USA
Valley of Fire State Park: The Fire Wave, Elephant Rock & More
Situated in the Mojave Desert just an hour east of Las Vegas, Valley of Fire State Park is home to so many beautiful formations that it even rivals some US National Parks. In the following guide, we’ll be covering nearly all of the trails and landmarks one can experience when visiting Valley of Fire in
Cathedral Gorge State Park: Exploring Its Slot Canyons & Hiking Trails
Outside the town of Panaca, Nevada lies a Southwest hidden gem. Despite having become a Nevada State Park as early as 1935, Cathedral Gorge gets relatively little attention, likely due to its remote location. As with plenty of other spots in the Southwest, it’s home to slot canyons and desert trails. Yet Cathedral Gorge State
One Day in Bryce Canyon: The Top Hikes & Viewpoints
Bryce Canyon is the smallest of Utah’s Mighty 5 by far. At around 36,000 acres (or 72 km2), it’s less than half the size of Arches. And it’s nearly a tenth the size of Canyonlands (337,000 acres). But millions of visitors still come each year to admire Bryce’s iconic hoodoos. Most people, however, stick to the
Exploring the Extraordinary White Pocket
Some describe visiting northern Arizona’s White Pocket as like walking across a giant glob of strawberry swirl ice cream. Others liken it to exploring an alien planet. Whatever it may remind you of, nearly all those who visit White Pocket call it one of the most extraordinary geological formations in the US Southwest – if
A Guide to the Overlooked Grand Canyon North Rim
The Grand Canyon has long been one of America’s most iconic and popular destinations. A large majority of people, however, visit what’s known as the South Rim. The North Rim, in contrast, sees only a fraction of the visitors. And with equally impressive views, it’s ideal for those who want to escape the crowds. In
Colorful Kanab: Toadstool Hoodoos – Old Paria – Coral Pink Sand Dunes
The small town of Kanab, Utah serves as a base for countless geological wonders, and it would probably take weeks to see them all. Below, however, we’ll be focusing on three remarkable sites on the town’s outskirts: Toadstool Hoodoos, Old Paria and the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. I visited each on the same
Antelope Canyon X vs. Lower Antelope Canyon
Even if you don’t recognize the name, you’ve surely seen photos of Antelope Canyon’s wavy sandstone walls at some point, be it a computer desktop background or digital ad campaign. Located just outside of Page, Arizona, it’s now one of the US Southwest’s most popular destinations. While, as we’ll cover shortly, the canyon is divided
Top 5 Things to Do in Page (That Aren’t Antelope Canyon)
While Page, Arizona’s top attraction is undoubtedly Antelope Canyon, there are still plenty of outdoor activities to experience within easy reach of the town center. The following list of the top things to do in Page – almost all of them hikes – will help you escape the crowds while getting to enjoy some of
Mexican Hat: Valley of the Gods, Goosenecks State Park & More
There are few towns with names as unusual as Mexican Hat, Utah – a town of a few dozen people about 25 miles north of Monument Valley. But there’s much more to Mexican Hat than a silly name, such as its namesake rock formation, Goosenecks State Park and Valley of the Gods, which many call
Experiencing a Monument Valley Sunrise Tour
Monument Valley is arguably one of the most photogenic places on the planet. But a large portion of it is off-limits without a guide. So, to gain special access to the backcountry, you may want to consider a Monument Valley sunrise tour. There are two types of sunrise tours available: basic tours and special photography tours,
Sunset Over Mystery Valley
Monument Valley is arguably one of the most beautiful places in North America – if not the entire planet. But visitors are only allowed access to a small portion of it without a guide. And one of the most popular guided excursions in the area is a sunset tour through the aptly-named Mystery Valley. Located
The Monument Valley Scenic Drive: A Complete Guide
Thanks to its appearance in numerous influential films over the years, Monument Valley has become synonymous with the American West. Officially known as Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, it’s not a US National Park, as it’s managed by the Navajo Nation. And unlike public parks, non-locals are prohibited from accessing most of the area without signing
The Mysterious Towers of Hovenweep National Monument
Shortly after the collapse of sites like Chaco Canyon and Mesa Verde, the unique Ancestral Puebloan city of Hovenweep arose in what’s now southeastern Utah. Hovenweep National Monument is mainly known for its well-preserved towers built in the 13th century. But their true function remains a mystery. Were they built for defense, or perhaps long-distance
A Tour Through Colorado’s Canyons of the Ancients
The Great Sage Plain, which encompasses southwest Colorado and southeast Utah, was settled between 500 and 1300 AD. In its heyday, it was the most densely-crowded part of the Ancestral Puebloan world. Today, a large portion of the area is part of Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, home to a staggering thousands of individual
Mesa Verde National Park: The Ultimate Guide
Despite having been occupied for a relatively brief period of time, the cliff dwellings of Colorado’s Mesa Verde National Park make up what’s arguably the most breathtaking archaeological site in the United States. But with the park covering such a massive area, and with accessible attractions changing from year to year, planning a visit can
The Valley of Dreams: Hiking to The Alien Throne
Northwestern New Mexico is home to some of the most bizarre yet strikingly beautiful rock formations on the planet. Under ordinary circumstances, such unique landscapes would attract hordes of visitors year-round. But the remote locations of the Valley of Dreams and nearby Bisti Badlands, which can only be accessed by traversing poorly-maintained dirt roads, keep
