Located in Manitou Springs, Colorado, the Manitou Incline isn’t your typical hike. Rather than hiking up a mountain via an ever-changing winding path, the Manitou Incline is simply a massive staircase leading straight
Within easy driving distance of Denver is America’s highest paved road: the Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway. The parking lot at the summit stands at over 14,000 ft above sea level, while the thrilling
Located in Colorado Springs, the Garden of the Gods, a large public park known for its towering sandstone formations, is one of the area’s most popular attractions. Nevertheless, it can be difficult to
The Paint Mines Interpretive Park isn’t quite what most visitors are likely expecting from Colorado. But these colorful badlands, within easy reach of either Denver or Colorado Springs, reveal how geologically diverse the
For those making a road trip across Nebraska, North Platte makes for the perfect stopover between Omaha and either Denver or Scotts Bluff National Monument. But this small city also happens to be
Omaha is located in the geographic heart of the US and has long been known as the ‘Gateway to the West’ (a nickname it shares with St. Louis). But though it may be
Iowa isn’t exactly known for its natural beauty, and the stereotype of endless cornfields as far as the eye can see is largely true. But the state is also home to the stunning
The state of Illinois is home to one of the most significant and impressive archaeological sites in all of the United States: Cahokia, known for its large earthen pyramid. But like its neighboring
The island of Roatán may be Honduras’ main tourism hub, but it’s also somewhat off-the-beaten-path as far as Caribbean islands go. For travelers looking for a tourist-friendly destination that’s not quite as overdeveloped
For most foreign travelers visiting Honduras, La Ceiba is mainly known for being where you get on the boat for Roatán or Utila. But wanting to explore Honduras beyond its main tourism hubs,
The stunning ruins of Copán in western Honduras attract visitors from around the world. Yet out of all the top tier Mayan sites, Copán is by far the most difficult to reach. That’s
The Mayan site of El Puente is just one of three or four archaeological sites in Honduras that’s accessible to the public. Yet it’s so obscure that even many locals have never heard
While the mighty city-state of Copán had elite residences situated right next to its royal precinct, many of its nobles lived further away in a district we now call Las Sepulturas. Incredibly, Las
Along with the likes of Chichén Itzá, Palenque and Tikal, the ruins of Copán in Honduras are among the most impressive ever left behind by the ancient Maya. Situated at the southeastern edge
Not only was Cihuatán the largest ancient city in what’s now El Salvador, but its history is both unique and mysterious. The city wasn’t founded until 900 AD, at a time when many other
Located 50 km northeast of San Salvador, Suchitoto is arguably the country’s most endearing small town, featuring an even mix of charming colonial architecture and scenic views. Not only can the beautiful Lago
In the following guide, we’ll be covering the top things to do in San Salvador – a city that, frankly, has never really been known as a tourist destination. But the city –
Though Santa Ana, El Salvador may be the country’s second-largest city, it has an altogether different look and feel from the capital. It’s more similar to one of the country’s smaller colonial towns,
The Ruta de las Flores is often hyped up as one of the top day trips from Santa Ana, if not El Salvador as a whole. The region is home to about five
Joya de Cerén may have never been the seat of a mighty king, nor did it contain a single pyramid. But today, the UNESCO World Heritage Site is pivotal when it comes to
Scattered around the modern town of Chalchuapa, the Chalchuapa Archaeological Zone is home to no less than ten known ancient Mayan sites. But among them, only Tazumal and Casa Blanca are currently open to the
Santa Ana Volcano is El Salvador’s highest volcano, its third-highest peak, and arguably the country’s most popular day trip. In the following guide, we’ll be covering everything you need to know about the
Guatemala is the largest economy in Central America and its bustling capital reflects that. But today, most travelers avoid Guatemala City altogether, as it’s generally seen as a hectic and dangerous place with
Before there was Guatemala City, there was Kaminaljuyu, one of the largest and most prosperous cities in the region – if not the Mayan world as a whole. Kaminaljuyu is quite old by
Zaculeu is one of Guatemala’s lesser-known Mayan sites, but also one of its most unique. The ruins are situated just outside the city of Huehuetenango, located between Xela and the Mexican border. That
Xela may be Guatemala’s second-largest city, but it’s far off the tourist trail. But is it worth visiting? It depends. And this guide to the top things to do in Xela will hopefully help
Often touted as one of the world’s most beautiful lakes, Guatemala’s Lake Atitlán is home to nearly a dozen villages, largely inhabited by indigenous Maya. And with so many towns and outdoor activities to
The various towns surrounding Guatemala’s Lake Atitlán are often said to have their own distinct atmospheres and personalities. But none of them can claim to be as colorful as Santa Catarina Palopó. Located
Simply put, hiking up the Acatenango Volcano is one of the most thrilling adventures one can have in Central America. But as beautiful as Acatenango itself is, the real star of the show
By the time of the Spanish conquest, most of the great Mayan cities had already collapsed. But traditional Mayan culture was still alive and well in the 16th century, as evidenced by sites
