CHECK TOP 15 PLACES MUST VISIT ONCE IN USA.
1 / 15
Grand Canyon
2 / 15
Yosemite
3 / 15
Yellowstone
4/ 15
New York City
5 / 15
Glacier National Park
6 / 15
Washington, D.C.
7 / 15
Telluride
8 / 15
Kauai
9 / 15
Aspen
10 / 15
Savannah
11 / 15
Seattle
12 / 15
Adirondacks
13 / 15
Las Vegas
14 / 15
Sedona
15 / 15
New Orleans
To experience some of the most inspiring views America has to offer, plan a trip to Grand Canyon National Park. The Colorado River weaves its way through the 277-mile-long canyon, making it a top destination for whitewater rafting. The Arizona park is also a superb spot to hike, offering scenic paths like the Bright Angel and North Kaibab trails. Regardless of how you choose to spend your time in the Grand Canyon, you're sure to feel small against its towering rock formations and expansive vistas.
Visiting Grand Canyon can be a nearly overwhelming experience. Standing on the rim a peering out over the vastness is a legitimately humbling experience. Take it from those who have spent a lifetime here; this place is as awe-inspiring as it is mind-blowing. Simply attempting to comprehend its scale is something that most of us struggle with every time we go, no matter how many times we’ve been. Numbers are just numbers and provide no real context to the vastness to every dimension of Grand Canyon. Oftentimes our guests find it helpful to put context on these numbers, which has been done here. Keeping it simple can be slightly difficult, as even some contextual visualizations escape comprehension. For instance, did you know that the Grand Canyon has a volume of 7,345,724,462,194 Olympic-sized swimming pools?
REALLY RAD, HUGE FACTS ABOUT GRAND CANYON
SPACE
WIDTH The widest point of the Grand Canyon is 18 miles as the crow flies. This is the same length as stretching from Lower Manhattan north 7 miles into New Jersey. In contrast, Grand Canyon is just 4 miles wide at its narrowest. To put that in perspective, some of Arizona and Utah’s most famous slot canyons are just 5 feet wide, such as Spooky Gulch or the Buckskin Gulch. The best way to traverse the chasm is hiking rim-to-rim or to the river-and-back, but trust us, you still have more than a little to explore. With over 400 miles of known trails in Grand Canyon, you could hike from Los Angeles to San Francisco in the same amount of mileage.
LENGTH
Grand Canyon is 277 miles long from Marble Canyon to Pearce Ferry and the Grand Wash Cliffs just east of Las Vegas. Hoover Dam is its official modern end, though that only came into existence in 1933, nearly 6 million years after the Grand Canyon began to be carved by the Colorado River! If you wanted to jump in the car and drive, 277 miles will get you from Washington, D.C to north of New York City.
DEPTH
Size is measured in three dimensions, so in addition to its length and width, Grand Canyon also has depth. One mile of depth to be exact. That’s 5,280 feet, or 1,610 meters for you metrically-inclined folks. For perspective, you could stack 4 Empire State Buildings, both Petronas Towers, 3 CN Buildings, 7 Eiffel Towers, or 22 Statues of Liberty on top of each other to reach this depth. The Goat’s advice: try walking all the way up ONE of these; that should give you some appreciation. There are approximately 5000 individual canyons that come together to make Grand Canyon. Grand Canyon is not so much one giant canyon as it is a tapestry of chiseled dissections in the earth.
TIME
Rocks in Grand Canyon record 1.9 billion years of Earth’s history. The Inner Gorge of Grand Canyon is composed of some of the oldest rocks in North America. At 1.9 billion years old, the Vishnu Schist metamorphic complex are the remnants of the North American continent being formed and great mountain ranges being thrust into the sky, nearly 6,000 feet tall.
The oldest-recorded signs of life in Grand Canyon are 500 million years old The canyons began to form 5-6 million years ago as the Upper and Lower Colorado Rivers became integrated after-action along the San Andreas fault opened the Gulf of California
THE MIGHTY COLORADO
At the bottom of Grand Canyon lies the river responsible for cutting it, mighty Colorado. Though it seems like a lazy river and prime for a swim, The Goat advises against it. The average current in the Colorado River flows at over 16,000 CFS (cubic feet per second). This is the equivalent of being bombarded with 16,000 basketballs every second. Try swimming against that current. Some of the most challenging rapids found on the Colorado River lie within Grand Canyon, and many early pioneers were shipwrecked and marooned in the Grand, barely escaping with their lives. Glen Canyon Dam was completed in 1964 and has tamed it somewhat, but the river is still a dangerous proposition. The trade-off with the “taming” is that that water in the Colorado River stays between a brisk 45-50 degrees Fahrenheit, drawing water from the bottom of Lake Powell. In waters of these temperatures, hypothermia can set in within 30 minutes. Not cool.
EXPLORATION
ANCIENT EXPLORATION
The first peoples known to have explored Grand Canyon arrived about 12,000 years ago, after the most recent Ice Age.
Ancestral Puebloans – ancestors of the Paiute, Hopi, Zuni, and Anasazi – arrived roughly 5,000 years ago.
The Havasupai, descendants of the Puebloans, were first recorded in Grand Canyon roughly 800 years ago.
MODERN EXPLORATION
Spanish Explorers, with Hopi Guides, arrived in 1540 searching for the Lost City of Gold.
Joseph Christmas Ives, soldier and botanist, was the first known European to explore and document Grand Canyon.
The first person of European descent to successfully navigate the Colorado River through the entirety of Grand Canyon was Major John Wesley Powell in 1869. The head of the United States Geological Survey at the time, Major Powell coined its name, referring to it as “The Grand Canyon of the Colorado River”. He is also responsible for naming several other features along the length of Colorado, including Glen Canyon, The Flaming Gorge, and the Gates of Lodore.
