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Car Free Journeys By Steve Atlas Car Free Journeys is a collection of articles by Steve Atlas detailing vacation destinations that don't require driving. Steve wrote these articles in a monthly column for Ecocities Emerging, the newsletter of Ecocity Builders, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reshaping cities for the long-term health of human and natural systems. He has been kind enough to allow Pubtrantravel to include these articles in our continuing effort to promote car-free travel.
Kansas City, Missouri is well known for its affordability, jazz, barbecue and fountains. It has a free streetcar downtown, several unique museums, walkable downtown, and major league sports teams. By focusing on downtown and several other walkable neighborhoods served by public transportation, you can have a satisfying and memorable experience during your stay. The Kansas City Area Transit Authority (KCATA) operates local buses and the Streetcar. The Streetcar is managed, operated and maintained by the Kansas City Streetcar Authority (www.kcstreetcar.org). The web site for public transportation in Kansas City is www.ridekc.org. Telephone customer service is available from 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday, central time. The phone number is (816) 221-0660. (Don’t forget to review the section earlier in this column: Before You Start Your Trip, for information about what to do before coming here.) The Streetcar is free to use. Its 2.2 mile route along Main Street connects the River Market to Union Station/Crown Center with 16 stops. If you use the Streetcar as your primary transit while visiting, there is no cost to you. For more information about the Streetcar, and what to see and do at individual stops along the route, go to https://www.visitkc.com/visitors/getting-around/kansas-city-streetcar#sm.0001qmvmor788favz321wtpeqbtt3 --Read More-- 
Destination Halifax, Halifax’s marketing organization and meeting and convention bureau, extends a special welcome to visitors who don’t want to drive. Here are some of its special benefits for visitors who want a car free vacation: Halifax has a compact downtown core with many major attractions within walking distance of one another. The wooden boardwalk, in downtown Halifax, runs for over 3 km. (To convert miles to kilometers, or vice-versa, go to www.metric-conversions.org/length/kilometers-to-miles.htm. )It passes three major museums, the Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market, restaurants and shops, community spaces,public art installations, and includes panoramic harbor views. Halifax has a walk score of 70 and is classified as “very walkable” according to Walkscore.com. Getting across the harbor to Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, means taking a ride on the longest-running saltwater ferry service in North America and enjoying unobstructed views of the Halifax waterfront. There are two ferries at the Halifax ferry terminal. Take the Alderney Ferry to downtown Dartmouth. (The Woodside Ferry goes to a location outside of downtown Dartmouth. --Read More-- 
In early 2014, we spotlighted Lake Tahoe. However, some of us may prefer a more city-like getaway nearby. This month, we will spotlight nearby Reno: Nevada’s third largest city. Reno offers cultural attractions, biking and hiking trails, including one along the Truckee River, casinos, history, shopping, professional sports, and several special events you won’t want to miss.. Best of all, downtown Reno is a convenient location to enjoy many of these attractions without needing to drive. Wikipedia has an article that offers an introduction to Reno. Here is some information from that article: “Reno is a city in the U.S. state of Nevada near Lake Tahoe. Known as “The Biggest Little City in the world,” Reno is famous for its casinos and as the birthplace of Caesars Entertainment Corporation. It is the county seat of Washoe County, located in the northwestern part of the state. The city sits in a high desert at the foot of the Sierra Nevada, and its downtown area (along with Sparks) occupies a valley informally knows as the Truckee Meadows. --Read More-- Tampa FL 
At first glance, Tampa seems an unlikely choice for a vacation - especially one without a car. It is one of the few Florida cities without its own beach (even though St. Petersburg and Clearwater beaches are less than an hour away). Rush hour traffic can be frustrating, and some of the most popular attractions are easiest to reach by driving. But, you and I can have a totally different experience. Downtown Tampa is very walkable, with a great Riverwalk that includes museums, an aquarium, a nearby supermarket, and several good eating places. My wife Karen and I visited Tampa for two days. The first day, we spent exploring downtown Tampa, followed by a ride on the TECO Line Streetcar System and lunch in historic Ybor City. Our guide from Visit Tampa Bay, Dave Reynolds delighted in showing us the wealth of walkable areas and attractions. Coast Bike Share has several kiosks throughout downtown Tampa where bikers (who rent from them or join as members) can leave or return their rented bikes. --Read More--
