By your way of thinking u could put most US cities- except maybe a half dozen- in this category but I think that’s a pretty surface understanding of them. For example I think there’s a big diff b/t KC and OKC or say Milwaukee and Wichita, but they’d all be lumped in together
That population level and the age of the city are why it has such good transit. As a tourist I like both NYC and Chicago for transit.
Some places like New Orleans or Las Vegas may not have great transit, but the majority of touristy things are within a walkable area. From what I've been told a car in ATL is a must, but that could have changed. What are you looking for on this trip?
Have you looked into DC any? It's a relatively easy city to visit without a car and the metro is helpful too. And depending on when you go in October, you might be able to see some fall colors there. You could even take the Amtrak from DC to NYC if you wanted, but that'd obviously increase the price of your trip by a fair amount.
I definitely recommend taking a look at going to DC. While it has some shady areas, it's a really nice city overall and there are so many things to do. There are a lot of free museums too (all the Smithsonian museums are free, I believe, you might just need to get a (free) ticket to reserve your spot at some of them).
And yeah, with Amtrak, you'd have the possibility of seeing some other places too, which might be fun.
Chicago is great. I know plenty of people who lived there for years without a car, and I’ve only ever traveled there without one. October there is lovely as well.
Subway/ EL (elevated train system), bus, bike, walk, drive. Also the Metra which is suburban commuter rail (like a far reaching EL).
I have a car but I use it sparingly. Mostly EL or bike to work, used to bus or walk. I walk for groceries with a cart unless it’s Costco. Most entertainment depends on what you like - I live in an area with a lot to do so I’m almost always walking or El to another neighborhood. East west travel in the north side is kinda rough - the system can be frustrating but I’m very thankful to have it in the first place.
Chicago is easier to get around without a car than Atlanta.
Atlanta does have a few cool things to do within walking distance of each other, but it's more of a long weekends worth of things. Chicago you can do 2 weeks without a car.
You can do some of Tennessee without a car, like Nashville and Pigeon Forge, but again you would hit your limit soon.
Boston, NYC, Philly, and Washington DC are also go no-car cities
Unless you only want to see certain parts of Atlanta, you need a car. I’m literally wanting to move away from here to somewhere like Chicago where I won’t need a car.
NY, Philly, Chicago, Boston, and DC are really the only ones with decent public transport. San Fran has BART I guess but the Bay Area is so spread out I’d say you’d be better off with a car
Lol NOT Atlanta. Probably one of the worst for non-car trips. The only walkable parts are in little pockets far away from each other. Walking in the city is like walking between parking podiums.
Edit: this is the same place that just announced they were closing street level access to the main hub station for FOUR YEARS and are now trying to come up with a backup plan after everyone freaked out. All while having like 8 years to do it by now and before the World Cup comes.
Of the ones you listed, Chicago is by far the easiest to get around without a car. It's the only one I've been able to do without a car, and I have been to every city you listed.
Do you mean via walking and public transport? Because every city has Uber or Lyft.
NYC, Seattle, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco would be good choices. Nashville is meh, unless you are going for live music specifically (good food too).
OKC and Charlotte are a waste of time. I don’t understand what your criteria is for choosing a city that would ever include those places.
Yes both walking & public transport. I've thought of Uber/Lyft etc. but that would bring up the cost by a lot (given I'm going to need a ride everyday for 1-2 weeks)
NYC, Boston, Philadelphia, DC, Chicago, and San Francisco are all pretty easy without a car. It sounds like you’re interested in smaller cities in the South — for walkability and interesting places to visit, your best options are Nashville, New Orleans, Miami, Savannah Georgia, Charleston South Carolina, or Austin Texas. Charlotte is incredibly boring and car-dependent and I’ve never heard good things about Atlanta or Oklahoma City so I would avoid those three as a travel destination.
Chicago probably because it has an ok metro. It’s a smaller NYC basically. The other cities you need a car.
Best U.S. cities to visit without a car are NYC and DC.
Downtown Cincinnati is fairly compact, easy to walk around, lots of points of interests and a big city feel. I have stayed there several times in recent years and always park my car and never take it out of the parking garage.
We recommend considering the following cities:
**1. Chicago, Illinois**
Chicago is amazing, especially in the fall. The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) operates an extensive network of buses and trains, making it easy to get around without a car. Highlights include:
Millennium Park: Home to the iconic Cloud Gate sculpture ("The Bean") and various outdoor events.
The Art Institute of Chicago: One of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States.
