Jul 22, 2024 • 6 min read
12.07.2024 - 18:53 / lonelyplanet.com / John Muir / El Capitan
Jul 6, 2024 • 5 min read
The USA packs spectacular biodiversity within its borders, boasting some of the most beautiful places in America.
Within the 50 states, you'll encounter incredible natural landmarks, including hot desert playas and plateaus, skyscraping mountain ranges topped by glaciers, rolling grasslands where millions of bison once roamed, tropical rainforests, active volcanic zones and polar tundra.
Many of the USA's most magnificent natural wonders are protected today by the National Park Service (NPS). These specially protected places also provide a safe haven for an astonishing array of wildlife, ranging from tiny eyeless fish living in the dark haunts of Mammoth Cave to the giant grizzly bears of wild Denali National Park. Scattered from coast to coast and beyond, here's our pick of the most mind-blowing of the USA's natural wonders.
The world's tallest trees grow on the fog-kissed Northern California coast. Redwoods can reach a height of 379ft, taller than the Statue of Liberty in NYC, and live for up to two millennia. Almost half of the remaining old-growth redwood trees that have never been logged are protected by the chain of Redwood National and State parks.
Planning tip: To hike the 4.5-mile Tall Trees Trail, you will need to apply for a reservation in advance online.
Measuring a mile deep, up to 18 miles wide and more than 275 miles long, no other sight in the USA beats this giant hole in the ground for instilling stupefying awe. Peering over the edge of the Grand Canyon is enough of a thrill for some, but to really appreciate the canyon's grandeur, hike all the way down inside it to the rushing Colorado River.
Planning tip: To escape the crowds, visit the canyon's North Rim, which gets a fraction of the visitors at the South Rim. However, beware that the North Rim is seasonal – there are no visitor services and roads close to all vehicles from December 1 to May 14.
Famous conservationist and wilderness writer John Muir called Yosemite nature's temple. Gazing up at towering granite monoliths such as El Capitan and at Yosemite Falls, North America's highest waterfall, you'll know exactly what he meant. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its unique geological features carved by glaciers, Yosemite also sustains a variety of rare wildlife inhabiting California's craggy Sierra Nevada mountain range.
Planning tip: Yosemite Valley's waterfalls peak in late spring, which is a less hectic time to visit the park than during summer.
Niagara Falls is not just one, but three waterfalls that gush along the US-Canada boundary between New York and Ontario: Horseshoe Falls, American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. They aren't the USA's tallest waterfalls, but these powerful cascades have a bigger
Jul 22, 2024 • 6 min read
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Jul 18, 2024 • 6 min read
Having visited over 40 countries, I've been fortunate enough to experience many of the world's most famous tourist attractions.
Jul 17, 2024 • 8 min read
Jul 17, 2024 • 7 min read
When settling on a place to live, cost of living is certainly a factor. But so is the recreation opportunities.
Los Angeles has the most sleep-friendly airport in the United States thanks to an overabundance of lounges open day and night.
I was doom-scrolling TikTok a few months ago when a video of someone walking around empty terminals at Denver International Airport popped up. The video, posted at the end of May, had about 25 million views and 3.7 million likes as of this month.
I spend about half my year in Europe , an arrangement that's existed for the last few years mostly due to my partner's job as an international basketball trainer. The perks are tough to beat, and my work as a journalist means it's easy to jump on a flight as long as I have my computer with me. My teen son joins us frequently, mostly made possible because he homeschools and agenerally likes to travel.
Jul 15, 2024 • 7 min read
As the steaminess of summer sets in — and with it, long, sunny days followed by warm, starry nights — who doesn't dream of taking off and getting away? We know that there is no one-size-fits-all trip when it comes to summer vacation, though, and everyone needs a little inspiration sometimes. After all, some travelers are searching for ocean breezes and ample pool time, while others might look for destinations with an excellent food scene or a buzzy, cosmopolitan nightlife.