Hike the dunes in the full moon light with one of the most popular programs at White Sands National Park. Offered once a month, the 90-minute program is a ranger-lead hike that begins at Dune Life Nature Trail. In addition to park entrance fees, the program is $8 per person ages 16 and older and $4 per child ages 15 and younger. Tickets go on sale online at 8 a.m. MST two months prior to the scheduled hike. Tickets sell out fast, so plan ahead and view the schedule for dates.
Directions: The trail is east and southeast, of Las Cruces. There are several trail heads. One is along the Soledad Canyon Road. From Exit 1 on Interstate 25, take University Avenue/Dripping Springs Road east for about 4.5 miles, then turn south on the Soledad Canyon Road. That road will turn east in a mile; follow it until you come to a parking area on your right. You can also access the Mossman Arroyo Road trailhead by exiting Interstate 10 at the Mesquite exit. Other trailheads can be reached by taking the Vado Exit off Interstate 10, and NM 404 at Anthony Gap.Soledad Canyon
However, the United States has a lot to offer travelers willing to spend the time exploring it. There are stunning national parks, gorgeous landscapes, incredible and diverse culture, world-class music, and a variety of delicious cuisine that varies from region to region.
I think the U.S. is one of the best destinations in the world to road trip. While the coastal cities are fun, the U.S. really reveals itself in the middle and countryside (it’s much more affordable there too). It’s in the nooks and crannies of America that you get a sense of its quirks.
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The city that never sleeps is one of the most amazing cities in the world. There’s nothing you can’t do or see here. From world-class museums and art galleries to innovative theater performances to unique restaurants to the expansive Central Park, everything about New York is amazing! Don’t miss the Statue of Liberty, the 9/11 Memorial, and walking the High Line.
Words can’t describe how epic the Grand Canyon is. It’s breathtaking. Make sure you hike down the bottom too. Most people just look out at the canyon from the overlook at the top, but its vast size and beauty are best appreciated with a hike down to the Colorado River. You’ll also avoid the crowds, as only 1% of visitors actually go down to the bottom. Just be sure to bring plenty of water if you’re going in the hotter months!
The warm weather, lively honky-tonks, funky house bars on Rainey Street, amazing hiking and biking trails, tons of outdoor activities — Austin has it all. It’s one of the best cities in the U.S., boasting a combination of nature, city, and delicious food. There’s also a fantastic music scene, not only with the SXSW music festival in March but year-round with live music taking place somewhere in the city on a nightly basis. I’m proud to call the city home! Be sure to binge on BBQ while you’re here!
Kihei is the main town in South Maui. It’s the most popular spot on the island for surf lessons and tends to be much less expensive than Lahaina. The town has great restaurants and fantastic attractions. It also has far fewer Maui resorts and big hotels. Much of the accommodations tend to be condos and vacation rentals.
Wailea, which is further south than Kihei, is a resort community that offers much of the grandeur of Lahaina without the crowds. Wailea is the up-and-coming community on the island and offers an amazing place to base yourself for your island adventures.
Wailea Beach Resort isn’t just one of the best resorts on Maui; it’s been rated as one of the best Marriott properties in the world! This property was built with everyone in mind, and somehow they make it work.
Whether you’re looking to lounge in the oceanfront infinity pools, splash in the massive kids’ water complex, or explore the Shops of Wailea, you’ll find almost everything you need here.
The one downfall of Wailea Beach Resort is that it’s not located directly on a beach. However, it does offer easy access to both Wailea and Ula beaches via a short walk.
This is one of the pricier hotels on Maui, but it’s worth it. You can check out their rates and availability here.
This is my favorite national park. It’s home to gorgeous snow-topped mountains, a beautiful lake from which to admire said mountains, large glaciers, and hiking trails galore. It is one of the most mind-blowing places I’ve seen on my adventures and I can’t recommend it enough! (If you plan to visit multiple national parks while traveling throughout the United States, it’s worth it to get the America the Beautiful Park Pass, which costs just $80 USD and provides entry to all the national parks for a year.)
The Pacific Coast is considered one of the most scenic landscapes in the world, offering sheer cliffs, forests descending to the shoreline, miles of beaches, and giant redwoods. The Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) is part of California State Route 1, one of the longest historic state highways in the country. Be prepared to make slow progress as you’ll be pulling over frequently to stop, hike, and admire the view. While the route takes 10 hours to traverse without stopping, I recommend dedicating at least several days to enjoy all that the area has to offer.
San Diego’s weather is almost always perfect, leading to a permanently happy population that’s friendly and outgoing and that loves the outdoors. From hiking, days at the beach, or running, people here love to get out and enjoy the sun. The downtown Gaslamp area — as well as the famous Pacific Beach — is full of trendy restaurants, bustling bars, and some seriously life-changing taco stalls. I love San Diego. It’s an underrated city!
California is home to some of the best wine in the world, and a visit to the Sonoma or Napa Valley shouldn’t be missed. While Sonoma is cheaper than Napa, these are destinations meant for splashing out. Take a tour, book a cozy vineyard Airbnb, and enjoy a relaxing few days learning about the region’s wines. Tastings usually cost between $15-20 USD.