10 vacation cities without cars

As a West Coast favorite, Seattle is both walkable and full of things to keep you busy. Begin your journey with a kayak tour of Elliott Bay, then head to Pike Place to sample local delicacies from various food stalls and stroll through the handicraft shops. Be sure to hang out at the Pike Place Fish Market and wait for the fish to be thrown.

If sightseeing is on your to-do list, be sure to stop at the Seattle Space Needle and Seattle Aquarium. The public transportation system is extensive, including buses, light rails, monorails, street cars and shared bicycles.

If you want a nature-themed resort outside the city center, you can visit the Discovery Park, a 534-acre park full of hiking and biking trails. The plan is to spend US$156 per day, of which US$94 is spent on accommodation.

This is an obvious choice for any traveler looking for the ultimate urban journey. The Big Apple is most suitable for walking and public transportation, including the famous subway system and extensive bus system.

Experience the complete New York experience along the window shops of Fifth Avenue (Louis Vuitton, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci), or spend a few days exploring the ultra-fashionable art scene of Brooklyn and the diverse food scene of Queens.

Want to take a short trip along the coast? Go to Coney Island to enjoy a carnival-style beach trip.

You can expect to spend approximately US$239 per person per day, of which US$137 is spent on accommodation budgets. Expedia has a long list of hotels that allows you to easily control your budget.

Another expensive but worth visiting destination this summer is the city by the bay. Some people will argue that the only way to see San Francisco is to walk-be sure to bring the right shoes (see: Big Hills) and sweaters just in case. It may be gloomy in summer.

There are street art by world-renowned muralists, alley cafes and vast green parks everywhere. In terms of walkability, this is an unsurpassed city.

There is also an extensive bus system, including traditional and electric vehicles. The famous cable car is not just a novelty. Three routes can take you to various popular attractions in the city, including Fisherman’s Wharf and Union Square.

Stay at the pier, Pier 39 or the ferry building for a while to get a panoramic view of San Francisco Bay. The Ferry Building has a farmers’ market every week, but it is also the place where ferries carry people across the bay. A lovely trip.

Consider cycling across the Golden Gate Bridge. Your daily expenses in San Francisco are approximately US$172 per person, of which a hotel or Airbnb costs approximately US$103.

If the East Coast calls you this summer, go to Boston for a vacation. Spend a day strolling along the historic Freedom Trail, watching a game at Fenway Park, then strolling along Newbury Street and shopping.

Don’t miss the impromptu food tour at Faneuil Hall, and set aside some time to explore the beautiful grounds of Boston Garden.

Boston has a comprehensive public transportation system, including subways and buses. Take the subway, the so-called subway, through the city and into the suburbs. You can also rent bicycles for the day.

Book a longer trip? Take the train to Cambridge, travel to more cities, and explore the town and Harvard on foot. Plan to spend approximately US$202 per day on your trip, of which US$132 is spent on accommodation. Save even more by booking an Airbnb in Cambridge or Revere.

A trip to the national capital is a great way to spend your next vacation, especially if you are a museum lover.

You can spend a whole day visiting the Smithsonian Museum, the National Gallery, and even the International Spy Museum. Design your own city walking tour and visit attractions such as the National Mall, Lincoln Memorial, and even the American Botanic Garden.

There are many ways to reach these stops, and you will never miss a car or worry about DC parking. This is definitely a walking town, but there are scooter and bicycle sharing programs and an extensive bus and subway system.

Hire a kayak or paddle board on the Georgetown waterfront, or visit the many wineries, wineries, and of course the axe throwing grounds near Ivy City. It is estimated to spend approximately US$155 per person (per day), and Airbnb has a budget of US$91.

Burlington may not be your first vacation destination this summer, but it is certainly worth considering. Burlington is located on the east shore of Lake Champlain and is a great summer place for various water activities, including fishing, sailing, and even historic boat trips.

There is a bus system and a free shuttle from the University of Vermont to the lake.

There are integrated bicycle paths throughout the city, you can easily ride a bike or walk for a whole day, and the streets are full of food trucks, high-end shopping stores and lots of live music. Plan to budget at least US$134 per day to stay in Burlington VRBO.

This capital city on the west coast is a great place to travel in the summer-not just because the world-famous Powell Bookstore offers endless beach books. Packed with incredible dining experiences (don’t miss the food trucks on Fifth Avenue), breweries, and even the forests of the entire city (see: Forest Park), you are unlikely to be bored in Portland.

Explore the city by bus, light rail, streetcar and bicycle. There are many hiking trails and trails around the town.

If you are of the “stop and smell the roses” type, be sure to do so at the International Rose Test Garden. Whatever you do-don’t leave without trying at least one of the city’s many eclectic doughnut bakeries. You should expect to spend approximately US$136 a day in Portland, of which at least US$76 goes to Airbnb.

Another great city that doesn’t need cars? Minneapolis.

The city is not only very suitable for walking, but its well-developed bike paths also make it a cyclist’s dream. Cycling across the picturesque stone arch bridge, or chasing some waterfalls, spend a day cycling or hiking Minnehaha Falls.

If you want to experience the atmosphere of the city, be sure to spend some time exploring the famous Minneapolis Institute of Art and shopping for all the souvenirs at the world-famous American Mall.

To truly understand the city and satisfy all your food cravings, be sure to book one of these highly rated food tours. The budget for accommodation in Minneapolis is at least US$164 per day, and about US$100 in a room in one of these downtown hotels.

Each city has its own unique history, but few people can be as proud of as Philadelphia. From Independence Hall to the Liberty Bell, to the impressive architecture (dare we say creepy?) Eastern State Penitentiary-Philadelphia is a history buff’s dream.

If you like museums, please do not leave the city without visiting the American Revolution Museum and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

To get a different artistic experience, you must stop at the Magic Garden in Philadelphia, where there is an outdoor labyrinth with folk art and mosaic paintings. Last but not least, be sure to set aside some time in Northeast Philadelphia and Fish Town to taste some epic cuisine. Buses, trains and trams can take you wherever you want.

You should plan to spend approximately US$151 per day, of which US$95 goes to hotels or Airbnb.

Florida brings heat in the summer, but perhaps one of the best places to stay cool is Key West, which is a famous island city and part of the Florida Keys.

Key West can be reached by a flight to the local airport, which has direct flights to Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Charlotte, North Carolina and other places. If you are interested in water adventures, you can fly to Fort Myers (a larger airport with more services) and take the Key West Express high-speed ferry. It takes about 3.5 hours, but you can relax with a cocktail in hand.

After arriving in Key West, the tram plus bicycle and scooter rental will take you where you want to go. Duval Street and the surrounding area are very walkable.

In addition to hanging out at Higgs or Smathers beaches (which you absolutely should do) and to the shops and bars of Duval Street and Mallory Square, there are plenty of activities to keep you busy in this tropical paradise.

Visit the famous Hemingway home and museum or visit Truman’s Little White House. This oasis also has a lot of beautiful parks, lush gardens, and of course a lot of water sports. For this trip, you need to plan to spend approximately $170 per day, of which at least $106 is spent on hotels or Airbnb.

You can have no car

When visiting urban destinations, traveling without a car will surely save you some money (and the headaches associated with parking)-but this is only part of smarter travel.

Be sure to book your trip as early as possible to lock in the best price, and check out our other guides on earning credit card points and saving money while traveling.

The writer Larissa Runkle specializes in finance, real estate and lifestyle topics. She is a regular contributor to The Penny Hoarder.