Mt Washington Valley is a collection of 27 towns and villages all surrounding Mount Washington, the largest peak in the North East. The entire Valley is surrounded by the 660,000 acre White Mountain National Forest, offering seemingly endless hiking, biking, rock/ice climbing, waterfall viewing opportunities and scenic beauty. During each season, this region offers gorgeous vistas and plenty of outdoor and man-made recreation. ---Read More--- 
Churchill is a town on the west shore of Hudson Bay in Manitoba, Canada. It is most famous for the many polar bears that move toward the shore from inland in the autumn, leading to the nickname "Polar Bear Capital of the World”. In 1717 the Hudson’s Bay Company built the first permanent settlement, Churchill River Post, a log fort a few miles upstream from the mouth of the Churchill River. The trading post and river were named after John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough (an ancestor of Winston Churchill) who was governor of the Hudson's Bay Company in the late 17th century. Like all northern communities in Canada, Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) can sometimes be seen when there is a high amount of solar activity. Visibility also depends on the sky being dark enough to see them, which usually precludes their visibility in the summer due to twilight all night long. Churchill has a borderline subarctic climate, due to its location above the tree line with long very cold winters, and short, cool to mild summers. Churchill's winters are colder than a location at latitude of 58 degrees north should warrant, given its coastal location. The shallow Hudson Bay freezes, eliminating any maritime moderation. ---Read More--- 
A favorite getaway choice in summer, for many of us, is a visit to a national park. In the northeastern United States, the only U.S. national park is Acadia National Park, located in Bar Harbor, Maine. While not as large as the national parks in the western United States, Acadia’s scenic beauty and Maine coastal location makes it a popular choice for a summer getaway. Fortunately, Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park can be enjoyed by visitors who don’t want to drive. Be sure to plan your visit here between June 23 and the 2nd Monday in October (Columbus Day) when the free Island Explorer buses can take you nearly anywhere you want to go in Bar Harbor, Acadia National Park, and other popular spots on Mount Desert Island. Because the Island Explorer begins operating on June 23, this month’s Car Free Journey spotlights Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. Bar Harbor is a town on Mount Desert Island in Hancock County, Maine. According to the 2010 census, its’ population is 5,235. The town is best known as the home of the largest parts of Acadia National park (including Cadillac Mountain: the highest point within 25 miles (40 km) of the eastern United States coastline). --Read More--- 
When we think of the Pacific Northwest, Seattle and Portland are the two cities that come immediately to mind. However, there are other places in Washington and Oregon that are also good choices for visitors who don’t want to drive. Best of all, they are likely to be less crowded and more compact than larger cities. In this month’s Car Free Journey, we will spotlight one of these too-often-overlooked getaway cities: Spokane, Washington. Spokane has an average of 260 days of sunshine, is close in the midst of the outdoors and has a walkable city center. It is a great choice for visitors who don’t want to drive as much of what you need is accessible on foot or bike, and anything outside of downtown can be easily reached by public transportation. Spokane is the largest city of Spokane County of which it is also the county seat, and the fourth largest city and metropolitan area in the Pacific Northwest region. --Read More-- 
As spring approaches, most of us are eager to spend more time outdoors, and travel to destinations that might be too cold for an outdoor visit during winter. Today, we visit Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Located on Lake Michigan, Milwaukee has a River Walk, summer ethnic festivals, a world renowned brewery, museums, major league sports, and numerous restaurants and entertainment options. You will want to stay here longer than a weekend. In this month’s column, we will give you an introduction to the city, a sampling of local attractions, and resources where you can find more details and information. Located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 30th most populous city in the United States, and the 39th largest region in the United States. According to 2010 Census Data, the City of Milwaukee has a population of 594,833. Milwaukee is the main cultural and economic center of the Milwaukee-Racine-Waukesha Metropolitan Area with a population of 2,037,542 as of an official 2012 estimate.[7] --Read More-- 
