9 Most Walkable Town Centers In The United States
Travelling by plane, train, or car can be convenient, but the best way to really get to know a new destination is to explore it on foot. The towns on the list below have walkable, well-connected town centers and are also packed with things to see and do, all within walking distance of one another!
In Williamsburg, Virginia, you can stroll through the world's largest living history museum before catching dinner at an 18th-century market center with a vast variety of vendors. In Telluride, Colorado, you can learn about mining history before strolling to a western-style saloon for a nightcap. And in Lake Placid, New York, you can enjoy a day at the beach and learn everything there is to know about the Olympics, all without needing a car.
So bring your walking shoes and let's take a tour of the nine most walkable town centers in the United States.
Burlington, Vermont
Beautiful Burlington sits on the shores of Lake Champlain, has mountains framing the horizon, and has an incredibly walkable downtown. Church Street Marketplace is at the heart of the town center and spans four blocks of pedestrian-only brick-paved streets, housing over 75 local shops, restaurants, and cafes. Leunig’s Bistro, on the corner of College Street and Church Street, is one of the oldest, continually operating restaurants in the Church Street Marketplace, specializing in classic French dishes.
From here, head east to walk along College Street before turning right onto Lake Street, where you will reach Waterfront Park. This community space is a great place to go for a bike ride along the water or learn about local history via informational plaques. On a summer day, it's a perfect place for kayak and canoe rentals. Or, if you're winding down, stay to watch the sunset on a swinging bench on the boardwalk.
Galena, Illinois
Walking through the streets of Galena feels like stepping back in time, with well-preserved 19th-century buildings housing dozens of local shops, restaurants, and historical landmarks. Fuel up before you start exploring town by getting something to eat at Blaum Bros. Public House, a gastropub that embodies Galena’s charm with its upscale pub fare, handcrafted cocktails, and late-night live music. Across the road, stop by Earth’s Treasures for handmade jewelry and natural minerals such as geodes, crystals, and fossils.
Venture further up North Main Street and veer onto Diagonal Street, and you will find the Dowling House, one of the region’s oldest buildings, originally constructed in 1826. Between May and October, visitors can tour the building and view original fireplaces, antique furniture, and other early artifacts.
Stillwater, Minnesota
Stillwater, a historic town regarded as the birthplace of Minnesota, has a thriving culinary scene and over 50 boutique stores, art galleries, wineries, and breweries. Begin exploring town at the Stillwater Lift Bridge, a historic lift bridge that closed to cars in 2017 and is now open only to pedestrians and bicycles. If you want to cross off another state on your stay, this bridge connects Minnesota to Wisconsin.
From the bridge, head toward town and you'll see Leo’s Grill and Malt Shop, a 40s and 50s themed restaurant with a full menu of flat top burgers, classic sandwiches, and hand-blended malts and milkshakes. Going north from Leo’s along the St. Croix Scenic Byway is the Stillwater Antiques Mall, a great place to browse the offerings of over 60 dealers, including vintage furniture, decorations, art, and more.
Camden, Maine
Camden is a four-season coastal town in Maine, making it perfect for exploring on foot year-round. Begin your adventure through town at Harbor Park, perfectly situated between the shore and Main Street, making it a great place to take in views of the harbor and its waterfront and to easily access more of what downtown Camden has to offer.
You can get your seafood fix at Cuzzy’s Restaurant, just south of the park along Bay View Street. Here, locals and travelers take advantage of daily happy hour specials on food, drinks, and free pool. Several other restaurants with views of the Megunticook River are along this street, as well. If you're looking for some art to take home, continue south on Bay View and you'll see Page Gallery, Harbor Square Gallery, and Carver Hill Gallery all within about one block. There's something in these galleries for everyone, with paintings as diverse as Maine’s unique landscape.
