosts the second-largest St. Patrick's Day Parade in the U.S., set for March 17 and expected to attract more than 300,000 revelers.
Savannah's setting has received recognition, named one of the 10 Most Beautiful Places in America by USA Weekend Magazine, and locals enjoy spotting familiar faces while socializing on foot. Strolling near Savannah College of Art and Design, you may see an artist at work, a fashion shoot or a band performing for free on the street. Walk along the cobblestone River Street, for souvenirs, food or just to watch the ships on the waterfront. For more shopping, check out the art galleries and eclectic shops in the restored warehouses and shops of City Market and boutiques and trendy retailers on Broughton Street. You can walk to attractions such as the Telfair Museum of Art and Lucas Theatre, and historic restaurants such as the Olde Pink House (Reynolds Square). Walkers can join those touring the city via trolley, horse-drawn carriage, streetcar and Segway. Tours are themed to the type of sites, such as cemeteries, gardens and African-American history, along with food and wine tours, ghost walks and a new venture, the Free Savannah Walking Tours, on Mondays-Saturdays.
Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce, 101 E. Bay St., Savannah. 912-644-6400, savannahchamber.com.
Free Savannah Walking Tours. 912-236-0387, freesavannahtours.com.
Newport, R.I.: Cliff Walk
Take the 3.5-mile walk along Rhode Island's eastern shore for its views of the Atlantic Ocean and Gilded Age waterfront mansions, such as the Breakers, and to experience the rocky shoreline, wildflowers and other local flora and fauna. The public access walkway was designated a National Recreation Trail in 1975, and it's the most visited attraction in Newport, which was founded in 1639. Damage from Hurricane Sandy in 2012 caused the most rocky and rugged section of the trail, which otherwise is smooth and paved, to be closed for reconstruction; it is expected to reopen later this year. Along the path, people walk, jog, run and stroll with their dogs, and evidence of the path's popularity among tourists includes hearing multiple languages. National Geographic Traveler named the walkway one of 50 Places of a Lifetime. You'll need to be prepared before journeying on Cliff Walk's trails. In early 2014, restrooms were being constructed but were not open, and there were no services or restaurants, except for at the beginning of Cliff Walk inside a luxury boutique hotel, the Chanler at Cliff Walk.
Discover Newport. 401-845-5800, DiscoverNewport.org.
Cliff Walk, cliffwalk.com.
Sanibel Island, Fla.: Beach Walk
Get ready to adopt the "Sanibel stoop" when walking on the beaches of Sanibel Island, a pristine barrier island in southwest Florida. It's hard to resist stopping and bending down to collect some of the biggest and most beautiful shells on the Florida beach, turning a leisurely beach walk into a treasure hunt. Sanibel and its neighbor, Captiva Island, are known for having some of the best shelling in the world. Magazines such as Travel & Leisure have named Sanibel a top spot for shelling, which means you don't want to forget a bucket, net bag or any type of sack for your stroll. From sunrise to sunset, you can choose from the stacks of shells that the ocean delivers daily to the shore. A walk along the quaint coastline helps people appreciate the island's natural beauty. Sanibel has an east-west orientation, and typically, larger shells are found on the western end, closer to Captiva, on beaches such as the Bowman's Beach, named in 2013 one of the top 10 beaches in the world by U.S. News Travel. On the island's eastern end, the beach walk leads to a lighthouse that was erected in 1884 when the Florida island was a nature preserve.
Sanibel & Captiva Island Visitor’s Center, 1159 Causeway Road, Sanibel Island, Fla. 239-472-1080, sanibel-captiva.org.
Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau, 2201 Second St., Suite 600, Fort Myers, Fla. 239-338-3500, FortMyers-Sanibel.com.
