Hiking Through America: Walking Tours in 5 Great Cities

Trekking through a city offers a fun and healthful experience, yet also allows for you to learn about the fascinating history of a city and its neighborhoods.  Walking tours are organized by both private companies and civic organizations. Typically, you simply show up at the announced time and place with your walking shoes and a modest fee (though, sometimes it’s free.)  Take a look at the tours offered in these five cities, grab your walking shoes, and go:

1. New York. The Big Apple literally has hundreds of available walking tours. In fact, all of the five boroughs may have dozens of tours each. Central Park - Manhattan’s “collective backyard” and one of the city’s most popular destinations - is actually the largest man-made work of art in the city, featuring Belvedere Castle, the Ramble and Bow Bridge. Other interesting New York walking tours include Harlem, Brooklyn Heights (and the Brooklyn Bridge,) Chinatown (largest in the Western Hemisphere,) Greenwich Village, Times Square, the Bowery and a Gangs of New York tour. And don’t miss the “Multi-ethnic Eating Tour” offered by Big Onion Walking Tours.



2. Portland. Portland Walking Tours offers an award winning “Best of Portland” walk lasting 2 ½ hours.  It winds through an enlightened city rich with artwork, parks, bridges, fountains, microbreweries and an unending stream of coffee shops. Portland is so progressive it actually has a free, public electric car charging station. Other tours feature Underground Portland, a Pearl District tour and an “Epicurean Excursion.” (Every city wants to feed you its special cuisine.) We’re sure that somewhere, there are a few microbrewery tours, since Portland is famous for its liquid assets.



3. Boston. One of the most significant historical American cities, Boston is loaded with tours of such things as Paul Revere’s ride, Boston Common, the Boston Massacre site, Faneuil Hall and the Boston Tea Party.  The Freedom trail is a 3 mile, self guided walking tour that’s easy to take - just follow the red line painted on the sidewalk.  This tour will take you past sixteen sites of historical interest.



4. Colonial Williamsburg. This one-time capital of Virginia includes a 301-acre Historic Area with hundreds of restored, reconstructed, and historically furnished buildings. Costumed interpreters tell the stories of the men and women of the original 18th-century city.  It’s a perfect place for a family vacation, since its many tours are wonderful history lessons about America’s founding.



5. Austin. The capital of Texas is one of the most culturally rich and diverse cities in the country, combining modern skyscrapers with ornate 19th century buildings. Walking tours let you visit turn-of-the-century neighborhoods, state landmarks and museums, or follow the tracks of cattle barons, outlaws, gamblers and famous lawmen. Don’t miss tours of Austin’s culinary delights, featuring Tex-Mex and barbeque restaurants. And don’t forget: This is the home of Austin City Limits, a television series about the amazing musicians who make their home in Austin.

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