Antigua is easily the most iconic colonial town of Guatemala, and arguably of Central America as a whole. And that’s because from 1543 to 1773, it was the capital of the Captaincy General
Few scenes capture the imagination like Tikal’s towering pyramids looming over a vast and dense jungle. But Tikal’s pristine environment also means that it’s not the easiest place to reach. And with rather
The Mayan civilization was home to many mighty cities, but few were quite as influential as Tikal. Not only was Tikal a political and cultural powerhouse for centuries, but its iconic towering pyramids
Guatemala’s Petén region is home to several accessible archaeological sites. But aside from the world-famous Tikal, Yaxha is the only other site that can easily be reached by tour. And that’s probably because
Belize’s various Mayan sites aren’t always that easy or cheap to reach. One major exception, however, would be Cahal Pech – just about thirty minutes on foot from the tourism hub of San
Caracol in southern Belize was one of the Mayan world’s most dominant cities, and is accordingly the country’s largest Mayan archaeological site. But it’s also the most difficult to reach, so most visitors
Xunantunich is one of Belize’s best archaeological sites, and it’s also one of the easiest and cheapest to reach. Like many Mayan sites in Belize, the Xunantunich ruins are comprised of just a
Inhabited from around 200 BC to 900 AD, Altun Ha would reach its zenith in the 6th century. And though it was likely just a medium-sized city in its day, the Altun Ha ruins are now
Tropical Belize is teeming with wildlife, and for many visitors, spotting animals will be one of the highlights of their trip. One of the most ubiquitous animals you’re bound to see (and definitely
Lamanai was one of the longest continually inhabited cities of the Mayan world. And its three grand pyramids reveal how important it must’ve been in its prime. Located in central Belize, most people
Located 25 km southeast of Mérida is a site that even many Mayan ruins enthusiasts have never heard of. The site of Acanceh was first established back in the Preclassic Period (700 BC–50 AD).
Situated between the modern city of Mérida and the Gulf Coast, Dzibilchaltún long played a pivotal role in the regional salt trade. While not the most elaborate Mayan ruins you’ll find in the region, the
The Ruta Puuc, or ‘Puuc Route,’ is a term used to collectively refer to five Mayan sites located south of Mérida. Not only do they share similar histories, but each former city-state was built
Situated between the urban centers of Cleveland and Akron, Cuyahoga Valley isn’t your typical National Park. It’s divided up into various sections with modern towns and residences scattered between them. While it lacks
Nearly everyone enjoys a good ghost town, though exploring abandoned places often comes with potential risks. But not Montana’s Garnet Ghost Town, a former mining town located near the city of Missoula. Managed
Montana’s Glacier National Park attracts about three million visitors each year, making it the 11th most-visited park in the country. But due to weather conditions, a large majority of visitors come between July
Montana’s Glacier National Park is the quintessential hiker’s park, while it’s also home to a thrilling scenic drive. But with so much to see and do, planning for your first trip to the
Many who’ve done it call the Highline Trail one of Glacier National Park’s quintessential hikes. As we’ll cover below, the most challenging part of the hike is figuring out transport to the trailhead.
Constructed over the course of nine years and completed in the 1930s, Going-to-the-Sun Road is the only way to get from one end of Glacier National Park to the other (without leaving park
Waterton Lakes is located in southern Alberta, just across the border from Glacier National Park. The two parks, in fact, make up the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. But those basing themselves at Glacier may
Many visitors to Glacier National Park regard the Grinnell Glacier Trail as their favorite hike in the park (though the Highline Trail is another top contender). But what makes it so special? Though
Glacier National Park is comprised of several different districts, but lots of visitors call Many Glacier their favorite. The area offers some of the park’s best hiking experiences, while it’s also home to
Known for its hydrothermal features and wildlife, Yellowstone National Park is one of the largest parks in the country. Most people visit in summer, but at 7,733 feet (2,357 m) above sea level,
At over two million acres, Yellowstone requires several days to fully appreciate. While it would probably take weeks to see 100% of the park, three or four days is enough to see the
Yellowstone will forever be known as the United States’ (and the world’s) first-ever National Park. Designated in 1872, it remains one of the country’s largest and most unique parks to this day. But
Just about every corner of Yellowstone National Park is home to something special. And the northern part of the park is no exception, as it’s here that you’ll find the stunning travertine pools
Located in the western part of Yellowstone, Norris Geyser Basin is home to hundreds of hydrothermal features like geysers, mud pots and fumaroles. While it may not be as well-known as Upper Geyser Basin
At over two million acres, Yellowstone has a bit of everything – geysers, wildlife, a large lake, and a scenic 20-mile canyon, the latter of which we’ll be focusing on in this guide.
Aside from its geysers, if there’s one thing Yellowstone is known for, it’s wildlife. While you’ll inevitably have a few chance encounters while exploring the park, where should one go in hopes of
For those with several days in Yellowstone, exploring Yellowstone Lake is one of the top things to do in the park. The lake covers 136 square miles, and with 110 miles (180 km)