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Home >> Travel Destinations >> Vacation Spots in the USA

Vacation Spots in the USA

The best domestic vacations are spots in the usa that you DON”T expect. I’ve guided tours across the usa, from Washington state to Washington D.C., and have been delighted by attractions you won’t find in most (if any) guidebooks. Take it from a true road warrior: get on the road, then get off the beaten trail. You’ll be glad you did.

Here’s my list of the best vacations and spots in the usa:

Crazyhorse Monument. Located 17 miles from Mt. Rushmore, this work in progress is so large you can fit all of Mt. Rushmore just on Crazyhorse’s forehead. Many people skip over this monument (which by the way receives no federal funding) and head straight for Rushmore, which is a lot like skipping San Francisco to see Oakland.

Badlands National Park. One of the less popular National Parks, which only adds to its appeal. The Badlands, named by the Sioux Indians for its harsh terrain, is the home to some of the oldest fossils in the world, dating back as far as 37 million years. The sunrises are incredible, and there are several horse trails that take you up to the ridge for awe inspiring views.

On your way out, make sure to stop in the town of Wall and enjoy a hot breakfast (with five cent coffee) at Wall Drug. This is one of those random spots in the usa where you can’t help but get out of the car and wander around.

Carlsbad Caverns. Most folks are excited to go to nearby Roswell, only to realize they’ve been duped into a tourist trap. My advice: Drive as fast as you can through Roswell, set up camp in Carlsbad, and haul ass to the Caverns. If you get there before three in the afternoon (last time I was there) they let you walk down the natural entrance into the cave; those who show up later have to take the much less interesting elevator.

Monument Valley. If you’ve ever seen a John Wayne western, you’d instantly recognize the large rock formations amid the barren landscape. Tourists will drive up to the monuments, snap a few photos, and be on their merry way. My advice: sign up for an overnight jeep tour with a Navajo guide. This is the only way you can enter the valley itself, and for sixty bucks, it’s a steal.

These are just three vacations spots in the usa; believe me, there’s dozens more. I’ll cover more in detail in the next post.