Chicago: Magnificent Mile Shopping
The challenge of walking Chicago's Michigan Avenue, known as the Magnificent Mile, is doing so without being bogged down by shopping bags. The stylish street encompasses about 460 stores, 275 restaurants, 60 hotels, five museums and more, attracting 20 million visitors annually. The 13-block avenue runs through downtown Chicago, from the Chicago River to Oak Street. Flagship stores, such as Crate & Barrel and Saks Fifth Avenue, have staked their spot on Michigan Avenue, joining other premier retailers, high-end boutiques, fine dining and casual restaurants, gardens, theaters and museums. Shoppers stroll past architectural sights and landmarks such as the DuSable Bridge, Wrigley Building, Tribune Tower, Drake Hotel, John Hancock Center and historic Water Tower, one of the only buildings to survive the Great Fire of 1871. Across from the Historic Water Tower, Water Tower Place was the country's first urban "vertical" mall, while the Shops at North Bridge District include a four-story upscale shopping center. Spring is one of the best times to enjoy the Magnificent Mile, instead of daring to stroll the famed street during Chicago's frigid, windy winter.
The Magnificent Mile and Greater North Michigan Avenue Association. 312-409-5560, themagnificentmile.com.
Chicago Visitors Information Center, 163 E. Pearson St., Chicago. choosechicago.com.
Las Vegas: Walking the Strip
The Las Vegas Strip has been memorialized in movies, but walking the Strip in real life is often a first stop for visitors. You'll catch views of the Strip when landing in Vegas, and the neon lights attract everyone from Vegas virgins to drunken tourists to families. The Strip, a 4-mile stretch on Las Vegas Boulevard, leads to the city's classic casinos, and the established and new hotels and resorts, shops, nightclubs and attractions. It's a spectacle you have to explore on foot, at least once. Of course, it's the only place where you will see an Eiffel Tower, Venetian canals, Roman palace, a pyramid and other landmarks all at once. The Strip's scene is changing, too. The High Roller, the world's largest observation wheel at 550 feet tall, is expected to open this spring as part of the LINQ, an outdoor entertainment, retail and dining district by Caesars Entertainment.
Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority, 3150 Paradise Road, Las Vegas. 702-892-0711, lvcva.com.
Austin, Texas: Cycling City
From amateurs to athletes, Austin is for cycling enthusiasts. The Texas town's rolling hills, abundant bike lanes and parks welcome those who want to explore the city on two wheels. The city in 2013 was named one of Bicycling Magazine's Top 20 Most Bike-Friendly Cities in America, and there's an array of bike shops (such as Mellow Johnny's Bike Shop, owned by Austin's Lance Armstrong) offering rentals and bike tours, and self-guided and hosted rides throughout the year. Drivers know to look out for cyclists on major roadways such as Loop 360, which has the arched Pennybacker Bridge. Dedicated bike lanes show downtown Austin's bike-friendly focus, and Zilker Metropolitan Park and Lady Bird Lake, formerly Towne Lake and on the Colorado River, offer ample areas to hop on a bicycle and enjoy the scenery. The cycling community is a strong force in Austin, and the city is creating more trails and bikeways for people. Challenging courses attract athletes training to Austin, which will host the Ironman 70.3 Austin Triathlon in October 2014 and the 2015 USA Cycling Cyclo-cross National Championships.
Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau, austintexas.org.
Austin Cycling Association, austincycling.org.
Washington, D.C.: National Mall
The crunch of gravel provides the soundtrack for folks walking along the National Mall, which runs from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial. The 2-mile boulevard in the center of Washington, D.C., and on the banks of the Potomac River attracts millions of people annually. You can take public transportation to the tree-lined Mall, then spend your day stopping at the free memorials, monuments and museums along the popular pathway. Major marches and protests have taken place on the Mall, which also hosts annual events such as the National Cherry Blossom Festival, from March 20-April 13. Joggers and walkers join folks touring the sights via Segway or on organized walking tours.
The National Mall offers a memorable history lesson, with access to the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, World War II Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, Korean War Veterans Memorial and Washington Monument. Stop into the 15 Smithsonian museums along the National Mall, such as the National Museum of Natural History, National Museum of American History, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Castle and National Gallery of Art. Besides, walking to the museums and memorials helps younger travelers burn some energy before being on their best behavior in areas where quiet reflection is needed.
National Park Service. 202-426-6841, nps.gov/nama/index.htm.
Destination D.C. 202-789-7000, washington.org.
About the Author
