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2019 Best Cities for Outdoor Activities in AmericaAbout this List

Explore the best cities for outdoor activities based on weather, air quality, and access to parks, forests, and recreational opportunities. Ranking based on data from the U.S. Census, NOAA, and other sources. Read more on how this ranking was calculated.

1 – 25 of 231
Outdoor Activities
231 results

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  1. Portland

    • City in Oregon
    • 895 reviews
    #1 Best Cities for Outdoor Activities in America

    Current Resident: Portland has been growing and changing over the last 10 years. There are way more events and activities throughout the city. Small local business have expanded and become staples of the city. The city pretty great! However, certain communities are struggling, and gentrification in the city hasn't subsided much since the 70s. And, rent is stupid ridiculous. The city has potential to be something incredible but like most of the country there are some political and social issues that need more attention.
    Read 895 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Outdoor Activities
    • 630,331 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  2. Seattle

    • City in Washington
    • 692 reviews
    #2 Best Cities for Outdoor Activities in America

    Current Resident: Seattle is a small town big city. Chances are you will know everyone (at least through someone/common connections). We have amazing food, awesome coffee, and great universities. We have professional sports teams of all variety, and soon even a hockey team! We have one of the best public transit systems in the states including busses, trains, trolleys, and even a monorail! Seattle is a booming tech capital and has some of the biggest companies in the world. Capitol Hill is super fun for bar hopping. There are some fun family activities, parks all over, and many fantastic sites to see. There is always something new to do in here. Once you visit most don't want to leave!
    Read 692 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A-
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Outdoor Activities
    • 688,245 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  3. Los Angeles

    • City in California
    • 1,125 reviews
    #3 Best Cities for Outdoor Activities in America

    Current Resident: Overall, there is no other place I would want to live in at the moment. However, it is sad to see the amount of homelessness in large cities like Los Angeles. The overall diversity of the city is great, but some areas definitely need to be cleaned up more, such as certain parts in downtown. It is nice to have so many different areas to travel to many different cultures and experiences, such as Santa Monica, Olvera Street, and Downtown. The weather is constantly a 10/10 and there are so many beaches along the coast to visit. The location of Los Angeles is also perfect because we are only a short drive from snow and the desert!
    Read 1,125 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • C
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Outdoor Activities
    • 3,949,776 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  4. New York City

    • City in New York
    • 1,073 reviews
    #4 Best Cities for Outdoor Activities in America

    Current Resident: NYC is a diverse and lively community with hundreds of places to visit with friends and family. Each borough has its own unique features that attract a lot of people each year, such as Coney Island in Brooklyn or the Botanical Gardens in the Bronx. When in Manhattan, there are so many places you can go to and there's a little bit of something for everyone! Macy's in Herald Square for the shoppers, Taiyaki NYC (which are known for their fish-shaped waffle cones! Definitely recommend it!) for food-lovers, and the Whitney for museum-goers (to name a few). There's always a lot of traffic wherever you go, so if you want to explore the concrete jungle, walking is the way to do it. And for the perfect instagram post of the city, the viewpoint from the Brooklyn Bridge is a good option.
    Read 1,073 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Outdoor Activities
    • 8,560,072 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  5. Bellevue

    • City in Washington
    • 102 reviews
    #5 Best Cities for Outdoor Activities in America

    Current Resident: I love Bellevue because of all it has to offer. You have the city life, a 30 min drive from incredible hiking, or if you travel the opposite way you're at the beach. The neighborhoods are safe, well kept up, and a great amount of diverse restaurants to try. The schools are wonderful and the people are even better. With so many different fields of work from medical to tech and everything in between there is plenty of job opportunity. Bellevue will be my forever home!
    Read 102 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Outdoor Activities
    • 139,014 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  6. San Jose

    • City in California
    • 854 reviews
    #6 Best Cities for Outdoor Activities in America

    Current Resident: I like that San Jose has a lot of boba places and plazas filled with cuisine from many different cultures. There are an abundant amount of things you can do around here, but would have to drive a couple miles to get to any large malls, sport gyms, etc. At night, there isn’t much to do since most stores, food places are closed. I’d say most teenagers/ adults go to milk tea “bars” since they’re like a night club at night haha. The public schools here are very nice and clean. They vary quite a bit in education and student population, but are all very good schools for your kids to attend! There can be a lot of competition academically, but it encourages your kid to work harder and strive to study better!
    Read 854 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Outdoor Activities
    • 1,023,031 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  9. Boston

    • City in Massachusetts
    • 588 reviews
    #7 Best Cities for Outdoor Activities in America

