Visit Florida's Most Walkable Cities This Winter For A Warm-Weather, Car-Free Trip

One of the things that makes Florida such a desirable travel destination is that it has some of the most walkable cities in the U.S. Unlike many other densely populated states, Florida has numerous urban centers that feature walkable elements like beachfront boardwalks and piers, pedestrian-friendly avenues lined with shops and restaurants, and leafy trails where bicycles are the only vehicles allowed. There's no need to rent a car or hop on public transportation in these spots because it's easy to get around on your own two feet.

According to urban planner and walkability expert Dan Burden, there are several factors that make a city walkable. These include easy access to amenities, mixed-use spaces, safe, well-connected streets that encourage drivers to keep their speeds low, and greenery to provide shade and visual interest. Burden says, "Simply said, walkable communities are the places people want to live, work and play. They are neighborhoods and entire towns where people and place come first." The Florida cities on this list tick many of those boxes, making them ideal destinations for a warm-weather vacation where you can ditch the car and stroll the streets.

With a walkability rating of 76 on Walk Score, Miami Beach is one of the most pedestrian-friendly cities in Florida. It's also been named one of the top honeymoon destinations in North America thanks to its romantic setting, which is perfect for leisurely walks. There are numerous spots in Miami Beach that you can explore by foot, including pedestrian-only streets, waterfront parks, and three wide, white sand beaches (South Beach, Mid-Beach, and North Beach). The Beachwalk is a 9-mile, car-free path that runs along the entire eastern shore of the island city and gives walkers, cyclers, and rollerbladers easy access to the sand and ocean. 

If you want to be in the middle of all the action, consider staying in South Beach. This compact, easily walkable neighborhood spans the southern end of the island from South Pointe Park up to Lake Pancoast. Ocean Drive is the main drag and home to a plethora of hotels, restaurants, and lively bars. For a bit of history, take a walking tour through the famous Art Deco Historic District or swing by the Jewish Museum of Florida.

Key West is only about 4 miles long and 1.5 miles across at its widest point, making it a pretty easy place to get around on your own two feet. You won't need a car if you stay in the Old Town, as the narrow streets are easily navigable and home to plenty of shops, restaurants, and historic buildings. You can also walk to several beaches from the Old Town, including South Beach at the end of Duval Street and Higgs Beach on the south side of town. Fort Taylor Zachary State Park may be a bit further, depending on where you're staying, but it's worth the trek for its interesting Civil War-era fort and beautiful beach perfect for swimming and snorkeling.

Many of Key West's top attractions are located in the Old Town. Visit the Hemingway Home & Museum to see where author Ernest Hemingway resided and meet some of the descendants of his six-toed cat. Snap a photo at Key West's famous buoy that marks the southernmost point in the continental U.S. Head to Mallory Square at sunset for nightly festivals that feature jugglers, musicians, and food vendors. Duval Street is a popular spot to grab a bite to eat or kick off a legendary Key West bar crawl.

The "Ancient City" of St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the United States and a very walkable spot. It was founded by the Spanish in 1565, and vestiges of the original town remain in the narrow, cobblestone streets and colonial buildings. St. George is the main street and home to a slew of boutique shops, art galleries, and eateries. From the historic downtown, you can walk to interesting sites like the Castillo de San Marcos fort on the waterfront; the Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth; and Fort Mose Historic State Park, which was the first legally sanctioned settlement in the United States providing sanctuary for people fleeing slavery.

One of the best ways to explore St. Augustine and learn about its fascinating history and culture is on a walking tour. St. Augustine Historic Walking Tours offers immersive tours through the town where a knowledgeable guide will point out interesting historical buildings and give you insight into the events that shaped the city. For those who want to learn about the city's spooky side, there are several ghost tours where you can visit haunted spots after dark. Foodies can join a tasting tour to sample dishes from some of the city's best dining destinations.

Fort Lauderdale takes a progressive stance when it comes to walkability. The government has made several efforts to incorporate pedestrian-friendly policies into its city planning guidelines. These include adding lighted crosswalks, landscaped medians, and pedestrian-only areas like the Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale. The government also supports events encouraging people to take back the streets, like the Las Olas Food and Wine Festival and the St. Patrick's Parade and Festival.

If you want to discover Fort Lauderdale by foot, Las Olas Boulevard is an excellent place to start. This city's main street is lined with trees, sidewalks, and over 100 shops and restaurants. From there, you can make your way to the Downtown Riverwalk District to stroll along the water and visit up to 10 parks. If you follow Las Olas Boulevard east to the very end, you'll reach beautiful Las Olas Beach. Flagler Village is another walkable neighborhood just north of Las Olas Boulevard, with urban gardens, art galleries, and trendy restaurants.

