Best running routes in US cities
Where to pound the pavement in 10 exciting cities
For runners, joggers and walkers heading south of the border, we’ve put together routes shorter than 10k that will inspire you to lace up and see the sights. Keep pace with some of America's most exciting cities on foot and see metropolises like New York, New Orleans and Chicago the way very few do – en route.
Boston
To see all sides of Boston - the historical, sporty and academic - start at the oldest ball park in the country – Fenway. From there, run down Boylston Street toward the city, and pass prestigious Berklee College of Music, the Prudential Center, the Boston Public Library, and the Old South Church in Copley Square. A left on Clarendon Street and a quick right on Newbury Street brings you to top-notch designer stores such as Chanel and Burberry, and the ultra-chic Taj hotel.
Take a left on Arlington Street and a right at the gate of the Public Garden to run across the bridge and see the beautiful flora and Swan Boats. Cross Charles Street straight through the Boston Common, and take a left at the Park Street Station where you’ll see the State House. Follow Beacon Street to your left to see historic homes of politicians, and take a right at Arlington Street to pass over the pedestrian bridge. Now you’re on the Esplanade. Keeping the Charles River to your right, run until the pathway lets out at Exeter Street, and take a right on Commonwealth Avenue, one of the most picturesque streets in the city.
As you get closer to the iconic Citgo sign, you’ll enter Kenmore Square, where you’ll meet rampant Red Sox fans all year round. (7.4km)
New York
In this always-awake metropolis, you’re hard pressed to ever find a 10k route that will cover absolutely everything Manhattan has to offer. We’ve tried our hand at some of the big hitters, and bring you through worthy attractions.
Start in Central Park at the Natural History Museum and the Hayden Planetarium. Explore the greenery and run passed the lake on your left, and come to the famous Tavern on the Green. Cut through the park or take a left to get to E 59th Street, and take a right on 5th Avenue. You’ll pass all the buildings that make New York so revered – FAO Schwartz, the Trump Tower, and Saks. Take a left on E 42nd Street, and run through fashionable Bryant Park, where runway meets the road, and come to the lively Times Square. Continue down W 42nd and take a left at the water that will lead you to the Hudson River Park, the Chelsea Piers, and the Meatpacking District. (7.8km)
Feel like venturing off Manhattan? For a quick 5k, run across the Brooklyn Bridge and back. It’s about 2.5km each way, and ends up being just over 5k if you circle Washington Plaza once you cross.
San Francisco
In our opinion, the neighbourhoods of Union Square, Haight Ashbury, Castro, Mission are better experienced in some depth rather than simply run by.
We chose a running route that offers more picturesque scenery instead. Start at Fisherman's Wharf, on Pier 39, where you’ll see Alcatraz in the distance and sea lions up close. Run toward the city, and keep the water on your right to run through the San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park, and Ghirardelli Square (no stopping!). With the water still on your right, run through Fort Mason and the Marina Green, and you’ll see the Palace of the Arts to your left. Continue through the Presidio, and you’ll be surrounded by greenery on both sides. Pass through Fort Winfield Scott, and you’ll end up on the Golden Gate Bridge. Stop your run here for a 6.5km trip, or cross the bridge to add 2km, totalling 8.6k. We think it’s worth it!
Austin
It’s true what they say about Austin – it’s got its own thing going on. Exploring this city won’t bring you past enormous malls or gigantic hairdos, but you will see nature-friendly parks, lakes, mansions, academia, and a much appreciated hippie counterculture on these roads.
Start your run at the University of Texas, which acts as the hub of the city. Explore the buildings, green areas and architecture, and exit at W. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard until you can take a left on N. Lamar Boulevard, which is one of the most well-known streets for sight-seeing. Follow the road as it takes you through Old West Austin. You'll pass by Pease Park, House Park, and Duncan Park. After the greenery, get ready to plough through Downtown. Once you’re through it, cross W Cesar Chavez St. over the water and enjoy the view. From here, stay right through Butler Park, and follow the path as it hugs the water and turns left. Cross the Barton Springs bridge on the right to enter the enormous and beautiful Zilker Botanical Garden, where your run ends, and you’re free to explore the different species of trees and flowers. (7.5km)
Chicago
If Chicago is your kind of town, then get ready to see the best of it in a quick 6.7km. See the lake, the shopping, the history, and the art, all in one fell swoop.
Start at the celebrated Magnificent Mile, which brings you through some of the most lavish retail establishments and posh hot spots in the city. From the top of N. Michigan Avenue at the Chicago Water Tower and the Hancock Center, run straight down the avenue where upscale hotels and glamorous shopping beckon tourists and locals alike. Take a left on Grand Ave – running straight to the end will bring you to the Navy Pier, where you’ll be surrounded by the Chicago Harbour. Run through the Navy Pier Park, back to the intersection of E Grand and N. Michigan, where you’ll take a left to cross over the water. Run straight town to Millennium Park, or stay left next to the water where E Wacker Drive turns into S Lake Shore Drive to run by the lake. Either route brings you to the Loop, which is an elevated rectangle of train tracks that surround Downtown, the Chicago River, and both Michigan and Roosevelt Avenues. Your run ends here, where you can explore the park and take in views of the Buckingham Fountain. (6.7km)
Denver
In the land of cold winters and microbreweries, you might be tempted to stay inside and get cosy with a hand-crafted brew, but no matter what season you see the Mile High City, it's imperative to take in the stunning landscapes.
