3 Days in Yosemite: The 12 Best Things to Do for a Weekend
Yosemite may not be the first national park, but it's certainly among the most popular and beloved. Home to stunning megaliths of rock, beautiful waterfalls, and a sweeping valley that captures the heart of every traveler who lays eyes on it – just like it did to John Muir. If you're feeling the call to spend a weekend in Yosemite, you're not alone...
How to Plan the Perfect Alaska Winter Itinerary
Green lights dancing in the sky. Ice crystals on eyelashes. A steaming bowl of soup and a cold pint of craft beer. Now sing it with me: "these are a few of my favorite things." That's how the song goes, right? Well, it will be for you, once you make your first trip to Alaska during the winter...
How to Make the Most of One Day in Yosemite National Park (2023)
Among California's National Parks, there are some incredible natural wonders – but nowhere compares to Yosemite National Park. Instrumental in inspiring the preservation movement that led to the founding of the National Park Service, Yosemite was established in 1890. Since then, millions of people have made the journey to the park, especially the Yosemite Valley. But can you visit Yosemite in just one day?...
How to Make the Most of One Day in Zion National Park (2023)
Nestled in the heart of Utah's rugged landscapes, Zion National Park boasts a rich tapestry of majestic cliffs, verdant valleys, and meandering rivers, offering endless opportunities for exploration and adventure. Once you've seen it, you'll get it: it's one of the best national parks in the country and a favorite park for many...
The 15 Best Things to Do in Crescent City for a Weekend Trip
Tucked away in the furthest northwest corner of California, Crescent City is one of my favorite places in the Golden State – perhaps because it embodies some aspects of the region further north, plus has Redwoods!...
Major Marine Tours Review: Seward’s Best Day Cruise (& My Personal Fave!)
Most people want to go to Alaska to take a cruise: they board a ship in Seattle or Vancouver, spend seven days wending their way north, and enjoy a few excursions along the way. Upon pulling into port in Alaska, usually in Seward or Whittier, they're then eager to explore Alaska by land: they see the sights in Anchorage, maybe explore the outdoors a bit (maybe by hiking), and try to catch a glimpse of Denali. Most visitors don't necessarily think to hop back on a boat and explore the waterways looking for wildlife; they skip the chance to explore these two northern ports entirely...
How to Visit Arches and Canyonlands in One Day
The sun lights the arch in a warm glow. The scenery sprawls out below you, perfect as a painting. The rock formations and canyons stand timeless and seemingly unchanging for millions of years... There's a reason that Southwest Utah has been sacred land to the indigenous peoples who lived in the area – and has been considered sacrosanct in our modern world...
The 11 Best Things to Do in Mount Shasta for a Weekend Trip
Looking for an unconventional weekend getaway from the Bay Area? Northern California is calling! It's easy to get hooked on weekends up in Marin or flee to Tahoe whenever you need a break from the bustle of San Francisco. There's so much more to explore beyond these well-trod paths: one such fantastic destination is Mount Shasta and Siskiyou County...
How to Plan a 4- or 7-Day Texas & New Mexico National Parks Road Trip
There are some epic road trips in this world – especially if you love national parks. Think of the National Park to Park Highway. A drive to all of Utah's Mighty 5 (Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion). Or a loop through all four of Colorado's national parks, from the Rocky Mountains to the deserts of the southwest. There is no shortage of ways to explore our national parks, connecting the distance between them by car, and crossing some of the most scenic landscapes in the world...