With eco-tourism on the rise, it’s important to plan your next vacation with Mother Nature in mind!
There are lots of sustainable cities across America, so we wanted to highlight a few favorites. If you’re an eco-conscious traveler, you’ll love these destinations!
What is Sustainable Tourism?
Sustainable tourism, also known as eco-tourism, refers to an approach to travel that prioritizes minimizing the negative impact on the environment, local cultures, and communities while promoting conservation and responsible practices.
The primary goal is to ensure that tourism activities contribute to the well-being of both the destination and its inhabitants, both now and in the future.
1. Medford, Oregon
If you’re a wine lover, find nonstop flights to Medford, Oregon, to experience their eco-friendly wineries. The crops are organically grown and free of sulfites!
Cowhorn Vineyard & Garden is a great example, as they allow native grasses and flowers to grow on the land, keeping the soil healthy. Cowhorn has also established unique corridors for small animals and insects to use throughout the farm, so they leave the important crops alone!
Looking for more adventure? Consider a road trip – in an electric vehicle of course! Oregon has one of the largest fast-charging station networks in America. You can practice sustainable travel while seeing all the natural beauty this state has to offer.
2. San Francisco, California
Just outside of San Francisco, you’ll find Half Moon Bay, a community committed to eco-friendly practices. Visitors can immerse themselves in the pristine beauty of natural coastal ecosystems. From exploring tidal pools teeming with marine life to hiking scenic coastal trails, Half Moon Bay invites travelers to engage in low-impact, environmentally conscious activities.
When you’re done exploring the plethora of trails, grab a bite to eat at one of the city’s sustainable restaurants. Wildseed and Atelier Crenn use local ingredients to uphold their organic principles.
Book a trip to San Francisco to explore one of America’s greenest cities!
3. Denver, Colorado
Known for its breathtaking wildernesses, Colorado has taken preemptive measures to keep its state beautiful and untouched for generations to come. The Care for Colorado program enlists a host of partners to promote their sustainability principles, including:
- Stick To Trails
- Leave It As You Find It
- Keep Wildlife Wild
A great example of these efforts is the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, located just 10 miles outside of Denver. This former chemical weapons manufacturing facility is now a restored refuge that supports bald eagles, a herd of bison, alligator snapping turtles, and black-footed ferrets.
Fly to Denver to experience Colorado’s unique eco-friendly tourism spots.
4. Fort Myers, Florida
Eco-attractions aren’t the first thing you think of when you hear Fort Myers, but it has a surprising amount of sustainable tourism activities. When you’re done with the beach, head inland for miles of hiking and kayak trails through preserved wetlands.
Lover’s Key State Park is the perfect place for couples to explore untouched beaches and wander through 5 miles of secluded trails.
Paddle the Calusa Blueway to have a water-bound adventure through the coastal rivers and backwaters of Southwest Florida. With marked kayak and canoe trails, this is an activity for paddlers of all skill levels.
Plan your next sustainable vacation in Fort Myers!
5. Bozeman, Montana
Bozeman strives to attract regenerative tourism, where visitors are asked to focus more on contributing to the local environment instead of what they can take back with them. The Be Good to Bozeman initiative calls on tourists and the community to spread the word on how they can give back.
Since learning is an important aspect of regenerative tourism, there are two amazing museums you should visit while in Bozeman:
While you’re in town, support the community by patronizing local productions such as theater performances and visual art exhibitions.
Want to experience regenerative tourism firsthand? Book a flight to Bozeman!
6. Chicago, Illinois
Did you know that Chicago is one of the most bike-friendly cities in the U.S.? Even though it’s a huge urban sprawl, the city has gone to great lengths to be green.
A group of museums came together to start the Green Museums Initiative, which aims to make their buildings more sustainable, and their business practices more eco-friendly. Some of these eco-conscious museums include:
Millennium Park is a popular stop when visiting Chicago, but did you know it’s actually a green roof? It covers an entire parking garage and spans 25 acres of green space that houses a natural ecosystem in the heart of downtown Chicago.
Plan a trip to Chicago to experience its amazing eco-friendly programs.
Fly nonstop to any of these sustainable destinations with Allegiant!
How do you travel eco-friendly?
