Why East Las Olas Boulevard Is America’s #3 “Most Walkable & Lovable” Street
Fort Lauderdale’s East Las Olas Boulevard just snagged a top-3 spot in Assisted Living Magazine’s survey of 3,007 Americans, who ranked our palm-lined main drag among the “most walkable and lovable” streets in the U.S. according to Assisted Living Magazine. And raked #1 for the Top 10 places to go for a stroll in Florida.
🌴 Here’s what makes this mile-long stretch so special:
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Shade-tree canopies & fountains: Smooth, shaded sidewalks feel like a breeze underfoot, whether you’re meandering or power-walking.
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Café culture: Pop into sidewalk cafés for cold coconut water, craft coffee, or a citrus-y juice to keep you fueled.
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Art & design: Spot local sculptors installing fresh pieces or browse chic art galleries that hum with creativity.
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Beach vibe: The soft roar of the Atlantic drifts inland, turning every sunset stroll into a golden-hour spectacle.
As Assisted Living Magazine CEO Jeremy Clerc notes, “walking, especially in places that are beautiful, social, and full of charm, can be just as powerful as any gym workout.” And on East Las Olas, the only surprise is how effortlessly 30 minutes of daily exercise can feel like vacation.
Top 10 Stroll-Worthy Spots in Florida
Whether you’re a solo traveler hunting for Insta-worthy backdrops or a couple looking to unwind beachside, Florida’s got a walk for you.
Here are the Sunshine State’s ten best stroll destinations, starting with our crown jewel, Las Olas Boulevard.
| Rank | Spot | Location | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Las Olas Boulevard | Fort Lauderdale | Palm-flanked, art-filled, beach-kissed main drag |
| 2 | Tampa Riverwalk | Tampa | 2.6-mile waterfront path past parks, museums & foodie hotspots |
| 3 | Bayshore Boulevard | South Tampa | 4.5-mile seaside sidewalk, the longest continuous in the U.S. |
| 4 | Miami Beach Boardwalk (Beachwalk) | Miami Beach | 9-mile oceanfront promenade, jog, stroll, cycle or people-watch |
| 5 | Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail | Key Largo → Key West | Paved 106-mile corridor featuring historic bridges & island vibes |
| 6 | St. George Street | St. Augustine | Pedestrian-only historic lane lined with boutiques & colonial charm |
| 7 | Hollywood Beach Broadwalk | Hollywood (Broward Co.) | 2.5-mile brick promenade with Art Moderne vibes & oceanfront cafés |
| 8 | Daytona Beach Boardwalk | Daytona Beach | Classic concrete path with rides, arcades & Atlantic Ocean views |
| 9 | Jacksonville Riverwalks network | Jacksonville | Nearly 3-mile scenic trails along both banks of the St. Johns River |
| 10 | Friendship Fountain Park | Jacksonville Southbank | 11-acre riverside green space anchored by the city’s iconic fountain |
2. Tampa Riverwalk 🚲🌞
This 2.6-mile open-air ribbon hugs the Hillsborough River, linking parks, museums, and waterfront restaurants. Stop at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park for people-watching or catch live music at Sparkman Wharf, every step feels like a mini adventure.
3. Bayshore Boulevard 🌅👟
Measuring 4.5 miles along Hillsborough Bay, this flat, wide sidewalk is perfect for a sunrise run or sunset stroll. Fitness stations, benches, and water fountains keep you going, while yachts drift by on the sparkling water.
4. Miami Beach Boardwalk (aka Beachwalk) 🏖️🚶♂️
Stretch your legs along a nine-mile oceanfront promenade, and freshly repaved in 2022. Pop into South Pointe Park for ocean panoramas, then amble north past iconic Art Deco hotels.
5. Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail 🛣️🌴
Rail-to-trail meets island hopping on this 106-mile paved path from Key Largo to Key West. Cruise over old railroad bridges, soak up salt-air breezes, and refuel with Cuban coffee or a fresh-catch seafood lunch at any tiki-style stop.
6. St. George Street, St. Augustine 🏰🍦
Wander America’s oldest European-settlement heart on this pedestrian-only stretch. From historic forts to gelato shops, every corner tells a story, plus, bench-lined plazas tempt you to pause and people-watch.
7. Hollywood Beach Broadwalk 🍹🌊
Called “Old Florida at its best,” this 2.5-mile brick promenade lets you stroll past vintage lifeguard towers, beachfront cafés, and family-friendly pocket parks. 🎵 Pro tip: catch live tunes at the beachfront bandshell after your walk.
8. Daytona Beach Boardwalk 🎡🌴
Take a classic concrete promenade east of Main Street, complete with arcades, ride-on attractions, and a 1,000-foot pier jutting into the Atlantic. Early morning runs here come with ocean-breeze bonus points!
9. Jacksonville Riverwalks network 🌆🚣♂️
Explore nearly three miles of waterfront on both Northbank and Southbank. Swing by Friendship Fountain Park for its newly renovated dancing-water centerpiece, then continue past museums, street art, and riverside cafés.
10. Friendship Fountain Park 🌀🌺
Nestled at the west end of the Southbank Riverwalk, this 11-acre green space features one of the world’s tallest fountains and shady lawns for picnics or yoga on the grass. It’s the perfect bookend to your riverside wander.
Why Walking Is Your New Favorite Workout 🏃♀️❤️
The CDC recommends 150 minutes of moderate activity each week, think 30-minute brisk walks, five days a week, for big benefits like better sleep, reduced anxiety, and lower risks of heart disease and eight types of cancer. But on Florida’s most scenic routes, “exercise” feels more like leisure.