GRAND CANYON AS A NATIONAL PARK
The geographical size of Grand Canyon National Park is 1,902 square miles. The State of Rhode Island is 1,212 square miles, and the State of Delaware is 1,952 square miles. So yeah, Grand Canyon is the size of a couple of our States.
President Benjamin Harrison designated it a forest reserve in 1893.
Grand Canyon became America’s 17th National Park in 1919, elevating it from a National Monument designated by Theodore Roosevelt as such in 1908 using the Antiquities Act of 1906.
The population of the State of Arizona is roughly 7 million, with roughly 6 million of those people residing in and around Phoenix. 2016 visitation to Grand Canyon topped 6 million for the first time in the Canyon’s history as a National Park.
Grand Canyon is located entirely within the boundaries of the State of Arizona. Arizona is geographically the 6th-largest state in the Union, and was admitted on Valentine’s Day of 1912. Love it!
Visiting Grand Canyon can be a nearly overwhelming experience. Standing on the rim a peering out over the vastness is a legitimately humbling experience. Take it from those who have spent a lifetime here; this place is as awe-inspiring as it is mind-blowing. Simply attempting to comprehend its scale is something that most of us struggle with every time we go, no matter how many times we’ve been. Numbers are just numbers and provide no real context to the vastness to every dimension of Grand Canyon. Oftentimes our guests find it helpful to put context on these numbers, which has been done here. Keeping it simple can be slightly difficult, as even some contextual visualizations escape comprehension. For instance, did you know that the Grand Canyon has a volume of 7,345,724,462,194 Olympic-sized swimming pools?
REALLY RAD, HUGE FACTS ABOUT GRAND CANYON
SPACE
WIDTH The widest point of the Grand Canyon is 18 miles as the crow flies. This is the same length as stretching from Lower Manhattan north 7 miles into New Jersey. In contrast, Grand Canyon is just 4 miles wide at its narrowest. To put that in perspective, some of Arizona and Utah’s most famous slot canyons are just 5 feet wide, such as Spooky Gulch or the Buckskin Gulch. The best way to traverse the chasm is hiking rim-to-rim or to the river-and-back, but trust us, you still have more than a little to explore. With over 400 miles of known trails in Grand Canyon, you could hike from Los Angeles to San Francisco in the same amount of mileage.
LENGTH
Grand Canyon is 277 miles long from Marble Canyon to Pearce Ferry and the Grand Wash Cliffs just east of Las Vegas. Hoover Dam is its official modern end, though that only came into existence in 1933, nearly 6 million years after the Grand Canyon began to be carved by the Colorado River! If you wanted to jump in the car and drive, 277 miles will get you from Washington, D.C to north of New York City.
DEPTH
Size is measured in three dimensions, so in addition to its length and width, Grand Canyon also has depth. One mile of depth to be exact. That’s 5,280 feet, or 1,610 meters for you metrically-inclined folks. For perspective, you could stack 4 Empire State Buildings, both Petronas Towers, 3 CN Buildings, 7 Eiffel Towers, or 22 Statues of Liberty on top of each other to reach this depth. The Goat’s advice: try walking all the way up ONE of these; that should give you some appreciation. There are approximately 5000 individual canyons that come together to make Grand Canyon. Grand Canyon is not so much one giant canyon as it is a tapestry of chiseled dissections in the earth.
TIME
Rocks in Grand Canyon record 1.9 billion years of Earth’s history. The Inner Gorge of Grand Canyon is composed of some of the oldest rocks in North America. At 1.9 billion years old, the Vishnu Schist metamorphic complex are the remnants of the North American continent being formed and great mountain ranges being thrust into the sky, nearly 6,000 feet tall.
The oldest-recorded signs of life in Grand Canyon are 500 million years old The canyons began to form 5-6 million years ago as the Upper and Lower Colorado Rivers became integrated after-action along the San Andreas fault opened the Gulf of California
THE MIGHTY COLORADO
At the bottom of Grand Canyon lies the river responsible for cutting it, mighty Colorado. Though it seems like a lazy river and prime for a swim, The Goat advises against it. The average current in the Colorado River flows at over 16,000 CFS (cubic feet per second). This is the equivalent of being bombarded with 16,000 basketballs every second. Try swimming against that current. Some of the most challenging rapids found on the Colorado River lie within Grand Canyon, and many early pioneers were shipwrecked and marooned in the Grand, barely escaping with their lives. Glen Canyon Dam was completed in 1964 and has tamed it somewhat, but the river is still a dangerous proposition. The trade-off with the “taming” is that that water in the Colorado River stays between a brisk 45-50 degrees Fahrenheit, drawing water from the bottom of Lake Powell. In waters of these temperatures, hypothermia can set in within 30 minutes. Not cool.
EXPLORATION
ANCIENT EXPLORATION
The first peoples known to have explored Grand Canyon arrived about 12,000 years ago, after the most recent Ice Age.
Ancestral Puebloans – ancestors of the Paiute, Hopi, Zuni, and Anasazi – arrived roughly 5,000 years ago.
The Havasupai, descendants of the Puebloans, were first recorded in Grand Canyon roughly 800 years ago.
Spanish Explorers, with Hopi Guides, arrived in 1540 searching for the Lost City of Gold.
Joseph Christmas Ives, soldier and botanist, was the first known European to explore and document Grand Canyon.
The first person of European descent to successfully navigate the Colorado River through the entirety of Grand Canyon was Major John Wesley Powell in 1869. The head of the United States Geological Survey at the time, Major Powell coined its name, referring to it as “The Grand Canyon of the Colorado River”. He is also responsible for naming several other features along the length of Colorado, including Glen Canyon, The Flaming Gorge, and the Gates of Lodore.
