2021 Best US Cities for Spring Outdoor Activities named

With a spring unlike any other, an alternative spring break might be in order

• Getting outside, the best alternative to a vaxication, virtual wellness days, or travel in general
• Not all U.S. cities are equally built for a good time in nature
• The experts ranked the 200 biggest U.S. cities based on 17 key factors

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With a spring unlike any other, an alternative spring break might be in order — and no, it does not mean volunteering.

It means getting outside, the best alternative to a vaxication, virtual wellness days, or travel in general.

But not all U.S. cities are equally built for a good time in nature.

That’s why travel experts rounded up the Best Cities for Spring Outdoor Activities. 

To help Americans plan a fun but safe outdoor adventure, the experts ranked the 200 biggest U.S. cities based on 17 key factors. They include, for example, the number of public gardens, trails, and campsites; walkability; and amount of spring sunshine. 

Check out the top outdoor spring destinations (and the ones to keep off your shortlist) below, followed by some highlights and lowlights.

Best Outdoor Cities for Spring

City

San Francisco, CA

Portland, OR

Honolulu, HI

Mesa, AZ

Washington, DC

Tucson, AZ

Los Angeles, CA

Long Beach, CA

Huntington Beach, CA

Las Vegas, NV

Worst Outdoor Cities for Spring

City

Joliet, IL

Kansas City, KS

Little Rock, AR

Birmingham, AL

Anchorage, AK

Metairie, LA

Jackson, MS

Winston-Salem, NC

Olathe, KS

Naperville, IL

Highlights and Lowlights:

West Is Best: While the top 50 Best Cities for Spring Outdoor Activities are all over the map, nine of the top 10 are from Western and Pacific states. For example, Honolulu ranked high in climate categories, and Portland received high marks in a multitude of categories, including bike score and number of trails.

Our top city for springtime outdoor activities is San Francisco, with an impressive walk score and number of attractions, among other attributes. With plenty of trails, activities, and sunshine, the West Coast really is the best region for enjoying the best this season has to offer.

The Nation’s Capital — of Walking: While most of our top cities are out west, there was one standout city back east: Washington, D.C. Washington is the most walkable city in America and outperformed in bike score, number of attractions, and number of public gardens.

And don’t forget the cherry blossoms that draw people from all over in springtime to Washington, D.C. While the District was slightly held back by its crime rate and low amount of spring sunshine, it’s still a capital spot for an outdoor spring on the entire East Coast. 

Springing Out of the South: Cities across the South landed in the bottom of our ranking, often losing points on metrics in the weather and visitor-friendliness categories.

Jackson, Mississippi, for example, ranks near the bottom on walk score and pedestrian fatalities. Metairie, Louisiana, has the second rainiest spring in the country. And Little Rock, Arkansas, has one of the worst bike scores of any U.S. city.