    Current Resident: I love Boston because it is one of most beautiful cities in the world. There is so much love and pride citywide, especially because our sports teams are AMAZING! We truly are the CITY OF CHAMPIONS. However, I wish there was more integration geographically speaking. The Italians live in the North End, the Irish live in South Boston, African Americans live in Mattapan, the list goes on. I wish that my extremely racially diverse city would integrate themselves more so we can all become more culturally and socially aware.
    Read 588 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • C
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Outdoor Activities
    • 669,158 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  10. Irvine

    • City in California
    • 359 reviews
    #8 Best Cities for Outdoor Activities in America

    Current Resident: Irvine, ranked one of the safest cities in America, is also a master-planned community, which allows all residents easy access to parks, hiking trails, and shopping centers. Furthermore, Irvine has seen an increase in new developments in the past decade, so most houses that are being sold are recent constructions. It also boasts an education system that prides itself on rigor and quality. Living in Irvine means everything is nearby, usually within walking distance, which promotes developing a healthy lifestyle and attending all the exciting community events that Irvine has to offer.
    Read 359 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Outdoor Activities
    • 256,877 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  11. Cambridge

    • City in Massachusetts
    • 74 reviews
    #9 Best Cities for Outdoor Activities in America

    Current Resident: Everything about Cambridge is great! It's a very pretty city with remarkable history. It has one of the best colleges in the world; Harvard, which helped the city to be highly educated, even if they weren't Harvard students. There’s a significant number of highly intellectual people all around. Also, the city is rich in museums & galleries that encompasses a significant number historical artifacts & valuable knowledge. I also love how clean and environment friendly the city is. Plastic bags are prohibited & paper ones are charged to minimize waste. Recycling is really emphasized. Restaurants & cafes are endless! There are many highly reviewed places that are worth traveling to. Shopping is great at Cambridge! There are unlimited shopping options and there are many vintage and hand-made gift stores all around. People are nice and super friendly. The MBTA works well in Cambridge and connect it to the greater city of Boston, which makes commuting much easier.
    Read 74 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Outdoor Activities
    • 110,893 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  12. Oakland

    • City in California
    • 356 reviews
    #10 Best Cities for Outdoor Activities in America

    Current Resident: Oakland is a diverse, resilient, and vibrant community. The city’s love for art and social justice is evident- there are murals on every block! Folks instill the beauty and power of art into their children and build social gatherings around it (i.e. Oakland Art & Wine Festival, Mural Festivals, Art Walks, and more!). It can be expensive to live here. The Tech Bubble has yet to burst, and unfortunately many Natives are slowly being pushed out farther and farther into the East Bay. Still, the folks who remain here aren’t going down without a fight. They support local businesses and they care deeply about EVERYONE in their city. They are the nicest people you will ever meet.
    Read 356 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • C
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Outdoor Activities
    • 417,442 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  13. Kent

    • City in Washington
    • 165 reviews
    #11 Best Cities for Outdoor Activities in America

    Current Resident: I really like living in Kent. Kent Station, the train station, is a really great place to hang out; it has shops, cafes, restaurants, and a movie theater. We are close enough to bigger cities like Seattle and Tacoma that we can go without too much trouble, yet we are within a couple minutes’ drive of quaint country towns, picturesque farms, and beautiful views of Mount Rainier. There are plenty of parks near by and good places to enjoy nature’s beauty. One of my favorite parts is that the weather is milder than many other places; we don’t get too hot like the South, we don’t get too muggy like the East Coast, and we don’t have as harsh of a winter as the Mid-West.
    Read 165 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Outdoor Activities
    • 126,561 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  14. Vancouver

    • City in Washington
    • 319 reviews
    #12 Best Cities for Outdoor Activities in America

    Current Resident: I am a native Vancouverite, and have witnessed many changes in my hometown due to inevitable growth. What I love about my city is the beauty first and foremost. Mountains, rivers, beaches, desert, we have it all! Sadly, too many people are moving here which is causing a housing shortage and escalating rent prices. With all the building, the pastures and its inhabitants are disappearing and the wildlife is becoming displaced. But it is happening everywhere, so I choose to stay in my beautiful city and enjoy all the new shops, restaurants, pubs and wineries that growth creates.
    Read 319 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B-
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Outdoor Activities
    • 171,393 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  15. Berkeley

    • City in California
    • 134 reviews
    #13 Best Cities for Outdoor Activities in America

