Kenneth Glad
Some trips make healthy habits feel effortless. In a new wellness ranking, one coastal city stood out because visitors can explore much of it without getting behind the wheel.
Portland, Maine, is the clear walkability standout in a new wellness-focused ranking from EatingWell.
The publication said the small city received a walkability score of 100, well above the 72 average among the 21 towns it reviewed.
The ranking focused on smaller American destinations where travelers can combine movement, food, nature and rest.
Steps become sightseeing
In Portland, walking is not just exercise. It becomes the way travelers experience the city.
A morning coffee run, a harbor stroll, a walk to dinner or a route through Victorian streets can all add movement without requiring a gym session or planned workout.
Travel advisor Whitney Shindelar told EatingWell, “As I reflect on my favorite cities in America, they often correlate with my step count at the end of the day.”
That idea helps explain Portland’s appeal. The city lets visitors stay active while still feeling relaxed, spontaneous and connected to local life.
The city’s compact layout makes it easy for visitors to move between the Old Port, the waterfront, the West End, shops, restaurants and historic streets without making transportation the center of the day.
According to the outlet, Portland also gives travelers access to kayaking, ferry rides, beaches, fishing areas and nearby trails.
The Back Cove Trail offers a scenic loop close to the city, while Bradbury Mountain State Park is close enough for visitors who want a more traditional outdoor excursion.
That combination makes Portland more than a walkable restaurant-and-shopping destination. It also functions as a base for light adventure, coastal scenery and time outdoors.
Other towns bring different strengths
The EatingWell ranking showed that wellness travel can take many forms.
Bend, Oregon, was included for its access to hiking, cycling, skiing, paddling and river activities. Kihei, Hawaii, offered beaches, snorkeling, surfing and sunshine.
Ann Arbor, Michigan, also ranked highly for walkability, with a score of 98. The university city combines trails, lakes, fitness studios and restaurants in a setting that makes active travel feel practical.
Santa Fe, New Mexico, brought a food-and-culture angle, with regional cooking, chile traditions, a major farmers’ market and restaurants tied to local ingredients.
While Portland led on walkability, EatingWell named Asheville the overall winner.
The North Carolina mountain city was recognized for plant-based dining, farm-connected restaurants, independent businesses, outdoor access and community identity.
The publication also noted Asheville’s recovery after Hurricane Helene caused serious damage in western North Carolina in 2024, including flooding in the River Arts District.
Palm Springs, California, rounded out the list with a slower kind of wellness, centered on spas, mineral waters, yoga, desert hotels and nearby hiking.
Together, the destinations suggest that healthy travel is becoming less rigid. A restorative trip might begin with a spa treatment, a mountain trail, a farmers’ market or, in Portland’s case, simply a good pair of walking shoes.
Source: EatingWell
