It took leaving home for me to really appreciate everything the USA has to offer.
The country is vast. Diverse. Stunning. With rad cities and even better national parks, this country is one for the books.
Let’s explore America.
HOW TO PLAN A US NATIONAL PARKS ROAD TRIP
More National Park Road Trip Resources: Why You Should Buy an America the Beautiful Pass ● How Much Does a US National Parks Road Trip Cost?
CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’
California
With coastline, desert, and mountains, California really does have a little bit of everything.
Start your California road trip in the iconic city of San Francisco (please don’t call it Frisco) with some tacos, urban hikes, and live music.
7 Best Taquerias in San Francisco ● Retro Gaming at Musée Mecanique ● What the Hell is a J-Pop Summit? ● What the Hell is a Cat Café? ● San Francisco Street Art ● San Francisco Pride ● Bay to Breakers
More California: 8 Experiences in Monterey ● Baywatch: 4 of the Best Whale Watching Spots in California ● An Outlandish Guide to Joshua Tree ● An Outlandish Guide to Yosemite
WEST COAST IS THE BEST COAST
Oregon ● Washington
At least that’s what some people will tell you.
Venture north of California for an encounter with the Pacific Northwest. Here you’ll find underrated cities and some really fine nature. Like, you know… a massive crater lake.
More West Coast: 51 Unique + Weird Things to do in Portland ● Drinking in Detention at McMenamin’s Kennedy School ● What the Hell is the Freakybuttrue Peculiarium? ● Finding the Best Brunch in Portland ● Seaplane Ride over Seattle ● How to Plan a Pacific Northwest Road Trip ● An Outlandish Guide to North Cascades
NATIONAL PARK GUIDES
SOUTHWESTERN MUSE
Utah ● Arizona
The Southwestern landscape has inspired many paintings and brought to life many songs. It’s encouraged foolhardy endeavors in homesteading and exploration.
I, for one, have never been a desert person (honestly who is a “desert person”?) but the national parks of Arizona and Utah really changed my mind.
Want a change of perspective? Hop in the car and go for a little adventure across the Southwest.
More of the Southwest: An Outlandish Guide to Zion National Park ● 5 Hikes in Zion (that aren’t Angel’s Landing) ● Backpacking the Zion Traverse ● An Outlandish Guide to Bryce Canyon National Park ● An Outlandish Guide to Capitol Reef National Park ● Backpacking the Needles in Canyonlands ● An Outlandish Guide to the Grand Canyon ● Sleeping Around: Best Campsites at the Grand Canyon ● An Outlandish Guide to Coyote Buttes
OFF TO A ROCKY [MOUNTAIN] START
Colorado ● Montana
It’s all about the Rockies for me. There are 58 “fourteeners” (peaks higher than 14,000 feet) in Colorado alone. Head further north to Montana and you’ll find glaciers and grizzlies, too.
This part of the US has rugged and pure beauty. Get the best of it in Glacier National Park.
More Rockies: 51 Unique + Fun Things to do in Denver ● An Outlandish Guide to Mesa Verde ● An Outlandish Guide to Yellowstone ● An Outlandish Guide to Grand Teton ● Bear Safety 101 ● Canada
21 WEIRD WORLD FESTIVALS
DEEP SOUTH
Texas ● Alabama
There’s nowhere on earth like the American South. A complicated mix of liberal cities and backwoods living. Warm hospitality with a turbulent history and divisive political system. But you won’t regret the time you spend here. It really is special.
Get your feet wet in easygoing Austin and go from there.
More South: 51 Weird + Fun Things to do in Birmingham ● Best Taprooms in Huntsville
THE LAST FRONTIER
Alaska
Who knows if Alaskan’s like the nickname, but it really does feel like it when you’re up there.
If you want to experience true wilderness in the United States, Alaska is the place to do it. Take to the wilderness in Kenai Fjords.
MORE NORTH AMERICA
