If there’s one place in the world where I can truly relax, it’s on a little island off New York where no cars are allowed.
And there are more car-free zones around the U.S. than you might expect.
What’s cool about car-free destinations is not just the peace and quiet, but that it’s such an eco-friendly way to get around.
Michigan’s Mackinac Island has been automobile free since residents banned them in 1898. The primary mode of transportation? Horseback or horse-drawn carriage.
On Santa Catalina Island off the coast of Southern California, it’s all about bike rentals and … golf carts!
You’ll also find golf carts and bicycles on the unpaved roads of Fire Island in New York, the 32-mile barrier island where only service and emergency vehicles are allowed.
Between Savannah and Hilton Head you’ll find Daufuskie Island, where residents and visitors get around town using golf carts, bikes, and horses.
Islands aren’t the only car-free zones.
There are now two permanent pedestrian plazas in New York City’s Times Square, and you can find plenty of foot-friendly zones in cities like Boston, San Francisco, and Austin.
Learn more in our Eco-Travel section.
Get more advice with our Daily Travel Tips.
