Stand-up paddle boarding is one of the fastest growing sports in the U.S. And because SUP doesn't discriminate when it comes to water—it can be still or rushing—you can find classes and meet-ups just about everywhere. But if you've never done it before, here's Kristin Artz from the (WPA) on a few tricks of the trade that will ease your virgin SUP experience.

Take a class
Although Artz insists that SUP is a sport for everyone—in fact, she's seen people from four to 80 years old successfully SUP—she does recommend . “It can be a little intimidating getting up that first time,” she says. But even just one lesson with an experienced paddler will teach you the correct way to get up, find your balance and hold your paddle, as well as the confidence to start SUPing on your own.Ěý

Get the gear
To SUP, the WPA recommends having a board, a paddle, a PFD (personal flotation device) and a leash. You can rent these at most paddleboard companies throughout the country. If you want to purchase your own equipment, Artz recommends chatting with experts in a store and trying out the equipment before making a final purchase.

When it comes to boards, you need to figure out what you want from your SUP experience. For instance, you can purchase yoga paddleboards, inflatable boards that are great for backpacking trips, or larger boards that are great for parents who want to paddle with a child in tow. There are also a number of different PFDs to choose from. The belt pack PFDs are pretty popular among paddlers because they're small. Plus, confident swimmers can take them off and tie them to their boards if they don't want to wear them.

Know your limits
You can SUP just about anywhere. The WPA has seen SUP in Colorado, the surf in Hawaii and the lakes in the Midwest. If you're a newbie to stand-up paddleboarding, Artz recommends starting out on flat, calm waters. After you've mastered that, you can work your way up to more challenging waters.Ěý

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Everyone has heard of the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Yosemite—and for good reason. These national parks are American treasures. But their red ravines, spewing geysers, and endless valleys attract countless visitors, especially come summer. If you want a dose of natural beauty sans crazy crowds, plan a trip to one of these seven national parks.

Northern California’s is a beautiful landscape hiding some deadly heat. There are meadows filled with wildflowers, lakes so clear you can see your reflection, and a series of volcanoes that continue to shape the lay of the land—and the temperatures just below the surface. In the winter, you can strap on snowshoes or skis and explore the park when it’s blanketed in fresh powder. In the summer, you’ll hike along trails like Bumpass Hell to view the smoldering fumaroles and other hydrothermal spectacles. Just don’t go off-roading in the hydrothermal areas. You could literally step right into boiling acid or scalding hot mud.

The hides hundreds of ancient dwellings in the recesses of its cliffs. The Ancestral Pueblo people once called this corner of southwestern Colorado home, from about 700 to 1300 AD. Today, you can visit their ancient abodes on park-ranger led tours. Some of the most popular archaeological sites include guided tours to Cliff Palace and the Spruce Tree House. For the fewest crowds, opt for the first tour of the day. But you should note that these tours are fairly strenuous—for instance, to exit the Cliff Palace, you’ll descend two steep ladders.

The seven-island is located even farther west than Key West, the is only accessible by seaplane or ferry. You can tour the park’s Fort Jefferson National Monument, which covers the entirety of one of the islands. Snorkeling is great here, and recent visitors recommend paying special attention to the bevy of sea life congregated near the fort’s moat. You should also keep your eyes trained for crocs, which are also known to frequent the waters.

Just about 130 miles east of LA, is a desert oasis sprouting with spiky cacti, surprising geologic formations and gnarled Joshua trees. To enjoy the scenery in high relief, you can go for a leisurely walk in Hidden Valley, a more challenging hike up Ryan Mountain or a short drive up to the Keyes View lookout. The park is also popular among rock climbers and boulderers. You may also want to stay overnight at one of the park’s nine campgrounds—its unpolluted skies shine with stars at nighttime.

Summer is the best time to visit southern Oregon’s . This dormant volcano, which contains an enormous azure-colored lake, sees thick drifts of snow the rest of the year. In fact, an average of 44 feet of snow falls on the park annually, starting in September and stretching to June. But in the warmer months, you can hike, fish for trout or salmon and even take a boat ride to Wizard Island, located in Crater Lake, for a hike and a photo opp.

