There’s nothing quite like discovering that you don’t need to travel abroad to see jaw-dropping landscapes. Without spending ridiculous amounts of money or traveling on abhorrently long flights, you can take a road trip or grab a quick flight to one of these ten truly fascinating places you won’t believe are in the United States!
1. Mendenhall Glacier & Ice Caves, Alaska
Expanding nearly 14 miles in length, the Mendenhall Glacier in Alaska is a wondrous sight. A relic of the Little Ice Age, the glacier is estimated to be about 3,000 years old.
Within the glacier are spectacular ice caves with a stunningly surreal blue coloring that will take your breath away. Unfortunately, the glacier is receding rapidly due to climate change, so we recommend visiting this natural wonder while you can!
2. Leavenworth, Washington
Step into a Bavarian-style village nestled in the Cascade Mountains in Leavenworth, Washington!
Once a booming mining town, Leavenworth became a ghost town after gold and timber became harder to find. In 1930, the town debuted as an aesthetic alpine village with a backdrop of scenic mountains, and since then, its success has boomed, attracting more than two million visitors yearly.
Called the Christmas Town, Leavenworth is especially popular during the holiday season, hosting an international Santa Claus exhibition, a gingerbread competition, and a reindeer farm!
3. Vail, Colorado
World-famous for its skiing, resorts, and outstanding scenery, Vail, Colorado, features the third-largest ski mountain in North America.
Whether in the summer or the winter, Vail is a spectacular getaway destination full of adventure and sightseeing opportunities. The town is adored for its beautiful European-style old-world charm paired magnificently with the refined luxury of fine dining, shopping, and other accommodations.
4. Death Valley National Park, California
Death Valley National Park is coined “the land of extremes.” It is the hottest, driest, and lowest national park in the United States and the location of the highest temperature ever recorded, 134 degrees, in 1936.
Serving unique natural wonders, the park boasts plenty of attractions, such as Badwater Basin, the lowest place in the U.S.
5. Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Florida
A designated National Historic Landmark, the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.
The estate was commissioned to be built by James Deering, an American executive of the Deering Harvester Company, to rival those in Europe. Its final construction includes a pavilion, swimming pool, a cottage, and gardens with a reflecting pool and fountain, while historic art, furniture, and antiques decorate the estate’s interior.
6. Hoh Rain Forest, Washington
The Olympic National Park protects the Hoh Rain Forest, one of the biggest temperate rainforests in the United States. Within its lush embrace are many plant and animal species that call it home, including Roosevelt elk, big leaf maple, salamanders, and the endangered Northern spotted owl.
7. Crater Lake, Oregon
Part of Crater Lake National Park, the park’s main feature is the eye-capturing Crater Lake. The lake is famous for its stunning deep blue coloring and appealing clarity, but that’s not all. Crater Lake is also widely known as the deepest lake in the United States and one of the top ten in the world!
8. Antelope Canyon, Arizona
Located on Navajo land, the Upper and Lower Antelope Canyons are slot canyons estimated to be anywhere from 8-60 million years old when the pronghorn antelope once roamed the land. It is one of the most photographed locations for its magnetic pictures that capture stunning red, orange, gold, and pink patterns from the light shafts reaching the canyon floor.
9. Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, Colorado
A wondrous sight, the Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve protects impeccable landscapes of towering sand dunes as far as the eyes can see. And though the park is well-known for homing the tallest sand dunes in the United States, it is also highly favored for its elk and bison viewing, alpine lake fishing, and birding.
10. Nā Pali Coast State Park, Hawaii
Nā Pali Coast State Park is a place of wonder renowned for its luscious vegetation and impeccable vistas, which were famously used as the setting for the Jurassic Park movies. Along the Nā Pali coast are outstanding whale-watching opportunities to pair with the breathtaking sights of roaring waterfalls, lush forests, and rocky coastlines.
11. Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Lake Tahoe, the largest alpine lake in North America, has quickly become one of the most popular tourist destinations for its outrageously gorgeous landscapes. Part of Nevada and California, Lake Tahoe is nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the second deepest lake in the United States, next to Crater Lake.
10 Incredible Destinations You Can Explore for $1000 or Less
When a limited budget stifles you, exploring the world and going on adventures you’ve always dreamed of can feel unachievable. It may feel impossible to do this while on a budget, but we’re here to tell you it’s not. Traveling on a budget is entirely doable, with many affordable countries, like Mexico and the Philippines. These countries, well known for their history, culture, and stunning scenic landscapes, are waiting to be explored!
10 Incredible Destinations You Can Explore for $1000 or Less
Reef to Rainforest
If you’ve never been to Belize, you’re in for a real treat, as it’s one of the most serenely beautiful countries on the planet. Situated on the eastern coast of Central America, with stunning turquoise Caribbean shorelines to the east and dense jungle to the west, the visual delights alone are enough to keep your cell phone camera snapping 24/7. If that’s not enough, the immense Belize Barrier Reef is peppered with a plethora of low-lying, wondrous islands or cayes with abundantly rich wildlife. Before I begin highlighting this adventure, I must talk about safety because there are many preconceptions regarding Belize. These days, when people plan a trip, they ask their search engine, “Is it safe to travel to Belize?” Based on the danger in Belize City, the answer most likely is, “No, it is not safe.” But that answer is based solely on Belize City, where gang-on-gang violence and drug trafficking occur. I can honestly tell you that every other part of the country is perfectly safe, and 95% of Belizean tourist attractions are nowhere near Belize City. In addition, the locals and expats are always friendly and extremely accommodating. However, like many cities in the States, it’s never a good idea to walk alone at night, wherever you may be.
Satiate Your Appetite With These 10 Countries Notorious for Their Delicious Food
Food is one of the most impactful aspects of humankind. It inspires joy, community, and creativity through its diversity, flavor, and altogether richness. Throughout time, history and culture have influenced each country’s cuisine to create unique dishes that incorporate special blends of spices, meats, vegetables, presentation, and cooking techniques. These qualities have greatly impacted history and, in the present day, tourism. Now, people travel from across the globe to a country to taste its unique cuisine firsthand. Want some examples? Here are ten countries guaranteed to satiate your appetite with their world-famous cuisine!
Satiate Your Appetite With These 10 Countries Notorious for Their Delicious Food
12 Things That Make People Terrible Tourists
Being a tourist in a foreign country is exciting – you get to see new things, meet new people, and learn all about cultures that are completely foreign to you. And most of the time, locals enjoy having tourists visit – even if they find them a bit annoying, tourism is good for the economy. However, sometimes, tourists behave in such a way that makes their presence incredibly unwanted. Often, it comes down to a lack of respect or thought about how their actions may impact other people. Here are some things that people do that make them terrible tourists.
12 Things That Make People Terrible Tourists
10 Travel Items You Should Never Pack In Your Checked Luggage
When traveling around the world or within the United States, you know there are certain items you shouldn’t pack in your carry-on bags, such as sharp objects and large amounts of liquids. But did you know there are certain things you should avoid packing in your checked luggage? Grab your packing list and stick with us as we cover ten travel items you should never pack in your checked luggage.
10 Travel Items You Should Never Pack In Your Checked Luggage