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Travel + Leisure
4 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Travel + Leisure
I Live in the City With the Most Landmarks in the U.S.—12 Shoes to Help You Visit Them All Pain-free
When you live in New York City, lazy weekends don't exist. With more than 170 museums, 29,000 acres worth of parks, and 38,000 landmarks to see across the five boroughs, it can be hard to justify staying in and doing nothing. As an NYC resident, my weekends are essentially long walking tours, where I explore new neighborhoods and clock thousands of steps while soaking in the sights and sounds the Big Apple has to offer. Since I walk everywhere, comfy footwear is essential. I surveyed Travel + Leisure's NYC-based writers and editors to round up our ride-or-die shoes. These sneakers, sandals, and flats are the best of the best, and we trust them to keep our feet supported and pain-free while walking miles in the city. Keep reading for the 12 most comfortable shoes we own, including New Balance 530s, Crocs sandals, and Birkenstock clogs, starting at $50. Best Editor-loved Walking Shoes: New Balance Unisex 530 Sneakers Zappos 'Whenever I'm heading out for a city walk—whether it's to the grocery store, around the park, or out to lunch, these New Balances are the sneakers I reach for every time. I've also worn them on multiple trips, and they've stayed comfortable through long days of exploring. They're effortlessly stylish and pair with anything from a crewneck and biker shorts to jeans and a T-shirt. Truly, no complaints.' — Rosie Marder, Shopping Writer Crocs Women's Brooklyn Strappy Low Wedge Sandals Amazon 'If you catch me out in Manhattan on a summer evening, nine times out of ten, I'll be wearing these exact wedge sandals from Crocs. They have thick platform foam soles that absorb shock, plus textured footbeds that prevent your feet from slipping on hot, sweltering summer days. The straps are made from a soft, silky rubber material that doesn't cut into your skin, and the adjustable ankle strap adds extra stability.' — Amelia McBride, Associate Shopping Editor Adidas Women's Ultraboost 1.0 Sneakers Amazon 'These Adidas shoes are extremely comfortable and supportive for long days of walking around the city or even just running errands in my neighborhood. I love the cushioned base that gives me plenty of support, while the knit upper is super breathable and flexible, so my feet never feel constricted, even if I've been standing or walking for a while.' — Erin Cavoto, Shopping Editor Brooks Women's Glycerin StealthFit 22 Running Shoes Zappos 'I remember when I tried the Brooks Glycerin StealthFit style for the first time—I was blown away by the fact that I could slip my wide feet in easily without having to untie the laces or contort my toes. These running shoes have a knit construction that molds around the shape of your foot, plus a stretchy, sock-like opening at the top that stretches to accommodate swelling, making them stellar for long days walking around the city. I'm obsessed with this retro-inspired yellow colorway of the StealthFit 22; it's comfy yet cute enough to wear with jeans and shorts.' — Amelia McBride, Associate Shopping Editor Teva Women's Flatform Sandals Zappos 'My go-to summer shoe is the Teva Flatform Sandals because they have all the comfort and support I love from Teva sandals with the added bonus of a high platform that keeps my toes far, far away from the unpredictable city streets. The platform base is extremely comfortable, providing a ton of support for long days on my feet (I've clocked over 100,000 steps on a single Disney World trip with these shoes!). I also love the adjustable straps to get the best fit on my toes and ankle. I tend to reach for these almost exclusively in the summer in the city and love to pair them with casual outfits for running errands or meeting with friends for lunch.' — Erin Cavoto, Shopping Editor Birkenstock Unisex Suede Boston Clogs Zappos 'I've been a loyal