Northwest Wyoming’s is less than seven miles from Yellowstone, but it greeted half a million fewer tourists last year—millions fewer than visited the park down the road. With its couple hundred miles of hiking trails and access to the Snake River, though, Grand Teton is a good alternative to Yellowstone—and definitely a less-crowded place to camp. Make time to hike the Cascade Canyon Trail to see the 100-foot-tall Hidden Falls. For a less strenuous hike, you could try the mostly flat Jenny Lake Trail. Another even easier way to see the sights is via a float on the Great Snake.

With its Aspen trees and snow-topped peaks, is more akin to Colorado than Nevada, where it resides 300 miles north of Las Vegas. To see these sights, most visitors carve out an hour for the scenic 12-mile drive up to Wheeler Peak. In the summertime, morning hikes are a popular activity; more often than not, thunderstorms roll through in the afternoon. You can also take a tour of the marble caverns of the Lehman Caves, which are centered inside the park. However, make sure to make a reservation since tours fill up quickly, especially in the summer months.

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It’s only the beginning of June, and already Austin is sweltering. Here are four places where you can beat the heat.

Krause Springs

Less than an hour’s drive from Austin, is a chain of swimming holes nestled in the Texas Hill Country, in Spicewood, Texas. A daytime visit will cost adults $7 and children $5, but we argue that the 68-degree temperatures in the 32 springs are worth the admission price. The springs, which are listed on the National Historic Register, pool in rocky alcoves and are shaded by a canopy of tree foliage. You can swim in the springs or simply lounge in a tube.

Jacob’s Well

Seventy-some miles from San Antonio is the mysterious Jacob’s Well, in Wimberly, Texas. This swimming hole is about 12 feet across and 35 feet deep, and—here’s the kicker—parts of it are shrouded in luxurious shade. Escaping the sun’s intense rays is entirely possible. The well also descends farther, into a complex of caves, which have been known to swallow scuba divers into its depths. However, if you swim near the surface, you can safely enjoy the cool waters of this spring-fed retreat.

Hamilton Pool Preserve

The is 30 miles west of Austin, in Dripping Springs, Texas, but it looks like it belongs on a different planet, let alone in a different state. A 15-foot waterfall drops from a stalactite-covered overhang into a jade-colored pool. Large swaths of limestone ring the enclosure, creating an otherworldly environment. However, this beauty comes at a cost—on warm days, the pool sees loads of visitors. You should expect an hour and a half wait. The price of admission is $15, and you need to call in advance (512-264-2740) to inquire about possible closures, as swimming is sometimes restricted because of water quality.

Devil's Waterhole

Don’t let this swimming hole’s name fool you. is a divine place to spend a hot day in Texas. Tucked inside Inks Lake State Park (near Burnet, Texas), it’s a popular spot to swim and cliff jump into waters that aren’t affected by drought. You can also hike, fish, canoe, and camp out at the state park, which charges $6 per adult for day use and $5 per adult for an overnight.

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Coasteering is a combination of rock climbing, swimming, and optional cliff jumping. As you’ve probably guessed from the term, this sport, which got its start in Wales, takes place on a coastline. It has allure for those looking for an adrenaline rush—and some exercise—in a beautiful environment.Ěý

One of the greatest things about coasteering is that almost everybody can do it. Andy Middleton, founder of the , which facilitates outdoor adventures in southwest Wales, says that “anyone who’s capable of walking the coast would be OK to coasteer. We introduced our kids to it not long after they’d learned to walk.” His organization has hosted coasteering excursions for people well into their seventies.Ěý

Middleton describes the activity as “pure ocean play,” a pastime from his childhood in St. Davids, a small city in Pembrokeshire, where he, like many other Welsh kids, spent his days playing along the coast. Eventually, Middleton developed proficiency in surfing, swimming, kayaking, and rock climbing.Ěý

But the idea of combining several of these sports into one—coasteering—intersected with many other factors. First, access to the coastline is key, and the county (now, the entire country) has a public footpath tracing it, which makes use of the cliffs legal and easy. Next came the development of better wetsuits and life vests. Finally, the Welsh cliffs are forgiving, allowing for bailouts if necessary. The confluence of these advantages led to the establishment in Wales of coasteering, which has since spread throughout the UK and into other countries.Ěý

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The answer is yes, you can use your other half—your iPhone—abroad. But here are a few tips for making sure you have money for something other than international roaming.

