UNITED STATES
Washington is bursting with natural beauty, with soaring mountains, lush rainforests, and incredibly wildlife. In fact, there are hundreds of orcas, the powerful and toothy creatures we all know and love, in Washington. If you want to spot these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat, here are 11 of the best places for killer whale watching in Washington (both literally and figuratively!).
If vibrant fish, brilliant coral, and crystal clear waters are up your alley, you’re going to LOVE snorkeling on the Big Island of Hawaii. In my opinion, this underrated island offers the best snorkeling in the entire state! Here’s 4 unmissable Big Island snorkeling spots to explore Hawaii's jaw-dropping underwater world and see its incredible wildlife.
Punalu'u Beach. located along the southern coast of the Big Island, should be at the top of your Hawaii bucket list, thanks to its jet–black sand, towering palm trees, and, frequently, adorable turtle friends basking on its shores. Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Punaluʻu Beach, one of the most stunning black sand beaches on the Big Island.
Most travelers come to Maui, looking for rest and relaxation in a tropical paradise. And while it’s perfect for that, this incredibly diverse island offers SO much more, with epic volcanoes, towering waterfalls, and bamboo forests just waiting to be explored. If you want to experience the more adventurous side of Maui, you came to the right place- here’s eight of the best hikes in Maui.
The Big Island of Hawaii is incredibly diverse, offering active volcanoes, colorful coral reefs, and stunning beaches. With such a dynamic range of activities to enjoy, it can be hard to know what to pack into a single vacation here. Not to worry, though- we’ve laid out your 8-day Big Island itinerary- and suggestions if you have less time here- to make the most of this tropical paradise.
Home to one of the most active volcanoes on the planet, you’d think that the Big Island of Hawaii would offer tons of hot springs. And while there used to be several hot springs on the island, most of them were consumed by lava in a recent eruption, leaving only one untouched. Here’s everything you need to know to visit the Pohoiki Hot Springs, the only accessible hot springs on the Big Island.
Bryce Canyon National Park’s aptly-named Fairyland Loop Trail will take you below the rim of the canyon, while the park’s iconic pink and orange hoodoos tower overhead. And better yet? This trail is a hidden gem- you may just have it all to yourself! So if you’re looking for one the best hikes in Bryce Canyon, look no further- here’s everything you need to know about the Fairyland Loop Trail.
The Summerland Trail on Washington state’s Mount Rainier is one of the most spectacular hikes in the national park, offering fields of wildflowers, rushing waterfalls, and jaw-dropping views of the eponymous mountain. If you’re looking to escape the mass crowds of the neighboring Sunrise portion of the park, look no further- here’s everything you need to know about the Summerland Trail.
Yellow Aster Butte, located in the North Cascades of Washington, is one of most jaw-dropping trails near Mount Baker, with fields of vibrant wildflowers and endless views of soaring mountains. If you’re looking for one of the best hikes in the North Cascades, here’s everything you need to know about Yellow Aster Butte.
Cape Flattery in Washington state holds an epic claim to fame- it’s the northwestern most point in the entire contiguous United States. It also offers a jaw dropping backdrop, with rugged sea stacks jutting out of the ocean, and excellent wildlife watching opportunities. So if you want to check off a major bucket list hike, here’s everything you need to know about the Cape Flattery trail.
Looking for a way to escape the dreaded winter chill? Luckily for you, Florida is one of the most popular and accessible destinations in the U.S., renowned for its year round sunshine, jaw-dropping beaches, and adorably goofy-looking manatees. If you’re planning your annual getaway, buckle up- here’s 14 incredible destinations that are perfect for enjoying winter in Florida.
Olympic National Park has tons of stunning beaches, but Shi Shi Beach, with its dramatic sea stacks and otherworldly sunsets, is in a league of its own. And even better? You can actually call Shi Shi your home for a night, by pitching a tent along its shores! But camping at Shi Shi Beach isn’t exactly straightforward- so here’s everything you need to know to make your trip as epic as possible.
Have you ever wanted to visit one of those incredibly festive towns from every Hallmark Christmas movie? Leavenworth, Washington, a tiny Bavarian-themed town nestled in the Cascade mountains that’s bursting with Christmas cheer, may just be the town for you. Here’s everything you need to know to have the most magical Christmas in Leavenworth this holiday season.
October is one of the most beautiful months of the year, kicking off the start of crisp temperatures and Mother Nature’s annual finale of fall colors. With less crowds, more active wildlife, and the start of sweater weather, it’s also the perfect time to explore the great outdoors. Here are 11 of the best national parks to visit in October for the most epic outdoor adventures this fall.
If you’re looking for a jaw-dropping view of Mount Rainier, you've gotta add the High Rock Lookout trail to your list. Perched at 5,685 feet, this lookout provides stellar views for hundreds of miles, surrounded by the peaks of Rainier, Mount St. Helens, and Mount Adams. Here’s everything you need to know about the High Rock Lookout trail, one of the most bang-for-your-buck hikes in Washington.
