6 Big Cities for the Outdoor ENTHUSIAST

If you love the city skyline as much as you love a natural landscape, you may be on the hunt for cities that offer both.  After all, there’s nothing better than being able to hit up fine dining followed by a short drive to the great outdoors.  The good news is that you don’t have to be a world-class traveler to get the best of both these worlds.  The United States has several great options for big cities that boast incredible outdoor activities.

Denver Delights

The metropolis of Denver has all the desired city features such as museums, historical buildings, fine dining, and shopping.  Explore the city hotspots like the Denver Art Museum, the Denver Botanic Gardens, or the Denver Museum of Natural Science.  

Combine this with some of Denver’s best dining options such as Bakery Four, Glo Noodle House, or one of Denver’s oldest restaurants, Buckhorn Exchange.  There are also many shopping areas in downtown Denver starting with LoDo (Lower Downtown) and Larimer Square and Union Station.  

However, once you’ve shopped your heart out, you're just a quick day trip away from the fresh mountain air and multiple ways to enjoy the outdoors.  Spend the day rock climbing the Red Rocks Mountain range followed by an outdoor concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre & Park in Morrison.  There are also a dozen Rocky Mountain ski resorts within a few hours’ drive from Denver. 

Salt Lake City Surprises

Salt Lake City is the largest city in Utah, but you need not look far to see a natural beauty that surrounds it.  One of the more notable day-trip destinations, Snowbird,  is less than thirty miles from downtown. The resort sits in Little Cottonwood Canyon and has year-round activities, including 4700 acres for skiing.  If you’re visiting in the summer, you can find the mountain coasters, trams, slides, rope courses, and more.

If you want to stay within the city limits, this majestic mountain town offers an abundance of shopping options topped off by divine dining.  Restaurants like Eva and Settebello Pizzeria Napoletana boast rave Google reviews, and both are within a short ten-minute stroll from shopping at City Creek Center.  There is also plenty of cultural destinations such as The Natural History Museum and religious sites like Temple Square and The Tabernacle.

Stunning San Francisco 

Mark Twain wrote “San Francisco is Paradise…”, and while it has changed vastly since Twain’s five-year stint in the “Golden City,” its steep hills are a stunning and iconic sight.  The Golden Gate Bridge and Fisherman's Wharf provide some great photo ops and family activities.  There’s indoor and outdoor dining and an array of unique shopping.  If you want a day on the bay, you can sign up for a cruise or enjoy the city’s museums.   

For a nice (and very doable) urban hike, consider Twin Peaks, which is the 2nd tallest peak in San Francisco.  Twin Peaks offers a unique view of the city, and the hike can usually be accomplished in under an hour.

Washington Wonder

Seattle is the largest city in Washington, but it also offers a beautiful landscape with Mount Rainier smiling proudly in the background.  You don’t have to leave the city to enjoy the outdoors, but you probably want to hit the road for the 60-mile drive out to Mount Rainier.  The Evergreen State also includes majestic glaciated lakes and a beautiful coastline just a short trip away from Seattle.  The Puget Sound is a little over an hour's drive that passes by several state parks on the way.

If you’re hoping to spend a day on the town, the Visit Seattle website shares many shopping destinations and dining options throughout the city.  Spend the day strolling through Pacific Place or Westlake Center downtown to satisfy your inner fashionista.  Follow it up with the highly rated bolognese dish at The Pink Door or the world-famous chowder from Pike’s Place Chowder.

Austin Adventures

A quick cruise along Lady Bird Lake (formerly known as Town Lake) reveals the perfect blend of outdoor adventures and big city living in Austin, Texas.  You can walk, drive, or even scooter your way through the streets of downtown to enjoy restaurants like Red Ash Italian Restaurant, or you can keep it Texas style with Cooper's Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que.  Follow your meal with a walk and shop down South Congress where you’ll find high-end shopping mixed with the quirky shops that represent a true Austin vibe.

When you’re ready for some outdoor recreation, rent a kayak or a paddle boat to explore Lady Bird Lake up close.  You can also enjoy a picnic in the green space at the nearby Zilker Park followed by a dip in the chilly Barton Springs.  All of this is right there in the city, but a short drive out of town takes you to explore McKinney Falls State Park with miles of trails and easy access to recreation areas for fishing.

Miami Magic

Does your idea of the great outdoors include the sandy beaches and deep sea fishing?  Miami might hit the spot with the perfect balance for beachgoers who also love the finer options big cities provide.  Enjoy the Cuban culture while dining in Miami with restaurants like Versailles Restaurant Cuban Cuisine. 

But, Cuban food isn’t the only food to enjoy.  Miami also has highly rated restaurants like the Peruvian eatery, CVI.CHE 105 Downtown, or the Argentinian Baires Grill.  Shopping is not hard to find with shopping pockets of downtown Miami like Mary Brickell Village which includes a plethora of trendy stores.

Of course, enjoying the great outdoors in Miami isn’t hard.  The beach is a quick drive, or even walk, away from most hotels, but the beach isn’t the only way to enjoy the outdoors in Miami.  Take a side trip to Oleta River State Park or Everglades National Park for hiking, site seeing, and water activities like kayaking and fishing. 

Plan Your Trip

The next time you’re faced with the tough vacation options of city life versus the great outdoors, consider combining the two. Make it a perfect mix with the many big cities in the United States that offer outdoor activities to quench your thirst for adventure.