Birkenstock fan since high school, and the Boston Clogs are only the latest (and most comfortable) addition to my expanding collection. Growing up in New Hampshire, I'm always drawn to 'crunchier' styles, so I love how effortlessly cool these shoes make every outfit, and the cork insoles have molded perfectly to my feet, so they're always supportive during long days walking around New York, traveling, or just running errands. I pair them with everything from dresses to denim shorts, and I have no doubt this is a style I'll be wearing for years to come.' — Merrell Readman, Senior Shopping Writer New Balance Women's Fresh Foam Roav Running Shoes Amazon 'I tore a muscle in my foot after walking more than 10,000 steps in unsupportive shoes, but my podiatrist steered me in the right direction by recommending New Balance sneakers. These are my go-to walking shoes whenever I'm traveling because they're lightweight and keep my feet and back pain-free (even after wearing them for 12 hours at a music festival).' — Rylee Johnston, Shopping Writer Crocs Women's Classic Platform Clogs Amazon 'I don't care what anyone says—I wear my Crocs with pride. When I first tried on these platform clogs, I was surprised at their comfort. Over time, I've only become more impressed. They're not only my go-to shoe when I'm hurrying out of the house to run errands; they're also comfy enough for long days on my feet. I've walked all over the city in these shoes, and even after years of wear, they won't need to be swapped out anytime soon.' — Genevieve Cepeda, Shopping Writer Everlane Women's The Day Fisherman Sandals Everlane 'Finding a comfortable pair of elevated sandals has been no small feat for me, and after trying countless options that have ripped my feet to shreds, these fisherman sandals from Everlane have been a welcome respite. The straps are made from unbelievably soft leather that requires no break-in time, and they've never dug into my skin or caused blisters and irritation. I love that I can wear them with almost everything in my closet, and I'm even considering snagging another pair in brown. I'm not a huge fan of having my toes exposed while walking around cities, either, so the caged design is perfect for offering a little more coverage while keeping my feet cool.' — Merrell Readman, Senior Shopping Writer Sam Edelman Women's Michaela Mary Jane Flats Sam Edelman 'The Sam Edelman Michaela Mary Jane Flats are my ride-or-die flats because they're one of the only pairs I own that don't leave me with a single blister. For someone whose feet are usually shredded by cute shoes, they're a miracle. I have them in red, which adds the perfect pop of color to any outfit. Whether I'm heading to the office or out for date night, they're always a reliable choice.' — Rosie Marder, Shopping Writer Adidas Women's Samba LT Sneakers Nordstrom 'Adidas Sambas are one of the most popular shoes of the year, thanks to their sleek design and comfort. Inspired by the trend, I searched high and low for a pair that I wouldn't frequently spot on other subway passengers, and ultimately, I landed on the Samba LT Sneakers. They feature the same simple design, plus a fold-over tongue that puts a unique spin on the retro sneaker. While I bought these shoes for style, they're so comfortable that they quickly became my go-to sneaker. Now, I wear them anytime I walk the dog, stroll through Central Park, or serve as a de facto tour guide when friends come to visit.' — Genevieve Cepeda, Shopping Writer Naturalizer Women's Jaya Slingback Pumps Naturalizer 'These slingback pumps never let me down: they're super comfortable, have an adjustable strap that doesn't irritate my skin, and can instantly dress up an outfit. I've worn them to the office and even to a wedding where I was on my feet all day, dancing for hours on end. By the end of the night, my feet were tired, but my back was pain-free and there wasn't a blister in sight.' — Rylee Johnston, Shopping Writer Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.
