austine

I have some frequent flier miles I have to use and plan to go somewhere in the US in the spring time. Can anyone suggest a good walking city that I could go to and would not need a car? I'm looking for good shopping, eating and site seeing. I'm from NY so I am looking for some place different than NYC. Are there any other cites in the US like NYC? That's the kind of vibe I am looking for. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

wantsomesun

and Boston, New Orleans, Baltimore, Washington, Charleston, Savanah. I'd go to New Orleans, great place to visit.

WillTravel

San Francisco is not the same as NYC, but it's a fabulous walking city.

Anonymous

Well, it would be a total waste of FF miles to use them for Boston or Philadelphia, or even DC.

IMHO, NYC is absolutely unique and no other city in the US is quite like it and anyway, why would you want to vacation in a place that's just like the one you come from? So I'd go along with the nominations for SF and New Orleans, which are both great cities that you can explore without a car, though their "vibes" are completely different from NY's.

SB_Travlr

It's not in the US -- but we are just back from a wonderful weekend in Quebec City. (Trip report posted yesterday on Canada board.)

It's the oldest city on the continent, with a distinctly French vibe. Safe, walkable, scenic -- and good food everywhere you look. We loved it. The nearest thing to "abroad" without an overnight flight.

dweebe

What about Chicago? I always ditch my car when there.

rjw_lgb_ca

Depends on the time in spring. San Francisco would probably have the best weather of the cities mentioned, although they do have an actual "spring" up there. Chicago, depending on the month, can have its weather turn on a dime from spring back to winter. However, it's a great town.

Between Chicago and SF, it depends on you. Chicago has a closer "feel" to NYC. SF is urban, but the vibe, as mentioned before, is 100% different.

aquaman

Of the major US cities, Boston is easily the best walking city. It is tight and compact and with its tiny one-way streets, a car is almost a detriment here.

DC, Chicago and New Orleans are also great places where no car is necessary.

I disagree with the others about San Francisco. It is beautiful and has great weather, but with the hills and large distances from various points of interest (Golden Gate Park, GG Bridge, Castro, Haight-Ashbury, Fisherman's, etc.) I found a car to be pretty essential.

J_Correa

I think SF is great without a car. The transit system is pretty good, so you can take buses and lightrail pretty much anywhere you want to go. In my experience, lack of parking makes being in SF without a car much more fun.

Heartburn3

San Francisco would be a great use of your FF miles and it is a great walking city. I was there for part of a day and someday I will go back for several days or even a week. The transportation is great, cable cars, the boat to Sausalito was great, etc. You won't be bored. Wherever you decide to go, have a great time!

TedTurner

You'll not find the NYC vibe anywhere else in the US, so wherever you go set your expectations realistically.
That said, Chicago and SF offer the best big city experiences in the US IMO, each quite different from the other. Chicago has more of an east coast feel than SF, and is the most walkable of the big cities.

cedar

Portland Oregon...it is glorious in the Spring...abundant blossoms and flowers everywhere. Portland is a great walking town and has a great mass transit system. Amtrak fares from Portland are cheap to Seattle, also.

treebw

I agree with aquaman, I don't think I'd go to SF without my car. Too much to see and do that's not right there.
I loved not having a car in Seattle though. I did rent one for one day to drive around the Olympic Peninsula, but otherwise we just walked. Vwey friendy and clean city. Lots to see and do.

dean56

I recommend either New Orleans or Chicago. Both cities offer attractions that are fairly close to one another, and both offer good public transportation. Although San Francisco is a good city for walking along the wharf, the entire bay area offers so much to do and see, you're cheating yourself if you don't rent a car.

al

Aquaman is right on -- Boston is a great walking city. I know because I did it earlier this summer, and I'm from NY.

Boston is nice and compact and there's plenty of shops, department stores, restaurants, bars, ice cream places, etc. to keep your interest. Make sure you put Newbury Street in your plans, and if you fit the Freedom Trail into your walk and you'll even learn a little American history along the way.

GoTravel

Two places that haven't been mention that would be offbeat and fun would be Key West and South Beach.

Kal

Chicago, DC, SF, NOLA, San Diego.
The best way to see a city!
Santa Fe was pretty darn nice too.
Loved the Freedom Trail in BeanTown
Kal

sunshine

We walk everywhere in San Francisco and have never needed a car.

Daniel_Williams

Hi Austine,

I don't own a car and don't like renting a car when I'm in a city, so wherever I go, you could too. Certainly DC, Philly, Boston are great walking cities...although I'm not sure I'd want to use my frequent flier miles for those, living in NYC.

Pittsburgh and Baltimore have plenty of interesting places to walk to as well, although things are considerably quieter in these 2. Again, maybe too close to use FF miles.

Canadian cities may be worth looking at, for a different feel. Every Canadian city I've been to is very walkable, each of which has its own charm: Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Quebec City, Halifax.

btp2

I know you're looking for a US city, but London is the closest city I've found to NY in terms of size and abundance of things to do. The Underground shuts down at midnight and of course there's a lot more history there, so the vibe is a bit different, but aside from that you definitely get the feeling of being in a humongous city with endless things to do.