Fort Myers Beach, located outside of Fort Myers, FL, is a wonderful place to vacation without needing a car. This Gulf (of Mexico) beach, on Estero Island, is easy to reach by Trolley. The Trolley, serving all of Fort Myers Beach, operates every day, except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. (For complete schedules, visit www.rideleetran.com and click on Trolley on the left side.) Joann Haley, Marketing Manager for LeeTran (the public transit system in Lee County, Florida) describes Fort Myers Beach this way: “This tropical island getaway has an atmosphere that’s a little quieter, a little less hurried, and a lot less like the rest of the world. There are many miles of white sandy beaches. Boating, fishing, and Lovers Key State Park plus a large number of family-friendly resorts, quaint cottages, seafood restaurants, and an annual Shrimp Festival make this a good vacation choice.” All seven miles of beaches along the Gulf of Mexico, plus Lovers Key State Park at the southern tip of the island, are served by the trolley system. You can also take the trolley to fishing charters from local marinas, canoe and kayak rentals, and boat tours. ---Read More--- 
For the past few weeks, my family and I have wished the ice and snow would go away - and so have many other people, all over the United States. Don’t you wish you could escape it all in a warm setting with lots of great beaches that you can walk to? Then, you will want to check out Cocoa Beach and the Space Coast of Central Florida: the focus of this month’s Car Free Journey. A great reason to visit is the 72 miles of beaches along Florida’s Atlantic Coast. You can stay here and walk to beaches and many other attractions, restaurants, and entertainment. And when you want to take a break from the beach, you can take a local bus to Cape Canaveral: home of the United States Space Program. Here, the Space Shuttle ATLANTIS is on permanent display. ---Read More--- 
Are you looking for a winter getaway that’s an often overlooked major city that’s warm enough for an enjoyable walk, and is easy to enjoy by light rail? Then, consider Dallas, Texas: the destination for this month’s column. Unlike other Texas cities, Dallas has a light rail system that can take you to many interesting neighborhoods and attractions. Downtown Dallas also has many attractions. Dallas Area Regional Transit (DART) operates light rail and local buses. Trinity Railway Express (TRE) is a commuter rail service, operating Monday-Saturday that connects Dallas and Fort Worth. Gone are the days when the automobile was practically Dallas’ mascot and a visit here meant taking taxis or renting a car. Whether you’re in Dallas for business or visiting as a weekend getaway, much of Big D is surprisingly transit-accessible and pedestrian-friendly. The best place to stay is in the heart of downtown Dallas, which is served by all four light rail lines of Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), the region’s public transportation system. --Read More-- 
If you are on the west coast, Lake Tahoe offers a wonderful place to go. In the summer, there are hiking trails, a beautiful lake, boat rides, and lots more. In winter, skiing takes a top spot. Of course, there are casinos, and many more things to do. Best of all, once you arrive at the Reno (Nevada) airport, you don’t need a car. Shuttle buses will take you to either the North Side or South Side of the Lake. (Lake Tahoe straddles two states: Nevada and California.) Tahoe South (www.tahoesouth.com), a place of thrill-seeking adventure, is a magnificent destination in the Sierra Nevada, an eclectic resort community that straddles the California and Nevada borders. North Tahoe and South Tahoe both provide great views of the lake, great lodging and activities. For winter North Lake Tahoe is home to 12 ski resorts and many towns providing variety to travelers. --Read More-- 
Last November (2012), Nathan Landau: a transit planner in Northern California and author of Car Free in Los Angeles and Southern California (Wilderness Press: 2011), wrote a great guest column for us about where to stay in Los Angeles if you don’t want to drive. You can read that column by going to: http://www.pubtrantravel.com/cfjwheretostayla.html. Today, Nathan spotlights Pasadena, California: a very walkable and delightful place to visit—offering far more than the Rose Bowl. (I highly recommend Nathan’s book: it should be required reading for anyone considering visiting or moving to the Los Angeles metropolitan area who doesn’t want to drive.) The Los Angeles region is often derided for faceless sprawl, but Pasadena is a distinctive, historic, walkable city. Pasadena offers museums, historic buildings, theatres, and restaurants. Pasadena is an excellent city for the car-free traveler, because most of its highlights are concentrated in a small area easily navigated on foot or by bus. Yet Pasadena is also a good base to see other parts of LA, especially Downtown Los Angeles. Come spend a few car-free days in Pasadena. --Read More-- 