Located on Florida's Gulf Coast, Venice is known for its beautiful tree-lined streets and gorgeous beach. From its inception in 1926, the city was designed to seamlessly blend community and nature, so you'll find pleasant avenues shaded by palm trees, parks and green spaces awash in foliage and flowers, and a vibrant, compact downtown with boutique shops, restaurants, and bars — several historic buildings in the downtown area date back to the 1920s. Even better, the beach is less than a mile from downtown, making it easy to enjoy some time on the sand and then head into town for a bite to eat or vice versa.

Venice is a delightful spot for outdoorsy types, as there are several walking and cycling trails accessible from the city. The Legacy Trail system offers 30 miles of interconnected, paved trails that run from Venice to Sarasota. The trails cross waterways and pass through forests and pastures. The Legacy Trail connects to the Venetian Waterway Park Trail, a beautiful car-free path that runs along either side of the Intracoastal Waterway. The Venetian Waterway Park also has picnic stations with grills, pet stations, and benches. The Venice Fishing Pier is a popular spot for sunset strolls.

If you want to escape the bustling streets of downtown Miami for a quieter locale, make your way to Coral Gables. This planned community features wide avenues lined with oak, palm, and banyan trees. Historic buildings boast Mediterranean Revival architecture, and pleasant parks provide spaces to relax and play. If you want to do some shopping, Miracle Mile has shops selling everything from jewelry to home furnishings. Giralda Plaza is a car-free promenade with numerous art galleries and restaurants.

Nature lovers won't want to miss a trip to the Fairchild Tropical Botanical Gardens, which offers over 83 acres of gorgeous gardens with tropical plants, fruit trees, and butterflies. It's open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day of the year except Christmas Day. The Venetian Pool was once a rock quarry that is now a giant swimming pool fed from a natural aquifer, and it's a great spot to cool off on a hot day in the pool and under the waterfalls. Coral Gables also has lush golf courses. The Granada Golf Course is just outside the downtown area, and it's the oldest operating nine-hole golf course in Florida, while the Biltmore Golf Course is an 18-hole course located behind the famous Biltmore Hotel.

Mount Dora is just a 40-minute drive from Orlando, but it offers a very different vibe. You'll find beautifully preserved historic homes and buildings just steps from Lake Dora. The very walkable downtown features charming cafes and antique shops on streets flanked by oak trees dripping in Spanish moss. There are several inns and hotels within walking distance of the historic downtown and the lake, making it easy to get around on foot. If you're visiting on a day trip from Orlando or elsewhere, there are several parking areas downtown where you can leave your car for up to four hours.

The lake is one of the biggest draws to Mount Dora. Visitors who want to get out on the water can rent pontoon boats, mini-catamarans, kayaks, and stand-up paddle boards. For those who prefer to have someone else at the helm, there are several guided boat tours that cruise the lake and canal. Mount Dora is also known for the massive Renninger's Flea Market and Antique Center. With hundreds of vendors selling all manner of treasures, it's a playground for bargain hunters and antique collectors.

Walk Score gives West Palm Beach an impressive score of 83 thanks to its pedestrian-friendly downtown. The streets are laid out in a grid pattern, making it easy to access the markets, restaurants, and shops without a car. West Palm Beach also has a great arts and culture scene, with several art galleries, theaters, and live music venues all within walking distance of one another. You can stroll to The Square to take in an open-air concert, walk to the Norton Museum of Art to see ancient and contemporary artworks, or meander over the Palm Beach Dramaworks Theater to catch a show.

If you prefer beaches to Broadway plays, you can walk across one of the three bridges that connect West Palm Beach to Palm Beach Island. Flagler Memorial Bridge has wide sidewalks for pedestrians and bike lanes. Royal Park Bridge has a pedestrian walkway, but just be mindful that it has a drawbridge that opens to let boats pass through. The bridge that crosses Bingham Island also has a pedestrian walkway. Once on Palm Beach Island, you can make your way to the Palm Beach Municipal Beach just north of Worth Avenue or Phipps Ocean Park on South Ocean Boulevard for some sun, sea, and sand.

St. Petersburg is experiencing significant growth, which is not surprising considering it's a vibrant, cosmopolitan city with pleasant weather most of the year. Despite its construction boom, the city still has some very walkable spots. The downtown is people-oriented with a grid layout, wide sidewalks, and plenty of museums, restaurants, and shops. This is where you'll find the Salvador Dali Museum, the St. Petersburg Saturday Morning Market, and the Museum of Fine Arts. St. Pete Pier is a lovely spot to stroll along the waterfront with 26 acres of parks, paths, and art installations.

Hikers will be happy to know there are plenty of scenic trails close to St. Petersburg where you can immerse yourself in the Gulf Coast environment. Weedon Island Preserve is just 8 miles north of the city and has over 3,700 acres of wetlands to explore. Stroll along the boardwalks to see aquatic plants and animals. There is also a canoe trail, fishing pier, and picnic sites along the water. St. Pete Beach is another popular spot for walks along the water. Located on a barrier island west of the city, the beach has miles of soft white sand lined with shops and restaurants.