    Current Resident: Berkeley is a wonderful city full of an interesting, open-minded and intelligent group of people. The city is very culturally diverse and open to accepting anyone from anywhere. The food scene is to die for and if organically grown is what you live by, look no further than Berkeley grocery stores, farmers markets and more. One small down side would be the lack of club life (for the younger folks), there are however many perfectly adequate bars as well a little college student scene on Telegraph Avenue. Overall, I highly recommend living here or going to school here if accepted!
    Read 134 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Outdoor Activities
    • 120,179 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  16. Tacoma

    • City in Washington
    • 362 reviews
    #14 Best Cities for Outdoor Activities in America

    Current Resident: Tacoma is one of the most diverse cities in our state and I love it! We are blessed to have clean water, clean air, and moderate temperature. Like most places there are good areas and bad areas. The public school district needs work but Tacoma is unique in the fact that it funds a public Art School (Tacoma School of the Arts), public math and science Institute (SAMI), and an engineering/design/architecture school (IDEA) for high school students. This city is changing rapidly as the housing market is exploding. But it is also progressive when it comes to clean energy and renewable resources. Tacoma is beautiful, and will forever be my home.
    Read 362 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Outdoor Activities
    • 207,280 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  17. Costa Mesa

    • City in California
    • 116 reviews
    #15 Best Cities for Outdoor Activities in America

    Current Resident: I absolutely love living in Costa Mesa! I feel that regardless of the area in Costa mesa that you find yourself in, there is always a sense of calmness and safety. The worst thing at times, but that is understandable, is the traffic after work hours during the main streets.
    Read 116 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A-
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Outdoor Activities
    • 112,930 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  18. San Francisco

    • City in California
    • 642 reviews
    #16 Best Cities for Outdoor Activities in America

    Current Resident: I was born and raised in San Francisco, so for as long as I can remember, I have been playing in the parks, reading at the libraries, and attending the wonderful schools. Reading was such a huge part of mine and my brother's childhood, so every afternoon after school, and most weekends, were spent at the Western Addition library with our heads buried inside books. During the summer, if we were lucky enough to have a couple warm days, my family would pack some sandwiches and snacks and bring some towels to Crissy Field to enjoy the sunshine and freezing cold ocean. Overall, growing up in SF was a childhood I am so grateful for!
    Read 642 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Outdoor Activities
    • 864,263 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  19. Salt Lake City

    • City in Utah
    • 523 reviews
    #17 Best Cities for Outdoor Activities in America

    Current Resident: The city is clean, safe, with lots to do. There're museums, art galleries, comedy clubs, historical and religious sites. There's a very diverse, multicultural community, and the state capital is right on top of a beautiful hill with a great view of the Salt Lake valley. If you like outdoor activities Salt Lake is a great place to go with access to tons of hiking trails, camping spots, lakes, and lots more! Housing is affordable and there is PLENTY of employment opportunity, with lots of projected growth.
     So there's tons to do, easy access to opportunity of every kind, good public transit, and I'm sure there're great things I know I'm forgetting. Apart from all that I think Salt Lake would benefit if they worked on their roads a bit. They're not too bad and when it snows the city is on top of it when it comes to plowing and salting, but there are quite a few potholes, bad road designs, faded road lines, etc. It's nothing too bad, like I said, but a few touch ups would do good.
    Read 523 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Outdoor Activities
    • 194,188 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  22. Torrance

    • City in California
    • 212 reviews
    #18 Best Cities for Outdoor Activities in America

    Current Resident: I love the diversity in Torrance. I also like the safety and the public schools in the area. Torrance is not as expensive as other cities nearby, but it would be better if the houses cost a little less. The location of the city is great. It is next to the beach and not very far from the airport. There are great libraries, restaurants, and most importantly shopping centers! There are several job opportunites for everyone especially teens.
    Read 212 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Outdoor Activities
    • 147,190 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  23. Sunnyvale

    • City in California
    • 206 reviews
    #19 Best Cities for Outdoor Activities in America

    Current Resident: One of the safest cities in the nation! A diverse community with highly rated schools. It is one of the smaller major cities located in Silicon Valley, and it doesn't have as much traffic as the other ones. It is famous for being the HQ for some major tech companies.
    Read 206 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A
      Public Schools
    • A
      Outdoor Activities
    • 151,565 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  24. Hayward

    • City in California
    • 188 reviews
    #20 Best Cities for Outdoor Activities in America