Telluride, Colorado
Nestled in a box canyon within Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, Telluride is a compact and beautifully scenic town. Start your journey on the north side of downtown by learning about the city's mining heritage at the Telluride Historical Museum, which features ten themed rooms, a gallery of rotating exhibits, and a gift shop. From here, walk down Fir Street until you reach Colorado Avenue and stop at the Gold Mountain Gallery, which displays the works from a selection of talented artists that appear in a variety of different mediums, including fine art, photography, and jewelry.
Colorado Avenue is a main thoroughfare here, with numerous places to rent outdoor gear or stock up on a mountain-themed souvenir. Just a block west of the Gold Mountain Gallery is the Western-style and local-favorite Floradora Saloon, where you can enjoy burgers, salads, steaks, and a full bar.
Cape May, New Jersey
Cape May is a small seaside city located on the southern tip of New Jersey’s Cape May Peninsula, making it perfect for walking around. Start your adventure in Cape May by taking time to explore the Washington Street Mall, a three-block pedestrian-only outdoor mall packed with restaurants and unique shops like Cape Atlantic Book Company, which specializes in books, games, and puzzles.
Afterwards, head northeast to cross Decatur Street and continue on Washington Street to visit the Museum of Fine Arts and Popular Culture, which features over 190 works ranging from Victorian art to contemporary surrealism. Just across the street is the longtime frozen custard chain, Kohr Brothers Frozen Custard, where you can sample their array of frozen treats, including shakes, sundaes, and malts.
Williamsburg, Virginia
Williamsburg is a historic city in Virginia known for its Colonial-era architecture, which takes visitors on a walk through America’s history. Start your journey through history at Colonial Williamsburg's Merchants Square, an 18th-century retail village home to 42 restaurants and shops. This is also the site of special events, such as sidewalk sales, outdoor concerts, and farmers' markets.
From the square, walk south on Henry Street and turn east onto Francis Street, continuing until you reach Colonial Williamsburg, the world's largest living history museum. Comprising 301 acres, visitors can explore original buildings, homes, reconstructed shops and gardens, view rare animal breeds, watch historical reenactments, and much more.
Sonoma, California
Sonoma is situated in the center of the Sonoma Valley wine region and is home to the largest plaza in California, Sonoma Plaza, which also serves as a great starting point for wandering through town. The plaza spans eight acres and features a park, picnic areas, and a duck pond where visitors can relax, and is also surrounded by a variety of restaurants.
The Girl and the Fig is a favorite spot among locals and is adjacent to the plaza. It serves a blend of country food with French flair, with highlights on the menu including steak tartare and duck confit. Numerous wineries surround the area as well. Continue either direction along 1st Street, and you'll come across places like Obsidian Wine Co., auteur Wines, and Hawkes Wine, each waiting to share their unique wines with passersby. For an artistic stop, the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art is located on Broadway, steps from the plaza, and displays rotating exhibits of contemporary and modern art.
Lake Placid, New York
Although Lake Placid is nestled in the Adirondack Mountains of New York, the town itself is incredibly walkable and full of things to do and see. Main Street is full of unique shopping experiences, restaurants, access to the outdoors, and homages to the town's Winter Olympic heritage.
Start your day in Lake Placid at Origin Coffee Company, which offers an expansive menu of espresso and pour-over coffee, as well as light snacks like paninis, soups, and baked goods. Further up Main Street is the Lake Placid Olympic Museum, which tells the story of the town's Olympic legacy through multimedia exhibits and sports memorabilia. Lake Placid Public Beach allows for access to Mirror Lake on the next street over, Parkside Drive. This sandy beach, right in the heart of the town center, allows swimming and the use of non-motorized watercraft.
The Most Walkable Town Centers
The infrastructures of the United States’ small towns make for some incredibly walkable town centers. From pedestrian-only town squares and outdoor shopping malls to cities that have preserved historic architecture, there are countless stops to make in these strollable areas. Some of these towns are nestled in the mountains and may be off the beaten path, but once you arrive, they are walker-friendly. Regardless of which of these towns you choose to visit, you will not have to travel far to enjoy what they have to offer.
