5 Incredible US Cities for Fitness Lovers and Adventure Travelers 

If you’re someone who loves keeping fit or who enjoys getting the endorphins going trying out new sports, then sweat jetting could be the perfect vacation concept for you. From learning to surf the legendary waves on Hawaii’s Waikiki Beach to taking the family on a cycling getaway to South Carolina’s famous Swamp Rabbit Trail – fitness-inspired vacations are a superb way of exploring the US while staying active. 

Whether you’re on the hunt for a jaw-dropping running trail or want to learn a new activity that embraces the great outdoors, we’ve created the ultimate shortlist of the best five sporting-themed city breaks you need to visit this year. 

Bike the Swamp Rabbit Trail in Greenville, South Carolina 

Ideal for family-friendly escapes, as well as solo traveler excursions, our first top destination for a mix of gentle exercise combined with spectacular views sees us heading to the beautiful Swamp Rabbit Trail in Greenville, South Carolina. Primarily constructed along a now-defunct 19th-century railway, the Swamp Rabbit Trail is a paved multi-use trail that stretches for 28 miles through Greenville County, renowned for its countless picturesque parks, forests, and lakes along the way. 

Visitors to Greenville can meet with the fantastic team at Reedy Rides to hire bikes for the length of your stay before pedaling past sites including stunning Falls Park on the Reedy, the Furman University campus, and the cafés of Travelers Rest. So if you’re looking for the perfect fitness vacation that feels more like an adventure-filled tour on two wheels, then the Swamp Rabbit Trail is a sure-fire hit for visitors of all ages. 

Feel the wind in your hair as you cycle the incredible Swamp Rabbit Trail, and be sure to get a relaxing night’s sleep every night by booking your stay at the Best Western Plus Greenville I-385 Inn & Suites in Greenville, South Carolina.  

Jog the Burlington Greenway in Burlington, Vermont 

We couldn’t create the ultimate sweat jet guide without mentioning one of the best scenic running routes in the US, that of the Burlington Greenway in Burlington, Vermont. As part of the longer Island Line Trail, the Burlington Greenway is a spectacular 8-mile pathway that hugs the shoreline of Lake Champlain, with the amazing Adirondack Mountains acting as a magnificent backdrop for your daily vacation run. 

For those of you who like to challenge themselves, you can also extend your runs to include the complete 14.4-mile Island Line Trail, which includes the Colchester Causeway, a 3-mile path that stretches across Lake Champlain itself. Waterfront running trails in the US don’t get much prettier than this, and with several beaches and bayside parks to take in along the way, the Burlington Greenway and the Island Line Trail will turn every run into a postcard-worthy adventure. 

Relish the lakeside views as you clock up your running miles on a sporting adventure to Burlington, Vermont, and recharge your batteries every night by staying nearby at the Best Western Plus Waterbury – Stowe. 

Experience World-Class Rock Climbing in Boulder, Colorado 

Next on our excellent shortlist of outdoor fitness-inspired destinations sees us heading to Boulder, Colorado, a city widely regarded as the climbing capital of the US. As one of the world’s greatest climbing destinations, with over 5,000 climbing routes in and around the city, no matter what your experience levels, Boulder is the place to be if you are after a sublime climbing vacation. 

For beginners and part-time climbers, you can kick-start your trip with the expert team at Peak Mountain Guides on their 2-day Outdoor Rock 101 course. Then, with a myriad of iconic, geologically created climbing attractions – including the Flatirons, Eldorado Canyon, and Boulder Canyon – you’ll want to keep returning until you’ve conquered all of Boulder’s epic, vertically challenging rocky landmarks. 

Push your climbing skills to new heights as you mount the famous rock formations of Boulder, Colorado, and ensure a great night’s sleep every night with a stay at the Best Western Plus Boulder Louisville. 

Snorkel with the Manatees of Crystal River, Florida 

We head to the Sunshine State next for a fitness vacation with a twist, with the chance to snorkel alongside the wild manatees found in Crystal River’s pristine spring waters. Providing perhaps one of the most unique snorkeling experiences on the planet, here you can swim next to these gentle giants on an active family-themed vacation to Crystal River Preserve State Park in Florida. 

Alongside the underwater adventures of Crystal River, you can keep the adrenaline flowing with a clear kayak guided tour with the friendly team at Manatee Paddle to glide across the turquoise waters of Three Sisters Springs. Because of this, if you’re on the hunt for a sports-infused vacation that features real-world wildlife encounters in a truly exotic environment, then a trip to Florida’s Crystal River will offer everything you’re looking for. 

Float your way to an unforgettable family getaway to meet the manatees of Crystal Lake by booking your stay nearby at the Best Western Ocala Park Centre I-75 in Ocala, Florida. 

Learn to Surf at the World-Famous Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii 

When it comes to bucket list destinations, they don’t get much grander than taking a trip out to Honolulu in Hawaii on a quest for an action-packed vacation away. Considered one of the best places in the world to surf, whether you’ve never stepped on a board or you’ve been surfing for years, Waikiki Beach is the place to be.  

 Don’t worry if you’re new to surfing, as the pros at Gone Surfing Hawaii have a course to suit every age and skill level possible, so if you’re traveling solo or you’re in Hawaii with your entire family, they’ve got you covered. Whether you’re catching your first-ever wave or heading out for a full-blown ocean workout, the kudos you’ll get from having surfed Waikiki’s waves will be something you’ll treasure for the rest of your life.  

Ride the waves of Waikiki Beach on a recreational sports adventure in the heart of the Pacific, and then get a tranquil night’s sleep at the Best Western The Plaza Hotel Honolulu Airport, in Honolulu, Hawaii.