Family friendly urban bike routes in the U.S.

If you’re heading to one of the popular cities in the U.S. for vacation, you might want to consider doing some exploring on two wheels. There are plenty of cities around the country that offer family-friendly urban bike routes where you can learn more about the area and see some great scenery. Make a plan to check out the following urban bike paths with your family.

urban bike routes

Cherry Creek Trail, Denver

Extending from downtown Denver to the high prairie grasslands, the 42-mile Cherry Creek Trail is one of the best ways to see the area. The paved trail starts at the confluence of Cherry Creek in downtown Denver. It then follows the creek past busy downtown streets and top attractions, such as the Colorado State Capitol building, Larimer Square, Union Station, and the Colorado Convention Center. As the trail heads out of the downtown core it goes through some historic neighborhoods, Cherry Creek State Park, and suburban residential areas.

Lakefront Trail, Chicago

See Chicago’s famous and stunning shoreline on full display when you ride on the Lakefront Trail. With the shores of Lake Michigan on one side and the Chicago skyline on the other, the 18.5-mile paved trail takes you by some the city’s most famous landmarks. A few of the attractions you’ll ride past include Navy Pier, Lincoln Park Zoo, Soldier Field, Monroe Harbor, and the Museum of Science and Industry.

Minuteman Bikeway, Boston

If you want to include some history with your bike ride, there’s no better place to do it than the Minuteman Bikeway in Boston. This 10-mile paved rail trail follows roughly the same route Paul Revere took during his famous ride. The trail connects the neighborhoods of Bedford, Cambridge, Lexington, and Arlington. It stops at the Alewife Station, where you can park your bikes and hop on mass transit to go right into downtown Boston.

BeltLine, Atlanta

The BeltLine is a former railway corridor that circles Atlanta. When completed, the trail will offer a nearly continuous loop around the city for transportation and recreation. So far, Atlanta has converted around 22 miles of abandoned railroad track to a multiuse trail. You can tour the city on the Eastside Trail and ride through the beautiful Historic Fourth Ward Park. Best of all, even if you’re traveling to Atlanta without your bikes, you can rent some using a bike sharing program and still tour the lovely BeltLine.

Burke-Gilman Trail, Seattle

Another lovely rail trail is the 27-mile multiuse Burke-Gilman Trail in Seattle. The trail runs from Puget Sound in North Seattle all the way to the town of Bothell. Along the way, you’ll ride the shorelines of Lake Union, Lake Washington Ship Canal, and Lake Washington. You’ll also enjoy relatively flat terrain, gorgeous views of the water, and a great tour of the surrounding neighborhoods.

No matter which city you decide to travel to in the U.S., you’re sure to find some scenic urban bike routes that will help you explore the area and learn more about where you’re visiting.

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