Between exorbitant nightly rates and resort fees, it can feel almost impossible to find an awesome and affordable place on the Las Vegas Strip, unless you’re a high roller or plan on blowing all your credit card points. But I’m here to let you in on a little secret- the Jockey Club. Here’s 4 reasons why you need to book your stay at the Jockey Club, Las Vegas’s best hidden gem, right now.
Towering at 11,249 feet tall, Mount Hood is truly iconic throughout the state of Oregon and the entire Pacific Northwest. With plenty of lakes, waterfalls, and stunning views, it’s no surprise there are a ton of awesome trails to enjoy around this behemoth, the tallest mountain in Oregon. If you’re looking for an epic alpine escape, here’s four Mount Hood hikes you don't want to miss.
Looking for a winter getaway? With a dynamic range of adventures, ranging from hiking through forests of 50-foot cacti to shredding some sick ski slopes, Arizona may just be the perfect destination for you. Here are 10 incredible places to visit in Arizona in the winter, whether you’re looking to work on your tan or to explore a snowy wonderland.
One of the most incredible things you can do in Kona on the Big Island is snorkeling with manta rays. But there are a few unique aspects of this activity- you’ll be swimming with the fifth largest fish species in the world, in the middle of the ocean, at night. So you’ve got some questions about the experience, here’s everything you need to know about manta ray snorkeling in Kona.
California in winter is quite dynamic, offering getaways ranging from snow-capped mountains and pine tree forests to white sand beaches lined with palm trees. So whether you're looking for a skier’s paradise or a beach vacation, the Golden State has the perfect destination for you, just waiting to be explored. Here are the 18 best places to visit in California during winter.
Hood River is one of the most charming towns in Oregon and offers endless outdoor adventures, thanks to its location along the Columbia River Gorge and proximity to Mount Hood. From exploring quaint orchards to snowboarding on the tallest mountain in the state, there’s tons of activities to enjoy. Check out our guide for 15 awesome things to do in Hood River, Oregon!
The Enchanted Valley trail offers lush rainforests, towering mountains, and an iconic chalet, nestled in a stunning valley. While the Enchanted Valley is no doubt gorgeous, there is a LOT you need to know before you hit the trail, from backpacking permits to black bears. So here’s everything you need to know about the Enchanted Valley, Olympic National Park’s best backpacking trip.
For the best snorkeling on the Big Island, Kealakekua Bay, in the town of Captain Cook, offers a coral reef absolutely teeming with wildlife. Taking a tour is an awesome way to find the best snorkeling spots and learn about the bay’s wildlife. If you want a tour operator that cares for and protects this special place, here’s 3 of the best Captain Cook snorkel tours for exploring Kealakekua Bay.
One of the best spots to snorkel in the entire state of Hawaii is located along the west coast of the Big Island, in Kealakekua Bay, near the town of Captain Cook. For the most extraordinary snorkeling here, though, you’ll have to work a bit, either by hiking a challenging trail or arriving by boat. Up for the challenge? Here’s everything you need to know about snorkeling at Captain Cook.
When you’re planning a Big Island trip, the question on every traveler’s mind is “should I stay in Hilo or Kona?” These two towns, on opposite sides of the island, offer unique vibes that are better suited for different kinds of travelers. After spending several days in both of these cities, I’m breaking down everything you need to know about choosing Kona or Hilo as your Big Island home base.
Lake 22 is one of the most classic day hikes in the Pacific Northwest, taking you through a lush old-growth rainforest, past stunning views of the Cascades to an alpine lake surrounded by rugged cliffs. And extra bonus? It’s only a little over an hour outside of Seattle. Sound like a dream come true? Here’s everything you need to know about the Lake 22 trail.
The Big Island of Hawaii is home to one of only four green beaches on the planet- Papakōlea Beach. While this beach is inarguably bucketlist worthy, you’ll have to work to enjoy its colorful shores, by making a 2.9 miles trek one-way down the rugged coastline. Here’s everything you need to know about the Green Sand Beach, the Big Island’s most unique beach.
The Big Island of Hawaii is full of incredible activities, from snorkeling with manta rays to watching an erupting volcano. But for a truly epic Big Island adventure, the Mauna Kea hike will lead you up what is technically the world’s tallest mountain, for jaw-dropping views above the clouds. So lace up those hiking boots- here’s everything you need to know to about the Mauna Kea hike.
Sunbeam Hot Springs are some of the most gorgeous hot springs in Idaho, located in a rushing river of crystal clear water and surrounded by rolling hills of pine trees. And besides being jaw-droppingly gorgeous, Sunbeam is also one of the most accessible hot springs in the state. So pack up the car and let’s hit the road- here’s everything you need to know about visiting Sunbeam Hot Springs.
Utah is an outdoor lover’s paradise year round, but is particularly bucket list-worthy in the winter, offering everything from its famously killer snow on the ski slopes to five national parks to the south. Whether you’re looking for a snowy wonderland or a gorgeous place to enjoy milder temperatures in the colder months, here’s 12 unmissable destinations to enjoy Utah in winter.