The Otherworldly Landscapes of Bisti Badlands
The American Southwest is home to some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet. But even with so much competition nearby, New Mexico’s bizarre Bisti Badlands is among the most breathtaking and unique parts of the region. With that being said, it hardly gets any visitors, and there’s a high chance you’ll have it
Visiting The Aztec Ruins National Monument & The Salmon Ruins
The Four Corners region of the Southwest United States is arguably the most archaeologically rich part of the country. While Chaco Canyon and Mesa Verde are easily the top highlights, many visitors miss various smaller sites that are scattered throughout the region, such as the Aztec Ruins National Monument and the Salmon Ruins. Conveniently, they’re both
Chaco Canyon: The Ultimate Guide
Situated in a remote corner of northwest New Mexico are what were once the United States’ largest manmade structures. Established by the Ancestral Puebloans over a millennium ago, Chaco Canyon (officially known as Chaco Culture National Historical Park) is arguably the most impressive archaeological park in the country. But planning a visit can be tricky,
Exploring Bandelier National Monument & The Tsankawi Trail
Just about an hour outside of Santa Fe, Bandelier National Monument is a unique archaeological site consisting of dozens of cave dwellings carved into the walls of the scenic Frijoles Canyon. In the following guide, you can learn exactly what to expect from a visit to the main site, in addition to a hike along
A Weekend in Santa Fe: America’s Oldest Capital
Known for its adobe buildings, thriving arts scene and fascinating blend of multiple cultures, Santa Fe is one of the United States’ most unique cities. And it’s also among the country’s most historic, having been established as early as 1610. In the following Santa Fe guide, we’ll be covering the top things to see and
Street Art: New York City
When looking at the history and development of street art, it would be impossible to overlook New York City’s massive role. While public art, in the form of murals or sculptures, has been around since the birth of civilization, many credit 1970’s NYC youth culture with the creation of what we now call graffiti. Graffiti
Five Secrets of Central Park
Designed back in the 1850’s, Central Park often tops the list of places to see in NYC, with millions visiting each year. But if you’re the type who generally avoids crowds and touristy places, you may be wondering if there’s more to explore beyond the top highlights. Fortunately, there is. From the secluded Hallett Nature
Touring the Tombs of Green-Wood Cemetery
Back in the early 19th century, New York City was completely lacking in vast, open green spaces (Central Park wasn’t established until 1853). So when Green-Wood Cemetery, which stretches out to 478 acres, opened up in 1838, it was a pretty big deal. New Yorkers flocked there for family picnics and leisurely strolls – completely unconcerned about
The Colorful Mosaics of Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens
Taking up over half a block along the bohemian South Street, Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens is immediately recognizable at a glance. The entire structure is covered in colorful mosaic tiles, appearing straight out of a dream. And for a fee of $10, visitors have the chance to step inside and explore. Started by local artist Isaiah
Street Art: Philadelphia
Considering Philly’s rank as the fifth-largest city in the United States, it shouldn’t come as a big surprise that it’s got an abundance of street art. But the Philadelphia street art scene has something going for it that other cities don’t: Mural Arts Philadelphia, the largest public art program in the United States. Started in
A Guide to Philadelphia’s pre-20th Century Architecture
Philadelphia is home to some of the USA’s most stunning – not to mention oldest – architecture. Many of these buildings, of course, could still be considered ‘new’ by European standards. But what’s fascinating about Philadelphia’s oldest buildings is that they also reveal the story of the nation’s early years, as well as the transitions
The Spooky Cellblocks of Eastern State Penitentiary
It’s not often that one pays money to enter a prison. But even if walking down spooky, crumbling cellblocks isn’t normally your thing, consider making an exception for Eastern State Penitentiary. Not only was the massive prison – which ceased operations in 1971 – home to some of America’s most notorious criminals, but it was
The Mounds and Mysteries of Ancient Ohio
Long before the first European settlers arrived, the Ohio region was home to some of North America’s most advanced civilizations. As they left behind no writing, we know relatively little about them. But we do know that the Adena, Hopewell and Fort Ancient peoples, as they’re called today, loved to build mounds. And masterpieces like
Touring the Tombs of Bellefontaine Cemetery
Tragic struck 1849 St. Louis when a cholera epidemic resulted in the deaths of thousands. But according to common belief at the time, urban cemeteries were a public health risk. So where to place all the bodies? Prominent residents of the city decided to build a new large cemetery well outside the city limits. It
Street Art: St. Louis
As ‘street art tourism’ gains popularity around the world, St. Louis is fast becoming recognized as one of North America’s premier graffiti destinations. The ‘Gateway to the West’ has been hosting regular street art festivals since the ’90s, and the city is also home to the Graffiti Wall, the longest of its kind in the
Cahokia: The Forgotten Pyramid of Illinois
Many Americans are shocked to learn that their country is home to an ancient pyramid that stands as tall as 100 feet. Mysteriously, the fascinating history of Cahokia and its Monks Mound pyramid aren’t covered in most schools. Be that as it may, Cahokia was the largest pre-Colombian urban settlement north of the Rio Grande.