Best Travel Destinations - United States
There are a few activities that automatically spring to mind when you think of Las Vegas: gambling, nightclubbing, getting married by Elvis, screaming yourself silly at the Stratosphere, and… shooting guns? Yes, one of Vegas’ most popular tourist attractions is a shooting range called The Gun Store, located just a short drive off the strip, on Tropicana Avenue. The Gun Store has been featured in episodes of CSI and Pawn Stars, and has been reviewed on the Travel Channel, the History Channel, the BBC, and CNN. Shooting ranges aren’t that uncommon throughout North America, however, what makes this one so interesting is the sheer variety of guns on offer. When you arrive at The Gun Store, the first thing to catch your eye is the ...
If you’re driving midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco on scenic Highway 1, look up into the hills of San Simeon and you may see, in the distance, several white towers and flying pennants. Look closely, and you may see a few zebras grazing on the grassy hillsides of this part of California. No, you’re not dreaming. You’ve just found millionaire William Randolph Hearst’s personal playground: Hearst Castle. Hearst Castle is a National Historic Landmark that is now operated by California State Parks; but it was originally built as a private residence by newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst in 1919. What began as a modest residence soon grew into an opulent castle with two towers and a variety of different styles, from Spanish Revival ...
The majestic Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is the largest state park in California, and one of the most spectacular. Chiselled mountains and canyons, cacti and succulents, acres of sand and rock formations, all combine to form one of the most impressive natural destinations in the state. With 500 miles of dirt roads, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is a favourite with those who enjoy exploring the desert via an off-road vehicle. As the desert landscape unfolds around you, it’s hard to believe you are just a few hours’ drive from Los Angeles. Your Landcruiser will bounce over sand dunes and large rocks, navigating the rough terrain. Make sure to peer up the rocky hills for a chance glimpse of the bighorn sheep. If your eyes are ...
The waterfalls of Yosemite National Park have a reputation for being some of the most beautiful in California, and possibly the world. The roaring waters of the Yosemite National Park’s five main waterfalls are set against the backdrop of the giant granite mountains of the Yosemite Valley. Vernal Falls is one of Yosemite’s most beautiful and mysterious waterfalls, and one that must not be missed on any trip into the Park. Vernal Falls has a staggering 317-foot drop before crashing into the large boulders below. The sheer force of this powerful waterfall can be felt within your core as you hike to the falls’ summit. No visit to Vernal Falls would be complete without this hike; although it’s not for the faint of heart. The ...
The Stanley Hotel creaks and groans like a hotel built in the early 20th century would. But it isn’t always the crooked doors or the old floorboards that are responsible for this. The Stanley Hotel is one of the most haunted buildings in the world. Several ghosts, from old housekeepers to young children, still call this beautifully refurbished turn-of-the-century building home. And whether you like it or not, you could have an uninvited roommate while spending the night in this charming hotel. Thousands check-in to the Stanley Hotel each year to spend a spooky, sometimes sleepless night. Stephen King, likely the most famous Stanley Hotel guest, was inspired to write his book, The Shining, in just one week after spending a night in the hotel. ...
The landscapes and natural elements of California have delighted and entertained visitors and residents to this state for hundreds of years. Known for its wide range of natural granite mountains, rolling hills and magnificent forests, California is ideal for visitors of all ages. However, there is one forest that few visitors who come to California get to experience, but is by far the most beautiful and unique. This is California’s Petrified Forest, which remained hidden for almost 3 million years. Located in California’s well-known Napa Valley region, California’s Petrified Forest is known for its wonderful production of California wines. The Napa Valley itself is actually the crater of a large volcano, which had been dormant for thousands of years. The main site of volcanic activity ...
Located in the historic Cannery Row district of Monterey, the Monterey Bay Aquarium is one of the most popular aquariums in California. They have a host of state-of-the-art exhibits that allow visitors to glimpse the ocean like never before. Spectacularly situated right on the bay, the outdoor viewing platforms (one of which is free and located outside the aquarium) are outfitted with free monoculars. They allow you to get a close-up view of the sea otters floating in the beds of kelp near the shore, the rambunctious California sea lions, and fat, spotted harbour seals. The outdoor platforms are just the start of your fascinating journey into the waters of Monterey Bay as you enter the aquarium’s exhibits. The Open Ocean exhibit is one of ...
Of all of California's beaches and celebrity-spotting haunts, Venice Beach is one of the best-known favourites of tourists and locals alike. Named for the canals in the city which were inspired by the famous Italian ones, Venice Beach was mostly frequented by artists, musicians and poets in its early days. Today it is a vibrant, bustling area with a cheerful jumble of visitors from around the world, street-side musicians, buskers, vendors, and artists. While the energy levels are high, attitudes are enjoyably laidback. Celebrities can occasionally be spotted in Venice Beach and the row of their elegant mansions towering over the boardwalk provides a starkly contrasting backdrop. The main strip is called Ocean Front Walk, and is also colloquially referred to as "the boardwalk". The ...
Denali National Park in Alaska is famous for preserving the largest and most majestic mammals, including the Dall sheep. Searching for Dall sheep at Denali Park is a thrill for wildlife enthusiasts. The classic Ram always resides on rocks at the highest altitudes. Rams, or the Dall sheep, are known for their perseverance. They never give up no matter how hard the climb is, which is a lesson for humanity as well. Mount Kinley’s popularity dissipates when compared to the presence of this beautiful creature in the Park. The conservation of animals started with Charles Sheldon who took it up as a home project. He turned away from hunting and became a mascot for conservation. He first visited the area in 1906, where the Denali ...
The Santa Fe National Forest is a unique forest reserve in the United States, as it hosts one of many Rainbow Gathering festivals. It is a gathering of the “tribes,” providing an opportunity to heal as a community and celebrate at the same time. At the Rainbow Gathering festival in Santa Fe New Mexico, there could be a wedding or a birth that is celebrated; or it’s also where the departed are honoured. Every person who attends the gathering is part of the “rainbow family”. Some people have a misunderstanding that the Rainbow Gathering festival in Santa Fe Forest is a hippy festival. It certainly gives you a spiritual feeling when you are there, and you will run into people from many different ethnic backgrounds ...
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