Big cities are nice, but they rarely have the down-to-Earth quality that many smaller towns possess.

"If you're looking for an outdoorsy environment, you're probably going to miss out on the big city experience, unless it's a place like Seattle or San Francisco," says Bert Sperling, author of Cities Ranked & Rated and founder of Sperling's Best Places.

Also know that when you favor the outdoors, you're choosing a lifestyle to go with it. "The kind of people who seek the outdoors gravitate toward towns with likeminded people. They tend to be 'green' towns, towns that are more progressive or liberal. That carries over into the kind of restaurants they want to have, the kind of community they'd like to have," Sperling says.

If biking and hiking are more your speed than museums and Broadway shows, check out these cities, ranked by Sperling as some of the best outdoor-oriented towns around.

1. Boulder, Colorado

It's hard to go wrong in Boulder -- unless maybe you're a Republican. A liberal, college town that's home to the University of Colorado, Boulder is famed for its downtown pedestrian mall and, of course, the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. Biking, hiking and skiing are among the favorite activities of this liberal enclave.

2. Hood River, Oregon

Who'd have guessed this upper Pacific Coast state would be known as the windsurfing capital of the world? From boating and rafting to climbing and skiing, the Hood River area has a little of everything. With the Columbia River Gorge and Mt. Hood in nearly any picture you take, you get the best of Mother Nature, too.

3. Burlington, Vermont

Sitting on historic Lake Champlain, Vermont's largest city offers plenty for outdoor enthusiasts, especially those who adore water sports. It's no wonder hiking is a year-round favorite, given the nearby Adirondacks and Green Mountains with their spectacles of fall leaves and the area's plethora of covered bridges. Snow-skiing and snow-mobiling, of course, make winters wonderful.

4. Madison, Wisconsin

Recently the home of the Ironman Wisconsin tournament and national X Games, Madison is known as a great city for bike enthusiasts. Even in winter, die-hard bikers can be seen traversing the snow and ice on the miles of bike paths and bike-friendly streets to get to work. With lakes every way you turn, the area is also perfect for fishing, boating and water skiing. The city's park system ensures plenty of wide-open green spaces throughout the town.

5. Boise, Idaho

The Boise Foothills rise above Idaho's Capitol city and feature an 85-mile network of roads and trails, many of which are ideal for hikers and mountain bikers or dirt bike/ATV enthusiasts. The Boise River Greenbelt stretches 25 miles along the Boise River, connecting city parks and providing a place for everything from biking to rollerblading. If you prefer water, you can raft, kayak or fish the Boise River.

6. Bend, Oregon

An outdoorsman's dream, Bend and its Cascade Mountain setting has a little of everything, from desert and forest, to volcanoes and plains. From snowboarding and skiing in the winter, to golfing and hiking in the summer, the recreation options are endless. Don't miss out on hunting, horseback riding or fishing, either.

7. Provo, Utah

Smack in the middle of Utah, between the Wasatch Mountains and the sprawling Utah Lake, Provo is the state's third-largest city. Home to Brigham Young University, you'll find exciting college sports to watch. If you're more than a spectator, check out the hiking, mountain biking, downhill and cross-country skiing, and fishing. The Mt. Timpanogos Cave National Monument and exquisite Bridal Veil Falls are nearby.

8. Durango, Colorado

Far from the bustle of Denver, small-town Durango's charm still hasn't been eroded by the touristy influence. The downtown is fun for strolling. The Animas River and surrounding mountains are a terrific backdrop for fly-fishing and rafting/kayaking, hiking, skiing, boating and mountain biking. The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad provide one of the country's best scenic steam-train rides (ideal when the leaves are turning). Of course, for a look at the outdoor life of some original Americans, spend time traipsing through Mesa Verde National Park.

9. South Lake Tahoe, California

Straddling Truckee, California, and Reno, Nevada, Lake Tahoe isn't just for snow skiers -- although that's an excellent reason to call Tahoe home. The lake itself, surrounded by the breathtaking backdrop of mountains, is home to every water sport you can imagine. During the summer, the resort towns surrounding the lake are a golfer's paradise. And the mountains are filled with trails for hiking and mountain biking.

10. Moab, Utah

With two huge parks -- Canyonlands and Arches National Park -- in your back yard, Moab is an outdoor photographer's dream. If you want to exercise more than your eyes and your finger, though, it's no problem here. Mountain biking is big, as are hiking, ATV riding, mountain climbing and river rafting.