The Guardian
17-05-2025
- General
- The Guardian
Discover women's history in your area: ‘You just have to start looking'
Fewer than 4% of statues in Australia are of women. Through the monuments we build and the names we remember, we are loudly saying that women's contributions aren't worthy of respect. How will we ever close the gender pay gap, get more women into leadership positions and reduce violence against women if we can't even recognise their historical contributions? In 2021, I became so frustrated with women's stories being overlooked and their impact underestimated that I felt I had no choice but to do something about it. So I started sharing the stories of the incredible women who had shaped my home town of Canberra on a two-hour walking tour on Sundays. Walking tours felt like the perfect entry point. They're accessible, engaging and fun. The stories stick because they're tied to real places and told in ways that feel relevant. From the start, my hope was that our tours would spark curiosity and inspire people to dig deeper. Once I started, I found that women's stories are everywhere. You just have to start looking and, once you do, you won't stop seeing them. Four years on, She Shapes History is no longer just one frustrated woman with an idea. We run tours in Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne, have trained over a dozen incredible guides and welcomed thousands of people to walk with us and hear these stories. I've also spent six months travelling Australia to write a book about what I've found. But you don't need to start a tour to make an impact. Just choose one woman whose story resonates with you, do a bit more research on her and then share her story everywhere you go. After years of telling women's stories in entirely unexpected moments – from first dates to job interviews to chats with the bartender at my local pub – I've learned that no one will get mad at you for sharing a great story. You'd be surprised by how many women have been commemorated – we just haven't been taught to look for them, or learn their names. Begin with your neighbourhood: Start where you live. Read the plaques. Look into the stories behind the names of nearby streets, parks and buildings. In Australia, women are represented in fewer than one in 10 places named after people. While that's a pretty shocking stat, it still means thousands of women have been recognised. Visit museums explicitly focused on sharing women's contributions: My favourites include the Cascades Female Factory in Hobart, Her Place Women's Museum in Melbourne, Miegunyah Historic House Museum in Brisbane, Story Bank in Maryborough and the Women's Museum of Australia in Alice Springs. Although more women than you might expect have been commemorated, the majority haven't. This means you'll need to do some digging. As you explore the history of your town or city, take note of any women's names you come across, as well as any historical moments where women should be represented, but seem to be missing. The more research you do, the better you'll become at spotting these gaps. Once you've gathered names, dive deeper into their stories. Take a walking tour: Walking tours are an excellent shortcut for finding stories – tour guides have already done the research and selected the best ones. Read local histories: Councils often publish town histories, self-guided walking tours and information about historical landmarks. While these resources rarely focus on just women, you'll often find them mentioned throughout. Visit local museums: These places are treasure troves of stories and often include perspectives overlooked by larger institutions. Don't forget to carry cash for entry and donations, and check their hours before you visit— many are volunteer-run with limited opening times. Explore cemeteries: Gravestones and inscriptions often tell the stories of community leaders, family matriarchs and remarkable women. Talk to women: Ask the women in your life: your mum, grandmother, neighbours, colleagues, friends, or even the woman who runs your local pub. These conversations often uncover personal perspectives and overlooked stories you won't find in books or archives. My favourite icebreaker (on tours, at dinner parties, even on dates) is simple: who is a woman who inspires you? Everyone can name someone. Look for community archives: Your local library, council, or historical society might already have a history collection or community archive. Most of this isn't online, so it's worth popping in for a chat. Historical societies can be particularly valuable. Often run by passionate volunteers, these groups have the knowhow, resources and archives to help you dig into particular people or periods. To find your local historical society, search your town's name and 'historical society' online – something should come up. Search online platforms: Start with Trove, the Australian Women's Register, the Australian Dictionary of Biography and state or local archives. Don't overlook local history blogs – they're often packed with incredible stories you wouldn't find elsewhere. Don't let all these incredible stories fade into obscurity – celebrate and share them with others. Talk to the women in your life: Record interviews with women in your community and donate them to local historical societies, archives or libraries. Write it down: Encourage women to share their stories through memoirs, essays or reflections. Contribute to local histories: Many councils, libraries and historical societies accept photos, written stories, or oral histories, and they're often thrilled to receive material about women. You might even find they're working on a local project or publication you can contribute to. Share online and in the community: Use blogs, social media, zines, podcasts or even walking tours to amplify these stories. Start Wikipedia pages for the women you find. Use art, photography or theatre to bring stories to life. Host panels, storytelling nights or film screenings celebrating women's contributions. Use whatever tools you have to share the stories of women in your community. Incorporate women's stories into your everyday life: Teachers, bring women's histories in your classroom; professionals, advocate for gender considerations in policy, health care and design; book clubs, highlight local women's history or historical fiction. No matter what you do, there's an opportunity to include women's stories. Nominate women for public commemoration: Submit the names and stories of women who deserve to be remembered to your local government for the naming of new streets, parks, schools, suburbs and other public landmarks. Support movements for public art and place naming: Initiatives like A Monument of One's Own or Put Her Name On It, campaign for more statues, place names and public art honouring women. Share their work, attend their events and help amplify the call for more visible recognition of women in our shared spaces. This is an edited extract from She Shapes History by Sita Sargeant, published by Hardie Grant Explore (A$34.99)