First, call your carrier and inquire about their particular packages for out-of-country travel. For instance, for 300MB of data and 1GB of WiFi when you’re visiting more than 150 countries, or nearly $20 for 1 MB of data in its pay-per-use plan. But for T-Mobile customers, international data and texting in more than 120 countries is free with the carrier’s .

You can also take measures to limit your data use while abroad. With Apple’s iOS 7 operating system, you can actually choose to turn off data to specific apps. For instance, you can choose to just use data for Google Maps rather than for all your apps, which will save you some cash.

If your carrier charges high fees you don’t want to pay, you have a couple of options. You can turn off data roaming under the Settings app and travel the old-fashioned way: unplugged. However, you might have to employ an archaic tactic or two, like asking a local a question or carrying a paper map.Ěý

If that seems way too weird, you can contact your provider and ask that they unlock the SIM card slot on your phone. Some providers, such as Verizon, now come unlocked—but you should check to make sure. That way, you can purchase a prepaid SIM card in-country for a nominal fee and enjoy the local network (and all your must-have apps) without worrying about racking up an enormous bill. This will also work for iPads and iPad Minis.

A few caveats: SIM cards come in different sizes now—the latest iPhones use smaller nano-SIMs; “ancient” iPhones run on micro-SIMs. You should also note that inserting the new SIM card will give you an international phone number, so keep that in mind when texting and calling. And friends trying to contact you via your U.S. number, FaceTime included, won’t be able to reach you. Email and iMessage, however, won’t be affected.

By the way, don’t forget to pack a plug adapter. Your global roaming savvy will all be for naught if your iPhone is dead.

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When you visit Italy, you want to see Italy—not other tourists. But the country is a pretty popular destination for pizza-loving jet-setters. In fact, tens of millions of visitors descend on the boot-shaped Mediterranean country every year. Here are a few places you should go to avoid most of them.

Instead of Cinque Terre, try Camogli

Cinque Terre used to be the Italian Rivera’s best-kept secret, but now this teems with tourists. Another reason to steer clear is that one of its most popular attractions, the Blue Trail—a footpath that links the region’s five picturesque villages—is .

Luckily, just about 70 miles up the coast, Camogli, a fishing-village-turned-resort-town, offers a similar experience, minus the throng. Just as in Cinque Terre, touring in Camogli means hiking between lush vineyards and the Ligurian Sea to nearby villages (in this case, San Rocco and San Fruttuoso), sampling different varieties of focaccia, sipping local wines, lying on the sun-drenched beaches, and swimming in the sea—all without fighting for space the way you’d have to in Cinque Terre.Ěý

Instead of Florence, try SienaĚý

Millions of visitors flock to Florence each year to check out Michelangelo’s David, µţ´ÇłŮľ±ł¦±đ±ô±ôľ±â€™s The Birth ofĚýVenus,Ěýthe panorama of red rooftops from atop Giotto’s Bell Tower—and to simply roam its cobbled streets. There’s no doubting Firenze’s charms, so this Renaissance city gets crowded quickly.

Siena, located about 45 miles south of Florence, has loads of personality as well—but, for now, at least, has fewer crowds. However, . For the moment, though, sunny Siena remains Firenze’s laid-back sister that serves up equally appealing attractions. Its Mangia Tower, for instance, gives tourists a bird’s-eye view of the city, while the walls of its Biblioteca Piccolomini showcase awe-inspiring art. Like Florence, Siena is in the Chianti wine region, so you can drink your fill of local vintages. In addition, check out the gardens, cooking classes, operas, and piazzas.