GRAND CANYON AS A NATIONAL PARK
The geographical size of Grand Canyon National Park is 1,902 square miles. The State of Rhode Island is 1,212 square miles, and the State of Delaware is 1,952 square miles. So yeah, Grand Canyon is the size of a couple of our States.
President Benjamin Harrison designated it a forest reserve in 1893.
Grand Canyon became America’s 17th National Park in 1919, elevating it from a National Monument designated by Theodore Roosevelt as such in 1908 using the Antiquities Act of 1906.
The population of the State of Arizona is roughly 7 million, with roughly 6 million of those people residing in and around Phoenix. 2016 visitation to Grand Canyon topped 6 million for the first time in the Canyon’s history as a National Park.
Grand Canyon is located entirely within the boundaries of the State of Arizona. Arizona is geographically the 6th-largest state in the Union, and was admitted on Valentine’s Day of 1912. Love it!
A vacation at Yosemite National Park in California is all about reconnecting with nature. Spend your visit checking out famous landmarks like Half Dome and Glacier Point or hiking Cathedral Lakes, the Mist Trail and other popular paths. You'll also want to save time for admiring Yosemite's numerous waterfalls, including the towering Yosemite Falls, which is one of the tallest waterfalls in the world. If you're not one for camping, opt for a day trip from San Francisco, Sacramento or Lake Tahoe
Yosemite National Park, created in 1890, is one of the oldest nature preserves in the United States. A wonderland of geological formations and biological diversity, the park spans nearly 1,200 square miles on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada range in central-eastern California. More than 3 million visitors each year flock to see Yosemite’s grandeur. It was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.
Park history The land that Yosemite comprises has attracted people for centuries. The Ahwaneechee Native Americans lived in the Yosemite Valley for at least 4,000 years. Non-native trappers arrived in 1827. In 1848, the California Gold Rush brought thousands of people to the area. Theft and murder of native peoples resulted in the Mariposa Indian War, which ended in 1851.
Word of Yosemite’s beauty spread and the first group of tourists arrived in 1855. Nine years later, President Lincoln named Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove as the country’s first public preserve.
Famed naturalist John Muir fell in love with Yosemite and became the chief voice in its preservation. Muir helped draw up the park’s proposed boundaries and wrote eloquent articles about its beauty and importance. These efforts helped lead to the park’s establishment in 1890. Two years later, Muir founded the Sierra Club to further promote the area’s protection.
Highlights
Muir wrote, “No temple made with human hands can compare with Yosemite” — and with good reason. The park boasts spectacular granite formations, crystal-clear streams, majestic waterfalls, ancient giant sequoias, two major rivers (the Merced and Tuolumne) and much more. Many of these features can be seen from Yosemite Valley, though all are worth exploring in depth. Some highlights include:
Half Dome: The most iconic site of Yosemite, Half Dome is a granite formation that rises nearly 5,000 feet above the valley floor. It gives the impression of a giant granite dome with its Northwestern half missing, creating a sheer vertical drop. Half Dome’s unique shape is the result of glacial interaction with underlying rocks. It is an excellent example of an exfoliation dome, in which underground pressure caused the rock to crack off in thin shells, leaving a clean surface. It is unlikely that there was ever a fully-formed another half of the dome.
Yosemite Falls: This is the tallest waterfall in North America. Snow runoff cascades down the 2,425 foot drop, with peak flow in May. In winter, an ice cone is often visible at the top of the falls.
Mirror Lake: Though it’s more of a pond than a lake, this Yosemite Valley spot is an extremely popular destination. It boasts glorious reflections of Half Dome and Mount Watkins in spring, when the water level is high enough.
Meadows: Yosemite’s peaceful meadows and wetlands are the best place to spot the park’s unique flora and fauna. Bears, deer, foxes, bald eagles, raccoons, and more may be seen amidst the wildflowers and lush grasses. The most popular meadows — which have boardwalks and trails — are Cook’s, Sentenial, Stoneman and Leidig.
Yosemite camping Yosemite offers many camping options. There are 13 campgrounds, and seven can be reserved (reservations are essential from April through September). While many have tap water and flush toilets, only Curry Village and Housekeeping Camp have showers.
Yosemite National Park, created in 1890, is one of the oldest nature preserves in the United States. A wonderland of geological formations and biological diversity, the park spans nearly 1,200 square miles on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada range in central-eastern California. More than 3 million visitors each year flock to see Yosemite’s grandeur. It was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.
Park history The land that Yosemite comprises has attracted people for centuries. The Ahwaneechee Native Americans lived in the Yosemite Valley for at least 4,000 years. Non-native trappers arrived in 1827. In 1848, the California Gold Rush brought thousands of people to the area. Theft and murder of native peoples resulted in the Mariposa Indian War, which ended in 1851.
Word of Yosemite’s beauty spread and the first group of tourists arrived in 1855. Nine years later, President Lincoln named Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove as the country’s first public preserve.
Famed naturalist John Muir fell in love with Yosemite and became the chief voice in its preservation. Muir helped draw up the park’s proposed boundaries and wrote eloquent articles about its beauty and importance. These efforts helped lead to the park’s establishment in 1890. Two years later, Muir founded the Sierra Club to further promote the area’s protection.
Highlights
Muir wrote, “No temple made with human hands can compare with Yosemite” — and with good reason. The park boasts spectacular granite formations, crystal-clear streams, majestic waterfalls, ancient giant sequoias, two major rivers (the Merced and Tuolumne) and much more. Many of these features can be seen from Yosemite Valley, though all are worth exploring in depth. Some highlights include:
Half Dome: The most iconic site of Yosemite, Half Dome is a granite formation that rises nearly 5,000 feet above the valley floor. It gives the impression of a giant granite dome with its Northwestern half missing, creating a sheer vertical drop. Half Dome’s unique shape is the result of glacial interaction with underlying rocks. It is an excellent example of an exfoliation dome, in which underground pressure caused the rock to crack off in thin shells, leaving a clean surface. It is unlikely that there was ever a fully-formed another half of the dome.
