Standing 128 feet tall, Balanced Rock in the Arches National Park Tour looks ready to topple over.
It’s not really balanced, but you can see how it defies gravity from the road or on an easy walk.
Located inside Banff National Park, the small Town of Banff in the Canadian Rockies Tour is visited by millions from all over the world.
With its wide variety of lodging, restaurants, retail and outdoor activities, it’s a great base for visitors to then explore the mountainous surrounds, hot springs that led to the development of the park itself, Bow Falls, Lake Minnewanka, the ‘Castle in the Rockies’ and view from the Banff Gondola.
Considered one of the best waterfall hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Tour, Laurel Falls is very photogenic and named for the mountain laurel that blooms along the trail in spring.
The 80-foot falls has an upper and lower section, divided by a walkway which crosses the stream at the base of the upper falls. Laurel Falls is wildly popular with all ages including families, so try and arrive early to miss most of the crowds.
One of the world’s longest stone arches and the longest in the Arches National Park Tour, Landscape Arch stretches over 300 feet but is only 11 feet thick at its center.
Like many arches it’s constantly changing, and you can see the 60 foot slab fall from 1991.
Seeing wildlife is often the most thrilling highlight of a visit to the Rocky Mountain National Park Tour.
It’s one of the best national parks for spotting wildlife, and home to 67 mammals including moose, elk, bighorn sheep, marmots and many more. Moose are often spotted along the Colorado River on the western side of the park, and look for elk in the meadows and in the town of Estes Park.
Driving Newfound Gap Road is a highlight for many visitors on the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Tour.
This 33-mile road winds its way to the highest elevations in the park with stunning views at every turn, passing a number of scenic overlooks and trailheads. Newfound Gap is the lowest drivable pass and you’ll want to stop here for the expansive views and to see the blue “smoke” trails that the Smokies is so famous for.
Located along Bear Lake Road in the Rocky Mountain National Park Tour, Sprague Lake offers an easy and mostly flat, but busy, 0.8 mile loop trail.
Along the way there’s several benches to kick back and enjoy the peaceful scenery and panoramic views of the Continental Divide. And keep your fingers crossed, if you’re here in the late afternoon you might be lucky enough to see moose here.
Wai’anapanapa State Park is a gorgeous 122-acre state park that’s home to the Maui Tour‘s most famous black sand beach and packed with stunning vistas and historic sights.
Follow the signs to explore along the beach and spot the sea arch offshore and find the blowhole, or walk through the park’s lava formations, caves, ancient sites, pictographs and native forest groves. Just remember, whether you’re headed here for the beach or a hike you’ll need a reservation.
Pearl Harbor in the Oahu Tour is the location where the Japanese executed a sneak aerial attack on the US and brought America directly into World War II.
The events of that fateful day and the countless lives that were affected are memorialized at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. For many visitors a trip here is not complete without stepping foot on the USS Arizona Memorial, which is built over the remains of the sunken battleship USS Arizona.
As the name suggests, Grand View Point is by far the best viewpoint in the Canyonlands National Park Tour and the highlight of the Island in the Sky.
From the overlook you can gaze down into a literal maze of canyons carved by the waters of the Colorado and Green Rivers, and catch a glimpse of the White Rim Road winding its way around the canyon bottom.
One of the world’s most scenic drives and certainly the most famous drive in the Maui Tour, the Road to Hana is not to be missed.
The drive is rich with waterfalls, black sand beaches, bamboo forests, lava rock formations and amazing ocean views as you wind your way through 620 curves and 59 bridges. You’ll want to spend a full day exploring the Road to Hana, making time to see the incredible Rainbow Eucalyptus trees and green sea turtles.
The Big Island Tour’s most famous and popular place to visit is certainly Volcanoes National Park.
You’ll want to allow a full day here, and make sure to see the most active volcano on the planet: Kilauea. Driving the full length of the Chain of Craters Road is highly recommended, dropping 4,000 feet of elevation to ocean level. Along the way there are fascinating stops and short walks at places like Devastation Trail, the Pu’u Loa Petroglyph Trail and Holei Sea Arch.
The drive to Haleakala Crater, a dormant volcano on the Maui Tour, is worth taking a half day away from your resort and driving the couple of hours from sea level to 10,000 feet.
You’ll be amazed at the moon-like and yet colorful rock and sand landscape that is the summit of Haleakala. Many visitors drive to the summit to watch a sunrise, or sunset, but it’s a spectacular place at any time of day.
No trip to Oahu is complete without a visit to Hanauma Bay, consistently one of the Oahu Tour‘s top 3 attractions.
Formed when the seaside face of a volcanic cone broke away, this pristine marine ecosystem allows snorkelers to get up close to living coral and abundant reef fish. This of course includes the Hawaii state fish, the Humuhumunukunukuapua`a. Just remember that reservations are now required to enter the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve.
Cades Cove is, without a doubt, the most popular place in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Tour for wildlife viewing and photography.
This secluded valley draws millions of visitors every year and the 11-mile drive is a highlight in any season, from newborn animals in spring to the gorgeous fall colors. Make sure to keep a lookout for wildlife: black bears, white tailed deer and elk are often seen grazing, lazing and seemingly posing for photos in the fields.
Inspiration Point is arguably the most spectacular viewpoint in the Zion & Bryce Canyon National Parks Tour, and from here you can look out across the entire Bryce Amphitheater to see thousands of hoodoos.
The John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in the Miami – Key West Tour was the USA’s first undersea park, and covers around 70 nautical square miles with mangrove swamps, shallow water coral and deep sea reefs.
Visitors can snorkel with multitudes of fish and explore the Christ of the Deep Statue and remnants of an old Spanish shipwreck, and those preferring to stay dry can enjoy a glass-bottomed boat tour.
Winding its way from Custer State Park, the final 45 minute approach to Mount Rushmore follows the amazing Iron Mountain Road in the Black Hills Tour.
Buckle in – this scenic drive has tunnels, pigtail bridges, superb lookouts and 314 curves. One of the most magical moments of the drive is the view through the Scovel Tunnel where 4 presidential faces greet you at the other end, just like a postcard.
Bahia Honda State Park is rightly considered the best beach in the Miami – Key West Tour.
On a nice warm day this is highly recommended stop for a cooling swim, stroll in the sand, or a nap under the palm trees. And don’t miss taking the classic photo of the derelict railway bridge.