Instead of Rome, try TurinĚý

Rome is enormous, and it’s filled with epic attractions like the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, the Vatican (which is actually in Vatican City, not Rome), the Spanish Steps, and much, much more. The problem is that many people——come to see these legendary attractions annually: you may have to conjure your inner gladiator just to get through the crowds.

The home of the 2006 Winter Olympic Games, Turin is also Italy’s fourth-largest city, though it feels almost quaint in comparison with bustling Roma. Located in northern Italy, some 435 miles from Rome, Turin is tucked into the foothills of the Alps. In the winter, its nearby ski slopes draw visitors. But there are advantages to going in other seasons as well: like the Eternal City, its elegant streets are filled with interesting museums (the Museo Nazionale del Cinema, for instance), gorgeous churches (be sure to see the Santuario Basilica la Consolata), and pristine piazzas. And Turin, located in Italy’s Piedmont region, offers a host of delicious local wines (try Barolo) and cheeses (try Castelmagno).

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If you want to run in the footsteps of Sir Roger Bannister, who famously ran the world’s first sub-four-minute mile, Oxford University is the place to go. Sixty years ago, on May 6, 1954, the then-25–year-old medical student broke through the tape at 3 minutes, 59.4 seconds on the campus’s Iffley Road track, since renamed the .

These days, you can lace up your own shoes and find your stride on the same track. Shaun Fleming, facilities and events manager for Oxford University Sport, recommends calling ahead (011-44-1865-240476) to inquire about available times. You’ll also need to purchase a track day pass.

For a longer, more scenic run, you might follow the , which passes by the Bannister track. It winds through campus and the verdant Christchurch Meadow, over the stone Folly Bridge, and along the River Thames until eventually ending at Kassam Stadium, home to the Oxford United Football Club.

If you’d like to view “the city of dreaming spires” from another vantage, you have some options. You can take it in from up high by climbing the 99 steps of Carfax Tower, or the 124 steps of the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin. You can also pedal through Oxford. offers guided cycle tours, but you can choose to rent some wheels and explore on your own.

To refuel after all your sightseeing, book a table at the acclaimed , which serves up Mediterranean-inflected British cuisine in an airy space. Enjoy the terrace seating outside when the weather cooperates—and if you dine Monday through Friday, between noon and 6 p.m., you can take advantage of Gee’s prix-fixe menu, where two courses are £13, and three are £16.50.

°żłć´Ú´Ç°ů»ĺ’s is another good place to nosh, with everything from sandwich bars to produce stalls. And you’d be remiss if you didn’t stroll through a museum or two: for art, swing by the Ashmolean Museum or Art and Archaeology; for history, hit the Pitt Rivers Museum.

You might also pop into Blackwell’s bookshop, which boasts three miles of bookshelves in a single room. You can search the endless racks for Sir Roger’s autobiography, The First Four Minutes, or you can download it on your Kindle and read a few chapters in the popular . If you’d rather pore over the pages with a pint instead of an espresso, head to . During the 1930s, this public house became a frequent stop for C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and many of their literary cohorts, and it’s just as inviting today.

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Car travel is completely possible—and even fun—with young kids. However, a successful trip requires planning, flexibility, and a sense of humor. Follow these tips and you’re sure to enjoy the ride.

Plan Ahead

Throw spontaneity to the wind, and plan ahead. Sorry, but you’re no longer that happy-go-lucky couple that can afford to chance upon a gem of an inn. Book your accommodations in advance of your trip, and you might also call ahead to sweet talk the concierge into giving you an early check-in.Ěý

Take Your Time

The temptation is to think of the car ride as the necessary evil before reaching your destination. Rather, you might conjure T.S. Eliot and travel by the adage: “The journey not the arrival matters.” Besides, toddlers like to dawdle. And if you want to save yourself and your young’uns some frustration, you might try to slow your pace to theirs.