Yosemite Falls: This is the tallest waterfall in North America. Snow runoff cascades down the 2,425 foot drop, with peak flow in May. In winter, an ice cone is often visible at the top of the falls.
Mirror Lake: Though it’s more of a pond than a lake, this Yosemite Valley spot is an extremely popular destination. It boasts glorious reflections of Half Dome and Mount Watkins in spring, when the water level is high enough.
Meadows: Yosemite’s peaceful meadows and wetlands are the best place to spot the park’s unique flora and fauna. Bears, deer, foxes, bald eagles, raccoons, and more may be seen amidst the wildflowers and lush grasses. The most popular meadows — which have boardwalks and trails — are Cook’s, Sentenial, Stoneman and Leidig.
Yosemite camping Yosemite offers many camping options. There are 13 campgrounds, and seven can be reserved (reservations are essential from April through September). While many have tap water and flush toilets, only Curry Village and Housekeeping Camp have showers.
America's first national park provides plenty of attractions to excite nature lovers, from steaming geysers to bubbling hot springs to hiking trails that stretch more than 900 miles. Plus, animal fans will appreciate a visit to the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center to learn about local wildlife. If you'd rather look for wild critters inside the park, spend a few hours driving through the Hayden and Lamar valleys. Both areas are considered popular havens for Yellowstone National Park's resident bison, wolves and grizzly bears.
Yellowstone National Park, the oldest, one of the largest, and probably the best-known national park in the United States. It is situated principally in northwestern Wyoming and partly in southern Montana and eastern Idaho and includes the greatest concentration of hydrothermal features in the world. The park was established by the U.S. Congress on March 1, 1872, as the country’s first national park. It is also generally considered to have been the first national park in the world, though some naturalists and others have argued that there is evidence that indicates that the creation of Yellowstone was predated by the creation of Bogd Khan Mountain National Park in Mongolia, which may date from as early as 1778. Yellowstone was designated a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 1976 and a World Heritage site in 1978.
Physical features
Yellowstone’s relief is the result of tectonic activity (volcanism and earthquakes) combined with the erosional actions of ice and water. Most of the park consists of broad volcanic plateaus with an average elevation of about 7,875 feet (2,400 meters). Three mountain ranges, each aligned roughly north to south, protrude into the park: the Gallatin Range in the northwest, the Absaroka Range in the east, and the northern extremity of the Teton Range along the park’s southwestern boundary. The tallest mountains in the park are in the Absarokas, where many summits exceed elevations of 10,000 feet (3,050 meters). The range’s Eagle Peak, on the park’s boundary in the southeast, is the high point, reaching 11,358 feet (3,462 meters). Aside from its rugged mountains and spectacular deep glacier-carved valleys, the park has unusual geologic features, including fossil forests, eroded basaltic lava flows, a black obsidian (volcanic glass) mountain, and odd erosional forms.
Climate
Yellowstone’s climate can be described as cool temperate and continental. It is also considerably variable, influenced by the park’s high average elevation, relatively high latitude, location deep within the continent, and mountainous terrain. In general, the north-central portion of Yellowstone tends to have wetter summers and drier winters than the rest of the park, where the moisture regimens are reversed. Temperatures almost always decrease with elevation gain. Because of Yellowstone’s large area and variegated topography, weather conditions at different locations within the park can vary widely at any given time. In addition, conditions can change dramatically in a short period of time at one location.
Yellowstone National Park, the oldest, one of the largest, and probably the best-known national park in the United States. It is situated principally in northwestern Wyoming and partly in southern Montana and eastern Idaho and includes the greatest concentration of hydrothermal features in the world. The park was established by the U.S. Congress on March 1, 1872, as the country’s first national park. It is also generally considered to have been the first national park in the world, though some naturalists and others have argued that there is evidence that indicates that the creation of Yellowstone was predated by the creation of Bogd Khan Mountain National Park in Mongolia, which may date from as early as 1778. Yellowstone was designated a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 1976 and a World Heritage site in 1978.
Physical features
Yellowstone’s relief is the result of tectonic activity (volcanism and earthquakes) combined with the erosional actions of ice and water. Most of the park consists of broad volcanic plateaus with an average elevation of about 7,875 feet (2,400 meters). Three mountain ranges, each aligned roughly north to south, protrude into the park: the Gallatin Range in the northwest, the Absaroka Range in the east, and the northern extremity of the Teton Range along the park’s southwestern boundary. The tallest mountains in the park are in the Absarokas, where many summits exceed elevations of 10,000 feet (3,050 meters). The range’s Eagle Peak, on the park’s boundary in the southeast, is the high point, reaching 11,358 feet (3,462 meters). Aside from its rugged mountains and spectacular deep glacier-carved valleys, the park has unusual geologic features, including fossil forests, eroded basaltic lava flows, a black obsidian (volcanic glass) mountain, and odd erosional forms.
Climate
Yellowstone’s climate can be described as cool temperate and continental. It is also considerably variable, influenced by the park’s high average elevation, relatively high latitude, location deep within the continent, and mountainous terrain. In general, the north-central portion of Yellowstone tends to have wetter summers and drier winters than the rest of the park, where the moisture regimens are reversed. Temperatures almost always decrease with elevation gain. Because of Yellowstone’s large area and variegated topography, weather conditions at different locations within the park can vary widely at any given time. In addition, conditions can change dramatically in a short period of time at one location.