    Current Resident: Hayward has a very big problem with crime. You will constantly hear sirens and have street closures caused by criminal investigations. It's a great area, other than the cost of housing is crazy expensive. There are many great restaurants and you can have nearly anything delivered to your door! They are very pet friendly and family friendly in the area. You can almost always find the services you need in Hayward or one of the very close towns near by. There are many great stores in Hayward and everything is generally easy to get to. Traffic can be bad, but timing is everything. There are freeways everywhere going to any place you could want to go. It's amazing how quickly you can get to most places even with traffic. There are many auto repair businesses and many are student friendly. There are many gas stations so you can nearly always find the gas you need. People are friendly in Hayward, but won't generally talk unless you strike up the conversation.
    Read 188 Reviews

    • B-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • C+
      Public Schools
    • A
      Outdoor Activities
    • 156,917 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  25. Everett

    • City in Washington
    • 131 reviews
    #21 Best Cities for Outdoor Activities in America

    Current Resident: There are many things I admire about my community but one thing that I value the most is the community we have at Everett High School. This community provides many opportunities for people of color to feel welcome. However, when I first came to Everett High School I was disappointed by the fact that the whole school did not celebrate diversity. International Student Organization was the only club that promotes diversity. Annually, this club presents small events to celebrate diversity but it was not an event that was well known. I wanted to take a part in making it better and help students see that Everett High cares about every single ethnicity. Even though I have difficulties talking to many people I felt the passion to step out of my comfort zone and advocate ethnic differences.
    Read 131 Reviews

    • B-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B
      Public Schools
    • A
      Outdoor Activities
    • 107,560 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  26. Anaheim

    • City in California
    • 324 reviews
    #22 Best Cities for Outdoor Activities in America

    Current Resident: Anaheim is known for being the birthplace of Disneyland, but it’s actually so much more than that! This medium-sized city sits in Orange County, CA, which is a little slice of heaven itself. In addition to being home to the greatest theme park in the world, Anaheim is also home to the two-story Anaheim Packing House food hall filled with unique and innovative restaurants. This food hall was once a packing house (place where workers received and packaged fruits) in the 1920’s and was even home to an antique store that I frequented with my grandparents as a very young child in the 1990’s. The city of Anaheim is also home to art culture with the Anaheim Ballet studio and the Muzeo, a contemporary museum just down the street from both the Anaheim Ballet and Anaheim Packing House.
    Read 324 Reviews

    • B-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B-
      Public Schools
    • A
      Outdoor Activities
    • 349,007 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  27. Reno

    • City in Nevada
    • 918 reviews
    #23 Best Cities for Outdoor Activities in America

    Current Resident: Reno, NV has been a great college town to reside in for these past 5 years. I was able to attain my undergrad and go back to school for Nursing. Despite the drug and alcohol problem that lingers throughout downtown, it brings in quite a diverse environment from the Sacramento and Bay Area. Every day the town grows and expands due to large corporations stepping in and making residence outside the town!
    Read 918 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B+
      Public Schools
    • A
      Outdoor Activities
    • 239,732 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  28. Boulder

    • City in Colorado
    • 274 reviews
    #24 Best Cities for Outdoor Activities in America

    Nearby Resident: Boulder is a beautiful city at the foot of the Flatirons. With plenty of nearby opportunities, for hiking, biking, skiing, and rock climbing it is perfect for those who love the outdoors. Boulder is one of the best cities for liberals, as its population strongly supports environmental programs, farm-to-table restaurants, and political events held by the University of Colorado. The only aspect of Boulder, Colorado I would change is its affordability. Living here is unbelievably expensive, and this, in part, causes there to be very little diversity.
    Read 274 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A
      Outdoor Activities
    • 106,271 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  29. Stamford

    • City in Connecticut
    • 137 reviews
    #25 Best Cities for Outdoor Activities in America

    Current Resident: I've lived in Stamford, CT for the past 24 years with my family and I have to say, I love it! It's a vibrant city with a population of 130,000 people of various backgrounds. You can see the diversity through art festivals, farmer's markets, as well as entertainment such as community theater and sports teams. My favorite landmark is the Museum & Nature center which features a farm, reptile house, playground, and museum. I love to hike through the trees there, especially during autumn when the leaves are fiery oranges and yellows. My favorite event in Stamford is the Thanksgiving Day parade. Families gather on the streets to watch giant helium balloons pass by apartments, listen to bagpipe players, dance together and eat lots from local eateries. I think Stamford would be a fantastic city for a wide range of people, from a college student to someone that wants to settle a family. It has a growing population with many opportunities for jobs, education, entertainment, and leisure!
    Read 137 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • B+
      Public Schools
    • A
      Outdoor Activities
    • 128,851 Population
    View Nearby Homes
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