On a macro scale, this might look like breaking your long car drive into a couple of days or more. Splitting that dozen-hour journey into two days is much easier on little ones who aren’t used to sitting still for hours. And you can even make your overnight stop(s) feel more like vacation by booking your hotel near a kid-friendly attraction like a zoo or a park.Ěý

On a micro level, you might plan a couple of potty breaks at nice rest stops. Let the kids unleash their pent-up energy by running around in the grass. You might even run around with them: Releasing some of those happy endorphins could help you keep your cool on the next leg of your journey when your kids start going stir-crazy in the backseat.

Bring Your Own Food

A man cannot survive on Hot Tamales alone, and the same goes for children and kids meals. In fact, eating that way, especially if your bodies aren’t used to it, is a surefire way to feel horrible in the car. Picture a whole family clutching their middles and being forced to stop at the first available gas station restroom. It’s not a pretty sight.Ěý

Instead, save some money and some potential stomach woes by bringing your own food. And bring fare that you’re used to eating to avoid the same aforementioned stomach issues. PB&Js, apples (or applesauce pouches), trail mix, and granola bars all travel really well. If you’ve got a small cooler, you could stock it with cheese cubes, milk, and carrots. You can then restock your supply for the next day’s drive at a local grocery store.

You might also pull off the highway, and plan on eating your packed lunch at a park or even just a rest stop with clean picnic tables. Ěý

Pack Smart

Make sure you’ve got what you need in the car and in the trunk. Keep drinks and snacks, a few toys and books, your iPad (that’s loaded with movies and kid-friendly apps), and pillows and blankets within arm’s reach. And organize your trunk in such a way that diapers, pull-ups, extra clothes, a first-aid kit with medicine, and your travel stroller and/or baby carrier are all easy to locate. You might even designate a small space in the back of your trunk to change diapers if you’re iffy about public restrooms.

Keep ‘Em Entertained

Little people have short attention spans and if you don’t want to be refereeing fights between your two-year-old and four-year-old the entire trip, you should plan some entertainment. So pick up some new books at the library, bring along a few choice toys, sing some songs together, look out the windows, play the “let’s see how long you can be quiet” game, and when all else fails, prop up your portable DVD player (or iPad) and show them Frozen.Ěý

Get Some Exercise

If you’re planning on spreading your car trip across a few days, you’ll probably stay at a hotel or two. And with young children in tow, a good night’s sleep in a shared hotel room might be elusive. Try to go to sleep earlier than usual to get as much rest as you can. And in the morning, you might try and fit in a short workout. Achieving a “runner’s high” isn’t the worst way to begin another day on the interstates.

LaughĚý

You could plan everything perfectly, and still the car might get a flat, the sky might pour nonstop rain, and the baby could choose to soil multiple onesies. You’ll still (probably) survive, and one day you’ll most likely even laugh at your foiled family car trip—so why not laugh in the moment too?

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You might be one of those who people who doesn’t “get” Vegas. The charms of Sin City , but there’s a conference at Caesar’s, and your company has sent you. Or maybe it’s the location for your buddy’s bachelor party. So you reluctantly pack your bags.

Or perhaps you do enjoy small doses of Vegas, but you need a break from Cirque, Celine, and the slots. You’d prefer a happy medium of manufactured diversions and natural ones.

Wherever you are on the love it-hate it Vegas spectrum, you’ll be happy to find that there are a handful of ways to round out your L.V. experience with open-air activities. And they’re each within about an hour’s drive of the city.

Hiking

A little more than 50 miles northeast of the Strip is . It’s named for the red sandstone rocks common throughout the park, but it might also be tagged Valley of Fire for its blazing heat. In the summertime, temps regularly rise above 100 and sometimes reach 120 degrees. Still, in the cool of another season, this desert valley is an interesting place for a hike. Along the trails, you’ll stumble on Native American petroglyphs at formations such as Mouse’s Tank and unreal views at White Domes, which was also the setting for the 1960s Western film, .