The most fun and affordable to get here from Albuquerque is on the New Mexico Rail Runner Express. This commuter train line shares the Alvarado Transit Center with Greyhound, Amtrak, and local Albuquerque ABQ Ride buses. The one-way fare from Albuquerque to Santa Fe is $9 ($4 for seniors, students, and persons with disabilities), but consider a one-day excursion where a one-day pass is just $10 ($7 for seniors, students, and persons with disabilities). Save $1 on your fare by purchasing your tickets or passes online. For details about schedules and fares, visit http://www.nmrailrunner.com/, e-mail riometro@mrcog-nm.gov,or call toll-free (866) 795-7245 (RAIL). A special bonus for Rail Runner passengers: Ride any ABQ RIDE, Santa Fe Trails or Rio Metro bus for FREE when you show the driver your valid Rail Runner Express printed ticket! From Albuquerque International Sunport (the local airport), the easiest way to get to Santa Fe is to use Sandia Shuttle Express (www.sandiashuttle.com, or call (505) 474-5696 or toll-free (888) 775-5896). Sandia provides hourly shuttle service between the Airport and downtown Santa Fe, every day. The one-way fare is $28 per person, the round-trip fare costs just $48 (a best choice for weekend visitors). The trip takes 70 minutes each way. --Read More-- 
Despite its old age, Albuquerque is nothing short of a funky, eclectic, sunny getaway. The city boasts a great mix of art, culture, outdoor recreation and family fun. It is situated in the high desert which means four distinctly mild seasons and beautiful sunrises and sets against the backdrop of the beautiful Sandia Mountains. It is a getaway that is affordable as well as accessible for weekend travelers. Because most major attractions are within walking distance of a downtown hotel, or along a bus route, the city is a good weekend getaway choice for visitors who don’t want to drive. Getting Here The Alvarado Transportation Center (ATC), located in downtown Albuquerque, serves as the hub for Amtrak, Greyhound Lines and the New Mexico Rail Runner Express commuter rail line (to Santa Fe). It is also the main hub for Albuquerque’s public transit service, ABQ Ride, and is therefore an easy place to catch a bus while in Albuquerque. --Read More-- 
Minneapolis is a great place to visit, especially if you enjoy biking, walking, and exploring interesting neighborhoods. Add a major university (University of Minnesota), cultural attractions such as the Guthrie Theater, Minnesota Opera, and Minneapolis Institute of Art (this is just a start) and you have a great choice for a weekend (or longer) getaway. Best of all, Metro Transit’s light rail line (Blue Line, formerly called the Hiawatha Line), network of local buses, and over 80 miles of on-street + over 80 miles of off-street bicycle trails make this a good destination to enjoy without needing to drive. Metro Transit provides local and regional transit in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and surrounding communities. For more information about fares, routes and schedules for local buses and the METRO Blue Line, visit www.metrotransit.org, or call (612) 373-3333. Telephone customer service is available from6:30 a.m. -9:00 p.m. Weekdays, and 8:00 a.m. -6:00 p.m. weekends. (All times are Central Time.) -- Read More-- 
When you think of Florida, what comes to mind? Sunny winter beaches, escape from the cold - but don’t forget lots of traffic. Fortunately, many Florida getaways can be enjoyed without driving. Today, we visit one of them: Sarasota: the cultural center of west Florida with many attractive beaches. Our visit this month spotlights one of Sarasota’s top attractions: The John and Mable Ringling Museum. The Ringling Museum is an experience you can savor for several days. The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is well known for its outstanding baroque and renaissance art collections. The Ca' d'Zan Mansion recreates the splendor of Venice—substituting Sarasota Bay for the Venetian canals. Two circus museums celebrate Ringling’s legacy as a circus owner. Each of these can easily take 2-3 hours to explore. 5 p.m. comes all too quickly, and you probably won’t want to leave. We didn’t when we visited in December 2012. – Read More-- 