Known for its diverse cultural scene, the Big Apple boasts so many things to do that it puts most of its U.S. peers to shame. Whether you choose to spend the day perusing the Metropolitan Museum of Art's exhibits, catching a show on Broadway or trying the city's famous New York-style pizza, chances are you'll never find yourself feeling bored here. When you need some respite from the city's busy street life and soaring skyscrapers, retreat to scenic Central Park or the artsy High Line.
Geography
New York City is composed of five boroughs. While Manhattan and Staten Island are islands, Brooklyn and Queens are geographically part of Long Island, and the Bronx is attached to the US mainland. The islands are linked by bridges, tunnels, and ferries.
Time Zone
New York City is on Eastern Standard Time (Greenwich mean time minus four hours during daylight saving time, from about mid-March into early November, and minus five hours the rest of the year).
NYC Tours
Seeing the City by double-decker bus, bike, boat or helicopter—or just being led on foot by a knowledgeable guide—can make for a memorable trip, and there are convenient, affordable ways to visit all of NYC’s major attractions.
Local Laws
If you’re headed out for a night on the town, you should know that the drinking age in NYC—and throughout the United States—is 21, and smoking is banned in public places throughout the City, including bars, restaurants, subways and taxis, and public parks and beaches. Cigar smoking is permitted at cigar bars. In NYC, only those who are 21 or older can purchase cigarettes and other tobacco products and electronic cigarettes. Under current law, marijuana remains illegal in the City (and state), though a government-backed push toward its legalization may change things as early as 2019.
Geography
New York City is composed of five boroughs. While Manhattan and Staten Island are islands, Brooklyn and Queens are geographically part of Long Island, and the Bronx is attached to the US mainland. The islands are linked by bridges, tunnels, and ferries.
Time Zone
New York City is on Eastern Standard Time (Greenwich mean time minus four hours during daylight saving time, from about mid-March into early November, and minus five hours the rest of the year).
NYC Tours
Seeing the City by double-decker bus, bike, boat or helicopter—or just being led on foot by a knowledgeable guide—can make for a memorable trip, and there are convenient, affordable ways to visit all of NYC’s major attractions.
Local Laws
If you’re headed out for a night on the town, you should know that the drinking age in NYC—and throughout the United States—is 21, and smoking is banned in public places throughout the City, including bars, restaurants, subways and taxis, and public parks and beaches. Cigar smoking is permitted at cigar bars. In NYC, only those who are 21 or older can purchase cigarettes and other tobacco products and electronic cigarettes. Under current law, marijuana remains illegal in the City (and state), though a government-backed push toward its legalization may change things as early as 2019.
Glaciers are the main draw of this national park, but its more than 700 lakes, two mountain ranges and multiple waterfalls are equally impressive. Hiking is the park's most popular pastime, though the area is also a prime spot for canoeing and fishing in the summer and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing during the winter. Plus, wild animals like moose, bears and elk are frequently spotted here.
“Crown of the Continent” is an apt nickname for this pair of parks, which feature some of the most impressive mountain scenery in North America. Joined together since 1932 as the world’s first international peace park, Glacier National Park in Montana and Watertown Lakes National Park in Alberta offer a contiguous high-country wonderland of rock, ice, water, and wood.
Glacier, a beloved park in northwestern Montana, takes its name from the many glaciers and glacial forces that shaped its rugged topography over two million years. While the park is still home to more than a dozen glaciers, even more, impressive are the massive U-shaped valleys and hulking granite peaks carved by long-ago ice flows.
Fast facts
Established: 1910
Size: 1,013,322 acres
Annual Visitors: 3.3 million
Visitor Centers: Apgar, St. Mary, Logan Pass
Entrance Fees: $30 per vehicle, $15 per person
Website: nps.gov/glac
“Crown of the Continent” is an apt nickname for this pair of parks, which feature some of the most impressive mountain scenery in North America. Joined together since 1932 as the world’s first international peace park, Glacier National Park in Montana and Watertown Lakes National Park in Alberta offer a contiguous high-country wonderland of rock, ice, water, and wood.
Glacier, a beloved park in northwestern Montana, takes its name from the many glaciers and glacial forces that shaped its rugged topography over two million years. While the park is still home to more than a dozen glaciers, even more, impressive are the massive U-shaped valleys and hulking granite peaks carved by long-ago ice flows.
Fast facts
Established: 1910
Size: 1,013,322 acres
Annual Visitors: 3.3 million
Visitor Centers: Apgar, St. Mary, Logan Pass
Entrance Fees: $30 per vehicle, $15 per person
Website: nps.gov/glac
Washington, D.C., in full District of Columbia, city, and capital of the United States of America. It is coextensive with the District of Columbia (the city is often referred to as simply D.C.) and is located on the northern shore of the Potomac River at the river’s navigation head—that is, the transshipment point between waterway and land transport. The state of Maryland borders the District of Columbia to the north, east, and west and the state of Virginia borders the District on the southern shore of the Potomac River.
The nation's capital has a lot going for it. Iconic landmarks like the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument allow you to sightsee for days. Plus, the city's plethora of Smithsonian museums gives you plenty to do on rainy or hot days. When the weather cooperates, explore some of the District of Columbia's green spaces, such as the U.S. National Arboretum or Rock Creek Park. No visit would be complete without checking out the city's lively restaurant and bar scene.
The nation's capital has a lot going for it. Iconic landmarks like the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument allow you to sightsee for days. Plus, the city's plethora of Smithsonian museums gives you plenty to do on rainy or hot days. When the weather cooperates, explore some of the District of Columbia's green spaces, such as the U.S. National Arboretum or Rock Creek Park. No visit would be complete without checking out the city's lively restaurant and bar scene.
