One of the best ways to really see and experience a destination is on your own two feet. Running tours have grown in popularity over the years and provide travelers with a terrific vantage point from a slower, feet-on-the-ground perspective.
Noticing the trend, Westin Hotels & Resorts offers WestinWORKOUT Gear Lending kits, featuring recovery devices from Hyperice and total-body strength-training equipment by Bala, to help guests stay motivated and active when traveling. You can also find Westin Run Concierges at their properties around the world that lead groups on moderately paced outings that showcase the best of their destinations — with a personal touch.
Five of the world’s most scenic jogging routes — coming in at around 3 miles (5 kilometers) — are mapped out below for inspiration. After all, the best route is the one that appeals to you. So go ahead, lace up your shoes and get outside for a run.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
Vancouver (3 miles / 4.8 km)
Stanley Park, Vancouver’s first and largest urban park at 1,000 acres, sits just steps from The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver in the city’s vibrant downtown. More than 16 miles of forest trails weave through about 500,000 cedar, fir and hemlock trees, and five and a half miles of seawall hug Vancouver Harbour and English Bay.
After you’ve laced up your running shoes, leave the hotel from its west exit and meet up with the Coal Harbour Seawalk right outside. Run south, and then turn right to follow the seawall north, past the sculptures in Devonian Harbour Park on your left, until you reach Stanley Park. Follow the seawall as it continues to the right, along the park’s peninsula, taking time to soak in the incredible views of Vancouver Harbour and West Van in the distance.
Wind along the seawall to the Variety Kids Water Park at Lumbermen’s Arch, where you’ll turn left and pass under Park Drive. The Lumbermen’s Arch was built in 1912 to commemorate the Duke of Connaught, son of Queen Victoria, and his visit to Vancouver. When the original wooden arch decayed, it was replaced by the cedar archway that still stands today.
Passing the water park and arch, continue following the path south; you’ll pass the Vancouver Aquarium, Canada’s largest aquarium, before rejoining the seawall. Once back on the seawall, you’ll find yourself in familiar territory as you retrace your steps back to The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver.
Boston (3.1 miles / 5 km)
When you’re in a city as rich in history as Boston is, you want to stay in the middle of it all. The Westin Copley Place, Boston is a terrific spot to call home when exploring the city, with centuries of history at its doorstep in the city’s Back Bay neighborhood. The historic district is considered one of the most appealing neighborhoods in the U.S., and along with the adjacent (and equally historic) Beacon Hill neighborhood, it’s the perfect setting for a run.
Your Back Bay / Beacon Hill running tour of Boston starts by exiting the hotel on Dartmouth Street and running north toward the Charles River. Turn right onto the Commonwealth Avenue Mall, a path lined with trees and brownstones on both sides.
Run along the mall and cross Arlington Street to run through the Public Garden, which was established in 1837 and is the first public botanical garden in the U.S. Once you’ve run through the garden, cross Charles Street and into Boston Common, which was founded in 1634 and is America’s oldest park. It’s also where George Washington, John Adams and the Marquis de Lafayette celebrated America’s independence.
Run through Boston Common toward the Park Street T station, where you’ll turn left and run toward Beacon Street. At the corner of Park and Beacon, turn left, and then make a right onto Joy Street. Run to the next corner, which is Mt. Vernon Street, and take a right to pass by the Massachusetts State House on Hancock Street.
Continue on to Cambridge Street, where you’ll turn left and follow it over the Frances Appleton Bridge; here you’ll meet up with the Dr. Paul Dudley White Bike Path and the Charles River Esplanade, adjacent to the Hatch Memorial Shell, an outdoor concert and entertainment venue. Run along the Esplanade to the Dartmouth Street footbridge, which will connect you back to Dartmouth Street and back to The Westin Copley Place.
Bali (3.25 miles / 5.25 km)
When you settle into The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali, chances are you’ll never want to leave. The white sands of Nusa Dua Beach, the lush resort grounds, myriad water sports and plenty of places to unwind and just be await at this Balinese sanctuary.