-
Mind & mood boost: Fresh air + greenery slash stress and spark happy-hormone releases.
-
Easy on your joints: Low-impact pavement paths mean you won’t need all those fancy gym machines.
-
Social & local: Stroll with friends or make new ones at coffee stops, galleries, and beach bonfires.
Too often, wellness gets boxed into treadmills and tech, these ten Florida strolls prove that movement can be joyful, effortless, and oh-so-sunny. ☀️💛
Michelle Rinaldi
Rinaldi Group 💖🌴
as powerful as any gym workout.” And on East Las Olas, the only surprise is how effortlessly 30 minutes of daily exercise can feel like vacation.
Top 10 Stroll-Worthy Spots in Florida
Whether you’re a solo traveler hunting for Insta-worthy backdrops or a couple looking to unwind beachside, Florida’s got a walk for you.
Here are the Sunshine State’s ten best stroll destinations, starting with our crown jewel, Las Olas Boulevard.
| Rank | Spot | Location | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Las Olas Boulevard | Fort Lauderdale | Palm-flanked, art-filled, beach-kissed main drag |
| 2 | Tampa Riverwalk | Tampa | 2.6-mile waterfront path past parks, museums & foodie hotspots |
| 3 | Bayshore Boulevard | South Tampa | 4.5-mile seaside sidewalk, the longest continuous in the U.S. |
| 4 | Miami Beach Boardwalk (Beachwalk) | Miami Beach | 9-mile oceanfront promenade, jog, stroll, cycle or people-watch |
| 5 | Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail | Key Largo → Key West | Paved 106-mile corridor featuring historic bridges & island vibes |
| 6 | St. George Street | St. Augustine | Pedestrian-only historic lane lined with boutiques & colonial charm |
| 7 | Hollywood Beach Broadwalk | Hollywood (Broward Co.) | 2.5-mile brick promenade with Art Moderne vibes & oceanfront cafés |
| 8 | Daytona Beach Boardwalk | Daytona Beach | Classic concrete path with rides, arcades & Atlantic Ocean views |
| 9 | Jacksonville Riverwalks network | Jacksonville | Nearly 3-mile scenic trails along both banks of the St. Johns River |
| 10 | Friendship Fountain Park | Jacksonville Southbank | 11-acre riverside green space anchored by the city’s iconic fountain |
2. Tampa Riverwalk 🚲🌞
This 2.6-mile open-air ribbon hugs the Hillsborough River, linking parks, museums, and waterfront restaurants. Stop at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park for people-watching or catch live music at Sparkman Wharf, every step feels like a mini adventure.
3. Bayshore Boulevard 🌅👟
Measuring 4.5 miles along Hillsborough Bay, this flat, wide sidewalk is perfect for a sunrise run or sunset stroll. Fitness stations, benches, and water fountains keep you going, while yachts drift by on the sparkling water.
4. Miami Beach Boardwalk (aka Beachwalk) 🏖️🚶♂️
Stretch your legs along a nine-mile oceanfront promenade, and freshly repaved in 2022. Pop into South Pointe Park for ocean panoramas, then amble north past iconic Art Deco hotels.
5. Florida Keys Overseas Heritage Trail 🛣️🌴
Rail-to-trail meets island hopping on this 106-mile paved path from Key Largo to Key West. Cruise over old railroad bridges, soak up salt-air breezes, and refuel with Cuban coffee or a fresh-catch seafood lunch at any tiki-style stop.
6. St. George Street, St. Augustine 🏰🍦
Wander America’s oldest European-settlement heart on this pedestrian-only stretch. From historic forts to gelato shops, every corner tells a story, plus, bench-lined plazas tempt you to pause and people-watch.
7. Hollywood Beach Broadwalk 🍹🌊
Called “Old Florida at its best,” this 2.5-mile brick promenade lets you stroll past vintage lifeguard towers, beachfront cafés, and family-friendly pocket parks. 🎵 Pro tip: catch live tunes at the beachfront bandshell after your walk.
8. Daytona Beach Boardwalk 🎡🌴
Take a classic concrete promenade east of Main Street, complete with arcades, ride-on attractions, and a 1,000-foot pier jutting into the Atlantic. Early morning runs here come with ocean-breeze bonus points!
9. Jacksonville Riverwalks network 🌆🚣♂️
Explore nearly three miles of waterfront on both Northbank and Southbank. Swing by Friendship Fountain Park for its newly renovated dancing-water centerpiece, then continue past museums, street art, and riverside cafés.
10. Friendship Fountain Park 🌀🌺
Nestled at the west end of the Southbank Riverwalk, this 11-acre green space features one of the world’s tallest fountains and shady lawns for picnics or yoga on the grass. It’s the perfect bookend to your riverside wander.
Why Walking Is Your New Favorite Workout 🏃♀️❤️
The CDC recommends 150 minutes of moderate activity each week, think 30-minute brisk walks, five days a week, for big benefits like better sleep, reduced anxiety, and lower risks of heart disease and eight types of cancer. But on Florida’s most scenic routes, “exercise” feels more like leisure.
-
Mind & mood boost: Fresh air + greenery slash stress and spark happy-hormone releases.
-
Easy on your joints: Low-impact pavement paths mean you won’t need all those fancy gym machines.
-
Social & local: Stroll with friends or make new ones at coffee stops, galleries, and beach bonfires.
Too often, wellness gets boxed into treadmills and tech, these ten Florida strolls prove that movement can be joyful, effortless, and oh-so-sunny. ☀️💛
Enjoy 💖🌴