Telluride is the county seat and most populous town of San Miguel County in the southwestern portion of the U.S. state of Colorado. The town is a former silver mining camp on the San Miguel River in the western San Juan Mountains. The first gold mining claim was made in the mountains above Telluride in 1875 and early settlement of what is now Telluride followed. The town itself was founded in 1878 as "Columbia", but due to confusion with a California town of the same name, was renamed Telluride in 1887, for the gold telluride minerals found in other parts of Colorado. These telluride minerals were never found near Telluride, but the area's mines for some years provided zinc, lead, copper, silver, and other gold ores.
Telluride sits in a box canyon. Steep forested mountains and cliffs surround it, with Bridal Veil Falls situated at the canyon's head. Numerous weathered ruins of old mining operations dot the hillsides. A free gondola connects the town with its companion town, Mountain Village, Colorado, at the base of the ski area. Telluride and the surrounding area have featured prominently in popular culture, and it is the subject of several popular songs. It is especially known for its ski resort and slopes during the winter, as well as an extensive festival schedule during the summer.
This small mountain town in Colorado draws visitors year-round. During the winter, powder hounds can barrel down the surrounding Rocky Mountains before enjoying Telluride's superb après-ski scene. Meanwhile, the summer months offer numerous opportunities for taking in gorgeous vistas from hiking trails and scenic thoroughfares. Once you've worked up an appetite, sit down for upscale or rustic mountain fare at one of Telluride's 60-plus restaurants.
Telluride sits in a box canyon. Steep forested mountains and cliffs surround it, with Bridal Veil Falls situated at the canyon's head. Numerous weathered ruins of old mining operations dot the hillsides. A free gondola connects the town with its companion town, Mountain Village, Colorado, at the base of the ski area. Telluride and the surrounding area have featured prominently in popular culture, and it is the subject of several popular songs. It is especially known for its ski resort and slopes during the winter, as well as an extensive festival schedule during the summer.
This small mountain town in Colorado draws visitors year-round. During the winter, powder hounds can barrel down the surrounding Rocky Mountains before enjoying Telluride's superb après-ski scene. Meanwhile, the summer months offer numerous opportunities for taking in gorgeous vistas from hiking trails and scenic thoroughfares. Once you've worked up an appetite, sit down for upscale or rustic mountain fare at one of Telluride's 60-plus restaurants.
If you follow any travel blogs or Instagram accounts, we can almost guarantee they’ve featured the Hawaiian island of Kauai a time or two.
Kauaʻi's origins are volcanic, the island having been formed by the passage of the Pacific Plate over the Hawaii hotspot. At approximately five million years old, it is the oldest of the main islands. The highest peak on this mountainous island is Kawaikini at 5,243 feet (1,598 m)
Nicknamed the Garden Island, Kauai relies on its immense natural beauty to stand out from the other Hawaiian Islands. To drive this point home, Kauai limits the size of all of its buildings to no taller than a coconut palm so locals and travelers can enjoy excellent views from the island's pristine beaches. Visitors will also discover lush areas like Koke'e State Park and Wailua River State Park when they venture inland. Kauai's distance from the mainland and abundance of high-end hotels make it a pricey destination to visit, so book your flights and accommodations well in advance.
Climate
Kauaʻi’s climate is tropical, with generally humid and stable conditions year-round, although weather phenomena and infrequent storms have caused instances of extreme weather. At the lower elevations, the annual precipitation varies from an average of about 50 inches on the windward (northeastern) shore to less than 20 inches on the (southwestern) leeward side of the island. The average temperature in Lihu'e, the county seat, ranges from 78 °F (26 °C) in February to 85 °F (29 °C) in August and September. Kauaʻi’s mountainous regions offer cooler temperatures and provide a pleasant contrast to the warm coastal areas. At the Kōkeʻe state park, 3,200–4,200 ft (980–1,280 m) ASL, day temperatures vary from an average of 45 °F (7 °C) in January to 68 °F (20 °C) in July. In the winter temperatures have been known to drop down to the 30s and 40s at Kōkeʻe state park, which holds an unofficial record low of 29 °F (−2 °C) recorded in February 1986 at Kanaloahuluhulu Meadow.
Nicknamed the Garden Island, Kauai relies on its immense natural beauty to stand out from the other Hawaiian Islands. To drive this point home, Kauai limits the size of all of its buildings to no taller than a coconut palm so locals and travelers can enjoy excellent views from the island's pristine beaches. Visitors will also discover lush areas like Koke'e State Park and Wailua River State Park when they venture inland. Kauai's distance from the mainland and abundance of high-end hotels make it a pricey destination to visit, so book your flights and accommodations well in advance.
Climate
Kauaʻi’s climate is tropical, with generally humid and stable conditions year-round, although weather phenomena and infrequent storms have caused instances of extreme weather. At the lower elevations, the annual precipitation varies from an average of about 50 inches on the windward (northeastern) shore to less than 20 inches on the (southwestern) leeward side of the island. The average temperature in Lihu'e, the county seat, ranges from 78 °F (26 °C) in February to 85 °F (29 °C) in August and September. Kauaʻi’s mountainous regions offer cooler temperatures and provide a pleasant contrast to the warm coastal areas. At the Kōkeʻe state park, 3,200–4,200 ft (980–1,280 m) ASL, day temperatures vary from an average of 45 °F (7 °C) in January to 68 °F (20 °C) in July. In the winter temperatures have been known to drop down to the 30s and 40s at Kōkeʻe state park, which holds an unofficial record low of 29 °F (−2 °C) recorded in February 1986 at Kanaloahuluhulu Meadow.
