Best U.S cities to visit without a car?(Besides NYC)

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For two adults. A car isn’t an option as I can’t drive for medical reasons and the other person most definitely would not be willing to drive in the U.S(And I don’t blame them) Plus we prefer to avoid driving when we can.

It’d be our first visit to America. I think NYC might be too much for me at first as I’m autistic with neurological problems and sensory issues and I’m apprehensive enough about the trip so we may leave that for a subsequent holiday.

I’m open to almost part of the U.S though currently contemplating DC and Boston. Possibly Orlando and South Florida. Happy to use Uber and whatever public transport is available e. g Brightline.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

TIA

We did Chicago not long ago and loved it. We arrived in a car, but left it parked the entire time we were in the city. We did a mix of taxi and Uber while we were there. There were apps for both so it was pretty simple. There is also a bus system but we were avoiding that because of a party member’s immune status. The only real problem was if it was raining very hard right as the work day ended and the wait times were long. Sometimes we just had to be flexible and find a short activity wherever we were.

Boston

I would agree with your Washington and Boston thoughts, both lovely cities.

Boston and Washington would both work well.

San Diego it’s lovely and quite easy to get around without a car

Boston would be my top pick

I also really like Philadelphia

What sort of thing do you like to see/do?

Totally yes for Boston and Chicago. Yes with caveats for Nashville (if you stay centrally) and possibly Memphis (we stayed in Overton Square and that was fine with Uber). Yes for Santa Fe which is small.

If you like live music, Nashville. Tons of pubs all with live bands in one street (great if you like that sort of thing- appreciate not everyone does). Also great museums.

There's loads to see in Washington DC and it isn't a huge city so it's very walkable. And the public transport is decent. I didn't have any problems getting around Chicago and Philadephia without a car either.

Nashville, new orleans, washington DC.

also we went to orlando with cars but it was easier to use uber.

I agree about Washington - loads to do, free museums and zoo, good transport links, we did a Segway tour which was great fun

Nashville is great fun and feels really safe and walkable.

San Francisco is very easy to get around with the trams and taxis and it's not huge so some bits are walkable

Boston is absolutely doable, you can even take a train to Salem for a day trip or you can do a two-center trip and take the train down to Washington, it depends how long you have as the train journey takes a day.

We did 4 days in Boston and one day in Salem and there was plenty left to do and see.

Boston and Washington and Chicago all very do-able without a car and LOADS to see/do in all 3.

Boston my favourite!

Chicago, Boston or Atlanta are all brilliant without a car. We have done all three (as well as NYC) and all have so much to offer. For a more relaxed vibe I would choose Chicago, lots to do, great transport and just walking along the river is lovely.

I'd go for Washington as there are plenty of less busy museums to go round if it is all a bit much in the really popular ones and it is so walkable

I've been to lots of US cities without a car, and actually many of them are fine. San Francisco or San Diego on the west coast. Philadelphia or Washington on the east. If you fancy Canada, Vancouver also easy to get around.

Also if you have a bit of time and are organised you could travel to more than one city and use the trains (Amtrak) between. you have to plan in advance though as trains are that regular in some areas.

I second Chicago. So much to see in the city itself, and the El (Green Line) goes out to Oak Park's Frank Lloyd Wright district, where you can tour the Unity Temple - a UNESCO world heritage site - and explore a neighbourhood full of architectural gems. Metra trains will bring you even further afield - Geneva and St. Charles are charming little towns, and the Fox River Trail might appeal if you like walking. There are other trails too, accessible by Metra.

DC has a great transport network, as does Boston, and both cities have a huge number of interesting sights to see and things to do.

Uber and Lyft apps make getting around really easy everywhere, even in suburban areas in the US.

Washington DC or Boston but DC is my favourite US city!!

Chicago (museums and aquarium are great) or DC. Would avoid San Francisco, it’s a bit of a dump.

I've not done it yet but I understand Charleston, South Carolina is doable without a car. Planning a trip in the spring.

We did San Fran without a car.

Boston and Washington are great ideas. Not been to Boston for absolutely ages but Washington is def very doable with public transport and feet and feels a very “open” city, not particularly busy. Loads to see. I once went in December and the weather was in the low 20s and glorious.

Definitely DC.

I used to visit the Boston area for work a lot, and while it's certainly a city worth seeing if you're there anyway, I'm not sure I'd bother going there versus any number of European cities.

San Diego likewise.

What time of year are you thinking of? Some US cities are far too hot or bitingly cold if you choose the wrong season!