The 10 Cities With the Cleanest Air in America

Here at Thrillist , we often dissemble like all you need to survive is bacon , some good beer , and perhaps a few donuts , but you know what you really demand ? Air . And not just the raging sort we usually spew waxing rapturously about theaforementioned sinker . No , we ’re talking about something more fundamental here , which is why the American Lung Association ’s annual written report about the city with the undecomposed tune quality enamor our eye when it came out a few weeks ago , and why we ’re seriously thinking about moving to one of the 10 cities ( population 100,000 or large ) that top the list for the cleanest air in America :

10. Albany, NY

New York ’s country capital makes the tilt despite all the hot air coming out of the state star sign . Hopefully you’re able to nullify that topographic point entirely and drop all your time hittingsome of the best restaurantsandbars in the state out of doors of NYC(not to cite some ofthe serious wingsin thecountry ) ; tour the impressive country museum ; checking out one of only 20 inland pine wasteland ecosystems in the humankind ; or if you ’re there in the summer , catch a costless concert under the open ( and sportsmanlike ) line in Tricentennial Park .

9. Rochester, MN

Rochester is consistently ranked as one of the good position to live in the country ( that air - quality evaluation could n’t have anguish ) . But you do n’t have to live there to love things like Quarry Hill Park , which has fishing pool , dodo beds , and snowshoe lease ; one of the striking nearby cave systems ; or , since this is Minnesota we ’re talking about , any turn of lakes .

8. Anchorage, AK

feature far good air quality than Alaska ’s second - biggest town ( take THAT Fairbanks ! ) , mostly thanks to low population density and footling gravid industriousness , this city of 300,000 is essentially a basecamp for the region ’s Chugach , Kenai and Talkeetna Mountains . It ’s also the gateway to vast nearby wild areas , which offer up the kinds of outdoor recreational opportunities and stunning natural views that ’ll leave you gasping for as much of that splendiferous clean air as potential .

7. Wilmington, NC

Your stroll along the Riverwalk – past the churches , garden , museum , shop class , etc . of Wilmington ’s Historic District , or through the 67 - acre Airlie Gardens ( complete with over 100,000 azalea and camellias ) – wo n’t be marred by the dirty exhaust of diligence . This coastal city ’s air quality is due , at least in part , to reduced industry , which is n’t so full if you ’re look for a problem there , but reasonably great if the job you do have guide you there .

6. Syracuse, NY

The air quality in this part of New York has ameliorate dramatically in late years but it ’s not like you ’d notice , give that the atmospheric condition keeps you indoors most of the year . Just banter ! There are heaps of reasons to go outside no affair the season , from water ice skating in Clinton Square ( go at sunset ! ) , to biking / jogging / walking the 2.6 - mile Creekwalk trail from the historic Armory Square district Downtown to the southern shore of Onondaga Lake . Just ensure that , whatever you do , you do n’t do any of your outdoor recreation IN Onondaga Lake – unlike Syracuse ’s air , the metropolis ’s lake is one of the most polluted in the body politic .

5. Albuquerque, NM

Albuquerque is pretty serious about breeze lineament , to the point that the metropolis ’s Air Quality Division issues wellness alerts to the world when it ’s decrease due to smoke from wildfire or shove along dust . Both of which would also in all probability diminish how much fun you ’d havetouringBreaking Badlocations in an capable - air trolleybefore posting up on one of five patios at El Pinto , one of the country ’s best Mexican restaurants . So , fingers sweep .

4. Fargo, ND

The air in Fargo has been negatively affect by the this month ’s massive wildfires in Canada , but Fargo ’s nearly as famous for clean air as it is for comical accent , and being the only town you’re able to name in North Dakota . Take advantage of it by stroll through the metropolis ’s charmingly compact Downtown ( it’sthe Brooklyn of North Dakota ! ) , and then over to one of theMidwest ’s up - and - amount breweries , Fargo Brewing , just about a stat mi away .

3. Redding, CA

The contamination index in Redding is 75 % less than the California norm ( which make sense give that it ’s 75 % further out from any position you ’ve ever get wind of , too ) , so when you by chance end up there , you may literally catch one’s breath slow … and then go do some fishing while you float down the Sacramento River , or retard out Turtle Bay Exploration Park , or try any number of other outdoor natural action in this surprisingly thriving city .

2. Salinas, CA

Local wind rule and the openness of the valley , as well as low industrial and traffic emission , give you just one more reason to visit just inland from Monterey Bay . As if the River Road Wine Trail ( with itsstunning views of the Santa Lucia highland and vineyard spell via ATV ) and access code to some ofCali ’s best beachesweren’t enough already .

1. Honolulu, HI

Thanks to the craft twist and the eminent use of solar power , it ’s not just the balmy year - daily round atmospheric condition andbeautiful beachesthat make Honolulu experience like paradise . It ’s easy on the lung , too , which means you may spend evenmore time outside hiking , or discover to surf , ordiscovering secret places , or … oh , you get the point .