Aspen is the home rule municipality that is the county seat and the most populous municipality of Pitkin County, Colorado, United States. Its population was 6,658 at the 2010 United States Census. Aspen is in a remote area of the Rocky Mountains' Sawatch Range and the Elk Mountains, along the Roaring Fork River at an elevation just below 8,000 feet (2,400 m) above sea level on the Western Slope, 11 miles (18 km) west of the Continental Divide.
Founded as a mining camp during the Colorado Silver Boom and later named "Aspen" because of the abundance of aspen trees in the area, the city boomed during the 1880s, its first decade of existence.
This luxe Colorado mountain town offers world-renowned ski slopes, high-end boutiques, trendy restaurants, and a see-and-be-seen atmosphere. Though skiing is the primary activity of choice for most visitors, travelers can also choose to spend their vacation hiking the beautiful twin peaks of the Maroon Bells or driving or biking the 20-mile Independence Pass. Before leaving, hop on Aspen's gondola to enjoy panoramic mountain vistas.
Founded as a mining camp during the Colorado Silver Boom and later named "Aspen" because of the abundance of aspen trees in the area, the city boomed during the 1880s, its first decade of existence.
This luxe Colorado mountain town offers world-renowned ski slopes, high-end boutiques, trendy restaurants, and a see-and-be-seen atmosphere. Though skiing is the primary activity of choice for most visitors, travelers can also choose to spend their vacation hiking the beautiful twin peaks of the Maroon Bells or driving or biking the 20-mile Independence Pass. Before leaving, hop on Aspen's gondola to enjoy panoramic mountain vistas.
Savannah is famous for its beautiful towering oak trees, greenery, and Spanish moss. Savannah is one of the best destinations the South has to offer thanks to its old-world charm, tasty cuisine and plethora of historical attractions. In this Georgia city, you'll find restaurants that serve everything from fried green tomatoes to biscuits and gravy. What's more, Savannah's absence of open container restrictions means you can take a drink to go to sip as you wander around the Historic District. When you're not strolling beneath Forsyth Park's Spanish moss-draped oak trees, learn more about the city's past during a trolley or horse-drawn carriage tour.
Savannah lies on the Savannah River, approximately 20 mi (32 km) upriver from the Atlantic Ocean. According to the United States Census Bureau (2011), the city has a total area of 108.7 square miles (281.5 km2), of which 103.1 square miles (267.0 km2) is land and 5.6 square miles (15 km2) is water (5.15%). Savannah is the primary port on the Savannah River and the largest port in the state of Georgia. It is also located near the U.S. Intracoastal Waterway. Georgia's Ogeechee River flows toward the Atlantic Ocean some 16 miles (26 km) south of downtown Savannah and forms the southern city limit.
Climate
Savannah's climate is classified as humid subtropical (Köppen Cfa). In the Deep South, this is characterized by long and almost tropical summers and short, mild winters. Savannah records a few days of freezing temperatures each year (and has rare snowfall). Due to its proximity to the Atlantic coast, Savannah rarely experiences temperatures as extreme as those in Georgia's interior. Nevertheless, the extreme temperatures have officially ranged from 105 °F (41 °C), on July 20, 1986, down to 3 °F (−16 °C) during the January 1985 Arctic outbreak.
Savannah lies on the Savannah River, approximately 20 mi (32 km) upriver from the Atlantic Ocean. According to the United States Census Bureau (2011), the city has a total area of 108.7 square miles (281.5 km2), of which 103.1 square miles (267.0 km2) is land and 5.6 square miles (15 km2) is water (5.15%). Savannah is the primary port on the Savannah River and the largest port in the state of Georgia. It is also located near the U.S. Intracoastal Waterway. Georgia's Ogeechee River flows toward the Atlantic Ocean some 16 miles (26 km) south of downtown Savannah and forms the southern city limit.
Climate
Savannah's climate is classified as humid subtropical (Köppen Cfa). In the Deep South, this is characterized by long and almost tropical summers and short, mild winters. Savannah records a few days of freezing temperatures each year (and has rare snowfall). Due to its proximity to the Atlantic coast, Savannah rarely experiences temperatures as extreme as those in Georgia's interior. Nevertheless, the extreme temperatures have officially ranged from 105 °F (41 °C), on July 20, 1986, down to 3 °F (−16 °C) during the January 1985 Arctic outbreak.
Seattle may be known for its consistently soggy weather, but this Pacific Northwest city has plenty to offer travel buffs. First things first, grab a coffee. (Seattle is the undisputed epicenter of this popular beverage.) After getting your caffeine fix, enjoy the city's laid-back aura. Spend your stay mingling with locals at Pike Place Market or on Mount Si's slopes. Or, get a dose of Seattle's art scene while perusing the exhibits at the Seattle Art Museum and the Olympic Sculpture Park.
The Adirondack Regions feature over 100 welcoming communities, mountains, lakes, verdant valleys and steep cliffs. Spanning more than six million acres, the Adirondack Mountains are home to the largest protected natural area in the lower 48 of the United States. Like a patchwork quilt, the Adirondacks are made up of twelve distinct regional destinations, each offering their own brand of Adirondack adventure.
New Englanders flock to this New York mountain region to enjoy nature while participating in all kinds of activities. During the warmer months, the area's more than 6 million acres attract travelers keen on hiking, biking, birding, rock climbing, golfing and hunting, among other outdoor pursuits. Meanwhile, the colder months are when the Adirondack Mountains turn into a winter wonderland, with superb paths for skiing, snowmobiling and snowshoeing.
New Englanders flock to this New York mountain region to enjoy nature while participating in all kinds of activities. During the warmer months, the area's more than 6 million acres attract travelers keen on hiking, biking, birding, rock climbing, golfing and hunting, among other outdoor pursuits. Meanwhile, the colder months are when the Adirondack Mountains turn into a winter wonderland, with superb paths for skiing, snowmobiling and snowshoeing.