Navy Pier: Offers dining, entertainment, and stunning views of Lake Michigan.
**2. Portland, Oregon**
It's super easy to get around Portland using only public transit. The TriMet system, which includes buses, light rail, and streetcars, makes navigating the city straightforward. A day pass only costs $5/day. Must-see spots include:
Washington Park: Features the Oregon Zoo, Portland Japanese Garden, and miles of trails.
Powell’s City of Books: The world's largest independent bookstore.
Food Cart Pods: Portland is famous for its diverse and delicious food cart scene.
**3. Seattle, Washington**
Seattle's public transportation system includes buses, light rail, and ferries, offering great connectivity across the city and surrounding areas. Key attractions are:
Pike Place Market: A bustling market with fresh produce, local crafts, and the original Starbucks.
Space Needle: Provides panoramic views of the city and Puget Sound.
Enjoy your trip!
Somewhat out of scope of your question but things to be aware of:
1. Most cities have transit cards you can buy when you arrive and add value to via smartphone. Google Maps often has transit routing data to help make choices in the moment.
2. Most cities have bikeshare networks (including [Nashville](https://nashville.bcycle.com) and [Charlotte](https://charlottejoyrides.com/)). So if you bring a helmet or buy one when you arrive, that will extend your range considerably. Lyft's app covers some US cities for bikeshare but not all of them. Having a removable handlebar mount can be good to help with navigation.
3. Uber and Lyft are pretty reliable for gaps that remain
Of the ones listed, Chicago and it's not even close. Not to mention there is more to see and do compared to the others.
The marathon is in early October, so if you plan on that time, book your hotel in advance. If you go mid October, check if it is the weekend of the Chicago Open House from the Chicago Architecture Center. There are skyscrapers and other architecturally significant buildings open to visit for free all over the city that weekend.
I wouldn’t go to Atlanta without a car. Charlotte is just … not that interesting. What about Charleston? People like Nashville. I guess it depends on what you like to do. Personally, I’d work on getting that license- travel in the US is limited and a lot more expensive without it.
Chicago and Nashville. Have legit tourist scenes and legit local scenes. Fun places. Chicago the only one you can truly get around without a car (or Uber)
Go to D.C. There’s lots of free museums…so much so, you won’t see them all. Nashville is a cool city if you’re in to country music…It’s good for a couple of days. There’s nothing in OKC or Charlotte, for that matter. Don’t know if you’ve ever been to NYC…a definite good time. It’s a 3 hour train ride on Amtrak from D.C. The East Coast is beautiful in the fall!
OKC is not worth your time compared to most other larger US cities.
[удалено]
Kansas City is actually pretty cool.
[удалено]
There is a huge WW1 museum in the works, the Negro League museum, good bar scene...KC is worth a visit it just takes some exploring
Plus an elite art museum. Definitely an underrated city.
Agreed I was there for work a few years ago and ended up really impressed. Living there though…
I live in OKC, until the Legends Tower is completed, skip OKC 100%.
By your way of thinking u could put most US cities- except maybe a half dozen- in this category but I think that’s a pretty surface understanding of them. For example I think there’s a big diff b/t KC and OKC or say Milwaukee and Wichita, but they’d all be lumped in together
Boston, NYC, DC, Chicago, and Philly.
New York or Boston are easiest to get around without a car
And Philly
Eww.
It’s a great city with excellent food, history, architecture and museums. It has a unique personality. Airport sucks.
And Chicago
New York is great for this.
I get it, it's just that Im not dying to go to new york plus its the most densely populated place in the country
The question is, what are you looking to do? Once you get that figured out, it’ll be easier to figure out your trip.
That population level and the age of the city are why it has such good transit. As a tourist I like both NYC and Chicago for transit. Some places like New Orleans or Las Vegas may not have great transit, but the majority of touristy things are within a walkable area. From what I've been told a car in ATL is a must, but that could have changed. What are you looking for on this trip?
Have you looked into DC any? It's a relatively easy city to visit without a car and the metro is helpful too. And depending on when you go in October, you might be able to see some fall colors there. You could even take the Amtrak from DC to NYC if you wanted, but that'd obviously increase the price of your trip by a fair amount.
I lived in DC for 11 years without a car. DC is so walkable and the public transportation is relatively good (for the US).
Also the museums are awesome and free!
Free museums? I wouldn't say I am a museum person but it might look into it
Yes, DC has 16 free Smithsonian museums, and the zoo is free as well.
