Best Adventure Vacations in the USA
"Vacation" doesn't always translate into a poolside cabana or a Broadway show. For some, escaping the daily grind means getting your adrenalin pumping; like on a rugged mountainside or 50 feet below the ocean surface. Others search for snowy peaks and alpine lakes simply for a change of scenery. This list highlights some of America's most exciting spots for a thrilling walk on the wild side.
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Why Go: This park—which is roughly the size of Rhode Island—in California's Sierra Nevada region features mountains, meadows, massive sequoia trees, and the country's highest waterfall. Opportunities to hike, bike, fish, and horseback ride draw the attention of outdoor-enthusiasts across the country. Read More»
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Why Go: Alongside Bora Bora and Rarotonga, Kauai is one of the world's most spectacular islands for thrill-seekers. Filled with acres of misty rainforests, plummeting waterfalls, and jagged cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the natural wonders are enough to excite even the most jaded visitor. Read More»
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Why Go: When Lewis and Clark first spoke of Yellowstone's natural beauty, no one believed them. But today, explorers who catch sight of the area's geothermic wonders like Old Faithful and the Mammoth Hot Springs, know America's oldest national park offers miles of undisturbed wilderness. Read More»
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Why Go: Like its sister islands, Kauai and Big Island, Maui offers outdoors enthusiasts a myriad of activities to get their blood pumping, from sea kayaking to mule riding to volcano hiking. But this is just the beginning. Head to Maui's northeast coast to admire roaring waterfalls, belching blowholes, and steep jagged peaks. Read More»
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Why Go: The Grand Canyon boasts an array of adrenalin pumping activities along the North Rim and Colorado River. Plus, after a day of excitement (not to mention exertion), you can relax around the flames of a campfire. admiring the rusty red canyon walls and trading tales with fellow adventurers. Read More»
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Why Go: This picturesque island boasts black volcanic deserts, tumbling waterfalls, lush rainforests, and five volcanoes (one of which is still active). Visitors can snorkel and kayak of the island's coast or hike through Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and the Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge. Read More»
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Why Go: Here, you can find thrills cateredto nearly any adventurer's taste. Twenty-foot waves keep surfers happy. And the coquí tree frogs of the El Yunque National Rainforest draw naturalists. Hard-core hikers will dig the rainforest's many trails, too. There are even secluded islands to enjoy—Vieques and Culebra, anyone? Read More»
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Why Go: The serene Outer Banks attracts seafarers far and wide with its bounty of tuna, marlin, and sailfish. However, if fishing isn't your idea of a good time, the high winds sweeping across this seaside oasis fuel great windsurfing, sailing, and hang gliding. And the sandy dunes of Jockey's Ridge State Park offer incredible scenery. Read More»
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Why Go: From snorkeling and scuba diving to swimming and sailing, you'll have no trouble finding ways to enjoy U.S.V.I.'s crystal clear Caribbean waters. For those who haven't found their sea legs, the islands host plenty of hiking, fishing, and golfing opportunities. Also, nature-lover will love exploring the Cinnamon Bay Campground on St. John. Read More»
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Why Go: There is plenty of adventure to be had in Maine's forested wilderness. But Acadia National Park might be the best place to take the whole family. You'll have over 47,000 acres of valleys, streams and rocky crags to explore. Read More»
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Why Go: If you're an adventurer, you shouldn't miss out on America's "Last Frontier." Take a boat trip through Tracy Arm Fjord to spot crumbling glaciers and swimming seals or head to breathtaking (literally, it's exhausting hiking) Mendenhall Glacier or Admiralty Island National Monument. Read More»
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Why Go: Any time of year, you can find adventure in Jackson Hole. In the winter and early spring, local ski resorts offer countless runs with gorgeous scenery. In the summer, you can kayak, hike, or drive through Grand Teton National Park. And in the fall, visit the National Elk Refuge to hear the bugle calls of its seasonal residents. Read More»
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Why Go: On the surface, Key West isn't suited for adventure-junkies, But that's because here the real wonders lies beneath the waves. Shipwrecks litter the already gorgeous reefs just off the coast. And above sea level, anglers relish tossing out their lines in hopes of a colorful catch. Read More»
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Why Go: Here's a little-known fact: Forest Park just west of downtown is one of the country's largest urban parks. And because Portland sits at the crossroads of the Willamette and Columbia rivers, all sorts of outdoor adventures are possible. So, grab an oar (or your hiking boots) and head to the City of Roses. Read More»
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Why Go: Just catching sight of the City by the Bay's hilly streets, you might break a sweat. Stroll along the Coastal Trail for spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge. And don't forget to hit the beach for some sun, sand and surf. If San Fran's urban jungle isn't adventurous enough for you, head to nearby Yosemite. Read More»
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Why Go: You won't be sleepless in Seattle because you're lovesick, but because you're so dang pumped about the city's thrills. In the winter, powder hounds flock to the Olympic Mountains. And come spring and summer, the outdoor possibilities continue, with pristine mountain trails and biking paths beckoning adventure-seekers. Read More»
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Why Go: Serious surfers head West—and San Diego's epic waves are what call them. But if you would rather fly above water; then hang gliding's for you. And for the land-lovers, this SoCal city offers relatively easy hikes at the Torrey Pines State Reserve and death-defying ones at the nearby Devil's Punchbowl in Ramona, California. Read More»
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