Biking and Climbing

A quick 30-minute drive from Vegas, is a collection of nearly 200,000 acres filled with rust-colored rocks. You can rent some wheels from an outfitter such asĚý and wheel your way through the park’s crimson cliffs via the 13-mile Scenic Drive. Cyclists share this challenging, one-way route with cars.

Another way to enjoy the rocks is by . The canyon contains hundreds of routes for both sport and traditional climbing, but most require fairly significant hikes and scrambles to reach them. If you’re not comfortable going it alone, you can hire a guide through organizations like the or the local .

Kayaking

The Hoover Dam is just a 40-minute drive east of Las Vegas, and one of the best ways to view the giant, concrete barrier is on the water. You can tour the Depression-era dam by signing up for a kayak tour, such as those offered by . This operator leads tours that head downstream on the Colorado River from the base of the dam. You can choose from a 4-mile/five-hour kayak tour, as well as a 12-mile/seven-hour tour, depending on your preference and stamina.

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What kinds of cities make families happy? That was our starting point. The answer, of course, is complicated. Our first assumption: kids like being around other kids. So we looked for cities where a high percentage of the population is under age 18. Next we looked at affordability, since every parent knows the financial challenges of raising offspring (some $241,000 for a child born in 2012, according to the United States Department of Agriculture). Then we considered health, removing any metropolitan areas that were above the national rate for adult obesity. Finally, we zeroed in on what we believe is the critical X-factor: access to large urban parks, trail networks, waterways, ski mountains, and other wild spaces. As it turns out, any city that scored high on all of the above inevitably supports a community of active families who value outdoor play above all else. And the winners are…

Population: 3.3 million (metro)

Median Home Price: $217,000


Best For: Lovers of parks and lakes

The Trust for Public Land ranks Minneapolis the number-one city in the country for parks. Indeed, 20 percent of the total land is in parks—some 6,700 acres—and 94 percent of city residents live within a ten-minute walk to a park. Minnehaha Park, overlooking the Mississippi River, contains family-friendly bike paths and forested riverside walking trails that snake along limestone bluffs. Despite brutal winters—average lows dip into the single digits—Minneapolis consistently ranks among the top biking cities in the U.S. thanks to its extensive bikeways (including 92 miles on city streets and 85 off-street paths) and progressive biking policies. The new five-and-a-half-mile Midtown Greenway, which is separated from car and pedestrian traffic and plowed in the winter, allows for rapid cross-town pedaling.

Then there are the lakes, some 750 of them, including the Chain of Lakes, which offers everything from swimming and sailing to logrolling and canoeing. Families ready for bigger water adventures can make the four-hour drive north to the 1.1-million-acre Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, one of the largest wilderness areas east of the Rockies.

Population: 1.8 million (metro)

Median Home Price: $217,000

Best For: Urban recreation

Largely thanks to Lance Armstrong, Austin has developed a reputation as a cyclist’s town—a label that’s endured even after the seven-time Tour de France champion’s fall from grace. Designated as a Silver-level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists since 2007, more than half of Austin’s streets have dedicated bicycle lanes. In fact, during the past three years, the city has actually reduced the number of motor vehicle lanes on roadways to install bike lanes (the master plan calls for 900 miles by 2020). The city is home to , Lance’s massive bike shop, and numerous cycling clubs, like Social Cycling Austin (“Putting butts on bikes since 2009”), which organizes weekly rides that range from hardcore workouts to “Caffeine Cruises.”

Lesser known is the fact that Austin is also a great all-around adventure-sports town. The Barton Creek Greenbelt stitches together seven miles of waterfront parks, providing hiking and (awesome) mountain-biking trails and, in the spring, kayaking spots and swimming holes. The loop trails bordering 416-acre Lady Bird Lake are ground zero for Austin’s vibrant road-running community, while the lake itself has become a hot spot for stand-up paddleboarding. Outfitter offers rentals, lessons, and even a party package for kids’ birthdays (cake, ice cream, and water guns included).