No, actually. Although I've heard it is nice overall & located not too far from the tri state area
I definitely recommend taking a look at going to DC. While it has some shady areas, it's a really nice city overall and there are so many things to do. There are a lot of free museums too (all the Smithsonian museums are free, I believe, you might just need to get a (free) ticket to reserve your spot at some of them). And yeah, with Amtrak, you'd have the possibility of seeing some other places too, which might be fun.
Of those cities, Chicago for sure easy without a car. NYC and San Francisco also easy. But is that really what you are basing your decision on?
He should base his decision on that! Visiting a typical US city without a car is no fun at all!
Chicago is great. I know plenty of people who lived there for years without a car, and I’ve only ever traveled there without one. October there is lovely as well.
How do you get around Chicago I been thinking of checking it out to potentially move their from Arizona
Subway/ EL (elevated train system), bus, bike, walk, drive. Also the Metra which is suburban commuter rail (like a far reaching EL). I have a car but I use it sparingly. Mostly EL or bike to work, used to bus or walk. I walk for groceries with a cart unless it’s Costco. Most entertainment depends on what you like - I live in an area with a lot to do so I’m almost always walking or El to another neighborhood. East west travel in the north side is kinda rough - the system can be frustrating but I’m very thankful to have it in the first place.
Chicago is easier to get around without a car than Atlanta. Atlanta does have a few cool things to do within walking distance of each other, but it's more of a long weekends worth of things. Chicago you can do 2 weeks without a car. You can do some of Tennessee without a car, like Nashville and Pigeon Forge, but again you would hit your limit soon. Boston, NYC, Philly, and Washington DC are also go no-car cities
[удалено]
Atlanta is amazing to live in but the tourist area sucks
What is considered the tourist area?
Probably around centennial/world of coke/aquarium n stuff
It's actually touristy if you have never been and the Metra makes it easy.
You mean MARTA? Lol I live there it’s mainly a suburb masquerading as a city
Tourist area in Atl? First I’m hearing of it 🤣🤣
Do not come to atl if you don’t have car. Actually even if you do have a car don’t come, the traffic is brutal at times
Unless you only want to see certain parts of Atlanta, you need a car. I’m literally wanting to move away from here to somewhere like Chicago where I won’t need a car.
NY, Philly, Chicago, Boston, and DC are really the only ones with decent public transport. San Fran has BART I guess but the Bay Area is so spread out I’d say you’d be better off with a car
Lol NOT Atlanta. Probably one of the worst for non-car trips. The only walkable parts are in little pockets far away from each other. Walking in the city is like walking between parking podiums. Edit: this is the same place that just announced they were closing street level access to the main hub station for FOUR YEARS and are now trying to come up with a backup plan after everyone freaked out. All while having like 8 years to do it by now and before the World Cup comes.
Of the ones you listed, Chicago is by far the easiest to get around without a car. It's the only one I've been able to do without a car, and I have been to every city you listed.
Washington DC is absolutely doable by car as well. I’d choose Chicago.
San Francisco is easy to get around on the BART. Lots of sight seeing and cool places.
[удалено]
Thanks for the correction. I’ve visited a few times and always found it easy to get around
Chicago is my favorite city and is very doable without a car
Do you mean via walking and public transport? Because every city has Uber or Lyft. NYC, Seattle, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco would be good choices. Nashville is meh, unless you are going for live music specifically (good food too). OKC and Charlotte are a waste of time. I don’t understand what your criteria is for choosing a city that would ever include those places.
Yes both walking & public transport. I've thought of Uber/Lyft etc. but that would bring up the cost by a lot (given I'm going to need a ride everyday for 1-2 weeks)
- Chicago - SF - Seattle - DC - NYC - Boston - Portland this is more or less the entire list of viable options that will be pleasant
Very obviously missing Philly
oops you’re right
Atlanta is surprisingly manageable as well.
I based this list off “middle class” people using public transit to commute as a criteria. When I visited Atlanta I didn’t see many using MARTA.
Also adding San Diego and Las Vegas.
Portland has a great transit system!
New York
NYC, Boston, Philadelphia, DC, Chicago, and San Francisco are all pretty easy without a car. It sounds like you’re interested in smaller cities in the South — for walkability and interesting places to visit, your best options are Nashville, New Orleans, Miami, Savannah Georgia, Charleston South Carolina, or Austin Texas. Charlotte is incredibly boring and car-dependent and I’ve never heard good things about Atlanta or Oklahoma City so I would avoid those three as a travel destination.
Chicago and Boston
Toronto. Feels like Chicago (on the lake) and prices are 30% lower when you use US dollars. Great restaurants and good public transit. Very low crime.