If you do find yourself wanting to go for a run, simply walk out of the hotel and start out on the beach path running south toward the Waterblow. You’ll pass the Pura Nusa Dharma oceanside temple along the way, but don’t stop — you’ll be back for a better look on your return.
Before the beach path veers to the right, run onto Peninsula Island and through the Garden of Hope, a welcoming green space that leads to the Waterblow. Here, during high tide, waves crash dramatically against natural reefs and rock formations.
From the Waterblow, run back through Peninsula Island to reconnect with the beach path and continue south to where the path ends. Retrace your steps back toward Peninsula Island and follow the path to the right to Pura Nusa Dharma. Run through the park and stop to take in the view from the temple, which is particularly stunning at sunrise.
When you’re ready, retrace your steps back to your oasis at The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali.
Chicago (2.8 miles / 4.5 km)
The Windy City is filled with plenty of sites to see, from the Chicago River to professional sporting events and, of course, its stunning architecture. If you’re an architecture buff, or even have a passing interest, you’ll find loads of inspiration on this nearly three-mile jogging route along Chicago’s Riverwalk, starting right outside The Westin Chicago River North.
From the hotel, cross the Chicago River and turn right onto the Riverwalk, which runs parallel to Wacker Drive and the river. The 1.25-mile continuous pathway was developed to allow the city’s residents and visitors to access and enjoy the waterfront and its surrounding architecture.
Once on the Riverwalk, follow the path through the “urban canyon,” as it’s referred to by the City of Chicago due to soaring skyscrapers flanking the flowing waterway. Follow the Riverwalk until it ends, and then continue on Lower Wacker Drive to pass Lyric Opera of Chicago en route to the Willis Tower.
After gazing at the height of the tower, retrace your steps back to the Riverwalk, past where you started and toward the lakefront. When you reach Michigan Avenue, turn left to cross the historic DuSable Bridge. The bridge is a terrific selfie spot to document your Chicago run with the river and skyline behind you.
Pic snapped and added to the ‘Gram, continue across the bridge, take the pedestrian overpass, and pass the Wrigley Building. Built in 1924, the Wrigley Building is one of Chicago’s architectural gems and became an official Chicago Landmark in 2012. Turn left onto East Hubbard Street
Continue on Hubbard until you reach North Dearborn Street, where you’ll turn left and walk a block and a half back to your home away from home at The Westin Chicago River North.
Frankfurt, Germany (3.1 miles / 5 km)
Germany’s dynamic business capital features a skyline dotted with skyscrapers, but Frankfurt also surprises many visitors thanks to its historical heart, laid-back charm, multinational feel — and particularly its embrace of green, open spaces.
The Westin Grand Frankfurt serves as an ideal starting point for a 3.1-mile loop along the scenic Main River. From the hotel, head south along Kurt Schumacher Strasse. You’ll come to the red stone Alte Brücke, or Old Bridge, your sign to turn east along Frankfurt’s river, the Main.
It’s a clear, straight shot along the riverside path (though you may have to negotiate occasional ducks and geese), and you’ll pass a funky equatorial sundial sculpture and then run underneath an old shipyard crane that serves as a reminder of the mighty river’s history.
Skirting the greenery of Hafenpark, you’ll catch the skate ramps, fitness bootcamps and soccer pitches that make it a popular draw before crossing the Main on the Osthafenbrücke (East Harbor Bridge).
Now on the river’s south side, take in the skyline ahead of you, which boasts 13 of Germany’s tallest buildings. Though temptation may await in the form of Yachtklub, a bar and café moored on the river with an inviting terrace, it’s also your landmark reminder to turn and cross the Old Bridge back toward The Westin Grand Frankfurt.
This run is also great in the early evening, as the bridges are illuminated, the skyline lights up and Frankfurters come out to stroll along the riverbank.
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