These parks in the West deliver dramatic vistas, easy hikes, and scenic drives without a big time commitment.

On a cold winter day in Hokkaido, the northernmost of Japan’s four main islands, a small group of us followed a narrow, snow-covered trail at the base of Mount Usu. Single file and moving on clunky snowshoes, we crossed a landscape that felt both raw and humbling. Beneath the snow was one of Japan’s most active volcanoes. One day, it will erupt again. Leading the way was Rie Egawa, founder of nature guiding service Sotoasobu and a

Victorian architecture, wide beaches and peaceful nature trails make Cape May a classic seaside getaway.

Grab your boots and make your way through Southwest Virginia’s wild mountain terrain. In Virginia’s far southwestern corner, you’ll find something rare: vast wilderness paired with the freedom to explore it on four wheels. Here, the Spearhead Trails open the door to more than 400 miles of bumpy, rugged exploring for off-highway vehicles (OHVs). The system is subdivided into seven smaller, thoughtfully organized trail systems. Each is able to accommodate different skill levels and connect riders...

Teens (and parents) crave more than gaming lounges and dance clubs from all-inclusives, and the industry is finally catching up. Think: Hands-on, immersive experiences that spark curiosity, build skills and boost confidence. From scuba certification and conservation projects to horseback riding and sailing expeditions, these seven all-inclusives give teens adventure with purpose.

The islands, beaches, and neighborhoods of Fort Myers make it easy to plan a crowd-pleasing trip, from the grandparents to the kids. With inviting white-sand beaches, world-famous shelling, active wildlife, and rich local history, there are plenty of ways to explore and make memories.Numerous dining and accommodation options offer space, flexibility, and a laid-back pace that families need to relax and reconnect. Here’s how to make the most of a multi-generational vacation in the Fort Myers area...

She once carried Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly, and four sitting U.S. presidents across the Atlantic Ocean. As soon as May, the SS United States will be sunk off Florida’s Gulf Coast, transformed into the world’s largest artificial reef. Once America’s fastest passenger ship, she’s poised for a next chapter that’s as remarkable as her first.  After 17 years at sea, the SS United States retired from service in 1969 and spent decades in limbo, docked on the Delaware River in Philadelphia. When res...

Just two hours from Boston or Providence, Cape Cod is one of New England’s most accessible and scenic road trips. The sandy peninsula curls into the Atlantic Ocean like a bent arm, revealing classic seaside towns, windswept beaches and historic lighthouses. Drive slowly and the Cape unfolds region by region, from quiet villages on the Upper Cape to dramatic dunes at the tip in Provincetown. Along the way, stop for traditional Cape Cod activities like whale-watching cruises, strolling coastal trails, sampling local seafood and exploring the region’s maritime heritage.

Not everyone can or wants to block off an entire week for a cruise. Sometimes, a few nights is all you need for a refresh. Cruise lines have taken note, and short Caribbean sailings are surging in popularity, fueled in part by the rise of splashy private islands and exclusive destinations, like Royal Caribbean’s Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in Nassau, which opened in December 2025.  “Short cruises are a popular way for the new-to-cruise market segment to sample the cruise experience before...

I arrived on The Big Island expecting a tropical paradise. I had no idea that in a single day on Hawaii Island, I could travel from tropical rainforests and arid deserts to subalpine grasslands and even snowy peaks.

Japan’s marquee cities, including Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, draw record crowds, but for travelers willing to look north, a very different rhythm awaits.

Spring transforms Gloucester, Virginia, into a lively, colorful coastal destination. Founded in 1651 and celebrated as the Daffodil Capital of America, this historic town blends fragrant gardens, outdoor activities, and a thriving arts scene. Wander Main Street to shop at locally-owned boutiques, enjoy flavorful restaurants, and admire historic architecture. Gloucester invites you to slow down, explore at your own pace, and make the most of a visit in the spring.  In spring, Brent and Becky’s...

Why limit yourself to local trails when you can just take the train to experience stunning bike routes like the Great Allegheny Passage and Glacier National Park? Here’s how to do it.Cycling is more accessible than ever, but why limit yourself to local trails when you can take the train to experience some of the United States’ most scenic bike routes? Rolling straight from the station onto a bike trail holds a special appeal. However, a little advance planning can help ensure everything goes as...

Just off century-old Route 66, in the nearly forgotten town of Tucumcari, a bold experiment is taking shape. Art City, a 40-acre open-air gallery and glampground, is the vision of conceptual artist Matty Mo, a.k.a. The Most Famous Artist. His mission is simple but ambitious: to show how art and culture can revive and transform declining communities. Here, 13 large-scale installations punctuate the high-desert landscape, from street artist fnnch’s 20-ft.-wide crimson Lips to Griffin Loop’s Launch Intention, a giant paper airplane tipped on its side—an invitation to lean into uncertainty. Day passes allow time to explore, but tent and RV sites, modern cabins, and shared amenities—like a sauna and communal kitchen—encourage overnight stays beneath wide-open skies. Mo recently acquired a 2,400-sq.-ft. warehouse, which he’s turning into a creative incubator and retail space, and sees Art City as the first in a “global network of artist-led micro cities,” a model he hopes other creators will adapt. “I’m open-sourcing my experience, ideas, and failures,” he says, “so that others can learn from them.”

The yellow cabs in Kolkata, India, are disappearing, slowly being phased out by court order due to age. Boxy, battered and unmistakable, the distinctive Hindustan Ambassador taxis — India’s answer to London’s black cabs — remain one of the lasting images from my guided journey through Northern India, from Kolkata to Delhi, with Explore Worldwide.

Road trips are one of the best ways to experience the breadth and beauty of the U.S. From scenic landscapes and quirky roadside attractions to must-see historic landmarks, the open road turns travel into a hands-on adventure for the whole family. With America’s 250th birthday on the horizon, you have the perfect excuse to load up the car, hit the highway, and discover the country’s stories, scenery, and flavors. Here are three family-friendly road trips to inspire your 2026 plans. Kick off your...

America’s 250th birthday is the perfect excuse to hit the road this summer, and few routes tell the nation’s story better than the East Coast! From New England meeting houses and early protest sites to the seat of federal power in Washington, D.C. and the battlefields of Virginia, traveling the East Coast is hands-on way to experience American history.

Tucked into the Allegheny Mountains along the West Virginia border, Virginia’s Highland County is home to 10 working sugar camps where the sap from sugar maple trees is collected and boiled into liquid gold. The camps operate seasonally, relying on the freeze-thaw rhythm of late winter to coax the sap from the trees.

I patiently waited in the lobby of my hotel in Fairbanks, trying to ignore that it was nearly 10 p.m. — normally when I’d be switching off my bedside lamp. Tonight, though, I wasn’t winding down. I was winding up, wired with anticipation and primed to trade sleep for the chance to witness one of the world’s great bucket-list wonders: the aurora borealis.  A plain white passenger van soon eased to the curb. Out stepped Aaron Lojewski, founder of Fairbanks Aurora Tours, a man who spends eight m...

The moment you step into the dance hall, the sound envelops you. A fiddle erupts; an electric guitar wails; a keyboard drives out steady chords. Under colorful paper decorations dangling from the ceiling, couples two-step across a worn dance floor, while elders nod to the beat from folding chairs. The unwavering pull of the music unites everyone in the room.