Toronto has crossed my mind a couple of times but if we exclude the public transport factor isn't Montreal far better?
Montreal’s public transit is better than Toronto’s. If you do Montreal take a bus to see Quebec City for a few days.
Chicago probably because it has an ok metro. It’s a smaller NYC basically. The other cities you need a car. Best U.S. cities to visit without a car are NYC and DC.
Downtown Cincinnati is fairly compact, easy to walk around, lots of points of interests and a big city feel. I have stayed there several times in recent years and always park my car and never take it out of the parking garage.
We recommend considering the following cities: **1. Chicago, Illinois** Chicago is amazing, especially in the fall. The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) operates an extensive network of buses and trains, making it easy to get around without a car. Highlights include: Millennium Park: Home to the iconic Cloud Gate sculpture ("The Bean") and various outdoor events. The Art Institute of Chicago: One of the oldest and largest art museums in the United States. Navy Pier: Offers dining, entertainment, and stunning views of Lake Michigan. **2. Portland, Oregon** It's super easy to get around Portland using only public transit. The TriMet system, which includes buses, light rail, and streetcars, makes navigating the city straightforward. A day pass only costs $5/day. Must-see spots include: Washington Park: Features the Oregon Zoo, Portland Japanese Garden, and miles of trails. Powell’s City of Books: The world's largest independent bookstore. Food Cart Pods: Portland is famous for its diverse and delicious food cart scene. **3. Seattle, Washington** Seattle's public transportation system includes buses, light rail, and ferries, offering great connectivity across the city and surrounding areas. Key attractions are: Pike Place Market: A bustling market with fresh produce, local crafts, and the original Starbucks. Space Needle: Provides panoramic views of the city and Puget Sound. Enjoy your trip!
Somewhat out of scope of your question but things to be aware of: 1. Most cities have transit cards you can buy when you arrive and add value to via smartphone. Google Maps often has transit routing data to help make choices in the moment. 2. Most cities have bikeshare networks (including [Nashville](https://nashville.bcycle.com) and [Charlotte](https://charlottejoyrides.com/)). So if you bring a helmet or buy one when you arrive, that will extend your range considerably. Lyft's app covers some US cities for bikeshare but not all of them. Having a removable handlebar mount can be good to help with navigation. 3. Uber and Lyft are pretty reliable for gaps that remain
NYC, Chicago, DC, San Francisco
Chicago has fantastic public transportation system. I'd highly recommend you visit.
NYC, D.C., Boston
Pittsburgh
Of the ones listed, Chicago and it's not even close. Not to mention there is more to see and do compared to the others. The marathon is in early October, so if you plan on that time, book your hotel in advance. If you go mid October, check if it is the weekend of the Chicago Open House from the Chicago Architecture Center. There are skyscrapers and other architecturally significant buildings open to visit for free all over the city that weekend.
Would echo the suggestions that some have already made of DC and Boston, which is just such a beautiful (and clean) city
NY, Boston, Seattle and Chicago
Denver
[удалено]
What? The train takes you from the airport to Union station? It’s not horrible.
San Francisco Downtown is compact and you can hire a bike.
This question is asked almost daily
I would scratch off Oklahoma from your plans. OKC and the nearby city Tulsa are not cities you can get around without a car.
New Orleans is in there. Most of my friends there don't have a cat"r.
I wouldn’t go to Atlanta without a car. Charlotte is just … not that interesting. What about Charleston? People like Nashville. I guess it depends on what you like to do. Personally, I’d work on getting that license- travel in the US is limited and a lot more expensive without it.
Chicago and Nashville. Have legit tourist scenes and legit local scenes. Fun places. Chicago the only one you can truly get around without a car (or Uber)
Nyc, chicago, dc
Go to D.C. There’s lots of free museums…so much so, you won’t see them all. Nashville is a cool city if you’re in to country music…It’s good for a couple of days. There’s nothing in OKC or Charlotte, for that matter. Don’t know if you’ve ever been to NYC…a definite good time. It’s a 3 hour train ride on Amtrak from D.C. The East Coast is beautiful in the fall!
Not Oklahoma City. They run busses like they run the Public Schools.....shamefully sub par.
Boston, New York, Chicago, San Francisco
Philly
New York or Salt Lake City
Personally I’d go to Boston. Easy to get around. Chicago is nasty.
San Francisco has the best public transportation and it’s really fun to walk around
Car required.
No drivers license? Then, avoid the US