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This West Coast city was just named the most walkable in the U.S.

Seattle came out on top

By Amanda Teague Published August 9, 2025

aerial view of seattle — Willian Justen de Vasconcellos / Pexels

A new study has just revealed America’s most walkable cities, and Seattle claims the top spot. In an era where travel trends are shifting toward convenience, budget-friendliness, and wellness, walking vacations are on the rise. According to Google search data, “walking vacation” queries are up 29% and “staycation” searches have climbed 13% over the last quarter. In response, footwear brand FitFlop released its first-ever U.S. Walkability Index, analyzing which cities are best explored on foot.

The index ranked 30 major U.S. cities based on several pedestrian-friendly factors: distance, time, elevation gain, and step count between the city’s top five attractions, along with its overall Walk Score. Seattle came out on top thanks to its compact layout and relatively low-effort walking routes. Major attractions like the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden and Glass, and Pike Place Market are all within a 1.4-mile radius, ideal for a day of sightseeing without needing a car or public transit. The city’s moderate elevation and a solid Walk Score of 74.4 sealed its status as the most walkable city in the country.

Jersey City and Boston follow closely behind

Coming in second is Jersey City, New Jersey, a rising favorite for walkers. With a Walk Score of 86.6, flat terrain, and only 3.5 miles between its top attractions, it’s a fairly compact area. Visitors can explore Liberty State Park, take in views of the Statue of Liberty, and visit the Empty Sky 9/11 Memorial, all while enjoying Downtown’s restaurants and nightlife.

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Boston, Massachusetts takes third place with its rich historical landscape and famously walkable layout. The Freedom Trail connects 16 historic landmarks across the city, while Fenway Park and Boston Common offer memorable detours.

While classic walking hubs like New York City and Chicago still ranked well, landing at #6 and #9, respectively, this year’s list shines a light on other cities perfect for travelers who prefer to explore one step at a time.

The top 10 most walkable cities in the U.S.

Seattle, WA
Jersey City, NJ
Boston, MA
Washington, D.C.
Newark, NJ
New York, NY
Philadelphia, PA
Baltimore, MD
Chicago, IL
San Francisco, CA

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Amanda, an accomplished freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio, is a dedicated explorer of both the world and the written word…

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