Had enough of Winter? - Ready for a getaway? - Martha's Vineyard Island may just be the perfect end of the winter getaway. A popular summer resort, famous for its many beaches, it is also a good choice in the Spring and Fall before the crowds arrive or after they leave. Temperatures may or may not be warm enough to swim during the Spring or Fall, so if swimming is essential, you should plan your visit in the summer (Memorial Day to Labor Day). If temperatures don't allow for swimming during your visit, the beaches can still be enjoyable. Walking along the beaches, some stretching for miles, provides spectacular ocean views, abundant nature or the opportunity to just relax. In addition to beaches, activities of all types are plentiful - historic towns, hiking, bicycling, water sports of various types, farms, nature, lighthouses, shopping and spectacularly scenic vistas and these are just some of what you will find. Most importantly, visiting Martha's Vineyard doesn't require driving. The Martha's Vineyard Transit Authority (VTA) offers bus service to most of the island. A comprehensive network of bike trails and numerous bike rental shops offer another car-free way to enjoy your visit. --Read More-- 
Our first “Car Free Journey” column this year will spotlight a popular family vacation spot: Orlando, Florida - home of Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando, and much more. But Orlando offers much more than just Disney World. Today, we will explore two parts of Orlando itself: downtown Orlando, and International Drive, and include links for additional information. You will find out how to use local public transit to visit Disney World. (For detailed information about visiting Walt Disney World and its 4 theme parks, I recommend the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2013, published by Wiley and available in local bookstores and from Amazon.com.) LYNX is the public transportation system for Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties. A single ride costs $2, a one-day pass (good for unlimited rides in a single day) is $4.50 ($2.25 for children, ages 10-18), or $16 ($8 for children ages 10-18) for a 7-day unlimited ride pass. --Read More-- From the airport to International Drive, take LYNX routes 42 or 111 to Destination Parkway. (From here, cross the street to catch the I-Trolley.) From the airport to Walt Disney World, take LYNX route 111 to either Downtown Disney or the Ticket and Transportation Center (the Ticket and Transportation Center is the recommended choice). --Read More-
When we think of a weekend vacation without a car, Phoenix does not usually come to mind. But that is changing, thanks largely to new light rail and subway systems. Since Phoenix’s light rail system opened on December 27, 2008, a non-driving weekend in Phoenix can be fun and easy to accomplish. In this month’s column, Scott Dunn, from the Greater Phoenix Convention and Visitors’ Bureau, (assisted by customer service reps from Valley Metro in Phoenix) shares some tips for anyone who wants to visit Phoenix for the weekend without driving. Metropolitan Phoenix is about the size of Delaware and encompasses more than 20 cities and towns. Sometimes, the most rewarding trip to Phoenix is one that keeps it simple. Limiting your visit to locales accessible by light rail certainly simplifies things. You might miss out on the dining and nightlife of Scottsdale or the sports and entertainment of Glendale, but you’ll still get a great sense of the city’s Southwestern character and possibly have a more satisfying visit than if you try to drive all over the place and see all Metropolitan Phoenix’ attractions. When a $1.4 billion light-rail system debuted in downtown Phoenix on Dec. 27, 2008, it ushered in a transportation revolution not seen in the Sonoran Desert since the thirsty horse gave way to the combustion engine. The 20-mile line links Phoenix to the neighboring communities of Tempe and Mesa, and includes stops at attractions such as Phoenix Art Museum, the Heard Museum, Chase Field and US Airways Center --Read More--
Do you have a favorite vacation spot visitors can enjoy without driving? Let us know. Perhaps, we can spotlight it in a future column. E-mail steveatlas45@yahoo.com with your comments or suggestions.
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New At Pubtrantravel
News Organizations
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While
it is attractive any time of the year, late summer and fall are
particularly beautiful times to savor the beauty of the White
Mountains in New Hampshire. The easiest place for visitors without
cars to use as a base to explore Mount Washington Valley and the
White Mountains National Forest is North Conway. In addition to
being compact and very walkable and easy to reach from Boston by
bus, the village is home to both natural attractions and outlet
stores. Attractions not within walking distance can be reached
using Fast Taxi, a local taxi company in North Conway.