The city of Las Vegas and often known simply as Vegas, is the 28th-most populated city in the United States, the most populated city in the state of Nevada, and the county seat of Clark County. The city anchors the Las Vegas Valley metropolitan area and is the largest city within the greater Mojave Desert.[7] Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city, known primarily for its gambling, shopping, fine dining, entertainment, and nightlife. The Las Vegas Valley as a whole serves as the leading financial, commercial, and cultural center for Nevada.
Vegas Sin City astounds travelers with its smorgasbord of offerings. Whether you choose to spend your trip testing your luck at its casinos, enjoying its highly regarded buffets or relaxing at its extravagant spas and by its chic pools, Las Vegas offers something for everyone. Though the bulk of Las Vegas' can't-miss activities and attractions are available on the Strip, travelers hoping to avoid the area's thick tourist crowds can venture outside the city to go hiking or sightsee via helicopter.
Vegas Sin City astounds travelers with its smorgasbord of offerings. Whether you choose to spend your trip testing your luck at its casinos, enjoying its highly regarded buffets or relaxing at its extravagant spas and by its chic pools, Las Vegas offers something for everyone. Though the bulk of Las Vegas' can't-miss activities and attractions are available on the Strip, travelers hoping to avoid the area's thick tourist crowds can venture outside the city to go hiking or sightsee via helicopter.
Sedona< is a city that straddles the county line between Coconino and Yavapai counties in the northern Verde Valley region of the U.S. state of Arizona. As of the 2010 census, its population was 10,031. Most of the city lies in Yavapai County, with a portion in the east located in Coconino County.
Sedona's main attraction is its array of red sandstone formations. The formations appear to glow in brilliant orange and red when illuminated by the rising or setting sun. The red rocks form a popular backdrop for many activities, ranging from spiritual pursuits to the hundreds of hiking and mountain biking trails.
Outdoorsy types will love vacationing in Sedona. Home to towering red rock formations, ancient cliff dwellings, and vortexes, this Arizona city features a multitude of postcard-worthy landmarks accessible by various hiking trails. Many of Sedona's trails also permit mountain biking, while the area's red rocks attract climbing enthusiasts. After an active day outside, travelers can retreat to one of the city's award-winning spas or wellness centers, where they can tap into Sedona's spiritual side during a treatment, yoga session or healing ritual.
Sedona's main attraction is its array of red sandstone formations. The formations appear to glow in brilliant orange and red when illuminated by the rising or setting sun. The red rocks form a popular backdrop for many activities, ranging from spiritual pursuits to the hundreds of hiking and mountain biking trails.
Outdoorsy types will love vacationing in Sedona. Home to towering red rock formations, ancient cliff dwellings, and vortexes, this Arizona city features a multitude of postcard-worthy landmarks accessible by various hiking trails. Many of Sedona's trails also permit mountain biking, while the area's red rocks attract climbing enthusiasts. After an active day outside, travelers can retreat to one of the city's award-winning spas or wellness centers, where they can tap into Sedona's spiritual side during a treatment, yoga session or healing ritual.
New Orleans is a consolidated city-parish located along the Mississippi River in the southeastern region of the U.S. state of Louisiana. With an estimated population of 391,006 in 2018, it is the most populous city in Louisiana. A major port, New Orleans is considered an economic and commercial hub for the broader Gulf Coast region of the United States.
New Orleans is world-renowned for its distinct music, Creole cuisine, unique dialect, and its annual celebrations and festivals, most notably Mardi Gras. The historic heart of the city is the French Quarter, known for its French and Spanish Creole architecture and vibrant nightlife along Bourbon Street. The city has been described as the "most unique" in the United States, owing in large part to its cross-cultural and multilingual heritage. Founded in 1718 by French colonists, New Orleans was once the territorial capital of French Louisiana before being traded to the United States in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. New Orleans in 1840 was the third-most populous city in the United States,[13] and it was the largest city in the American South from the Antebellum era until after World War II. The city's location and flat elevation have historically made it very vulnerable to flooding. State and federal authorities have installed a complex system of levees and drainage pumps in an effort to protect the city.
Few American cities are home to cultures as unique as the Big Easy's. Offering a blend of influences from the Caribbean, Europe and other locales, New Orleans has a distinct personality. Music lovers flock here to immerse themselves in the city's rich jazz, blues and rock 'n' roll scenes. Meanwhile, foodies can feast on everything from gumbo to beignets to po'boys in between sightseeing. After filling up on tasty fare, check out Bourbon Street's nightlife or sign up for an evening ghost tour.
New Orleans is world-renowned for its distinct music, Creole cuisine, unique dialect, and its annual celebrations and festivals, most notably Mardi Gras. The historic heart of the city is the French Quarter, known for its French and Spanish Creole architecture and vibrant nightlife along Bourbon Street. The city has been described as the "most unique" in the United States, owing in large part to its cross-cultural and multilingual heritage. Founded in 1718 by French colonists, New Orleans was once the territorial capital of French Louisiana before being traded to the United States in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. New Orleans in 1840 was the third-most populous city in the United States,[13] and it was the largest city in the American South from the Antebellum era until after World War II. The city's location and flat elevation have historically made it very vulnerable to flooding. State and federal authorities have installed a complex system of levees and drainage pumps in an effort to protect the city.
Few American cities are home to cultures as unique as the Big Easy's. Offering a blend of influences from the Caribbean, Europe and other locales, New Orleans has a distinct personality. Music lovers flock here to immerse themselves in the city's rich jazz, blues and rock 'n' roll scenes. Meanwhile, foodies can feast on everything from gumbo to beignets to po'boys in between sightseeing. After filling up on tasty fare, check out Bourbon Street's nightlife or sign up for an evening ghost tour.
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