10 Amazing US Cities for Nature Lovers

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Everyone loves the excitement and electric energy of America’s big cities. From world-class art galleries to offbeat bars, US cities offer a smorgasbord of fun-filled and mind-blowing experiences. Amazingly, there are also plenty of cities in the USA that will satisfy your nature-loving soul. Whether you’re into hiking or beaching, America has a host of nature-friendly cities to appease your wanderlust.

Planning on exploring a nature-friendly city in the US, but don’t know where to go? Guess what? We’ve rounded some of America’s best and most fascinating urban destinations for nature lovers.

San Francisco, California

They don’t call San Francisco as one of the top places to visit in the US for nothing. For
decades, this SoCal city has been luring travelers worldwide with its iconic man-made wonders, such as the world-renowned Golden Gate Bridge. But, the city also has a plethora of delights and surprises to offer to nature lovers. With over 200 parks in close proximity, San Francisco is
truly an urban destination hardwired for nature lovers. And, did we mention that it is home to an array of fabulous beaches, like Baker Beach, China Beach and Clipper Cove Beach?

Portland, Oregon

Portland is, hands down, one of the most diverse US urban destinations for nature lovers. After all, it offers skiing in winter as well as hiking, surfing and camping throughout the year. What’s more, it’s pretty close to the Columbia River George, the Oregon coast and snowy Cascades.
On a clear day, you can savor stunning views from Mount Saint Helens. As an added bonus, Portland is also deemed as one of the world’s top bike-friendly cities. Not bad, right?

Jacksonville, Florida

Home to more than 400 urban parks, Jacksonville is one of America’s greenest big cities. A must-visit spot here is the Big Talbot Island State Park – a nature preserve that’s great for bird-watching and wildlife photography. And, don’t forget to check out Little Talbot Island where you’llfind untouched beaches perfect for surfing and beachcombing. Make sure to drop by Timucan Ecological and Historic Preserve when visiting the city since it’s a rare chance to see one of the few remaining unspoiled and pristine coastal wetlands along the Atlantic Ocean.

Phoenix, Arizona

There’s no shortage of majestic and jaw-dropping sunsets in Phoenix, making it a perfect destination for nature lovers. And, that’s not all! The city also has a bunch of new community gardens and modern green spaces. To make things even better, the city has nature-friendly initiatives to make it a booming green mecca in the heart of the magnificent Sonoran Desert. A
great way to kick start an outdoor escape in this city is to visit the Phoenix Sonoran Preserve, which is a sprawling ecosystem of breathtaking desert animals as well as flora that you won’t find elsewhere.

Then, head to the country’s largest municipal park – South Mountain Park – to enjoy incredible views of Phoenix as well as the state’s famed sunsets.

San Jose, California

Like most of the cities mentioned on this list, San Jose boasts a wealth of natural parks. Furthermore, the city appeals to travelers of all ages. Kids, for instance, will have a blast running around as well as visiting Happy Hollow Park and Zoo’s petting farms. In addition, those who
are looking for cultural attractions will find their bliss at the Japanese Friendship Garden. On top of it all, the garden turns into a pink wonderland during spring, thanks to the budding Japanese
Cherry blossoms.

Seattle, Washington

No list of the best nature-friendly cities in the US is complete without the inclusion of Seattle, Washington. Sure, it rains in Seattle sometimes, but still it offers plenty of outdoor activities, regardless of the season. In summer, the city offers a whirlwind of experiences, including the Olympic National Park’s rainforest, hiking Mount Rainier and kayaking in the San Juan Islands.

When winter sets in, you can go on a couple of runs on Crystal Mountain’s slopes or gaze at the thousands of snow geese gliding into the Skagit Valley.

Jacksonville, Florida

Fond of national parks? Trust us, you won’t regret paying a visit to the “River City by the Sea”. Green and incredibly clean, Jacksonville has over 80,000 acres of park, including a national preserve, 10 national and state parks, an arboretum as well as a handful of city gardens and
parks.

Sedona, Arizona

Sedona is, without a doubt, every nature lover’s dream destination. With its awe-inspiring red-rock scenery, Sedona, AZ will give you the urge to snap countless of photographs. Trust us, there’s a beautiful sight at every turn at this desert town. Of course, the city offers a plethora of
exciting and magnificent trail, making it the ultimate destination for hikers in the United States.

On top of it all, it has plenty of healing vortexes that are believed to be therapeutic. Not a bad city to explore, right?

New York, New York

Surprised? Well, don’t be. Just because it’s an urban jungle, it doesn’t mean there are no nature spots in the city that never sleeps. As a matter of fact, New York is home to one of America’s largest and most visited urban parks - Central Park. Even better, there are tons of other awesome nature spots in and near the Big Apple, including the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, Bronx Zoo, the Adirondacks and Lake George. Still think New York is just one big concrete jungle? Think again!

Los Angeles

Like New York, Los Angeles, California isn’t exactly the first place that comes into mind when you think of nature-friendly cities in the United States. For the most part, people associate Los Angeles with America’s worst traffic jams and the glitzy Hollywood. But, there are also tons of big and stunning beaches that are pleasant to visit year-round in Los Angeles. On top of that,
there are quite a few state parks nearby that offer a wondrous escape when you have enough sun. Sweet, right?

Jacksonville, Florida

Fond of national parks? Trust us, you won’t regret paying a visit to the “River City by the Sea”. Green and incredibly clean, Jacksonville has over 80,000 acres of park, including a national preserve, 10 national and state parks, an arboretum as well as a handful of city gardens and parks.

Sedona, Arizona

Sedona is, without a doubt, every nature lover’s dream destination. With its awe-inspiring red-rock scenery, Sedona, AZ will give you the urge to snap countless of photographs. Trust us, there’s a beautiful sight at every turn at this desert town. Of course, the city offers a plethora of
exciting and magnificent trail, making it the ultimate destination for hikers in the United States.

On top of it all, it has plenty of healing vortexes that are believed to be therapeutic. Not a bad city to explore, right?

Did we miss anything? Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions to us, using the comments section below.

About "WazzupPilipinas.com"

WazzupPilipinas.com is the fastest growing and most awarded blog and social media community that has transcended beyond online media. It has successfully collaborated with all forms of media namely print, radio and television making it the most diverse multimedia organization. The numerous collaborations with hundreds of brands and organizations as online media partner and brand ambassador makes WazzupPilipinas.com a truly successful advocate of everything about the Philippines, and even more since its support extends further to even international organizations including startups and SMEs that have made our country their second home.