The impulse to cancel those dormant gym memberships and hop on a bike, go on a hike, or otherwise enjoy the great outdoors is one change brought on by COVID-19 that is still going strong today. An Outdoor Industry Association survey found that a record number of people (53%) engaged in outdoor recreational activities in 2021, mostly out of necessity. In addition to having reduced COVID-19 transmission rates, open-air areas have psychological advantages that many people have come to recognize they desperately require. Face it, gazing at digital foliage (or agitated studio cycling instructors) on a Peloton screen is incomparably less Zen than meandering beneath actual trees. If you like to be active, continue reading to learn where to buy a vacation house.
Madison, WI
Residents of Madison refer to their city as the “unofficial bike capital of the Midwest” since there are allegedly more bikes than cars there. Indeed, the seven-mile Capital City State Trail is bustling with bikers as it meanders close to the shores of Lake Monona and famous buildings like the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Convention Center. The Lower Yahara River Trail offers fishing, kayaking, and other water sports for non-bikers in addition to an additional 200 miles of biking and hiking routes. The city also comes alive throughout the winter with snowshoeing, skiing, and ice skating on one of five local lakes.
Whistler, BC
Whistler’s geographic position is one of its distinctive qualities. Whistler is a small, bustling hamlet located in British Columbia’s Blackcomb and Whistler mountains, about two hours’ drive from Vancouver. Whistler is renowned for its daring outdoor pursuits. First, you can go skiing, cycling, hiking, kayaking, and more depending on the weather and season. Whistler is surrounded by the 2,200-meter-tall Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain. These mountains are widely regarded as the greatest in North America for skiing. Whistler Homes for Sale costs a little more than in other Canadian cities. The cost of lodging could be the largest one.
Bloomington, IN
Bloomington, which is located southwest of Indianapolis, is the location of Indiana University and 10 municipal parks. Two state forests, including Brown County State Park, which is known as the “Little Smokies” due to its likeness to the Great Smoky Mountains, are about two hours distant. On the 16,000 acres of the park, locals can go camping, kayaking, horseback riding, fishing, and other activities. It’s also regarded as the best place to go “leaf peeping,” where visitors can see the fall foliage explode in a spectrum of hues. In addition, Bloomington residents can easily travel to the surrounding Lake Monroe and Hoosier National Forest, where year-round outdoor recreation is possible due to typical temperatures above freezing. With a 60-block neighborhood of galleries, theaters, music venues, and restaurants, Bloomington boasts the greatest pizza in the Midwest and an exceptional arts and culture scene that is gaining recognition among foodies and enthusiasts of craft breweries. And in April, a plethora of outdoor activities revolve around Indiana University’s Little 500, one of America’s top bike races that was immortalized in the classic movie “Breaking Away.”
Columbia, MO
Although Atlanta, a studio-friendly city, served as the shooting location for the Netflix blockbuster “Ozark,” the Lake of the Ozarks is actually in Missouri, around an hour’s drive from Columbia, Missouri. Despite its “Ozark” cachet, Columbia is a great city for individuals seeking access to a significant urban center because it is only a short drive from five state parks, St. Louis, and Kansas City. Three institutions (the University of Missouri, Stephens College, and Columbia College) are also located there, and its students can live without a car because of the city’s extensive network of bike paths. Although visitors may come for the open expanses, they often fall in love with Columbia’s small-town atmosphere.