It may be a city, but Delray Beach offers small-town vibes. It earned a place on our list of Florida's best family-friendly fun beaches thanks to its relaxed atmosphere and fun activities for all ages. The beach stretches for 1.5 miles along the Atlantic Coast, and it's a fantastic spot for swimming, snorkeling, and windsurfing. The beach has lifeguards on duty, volleyball areas, and two areas for kite flying. It's also within walking distance of the shops and restaurants along Atlantic Avenue, so you can easily take a break to refuel between sunbathing sessions.

The atmosphere in town is relaxed, friendly, and very easy to explore on foot. The Pineapple Grove Arts District is a must-visit neighborhood just off Atlantic Avenue and is home to colorful murals, artist studios, boutiques, and restaurants. Delray Beach GreenMarket is a fun spot to visit on a Saturday morning. Every weekend, over 50 vendors gather to sell everything from fruits and vegetables to fresh-cut flowers, handmade bread, and hot sauce. The market takes place every Saturday from the end of October to the end of May.

Naples was designed with leisure in mind. Established in the late 1880s as a winter resort, the city was named after Naples in Italy because many people believed the beautiful bay resembled the one on the Italian Peninsula. Today, Naples (the Floridan version) is an upscale vacation spot with a beautiful downtown area perfect for strolling. The Old Naples historic downtown area has buildings that date back to the city's founding, as well as a great selection of modern restaurants and shops. It has a very European feel, with sidewalk cafes and streets lined with palm trees.

The beaches are also what makes Naples such a desirable warm-weather vacation spot. From Old Naples, you can easily walk to Naples Pier, which was built in the 19th century for vacationers arriving in the city by boat. Part of the Pier was destroyed by Hurricane Ian in 2022, but you can still enjoy the parts of it that are onshore, as well as the amenities on the beach, like restrooms and the concession stand. It's also a good starting point for strolls along the beaches north and south of the pier.

If you need a break from the theme parks in the Orlando area, Winter Park makes for a pleasant escape. Originally designed as a resort community for northerners who wanted to escape colder climes, Winter Park is an attractive, very walkable city. Brick-lined streets radiate from the lakes, leading to pleasant parks, museums, and shops. The historic downtown centers around Park Avenue, where you'll find art galleries, restaurants, and cafes.

Winter Park has numerous attractions that will appeal to history buffs and arts and culture aficionados. The Morse Museum of American Art has one of the largest collections of pieces by Louis Comfort Tiffany in the world, including gorgeous stained glass lamps and window panes. It also has interesting works by other artists from the 19th and 20th centuries. The Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Garden is another gorgeous spot with beautiful sculptures along the shore of Lake Osceola. If you happen to visit during March, you can join the thousands of people who take to the streets for the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival.

Tiny Sanibel Island is just 15 miles long and 3 miles wide, making it easy to explore without a vehicle. Locals refer to the different parts of the island as the West End, Mid-Island, and East End. Mid-Island is where you'll find several beachfront condos and many of the island's businesses along Periwinkle Way. This is a good place to base yourself if you want to be within walking distance of restaurants and shops. No matter which part of the island you choose to stay in, you won't be far from beautiful beaches and conservation areas.

A day on Sanibel Island could begin with a sunrise stroll along Bowman's Beach Park, where you can comb the sand for interesting shells. From there, you can visit the Sanibel Historical Museum and Village to learn about the different people who settled on the island over the centuries. Enjoy a seafood lunch on the patio at Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille, then make your way to the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge to explore 6,000 acres of mangroves and lush wetlands. You can end the day watching the sun sink into the ocean at Blind Pass Beach or the Sanibel Island Lighthouse.

It's easy to see why so many snowbirds flock to Sarasota during the cold winter months. This attractive city on the Gulf of Mexico gets an average of 255 sunny days a year, which is perfect for exploring the beautiful beaches, leafy parks, and dynamic downtown. The city has a population of just under 54,000 people, so it feels less crowded than some of Florida's bigger urban centers. With so many free and affordable things to see and do, Sarasota is one of the best budget-friendly Florida vacation destinations.

Downtown Sarasota is an attractive, walkable area with plenty of mixed-use spaces, dining spots, and boutique shops. Main Street runs through the center of the downtown and leads to the beautiful Bayfront Park and the Marina. The historic Rosemary District is another interesting place to explore on the waterfront. It has been revitalized and features sleek hotels and condos, trendy restaurants, and yoga studios. Cross the John Ringling Causeway over to Lido Key, and you can explore the barrier island's three stunning white sand beaches.