Escape the Pollution in These 5 U.S. Cities

If the bad air caused by Southern California fires, inversion in Salt Lake City or ozone pollution in Houston impact your breathing and take a toll on your overall health, you might think about traveling to a city with clean air. Breathing freely, even for just a few days, can do wonders for your well-being. Give your lungs a break and escape the bad air quality to the cities with the cleanest air, according to the American Lung Association.

Honolulu

Honolulu gives you a chance to escape both the pollution and the cold, if you’re in Utah, for example. The island of Oahu is not only a gateway to the Hawaiian Islands, it is also full of things to do. Hiking the Diamond Head or surfing on the North Shore will for sure open up your lungs. If relaxing is more your thing, you can hit the world-famous Waikiki Beach or spend a day at the Polynesian Cultural Center and enjoy a luau.

Orlando, Fla.

Orlando is a theme-park lover’s mecca. Walt Disney World alone is comprised of four theme parks and two water parks. Plus, there’s SeaWorld, Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios—more than a dozen parks total. And if you’re Mickey’d out, drive for an hour to Daytona Beach and take a ride at the Daytona International Speedway or enjoy the ocean waves and sandy beach.

Lahaina, Hawaii

The Hawaiian Islands have such clean air, it’s no wonder both Oahu and Maui islands made the list. Those who have traveled to both islands will tell you they’re completely different in both scenery and atmosphere. You can relax at one of the resorts on Maui’s beautiful Kaanapali Beach, snorkel or SNUBA with sea turtles or drive the Road to Hana for plenty of scenic views and hiking.

Colorado Springs, Colo.

With popular ski resorts like Aspen, Telluride or Crested Butte, travelers rarely choose Colorado Springs as their winter destination, but it is in the top 10 of the cleanest U.S. cities and worth mentioning. You can zip line above the most spectacular landscapes, enjoy year-round rock climbing in the Pikes Peak Region or take a tour of the Cave of the Winds where the temperature stays at a constant 54 degrees Fahrenheit.

Burlington, Vt.

If New England’s charm is calling your name, head to Burlington, the largest city in Vermont, located near the Lake Champlain. View exhibitions and attend lectures at the Fleming Museum of Art, spend time walking in the midst of the historic buildings at the Church Street Marketplace or take a culinary adventure and join the Burlington Edible History Tour or a craft brewery tour.

Where do you like to travel to escape the pollution in your hometown?