US Destinations

Explore top cities, national parks, and hidden gems across America.

Hawaii Beyond the Beach: Volcanic Terrain, Rainforests, and Cultural History
US Destinations

Hawaii Beyond the Beach: Volcanic Terrain, Rainforests, and Cultural History

Kīlauea's lava fields, Waimea Canyon, and living Hawaiian cultural traditions offer depth that extends far past the shoreline.

By Travel & Places Editorial Team · 8 min · Nov 8, 2023
National Monuments vs. National Parks: Understanding the Difference
US Destinations

National Monuments vs. National Parks: Understanding the Difference

Both preserve significant land, but the designations differ in origin, governance, and what visitors can do there. Here's how to tell them apart.

By Travel & Places Editorial Team · 5 min · Mar 29, 2024
New Orleans vs. Savannah: Comparing Two Cities Built on History and Atmosphere
US Destinations

New Orleans vs. Savannah: Comparing Two Cities Built on History and Atmosphere

Both cities ooze Southern character, but their architecture, food, culture, and pace of life diverge in revealing ways.

By Travel & Places Editorial Team · 6 min · May 23, 2026
Pacific Coast Highway vs. Blue Ridge Parkway: Two Great American Road Trips Compared
US Destinations

Pacific Coast Highway vs. Blue Ridge Parkway: Two Great American Road Trips Compared

Scenic drives, landscapes, and traveler experiences compared between California's coastal route and Appalachia's mountain byway.

By Travel & Places Editorial Team · 6 min · Jun 20, 2026
Planning a Trip Around US Seasonal Landscapes
US Destinations

Planning a Trip Around US Seasonal Landscapes

Wildflower blooms, fall foliage, desert monsoon season—how to time domestic travel around America's most dramatic natural events.

By Travel & Places Editorial Team · 6 min · May 5, 2026
Road-Tripping the Northeast: Balancing Cities, Coastlines, and Historic Sites
US Destinations

Road-Tripping the Northeast: Balancing Cities, Coastlines, and Historic Sites

The Northeast packs remarkable variety into a compact region. Here's how to balance urban stops, rural escapes, and heritage landmarks effectively.

By Travel & Places Editorial Team · 6 min · Jul 7, 2026
Small Cities Worth Slowing Down For in the American South
US Destinations

Small Cities Worth Slowing Down For in the American South

Beyond Nashville and New Orleans, the South holds a string of underappreciated cities rich in history, food culture, and natural beauty.

By Travel & Places Editorial Team · 6 min · Jan 11, 2026
The Appalachian Trail as a Travel Destination: Section Hiking Without Thru-Hiking
US Destinations

The Appalachian Trail as a Travel Destination: Section Hiking Without Thru-Hiking

You don't need six months to experience the AT. Learn how day hikers and weekenders can access the trail's most rewarding stretches.

By Travel & Places Editorial Team · 7 min · Feb 10, 2024
The Great Plains: What Travelers Miss by Driving Straight Through
US Destinations

The Great Plains: What Travelers Miss by Driving Straight Through

Vast skies, Native American heritage sites, prairie ecosystems, and grassland towns that reward travelers willing to stop and look closer.

By Travel & Places Editorial Team · 5 min · Oct 21, 2025
Things People Believe About Alaska Travel That Simply Aren't True
US Destinations

Things People Believe About Alaska Travel That Simply Aren't True

Midnight sun misconceptions, bear encounter myths, and false assumptions about accessibility—setting the record straight on visiting Alaska.

By Travel & Places Editorial Team · 7 min · Feb 15, 2023
Urban Hiking in American Cities: Parks, Trails, and Green Corridors Inside City Limits
US Destinations

Urban Hiking in American Cities: Parks, Trails, and Green Corridors Inside City Limits

You don't need to leave the city to find serious trails. Discover how major US metros integrate natural landscapes into their urban fabric.

By Travel & Places Editorial Team · 8 min · Feb 7, 2025
What to Verify Before Visiting a US Wilderness Area
US Destinations

What to Verify Before Visiting a US Wilderness Area

Permits, fire restrictions, water sources, cell coverage, and ranger contact info—a practical pre-trip checklist for backcountry travel.

By Travel & Places Editorial Team · 6 min · Apr 14, 2024
Why the American Southwest Feels Like Nowhere Else on Earth
US Destinations

Why the American Southwest Feels Like Nowhere Else on Earth

Slot canyons, ancient pueblos, and vast open skies—explore what makes the Southwest a singular travel destination for curious domestic explorers.

By Travel & Places Editorial Team · 8 min · May 25, 2025