Start your run in one of the city’s chic shopping areas, Lower Downtown (also called Lodo). Here, you’ll see art galleries, nightclubs, and restaurants. Enter Washington Park, which has two lakes and plenty of green space to explore. Follow S Downing Street north and run by the Country Club Historic District to your right. Continue on S Downing and take a right on E 8th Avenue, which will bring you to another stretch of greenery called Cheeseman Park. Take a left to enter, and follow the main pathway that exits at E 12th Ave. Take your fourth left on York Street and a right on E Colfax to explore the tree-line side streets and striking mansions. (Exit Cheeseman Park through E 9th Street instead, and you’ll see the Denver Botanic Gardens Park. Still take a left on York Street.) On Colfax Street you’ll pass well-known restaurants and entertainment establishments such as the Bluebird Theater and the Rock Bar. Take a left on Harrison Street to enter City Park, which houses the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Duck Lake, and the Denver Zoo. Your run ends amid gorgeous local flora and fauna so take it all and absorb the beauty of yet another charming Denver park. (7.8km)
Miami
The sunny city has style, nightlife, beaches, and culture. There’s no better place to start than South Beach Park.
Run north up Ocean Drive to get the best of both worlds – the greenery of Lummus Park and the serenity of the ocean. Run all the way through Flamingo/Lummus until the park ends, where you’ll take a left and a quick right onto Collins Ave/ Florida A1A. This will take you through the Wolfsonian, past Loews, and through Miami Beach up to the Ritz Plaza. After you pass Collins Park on the right, you’ll see beautiful Lake Pancost to your left. Take Indian Creek Drive to hug the lake, or stay on Collins Ave to be closer to the ocean – they both end up at 41st street, where you’ll take a left, and another left on Pine Tree Drive. Take a right on W 34th Street and a left on Prairie Drive to run the length of Bayshore Golf Course and the Miami Municipal Golf Course. End your run at the Miami Beach Botanical Gardens for a 7.8km trip, or keep following Dade Blvd to Island View Park for a trip just over 8km. (7.8km)
Atlanta
Atlanta goes by its nickname Hotlanta, and it’s not just because of the heat – this city is full of hot places to see, and you can explore some of them through this scenic running route. Believe it or not, this southern gem is full of green spaces.
Start at the Ansley Park Golf Course, and run down Montgomery Ferry Drive, and take a left on Maddox Drive to follow Barksdale Drive to Ansley Park. Run through Eubanks Park and Winn Park on Westminster Drive, and take a left on Peachtree Street, where you’ll run by shops, boutiques, and galleries. Pass the Colony Square Shopping Center on your left as you hug the road to the right when it becomes 15th Street. Take another left on Peachtree Street NW, and your first left on 14th St. NE to run straight into Piedmont Park. Exit Piedmont Park at Piedmont Ave NE, and follow the road to the Atlanta Botanical Garden. (3.8 miles)
Los Angeles
To get your fill of top-notch spots, must-see attractions and celeb-studded joints, start your run at the reputable UCLA campus at the corner of Sunset and Hilgard, and run down Hilgard passed the Murphy Sculpture Garden. Take a left on Comstock, and run through Holmby Park. At the Beverly Hills Plaza, take a left on Wilshire through the middle of the course, and take a right before the Beverly Hilton, a quick right on Santa Monica Boulevard, and a left on Moreno Drive to circle Beverly Hills High School (although the school was fictional, fans of 90210 can rejoice here). Take a left on Spalding Street and a right on Wilshire to pass upscale shops such as Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Barney's. Take your final left on Rodeo Drive, and run until a storefront calls you inside. (6.2km)
New Orleans
New Orleans has been hit, but this city knows how to hit back in the best way possible. Saturated in history, jazz music, artists, restaurants, waterfront culture, and a whole lot of noise, New Orleans is stacked with things to do and places to see.
Start your run at the National World War II History Museum and run up Magazine Street to Poydras Street and take a right. Run toward the water and take a left at Harrah’s Casino to run by Woldenberg Park, the Cabildo, and straight into the French Quarter where you’ll see courtyards and picturesque cafes. Take a right on Chartres Street to pass Jackson Square, and take a left where it crosses Esplanade Ave. Your second left takes you to Bourbon Street, where the fun starts. Pass famous bars and shops and weave through pedestrians. Remember to look up at the beautiful architecture, and at the end, take a right on Canal Street (the boundary between Old New Orleans and New Orleans), pass the Ritz Carlton, and take another right on N. Rampart Street to pass the New Orleans Saenger Theater. One more left on St. Ann’s Street and you’ll end your run in Louis Armstrong Park – a cultural landmark – and Beauregard Square. (6.2km)