Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Which American cities/a city have the best combination of a busy urban city life and great outdoors nearby?
So you can submerge in the culture and see lots of different people, but then escape the city and enjoy the nature alone (preferably mountains)
Albuquerque would fit your description very well. The city has easy access to the Sandia Mountains and foothills trails. The Rio Grande and the bosque forest run through the middle of town. The west side has a large national monument. All that is accessible on a bike. Within an hour drive there is a a wealth of other places. An hour north is Santa Fe and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The smallish population means that these places are usually not crowded.
Seattle. Densest city close to a major mountain range, an inland Sound, and a major lake that borders the entire east side of the city. Also closest major city to one of the highest peaks in the lower 48.
Seattle. Densest city close to a major mountain range, an inland Sound, and a major lake that borders the entire east side of the city. Also closest major city to one of the highest peaks in the lower 48.
I'd actually recommend Seattle, but your last point is debatable.
Downtown Seattle to Mt. Rainier is 58 miles as the crow flies. Downtown Denver to Mt. Evans (14,264') is 36 miles. Although not a "major city," Colorado Springs is 12 miles from Pikes Peak (14,110').
I'd actually recommend Seattle, but your last point is debatable.
Downtown Seattle to Mt. Rainier is 58 miles as the crow flies. Downtown Denver to Mt. Evans (14,264') is 36 miles. Although not a "major city," Colorado Springs is 12 miles from Pikes Peak (14,110').
I did say "one of the highest peaks", and Rainier is taller than both examples you list. But point taken.
I did say "one of the highest peaks", and Rainier is taller than both examples you list. But point taken.
That wasn't quite my point. I was just saying that Denver is closer to a major mountain than Seattle. It's a whopping 150' lower than Rainier, but it's still a 14er.
Rainier dominates in prominence, though, and it's considerably more challenging to ascend than Evans (which can be mostly driven up from Memorial Day-Labor Day).
I did say "one of the highest peaks", and Rainier is taller than both examples you list. But point taken.
Why are so many westerners so big on "my mountain is bigger than your mountain!"
Some of my favorite mountains are not the biggest in the area, much less the West in general.
Last edited by JMT; 10-13-2017 at 09:19 PM..
Reason: Vulgar
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