Population: 2.2 million (metro)

Median Home Price: $288,000

Best For: Living by bike

It starts with the biking, of course. Portland, which has been leading the country’s cycling lifestyle revolution, boasts 181 miles of bike lanes, some 80 miles of off-street bike paths, and the highest percentage of bike commuters of any large city in the U.S. (6 percent, compared to the average of 0.5 percent). There are some 5,000 public bike racks in town. Kids can join weekly “bike trains,” group rides along prearranged routes to public schools. Portland isn’t only about two-wheelin’, though. The Columbia and Willamette rivers run through town, providing flatwater kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. There are more than 300 parks, including 5,172-acre Forest Park, a dream spot for urban hiking and trail running, with 70 miles of dirt and gravel routes. Mount Hood, an hour and a half’s drive to the east, offers skiing year-round and rafting and lift-accessed mountain biking in the summer. Eighty miles to the west is Oregon’s rugged and wild coastline.

Population: 1.1 million (metro)

Median Home Price: $241,000

Best For: Mountain sports

Among major U.S. cities, it’s impossible to beat Salt Lake’s access to mountain sports. Within 45 minutes are four of the best ski areas in the world: Alta, Snowbird, Solitude, and Brighton. Then there are the endless backcountry skiing lines in the nearby Wasatch Mountains. Mountain bikers have their pick of numerous singletrack trails in the canyons east of town, which also contain hundreds of rock-climbing routes. The Middle and Lower Provo rivers offer blue-ribbon trout fishing. Not surprisingly, Salt Lake is home to a thriving community of serious outdoor fanatics. (It’s also the venue for the biggest trade show in the outdoor-gear industry, Outdoor Retailer, every summer and winter.) All this and it’s a true urban center, with an NBA team, a busy international airport, and healthy job market (local employers include eBay and 3M).

Population: 4.6 million (metro)

Median Home Price: $375,000

Best For: Running fanatics

Blame it on the Boston Marathon, but this city of diehard pro-ball sports fans is also arguably the running capital of the United States. From post-college racing teams to women-only groups, more than a dozen running clubs call Boston home. You can count on a 5- or 10K almost any weekend, or just log miles on the 18-mile Charles River path.

Families can do much more than run in Boston, of course. More than 15 percent of city land is in parks. One of the largest, 527-acre Franklin Park, is a hub for pick-up soccer games, tennis, cycling, and, well, yes, running—since 1997, the Boston Middle School Cross Country Championships have been held here. In the Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area, a collection of 34 islands and peninsulas within striking distance of downtown, the offers seven- to 14-day summer adventures for teens that teach camping, kayaking, and sailing skills. Boston is also surprisingly easy to escape for a major city: the Berkshires, the White Mountains of New Hampshire, the Green Mountains of Vermont, and the beaches of the Cape and North Shore are all within three hours.

Population: 678, 319 (metro)

Median Home Price: $213,000

Best For: Endurance sports

Why are both the United States Olympic Training Center and Carmichael Training Systems, an elite coaching operation, based in Colorado Springs? Maybe it’s the hundreds of miles of multi-use trails within a ten-mile radius of town. Maybe it’s 14,117-foot Pikes Peak right next door. Maybe it’s the weather (the Front Range sees some 250 days of sunshine a year). Whatever the answer, Colorado Springs is clearly a mecca for elite endurance athletes, and their energy helps define the character of the decidedly affordable city, which lies about 70 miles south of Denver. Families here have fast access to some of the top ski areas on the planet (the Summit County resorts start two hours away) as well as the many wilderness areas of the Rocky Mountains. In the spring and summer, head two hours west for rafting on the Class IV rapids of the Arkansas River.

