Imagine living in a car-free place, where there is almost no traffic or urban chaos on the streets, like in big cities. Where you can live your life doing things on foot or by bike, a life connected to nature and the natural beauty of a peaceful place. These places really do exist, and they are in the United States! If you want to live a life without cars, find out which are the 5 cities where there is no presence of vehicles.
Spending time on an island could be the best choice for a car-free life
Mackinac Island in Michigan is one of the places that offers a haven in nature, far from cars, which are prohibited. Since 1898, when motorized cars arrived in the area, they were quickly banned due to a series of protests by local farmers, who had their horses frightened by the roar of the engines. Since then, the city has only allowed emergency vehicles and a snowplow.
The state of North Carolina, known for being home to some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the country, is also home to Bald Head Island. The island is located 20 minutes from the mainland and to get here you have to take a ferry across the Cape Fear River. The island, which once housed hospitals and forts during the country’s War of Independence, is now a paradise for outdoor activities connected to sports in nature, and people can only get around by walking, golf carts, or bicycles.
While New York City is known for being a city with a lot of traffic and urban activity, Fire Island, also in the state of New York, has become a place of rest and peace for New Yorkers. It is accessible by seaplanes and ferries, but since 1964, cars have been practically prohibited. This rule is so respected that you won’t even find paved streets there.
Remote places where roads never reach
Supai, Arizona, is a town unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. Because it’s located in the middle of the Grand Canyon, a remote location, there are almost no roads leading there, largely due to the rugged terrain. Because of this, all transportation in the region is done on foot, by helicopter, or even by mule. It’s the only place in the US where mail is delivered by mule. The small local community has created a unique experience of contact with nature and breathtaking beauty by eliminating the use of vehicles.
The last fascinating place that lives without vehicles is not exactly in the United States, but it is part of it. In Alaska, in the town of Halibut Cove, there are no roads or vehicles; residents only get around by boat or walk along long wooden walkways, built to connect the buildings scattered along the coast, which are built on stilts at the water’s edge.
We know that life in urban centers can be quite stressful, especially when you always travel by car, due to heavy traffic. Sometimes, all you need is to escape the chaos of the city and leave your car keys at home. And how about being able to experience this — even if temporarily, on a trip — in one of those places where cars are prohibited? These places, much closer than you think, are the perfect destinations for a more peaceful life.
Take a different route
Although some destinations are simpler, these 5 places show that it is possible to live a life in the United States where you don’t necessarily have to be held hostage by cars. Whether it’s to preserve the environment, be in a less stressful place, or connect with nature, it’s important to sometimes take a route where cars don’t pass.
