Photo courtesy of iStock / Vasyl Dolmatov
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You don’t have to leave the city to enjoy a day out on the water, at least not with these 10 urban waterways, voted the best in North America by our readers. Urban kayaking offers an unexpected way to get active in the outdoors while seeing a destination from a new perspective. What’s your favorite place to go urban kayaking?
Photo courtesy of iStock / oksanaphoto
No. 10: Lake Union – Seattle, Washington
Kayaking on the waters of Lake Union represents an excellent way to soak up views of the Seattle city skyline. From the water, it’s possible to spot float planes taking off and landing, sail boats gliding through the water and the occasional harbor seal basking in the sun.
Photo courtesy of Destination DC
No. 9: Potomac River – Washington, DC
From a kayak on the Potomac River, it’s possible to see the Washington Monument, Kennedy Center and the beautiful Georgetown waterfront. Paddle to the Tidal Basin for even more sightseeing, including the Jefferson Memorial and National Mall.
Photo courtesy of iStock / Ingram Publishing
No. 8: Rideau Canal – Ottawa, Ontario
While Ottawa’s Rideau Canal may be best known as the world’s largest skating rink in winter, in summer, it’s a popular spot for kayaking. This relaxed urban canal has several put-in spots, as well as places to rent a kayak if you’re visiting from out of town.
Photo courtesy of iStock / Jon Bilous
No. 7: Clark Fork River – Missoula, Montana
Kayaking is so popular in Missoula that the city built its own waves along the Clark Fort River as it passes through the heart of downtown. Brennan’s Wave, named in memory of a local kayaker, attracts kayakers, surfers and paddle-boarders to practice catching the wave.
Photo courtesy of Tourism Victoria
No. 6: Inner Harbour – Victoria, British Columbia
While paddling through Victoria’s Inner Harbour, you might spot seals basking in the sun and seaplanes taking off and landing. The harbor and its surrounding waterways serve as a migratory bird sanctuary, making this a favorite paddling place for birdwatchers.
Photo courtesy of iStock / RoschetzkyIstockPhoto
No. 5: Lady Bird Lake – Austin, Texas
This man-made reservoir on the Colorado River sits in downtown Austin. Lady Bird Lake attracts paddlers nearly every day of the week. Eight access points make it easy to put-in or take-out, and the city skyline is visible from just about anywhere. During the summer, it’s possible to kayak to Congress Avenue Bridge to see Austin’s bat colony take flight as the sun sets.
Photo courtesy of Bartram’s Garden
No. 4: Bartram’s Garden – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
One of Philadelphia’s best-kept secrets, Bartram’s Garden offers a kayaking launch point with art installations along the Lower Schuylkill River. While put on hold for the time being, the garden typically offers free boating on Saturdays, giving members of the community a chance to get out on the water even if they don’t have their own kayak.
Photo courtesy of Roanoke Valley CVB
No. 3: Roanoke River – Roanoke, Virginia
Roanoke sits in the heart of Virginia’s Blue Ridge, making it an excellent base for outdoor recreation. The 45-mile Roanoke River Blueway offers easy paddling for much of its length, with the exception of some Class II rapids near the gorge.
Photo courtesy of Visit Richmond
No. 2: James River – Richmond, Virginia
The Richmond region has no shortage of great kayaking spots, perhaps none as popular as the James River. From Huguenot Flatwater Park, paddlers can head downstream to Williams Island or upstream to Bosher’s Dam.
Photo courtesy of iStock / PapaBear
No. 1: Cuyahoga River – Cleveland, Ohio
The Cuyahoga River runs through the heart of Cleveland, providing a popular spot for all sorts of water recreation. The Cuyahoga River Water Trail features five segments along the 87-mile river. The last segment comprises 20 miles of the river as it passes through Cleveland and into Lake Erie.
Katrina Johnston-Zimmerman
Katrina is a lecturer, researcher and advocate for… Read More
Katrina is a lecturer, researcher and advocate for heart-centered cities through her firm THINK.urban. She was included in BBC’s 2019 list of 100 Women and invited to speak at the annual event in London on the future of cities and women. As an applied urban anthropologist, her work focuses on human behavior in public space and the relationship between behavior and design. Through the use of “spatial ethnographies”, she utilizes principles of user experience research and design to assess the effectiveness of our urban habitats for a more heart-centered, feminist, and equitable city for all.
Katrina Johnston-Zimmerman
Katrina is a lecturer, researcher and advocate for heart-centered cities through her firm THINK.urban. She was included in BBC’s 2019 list of 100 Women and invited to speak at the annual event in London on the future of cities and women. As an applied urban anthropologist, her work focuses on human behavior in public space and the relationship between behavior and design. Through the use of “spatial ethnographies”, she utilizes principles of user experience research and design to assess the effectiveness of our urban habitats for a more heart-centered, feminist, and equitable city for all.
10Best Editors
10Best.com provides users with original, unbiased… Read More
10Best.com provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
10Best.com provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.