Population: 590, 341 (metro)

Median Home Price: $158, 200

Best For: Cycling

One way to get the next generation amped up about cycling: show them how the best bikes in the world are made. Start with a factory tour at , half an hour northeast of town, in Waterloo; then head to the legendary factory, which produces exquisite steel-frame bikes at its factory 90 minutes east. Cycling is ingrained in the culture here and will certainly be part of its future. The city has plans to become the bike-commuting capital of the U.S. with Madison B-cycle, a 35-station urban bike-sharing program that features 350 three-speed cruisers. Prefer mountain biking? Take a trip to to Devil’s Lake State Park, 40 miles to the north.

Off the bike, the , backed by the University of Wisconsin, offers summertime courses in sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, and kayaking for kids ages 10 to 18 on Lake Mendota. Come winter, six city parks boast a combined 20 miles of signed and groomed cross-country ski trails. For beginners, gives free weekly lessons in January and February.

Population: 887,000 (metro)

Median Home Price: $190,000

Best For: Year-round adventure

New Mexico’s largest city doesn’t feel big at all. One reason is the 16-mile multi-use Paseo del Bosque Trail, which runs along the Rio Grande. Another is the U-Mound, a top-rated bouldering site on the eastern edge of town. And with as many clear days a year as Colorado’s Front Range but with a lower cost of living, Albuquerque is a particularly inviting place to raise an active family. Indeed, all kinds of fun can be had in and around the city, which is set just above 5,000 feet and offers easy access New Mexico’s many wilderness areas. Looming directly to the east are the Sandia Mountains, a range that tops out at over 10,000 feet and is great for hiking, trail running, mountain biking, and skiing (though not every winter; nearby Santa Fe has more reliable snow). Fantastic road biking routes head out (and up) in all directions. In the spring, kayakers and rafters flock to whitewater stretches of the Rio Grande and Rio Chama. Every fall, Albuquerque plays host to the annual Duke City Marathon, considered a world-class event. Finally, there are the city’s many urban parks—286 in all—and 113 miles of multi-use trails.

Population: 5.9 million (metro)

Median Home Price: $443,000

Best For: Weekend warriors

Surprise: D.C. provides more acres of greenspace per capita than any other U.S. city of its size. The most diverse playground of the bunch is Rock Creek Park, which has 40 miles of hiking trails, a 25-mile forested road-biking route, and, when the creek is high, Class III and IV whitewater for experienced kayakers. Though it’s very much a wonky town dominated by people working in politics, D.C. is loaded with recreational athletes—just ask former mayor Adrian Fenty, who finished 16th at the Washington, D.C., Triathlon in 2010. Favorite running routes include the four-mile lap around the National Mall for views of the Capitol, White House, Lincoln Memorial, and other historic sites (the annual Marine Corps Marathon is another great way to see these spots). Cyclists roll out on the C&O Canal towpath, which winds 185 miles up the Potomac, starting in Georgetown and ending in Cumberland, Maryland. Half an hour northwest from D.C., Virginia’s small Great Falls National Park offers top-roping climbing routes rated up to 5.12 in difficulty, with programs for kids ages eight to 16 from the instructors at . Or you can simply cruise around town on one of the 2,500 bikes that are part of Capital Bikeshare, which was the nation’s first program of its kind when it launched in 2008.

Population : 650,234 (metro)

Median Home Price: $188,000

Best For: Playing in the Rockies

Set in the Northern Rockies with more than 4,300 acres of open space, a whitewater park, and a ski area just outside of town, Boise is a place you move to for outdoor fun. The 25-mile-long Greenbelt, which follows the Boise River through the heart of the city, links riverside parks through a network of biking and walking paths. The Boise River Park, a longtime dream of local paddlers that opened in 2012, has two surfing waves close to Main Street. Flatwater paddlers can put in to the river about six miles north, at Barber Park, and float the kid-friendly stretch through town to Ann Morrison Park. In the winter, , just 16 miles away, offers 2,600 acres of alpine and cross-country skiing trails, as well as a strong ski and snowboard school. And the Ridge to Rivers trail system in the hills above Boise comprises 130 miles of trails, with singletrack mountain biking, spectacular hiking and running routes, and designated pedestrian-only trails.

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