If you’re reading this, then you and I both know that there are a lot of ways to enjoy traveling. But overtime, you start to realize that traveling truly isn’t as complicated as some people make it seem.
For me, my favorite travel destination is green. Lots and lots of greenery. But “green” doesn’t mean remote. Urban eco-tourism is proof you can travel consciously, enjoy forest trails, and still have access to really good food, jazz concerts, and comedy shows.
What is Ecotourism?
In short, it’s about exploring cities through more sustainable methods both financially and environmentally. This means exploring national parks, green rooftops, and public parks but also leaving a smaller footprint when you travel because the destination is giving you so much.
Why The Shift to Ecotourism?
Because of the rise in people integrating traveling into their self-care routine, more and more travelers want low-impact trips that can capture a variety of goals. People are wanting to be less dependent on large corporations and their traditional 9-5’s so cities are stepping up. You’ll see that many cities are adopting:
- Urban Farms (hydroponic farming, indoor herb gardens, etc)
- Eco-hotels (spaces built around trees and well-established greenery)
- Walkable design (healthy communities are happy communities)
- Zero-waste cafes
Top U.S. Cities for Green Escapes
Portland, OR – Forest trails inside city limits or a short drive away
Austin, TX – Bat conservation, greenbelt hiking, close-knit restaurant and hobbyist community
Chicago, IL – 606 Trail, Millennium Park’s native gardens, short hikes right outside city
San Francisco, CA – eco-certified hotels, tons of inner city parks
Philadelphia, PA – urban gardening, eco districts, and so much more
A Low-Footprint Green Day in Austin, TX Might Look Like:
- Breakfast at a zero-waste cafe
- Kayak on Lady Bird Lake (renting kayaks to reuse instead of buying a ton of supplies)
- Walk on the Barton Creek Greenbelt
- Picnic after shopping locally at farmers markets
- Enjoying dinner in the city, like the Salty Sow, for a mixture of city and green living
Although we have the tendency to throw names onto things, ecotourism is really just a term for resourcefulness – that you can enjoy green scapes right where you are and not need to spend money, a ton of plane fuel, and time traveling to a new place. There’s always green between the concrete, some cities just do it better than others!
My Travel Favorites That I Don’t Plan on Replacing
Solomon Trail Shoes: My friends hate these because they think they’re ugly. But when you’ve spent the last year throwing together insane hiking fits, these go with anything you put on and are fashionably “granola”. They’re a bit of a splurge, but they really are some of the best trail shoes I’ve ever had. They suit narrower feet better though, so if you have wider feet, I’d try these on first!
Cotopaxi Hiking Pack: If you’re doing a longer trek and are in the market for a new hiking backpack, Cotopaxi is my favorite. They don’t have much structure when they’re empty, but it leaves a lot of wiggle room for packing, the backpack doesn’t add much weight, and the material is very very durable. I’ve had mine for 3 years now and it’s not even stained because it’s so easy to clean.
If you’re not doing any crazy hikes, you really don’t need to splurge on a backpack. This is the one I carry for shorter hikes with my dog. It has a ton of compartments and I love how small it is.
Soap Sheets: Because sometimes you slip and fall and don’t want mud on your hands for the remaining 3 miles on your hike. I stumbled upon these and use them even when I’m not traveling!
Sports Bras: That also act as tank tops. You can layer these, wear them alone, or leave them on underneath your dinner jacket. I’ve tried out a lot of athletic bras and these are perfect for medium support, tight but not too tight, and super versatile. You can hike in these or do an hour long vinyasa flow in them.
Thanks for reading until the end. I hope these tips and recommendations help inspire your next trip!
– Cindy, the nomad in nomad’s nook