Nothing quite breaks the ice between you and a new city like sweat and some miles. But instead of logging them in the hotel treadmill, get some fresh air. From sightseeing in Los Angeles, to putting sole to tar in the Big Apple, to jogging in the land of 10,000 lakes, cities offer both urban and even borderline bucolic settings for outdoor runners. So whether you’re visiting one of these cities or just getting reacquainted with your hometown, these routes and trails in 11 major American cities are a good place to start.
New York City
Manhattan to Queens and Back
The East River Run
[iframe src=”https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m10!1m8!1m3!1d24195.10792445658!2d-73.96959405590049!3d40.70946355035145!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1431708355141&w=650;h=500″][/iframe]
How Long: 13 miles
Season: year-round, but December through March can get bitterly cold
The Draw: The East River Run won’t trap you between too many lights. It starts at the top of Central Park, works its way through Randall’s Island, over the Triborough Bridge, down through Queens, back over to the Upper East Side and finally completes the circle at Central Park again. Expect lots of waterfront views of the East River — and to be sore the morning after.