Guide to the 10 greenest cities in the US

For this year's Earth Day celebration, why not experience one of the many green cities that help make America beautiful? Whether you're looking for outdoor adventure or an eco-friendly urban hangout, you can find it in these 10 must-visit, earth-friendly destinations.

1. Portland, Oregon

Sustainability is a way of life in Portland. Residents recycle 63 percent of their trash and host regular neighborhood tree plantings. You can find a green take on almost anything in the City of Roses, from an environmentally friendly laundromat cafe to an organic eco-brewpub.

2. Homer, Alaska

In a state famous for natural beauty, Homer, Alaska, is the ecotourism capital. Located at the tip of the Kenai Peninsula, it's the place to be for whale watching, kayaking, hiking and any other outdoor fun you can think of. Count on seeing plenty of glaciers and you might even spot a bear or two.

3. New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans may be famous as a non-stop party city, but you might be surprised to learn that the residents also know how to keep it clean and green. The city's shops serve up local food, fair trade apparel and vintage upcycled fashion and decor. Suburban plantations are a throwback to the area's agrarian roots, while all the urban farms that are popping up inside the city are bringing the tradition full circle.

4. Seattle, Washington

The Emerald City has plenty to offer outdoor enthusiasts. Take a trip to Discovery Park for views of the mountains from a bluff overlooking Puget Sound, or enjoy parasailing, boating and plenty of other water activities on one of the area’s many lakes. Seattle also has a killer skyline with the formidable Mount Rainier ever-present in the background.

5. Greenville, South Carolina

It's not just in the name. Greenville, South Carolina, is green to the core. Bikers and pedestrians rave about Swamp Rabbit Trail: a level, leisurely path that runs for 20 miles along the river past the zoo to the local college. Meanwhile, the downtown area has more than just shops and restaurants – it even has its own waterfall.

6. San Francisco, California

With the highest number of farmers' markets per person in the country, San Francisco leads the US locavore movement and is a premier destination for fresh, locally sourced food. For a splurge, try NoPa near the Painted Ladies for farm-to-fork dishes, or pick up ingredients for your own organic feast on the cheap at Heart of the City Farmers' Market at the Civic Center. It’s the city’s only farmer-operated non-profit-making market and has been going since 1981.

7. Atlanta, Georgia

How can a city famous for traffic jams be green? Well, Atlanta earned its nickname of 'City in the Forest' thanks to a tree canopy that covers nearly half the urban area. Take a stroll in Fernbank Forest, a 65-acre outdoor museum of old-growth trees, or in Midtown's Piedmont Park, where you’ll find a lake, playgrounds, dog parks, a farmers' market and even an organic garden.

8. Austin, Texas

Get outdoors in beautiful Austin, Texas, where there's certainly plenty of room. This green city has 227 miles of trails and more than 20,000 acres of public green spaces. It even offers a green walking tour that takes in the eco-friendly city hall and explores the local wildlife and ecology of the area, regionally-sourced food and much, much more besides.

9. Boulder, Colorado

You might guess from the name that Boulder, Colorado, likes to keep things rugged. With 45,000 acres of unspoiled nature to enjoy, it's the place for outdoor adventure with tubing, mountain biking, sledding and river rafting. Even Downtown, the city shows its green heart with compost bins and bike racks along the popular, pedestrian friendly Pearl Street Mall. The city has also been known to turn the annual Earth Day celebration into a week-long extravaganza.

10. Burlington, Vermont

Burlington may not be large – in fact it’s the country’s least populous city – but it's certainly big on being green. It sits on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, and, like any coastal town, it's got its fair share of water fun – from kayaking to paddle boarding. Food is locally sourced from nearby farms and dairies, not just for touristy restaurants but for local use in school cafeterias and more.

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